Comfortably Uncomfortable

I can’t say this experience is “comfortable” at all. I am alone in a completely different culture halfway around the world. I’ve left friends, family, a boyfriend and the comfort of my home behind for 3 months. I am walking amongst poverty in a rough, slum setting each day without others in my position to relate to. I am seeing things completely foreign to my heart and my mind. I stick out like a sore thumb and never go without being noticed or approached (in some great ways, and in other not so great ways). The things I am eating, my body decides it won’t keep, and I speak all of 10 words in the native language. Each night I go to bed in someone else’s home, and wake up without a clue of what I’ll be doing each day. The word “comfortable” just isn’t a word to describe what I’m doing.

But, here’s what I am continuing to learn from Kenya. I LOVE being uncomfortable, I LOVE having no control or understanding of what’s to come each day, and I LOVE being away from everything I know and everyone I’m used to.

Because, with discomfort comes learning and growing in immeasurable ways; ways that would never be possible if i stayed within my comfortable limits.With uncertainty comes the ability to live each day full of hope, letting go of all control and trusting God with each step I take. With isolation comes a clinging to God that brings a comfort that exceeds any type of comfort I could experience from this world. Being in a new place, brings experiences of a lifetime and moments that open my eyes in completely new ways. Without my loved ones, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have them and I am given the opportunity to build more incredible relationships across the world.

            I definitely have my moments, and I'm not saying that this is easy, but when I look at what the difficult and unfamiliar times have brought me over the past few weeks, I am reminded of how important it is to be uncomfortable. 

            Our lives are our gifts, and each day should be treated like one. We can't hold on to what we have been given and contain it in our own little comfortable boxes. Life is about moving forward, taking risks, sacrifices and leaps of faith, learning as you go and thanking God for another day to continue to use this gift to the best of our abilities. I am learning to live this life like it is completely undeserved, following God where He leads me, beyond what "comfort" allows.

To put it simply, I’m comfortably uncomfortable!