We arrived back in the United states late on the 13th for four days of debrief time. As a squad we will be reflecting on our time in Central America, readjusting to life in the states, and looking forward to where God wants us in this next stage of life.
The past two months I have been reading one proverb each day. They are known for the wisdom they contain and impart on the reader. Everyday I take at least one thing from the proverb I read. Yesterday, the 14th, verse 13 stuck out to me especially. It says, ”Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness” KJV. The word sorrowful in this context can also be “to be in pain or to grieve”. Mirth is defined as “joy or gladness”. And heaviness is defined as, “grief or sorrow”. So in other words, this proverb is saying, “even in laughter the heart is in pain, grieving; and at the end of that joy and gladness is grief and sorrow.
This verse represents how I’m feeling at the moment. I have spent the majority of the last two months with pure joy, laughter, and a full heart. However, at the end of that (leaving each country) brought sorrow and pain. I have friends in Nicaragua and many friends in Costa Rica. Leaving them and that time of joy is bringing me sorrow and grief. It’s a picture of life and the varying stages we experience. There have to be ups and downs. Joy eventually turns to pain and sorrow, which in turn comes back to joy.
I am thankful for technology that allows me to text and keep in contact with my friends in Central America, and for the pictures and videos of all the memories. I’m also looking forward to going home to the amazing community I have! This time at our debrief in Georgia will allow me the time to grieve what I left behind, but turn that grief into joy as I reconnect with my family and friends at home. It’s a picture of the circle of life and the wisdom and reminders that the Bible holds for us if we take the time to read and understand.
I’m thankful that it was on my heart to read a proverb a day, and also that the Holy Spirit brought verse 13 to my attention. It is helping me as I work to adjust to life in America.
