"Cathedral"

Raymond Carver
(pg. 180)


   I can see. I can see well. I can see clear. I can see without the aid of contacts or glasses. I can see anything that I choose to see with no trouble at all. I am blessed with perfect sight! ---It is funny that even though all the things I just mentioned are true, I have been blind before. I have not been physically blind at any point. I guess you could say that I had the wool drawn over my eyes, and I was living in the dark. I will explain...


    In America, we are so fortunate to have the things we have. Power at the touch of a button, water at the spray of a faucet, well made sewage systems, air conditioning, heat, fully equipped cars, etc., etc., etc.! I have been living like this all of my life. Never having to wonder about whether or not I was going to have a hot meal, or whether or not I had a place to sleep. Believe it or not, some people must live day to day worrying about simple things like this. The event that really opened up my eyes was a mission trip to Belize. Last year, my church took a group of teens and adults over to work with a community and church around the area of Libertad. The people there were so friendly, loving, and accepting of us and what we had to give and tell them. We just went to share of our time, talents, and share the love of Jesus to a very deserving people. Anyway, the trip went very well and we were all blessed. The main point of me telling you about it is this~ I saw so many things there. They live so differently than we do. For example, they can't flush their toilet paper, some places have holes in the ground for the toilets, no hand towels to dry your hands, and no hot water. All of these are things that I don't think twice about having. We use simple things like this everyday. The trip really taught me to be super thankful for every little thing I have. (No matter how small) Honestly, sometimes when I wash my hands and use a hand towel to this day, I still think of Belize and how blessed I really am. Sometimes I don't know why God chose to give me more than he did people in poor countries. It is something I will never understand. That trip last summer really opened my eyes up to how much we have, and how much we take for granted! It is truly a lesson i will never forget.


:)lgj