Lost in Bangkok

Well this is my second week back from Australia.  Come Tuesday this week, I had what I would call a "Lost in Bangkok Day".  That is the name that came to me quite naturally.  Now, what do I mean by this? 

Coming back, I have felt refreshed, relaxed and energised.  It makes me think I should go away more often.  Then by Tuesday, a week after returning, all the issues of working in my Bangkok were mounting up again. They are all the same, old issues - dealing with the ways of Thais doing business and Church which can come across as just being erratic and disorganised.  It all just goes on and becomes so tiring.  Instead of becoming upset or stressed out, I stood back for a day and that was Tuesday.  The internal experience of that day for me was that of being lost in Bangkok and I just persevered in feeling lost for the day and see where that went.

Maybe it went nowhere and that was hard for me as I like my work and ministry and like to feel that I have achieved something each day.  So I had to keep telling myself to remain lost for just today.  Okay, my day's outputs were low but, by now, I can see the impact.  My "Lost in Bangkok Day" has allowed me to be more effective personally in the following days.  I don't feel pressured to act or change what I can't change.  I just keep doing my work in ministry and try to be pro-active in what I do.  I even keep listening more.  A much better way to go! 

We all need our "Lost in Bangkok Days"!!