Tangled Thoughts

In my opinion…

Language is so, or atleast can be, overrated.

How many times are friendships ruined, relationships hurt, and people confused by language. Language. It can be a blessing, but sometimes, I think language can be a curse. People who don’t mind their tongues, or only use their words to hurt. People who say things they don’t mean, or do mean. People don’t connect – unless they talk, or understand each other. They seem so wasted sometimes…words.

Don’t get me wrong, I love words, and being able to communicate just as much as the next person. But I realized something this past week, and that’s that language, is sometimes, overrated.

When I left for Mexico, I had a list of fears that stretched a mile long. Or longer. I worried (no joke) that my luggage bag would be too big. That I wouldn’t get along with the people I was traveling with. That no one would like me. That I wouldn’t be able to communicate with the kid I got in Mexico. That it would be a waste of time. And finally, that I would have to go through the X-ray machine at the airport.  I had a fear for every leg of the trip.  Probably a fear for everyday.

God showed me a lot this past week, and in an almost comical way – one by one my fears began to drop.

Maybe not in the way I would have wanted, or thought. Maybe I didn’t get along with everyone, or agree with everything people said or did. Maybe I wasn’t the most liked person on the trip – but I learned some valuable lessons – and realized that its ok. Its ok not to go with the flow, and I dont have to be liked by everyone… I walked away with a few moments where I just had to smile – knowing it was Gods hand working.

But the one thing that struck me the most – was the language.

I went to Mexico knowing a few words. I was not, and am not, fluent in Spanish. I am pretty much a babbling baby when it comes to Spanish. I can say hi and bye. I can say beach, and shells (new words to me) and I can say good morning, good afternoon, and good evening – although I might not say them at the most appropriate time. And last week, I learned a new Spanish name.

But I walked away with 15 new friendships. With kids who I couldn’t even speak their language. When we left, I felt like I was leaving behind my best friends. Family. People who I loved and cared for, perhaps more than I even care for some of my own family.

And no one will really understand that.

How? How can you love someone so deeply that you cry when you leave – when you cant even tell them that? I don’t know how…

But it was done.

There were connections made, friendships and bonds formed, relationships happened.

Language.  Speaking with only words.  It is so overrated.

Im a fan of the sayings “A picture speaks louder than words” and “Actions speak louder than words”

Just because we couldn’t speak each others language, didn’t mean a thing to the kids, or us. We smiled, we laughed, we cried. They knew what we meant, we knew what they meant – most of the time atleast. We went to be “The arms of love for Jesus” and in a way, I think they showed us HOW to do that.

To love. Unconditionally, perhaps even giving unwarranted love. Love without expectation, without bounds. Just love. Pure and simple love, that only a child, who cant even speak your language can give.

There were times, I really wondered if I was doing any good for this child. She really didn’t seem that bad off. She had a family, friends, she was happy, she was loving, kind, funny kid who loved life. But seeing her love – love me, love her siblings, love the other people there…

It made me wonder.

And realize.

I love, with condition.

She loved unconditionally.

I love, with expectation, if I FEEL like it.

She loved because it was in her heart.

I learned a lot this week. She taught me without knowing, without words. But from her heart. How to love, unconditionally, and how to be the “Arms of love for Jesus”