where joy hides

This past week I was able to spend some time with a woman named Ate Bee. She is about ten years my senior. If you could picture Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith show, she was the Filipino/Chinese version. It was a pleasure to be around her. We learned some authentic dishes from her and served the women at the center as they attended a retreat. Ate Bee was simply delightful. She told us stories and giggled at herself as she recalled details. She would purse her lips as she cooked and her contentment showed in every step. I almost believed that being near her would lighten anyone.

Yesterday morning I went to the dentist with Brian because my wisdom tooth has been particularly troublesome lately, (not something I really pictured myself doing in the third world but anyways). Just a few nights earlier I was up for most of the night in pain, and I thought to myself in the midst of it all, God can you hear me? Will you do something? (Funny how much doubt creeps in when there’s no immediate relief). When it wasn’t subsiding I asked Him what it was he was trying to say or teach me. I was hoping he would answer. I took ib proffin every few hours. Finally when we got up I took another dosage of medicine and then suddenly it stopped. I couldn’t figure it out.
Then spending the morning with Brian yesterday I was able to dish out some real thoughts with him, and share some things I was learning. He brought some real clarity to my confusion and I can’t help but think that maybe the night of pain was for that very conversation. I mean I don’t want to over spiritualize the whole thing but I think it was one of the most important discussions I’ve had about my future since being here. The thing that stands out to me is that Brian was a real friend to me in it all. This is not to say that he isn’t all the other times, nothing could be further from the truth. I mean since knowing him, he has really taught me how to be a better friend among other things, just by his example but I have to say I was really encouraged and inspired and it was great! Simply put, that kind of investment and care is unique and rare and I’m grateful.
I can see there are some real joys all around me that I should celebrate. From Ate Bee, I practice joy that's found in the little details, in service, and laughter and from Brian there's joy to be recognized in the bigger things like dreams and friendship. I guess it’s nice to be reminded that God chooses to give good gifts to His children.