A WISE OR FOOLISH MAN?

So, what is the best cure for jet-lag?

Yesterday we touched down on the Heathrow runway at 7.30am, were whisked home in a lovely BMW and walked in the door at 9.50am. But what a dilemma - to go to bed or not? Well, I decided not to and half way through the day wished I had. But I did survive until about 9.00pm having been awake for about 33 hours (from 7.00am on Monday morning in Chicago). Was that wise or foolish? In so many decisions it is a fine line between the two.

Today hasn't been too bad and after a late morning life began to get back to normal. Re-stocking the food cupboards, opening the post that had accumulated, washing, ironing, (Kerry did that!) putting the wheely bin out for tomorrow. Normality had crept back in without me realising it and it was as if I hadn't noticed. I hadn't noticed until that is, I got into the car and tried to drive.

As you might have read, in the US we had hired a Toyota Yaris, small, automatic, steering wheel on the wrong side, driving on the wrong side etc. etc.. So when I got into our car it was a little strange. Approaching the first junction I shuddered to a halt as I left my left foot on the floor instead of putting it onto the clutch. At first I couldn't work out what had happened but rather slowly - I blame it on the jet-lag not my age! - I realised what had happened. I managed to get things back together and survived the trip without any further mishaps.

It struck me how quickly new experiences can become normal patterns in our lives and how soon we can re-educate ourselves to behave and react without thinking. That is, until we stall the car.

As I am between my trips - I leave for Hong Kong on Monday morning - I know I mustn't let the experiences of the US trip, the faces of the people we met or the things I believe God was showing me and teaching me, fade from my mind and that I must deliberately continue to reflect on them. I am aware that once I arrive in Hong Kong I will be bombarded by many more new experiences and meet many more inspirational people.

So before I forget I'm going to use these next few days to remind myself of all that has happened and make sure I learn the lessons I need to learn. I don't want any of this time to just become normal otherwise I will miss out on what God wants to teach me instead of keeping my ears open to His whisper.

Proverbs 9:9-10 says: 'Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.'

I know that driving the car tomorrow will still be a challenge unless I think about what I am doing. I've learnt something new - driving in the US - but I still need to drive here as well. In all I have done so far on this Sabbatical and all that is still to come, I want to be a wise man.