In the past 24 hours, I've had two interesting conversations that are quite different, but have a similar theme.
Last night, Jessica, a precocious five-year-old, asked me where my mom is. I replied that she is on the other side of the world in a country called Canada. She thought about this and then asked me where my dad is. I answered that he is with my mom in Canada. She furrowed her brow, thought for a few seconds, and then wondered, "Well, who takes care of you then?" I proceeded to tell her that I had many people who are looking out for me and taking care of me here.
Then, this morning, I was eating breakfast when one of the older ladies that I work with said that she liked me in a skirt. It reminded her of a little girl playing dress up. Another of the ladies laughed and said that she IS a little girl. I was a little offended and promptly replied that I am a grown woman and didn't like being called a child (clearly my little tantrum helped prove my point about being all grown up).
It's funny - I've never really thought about my age a lot until coming to South Africa. In fact, I often forget exactly how old I am and often think that I am younger than I am because I don't really feel any different than I did at 18. Ironically, I assume that I don't need anyone to look after me. I have lived on my own in the past, and thought that I could take care of myself (of course, my parents were only a phone call away, as were AMA and multitudes of other services that I don't have here).
When Jessica asked me who takes care of me, I initially laughed it off, but upon further thought, there are a multitude of people looking out for me, whether it be the people I work with, the ladies I am ministering to, my neighbours next door, or the individuals in my church. Even though my parents aren't close by, I still have comfort in the knowledge that if I ever needed something or felt unsafe, there are several contacts in my phone who would come immediately.
It doesn't matter that I'm 23 and think that I am invincible. The truth is that I'm not, and it took a 5-year-old to point that out to me. I still need other people. And I always will. It doesn't matter if I do eventually decide to grow up a little bit. I need others. I can't do anything on my own. Not only do I need God's help, I also need other people. It's kind of humbling to realize how little I can do on my own. Actually, it's extremely humbling. Oh well. I need that every now and then. Just remind me of that the next time I think that I don't need advice from those older and wiser than myself. :)
Last night, Jessica, a precocious five-year-old, asked me where my mom is. I replied that she is on the other side of the world in a country called Canada. She thought about this and then asked me where my dad is. I answered that he is with my mom in Canada. She furrowed her brow, thought for a few seconds, and then wondered, "Well, who takes care of you then?" I proceeded to tell her that I had many people who are looking out for me and taking care of me here.
Then, this morning, I was eating breakfast when one of the older ladies that I work with said that she liked me in a skirt. It reminded her of a little girl playing dress up. Another of the ladies laughed and said that she IS a little girl. I was a little offended and promptly replied that I am a grown woman and didn't like being called a child (clearly my little tantrum helped prove my point about being all grown up).
It's funny - I've never really thought about my age a lot until coming to South Africa. In fact, I often forget exactly how old I am and often think that I am younger than I am because I don't really feel any different than I did at 18. Ironically, I assume that I don't need anyone to look after me. I have lived on my own in the past, and thought that I could take care of myself (of course, my parents were only a phone call away, as were AMA and multitudes of other services that I don't have here).
When Jessica asked me who takes care of me, I initially laughed it off, but upon further thought, there are a multitude of people looking out for me, whether it be the people I work with, the ladies I am ministering to, my neighbours next door, or the individuals in my church. Even though my parents aren't close by, I still have comfort in the knowledge that if I ever needed something or felt unsafe, there are several contacts in my phone who would come immediately.
It doesn't matter that I'm 23 and think that I am invincible. The truth is that I'm not, and it took a 5-year-old to point that out to me. I still need other people. And I always will. It doesn't matter if I do eventually decide to grow up a little bit. I need others. I can't do anything on my own. Not only do I need God's help, I also need other people. It's kind of humbling to realize how little I can do on my own. Actually, it's extremely humbling. Oh well. I need that every now and then. Just remind me of that the next time I think that I don't need advice from those older and wiser than myself. :)
