The Village

I've aptly named this blog The Village.

Being so because it's where I am physically and emotionally right now. The Village is the name of our local shop and as I sit here out the front of The Reject Shop, I'm realising that I have In fact, become a northerner ( Mum and sister, look away).
I have a routine. I have my coffee shops. I have our Woolies. Today I saw our local doctor.

While I sit here waiting for my script for Zoloft, (unashamedly because that's why we even have this blog, advocate of medication for life! On that note I was doing some reading today and found that codeine interacts with SSRI's and can cause serotonin syndrome or symptoms of it, so steer clear of that combination if you are on) I'm pondering the last hour of my life. I usually blame my husband for the fact that I can't go anywhere at our local shopping centre without seeing an array of people that I now call friend, because he has met and involved himself in the life of the majority of regular workers at the stores we go to.

Sam at the petrol station giggles at Bella's make up and asks how Jas is coping with working and doing church stuff.
Muhammad the trolley pusher waves as I enter Woolies and says " say hi to your husband".
The 2 blokes at the Chinese shop wave at me and ask "Where's the boss?".

Why do you do that Jason? Don't you want to duck in and out without being seen or needing to stop on your way to get me (usually chocolate) something from The Village? Why does he do that...every time?
So today, after prompting from our local friends, I decided I would too.

Turns out I'm sitting on the bench of The Reject Shop overwhelmed with the fullest of hearts.

As I wandered around I was awakened to the humans around me. I was ashamed that I had to make a choice to notice others, so often I don't see people. Like really see them. I walk past. Today, I chose to see humans.

A Woolworths server who needed a chat.
A lady making my lunch currently suffering post natal depression and needing some guidance from someone who had been there.
A woman working in a sports store who loves the same team (and crush) who said " man I just needed that laugh".
It was easy to love. It didn't cost much. Humans everywhere need humans everywhere.

I noticed people smiling back and chatting and just the pure ,raw and genuine nature of good humans. There are so many. It's easy to focus on the bad and the pain around us, we carry that every where we go, but today I left overwhelmed with the amount of hearts that wanted love and gave it out.

The Village.

I also have a village surrounding me and my family. A real working, functional community. Car drop offs, soup when sick, companionship. What a gift.

I think Jesus saw people. In fact, I think that's what He spent most of His time doing. He wasn't interested in performing tricks and leaving a legacy of preaching well and 3 point sermons and programs... He ministered to the prostitute and touched the leper. He loved without reason.
Jesus changed culture.

That's the Thing.
Culture is changeable.
It's adaptable.
It's been changing since the dawn of time.
So let's: me, Jason and who ever else reads this, let's change it!!!! This culture of putting ourselves first and fending for ourselves, let's destroy that. Let's not focus on ourselves and what is best for us and what makes us feel better/ safe/ happy.

Let's love with wreckless abandonment and watch our little circle of influence and our world change around us. Your quality of life is actually your choice. You get to chose what attitude you have to your surroundings. You get to chose who to love and where to give your time. You get to make the most of what you have been given right here and now.

I get a lot wrong in life, but the stuff I get right always seems to be when I'm functioning with the intention of others getting the benefit. Moving away from what we knew as home came at a cost.
I miss my family. They miss me. But I hope when all is said and done, that we look back at this move and think none of this was void. It was all worth it. For us, for them, for others.

And just a little shout out. My parents go without us everday, released us and sacrificed us from ministing under their leadership without hesitation and with 100% support. Every Friday they make the drive up to babysit for us while we do youth together. Then they drive an hour home south, back to the beach, and sunsets, and open breeze and surf culture and...well....imma stop. Because for now, and until God says differently, we are home (away from home ).

See people, I promise it will heal your heart.

All My Love,
xx

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