That moment...

There comes a moment... that is undefined, but it seems that it just can't be avoided... when you return to a place that is known and familiar, it's normal and on the surface.. nothing seems to have changed... however.....

Yesterday I had a great day out with a friend who has also returned from Asia, after living there for 4 years. We were catching up on being away, but also comparing notes of the good and and the challenging of returning home. We were also bringing each other up to date or information that might be helpful to each other... useful information, websites, things that had changed, road rules- where we can and can't drive, and where we need those funky E toll things to drive, or where we need to pre pay for the public transport.... we might look Australian.. but there is quite alot, we have found that isn't clear to us... let alone for people who speak a different language, or haven't grown up here. We have changed, and our friends and families have changed too.

Anyway, all the conversation should have alerted me to the fact that I was more aware of it all, because, lo and behold the moment arrived... it's a time that you can't define, or predict, but the moment is unmistakeable. I don't know how one can avoid it, or if it's just something that a person has to go through when you return to a known, familiar place after a long absense.

Things have changed, rules have altered, relationships have changed or a different because of different circumstances, things are technically the same, but there are minor things that just take a person off guard, or shock, hurt, or baffle you, or maybe we just react differently because we are taken off guard, or are just trying to find our way, knowing that we, and the situations around us have changed.

On the up side- and there are far more ups than downs- it's awesome to know we are where we should be where, and have loved seeing the way God has been moving in our lives in so many ways.

So, in it all, while we can plan and expect reverse culture shock as we return to any known and familiar place after a long absense.. there are still times and moments when it takes us unawares..! And I know too, that I will keep making mistakes, both big and little, but am glad grace continues to abound, and trust that it does in my little neck of the woods here too!