I learned this week that there is such a thing as an "American" smile in the Czech Republic. I discovered this a few days ago when I met a girl at a cafe. She was very interested in my life in California and asked me a lot of questions. All of a sudden, she burst out, "You have to show us your American smile!" I thought she was joking at first so I laughed. But then I realized she was serious. She and the other four people sitting at the table were staring at me intently, waiting for me to show them my American smile... I didn't know what to do next. I told them I had no idea how an American smile was different from a regular smile. They explained to me that Americans always wear a big smile and show their teeth in pictures, even if they aren't happy. It's fake and looks forced.
After I thought about it, I realized she was right. We do force a smile every time a picture is taken. It doesn't matter if we're at a wedding or a funeral. We wear the same smile. It made me question if we fake more than just a smile. I think the idea that we always have to seem happy or content in life is a big part of the American culture. We also don't like to admit our weaknesses. We are Americans. We are strong and proud. Weakness only leads to failure.
I was talking with a friend today for a long time about this topic of weaknesses. He is on staff here at In-Life and attends my student conversational class on Thursday afternoons. We were discussing yesterday's class when I admitted to him that I didn't feel confident in my teaching that day. I had my lesson plan prepared and printed out in front of me, but I still felt lost. I couldn't find a direction for the discussion to go. I told him how discouraged I was feeling after class when a student came up to me and enthusiastically told me how much she enjoyed the class that day. What? I couldn't believe it! But even more people came up to me afterwards expressing how much they enjoyed the topic and discussion. As I look back on it today, with new perspective, God was hard at work through my apparent weaknesses. More fruit came from yesterday's class than from all the previous classes.
Why does God work that way? Why doesn't He work through the days that I am feeling confident and strong? I don't want to imply here that I have all the answers to these questions, and I do believe God works through our strengths. But God showed me this week that weaknesses aren't a sign of defeat. They are a tool. A verse automatically came to mind while I was thinking this through. It comes from 1 Corinthians 1:27 and it says, "But God chose what is foolish in this world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." Now, I am not saying that we should accept our weaknesses as a part of our personality and not work toward fighting against them. The Bible also tells us to become more like Christ; to continually sanctify our life in preparation for His second coming. But it clearly states in the verse above that God chooses to work through our weaknesses.
There has been more evidence of this in my life in the past 6 months than I'd like to admit. God has had to work through more of my weaknesses than through my strengths. But through this I have grown so much closer to Him. He has taught me so much about myself. His power is shown so much greater in my weakness than in my strength. And this trip has been all about God's power! But an even sweeter discovery came in realizing that through God's strength, we are shown strong. People see God through us. We become God's example for other people. Just like in class yesterday, I was feeling discouraged and disappointed. But no one saw that. All they could see was the strength God gave me to instruct the class in a successful manner. We still shine because God shines. And that is when it has the most impact both in our lives and in other people.
I hope that all made sense! Sometimes the thoughts in my head make sense to me, but they don't come out so clear to other people. I have been very enriched this past week through what God has been teaching me. I'm really looking forward to next week too! An American missionary is coming to Brno to give a lecture on communication with God. The people here at In-Life say he is an excellent speaker and always gives interesting lectures. He has kept a great relationship with the people here for many years. I will also be going to a retreat next weekend with the fellow believers here. I am looking forward to getting away and spending some intimate time of fellowship with these new friends.
God continues to put people at home on my heart. I think and pray for you often. I know the people at Crossroads are gearing up for the big Easter celebration! Know that I will be with you all in spirit that day and will be praying it gives you opportunity to reach more in Santa Clarita. Here's hoping for 2000 more people to show up next year! My family has especially been on my heart this week. There have been times here that I've had the opportunity to meet other's family members. It aches my heart to know I can't introduce my own family and have them along on my adventures. I miss you Mom, Dad, Pooper, Fatty and Baby Girl!
I will write again soon :)
Rachel
After I thought about it, I realized she was right. We do force a smile every time a picture is taken. It doesn't matter if we're at a wedding or a funeral. We wear the same smile. It made me question if we fake more than just a smile. I think the idea that we always have to seem happy or content in life is a big part of the American culture. We also don't like to admit our weaknesses. We are Americans. We are strong and proud. Weakness only leads to failure.
I was talking with a friend today for a long time about this topic of weaknesses. He is on staff here at In-Life and attends my student conversational class on Thursday afternoons. We were discussing yesterday's class when I admitted to him that I didn't feel confident in my teaching that day. I had my lesson plan prepared and printed out in front of me, but I still felt lost. I couldn't find a direction for the discussion to go. I told him how discouraged I was feeling after class when a student came up to me and enthusiastically told me how much she enjoyed the class that day. What? I couldn't believe it! But even more people came up to me afterwards expressing how much they enjoyed the topic and discussion. As I look back on it today, with new perspective, God was hard at work through my apparent weaknesses. More fruit came from yesterday's class than from all the previous classes.
Why does God work that way? Why doesn't He work through the days that I am feeling confident and strong? I don't want to imply here that I have all the answers to these questions, and I do believe God works through our strengths. But God showed me this week that weaknesses aren't a sign of defeat. They are a tool. A verse automatically came to mind while I was thinking this through. It comes from 1 Corinthians 1:27 and it says, "But God chose what is foolish in this world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." Now, I am not saying that we should accept our weaknesses as a part of our personality and not work toward fighting against them. The Bible also tells us to become more like Christ; to continually sanctify our life in preparation for His second coming. But it clearly states in the verse above that God chooses to work through our weaknesses.
There has been more evidence of this in my life in the past 6 months than I'd like to admit. God has had to work through more of my weaknesses than through my strengths. But through this I have grown so much closer to Him. He has taught me so much about myself. His power is shown so much greater in my weakness than in my strength. And this trip has been all about God's power! But an even sweeter discovery came in realizing that through God's strength, we are shown strong. People see God through us. We become God's example for other people. Just like in class yesterday, I was feeling discouraged and disappointed. But no one saw that. All they could see was the strength God gave me to instruct the class in a successful manner. We still shine because God shines. And that is when it has the most impact both in our lives and in other people.
I hope that all made sense! Sometimes the thoughts in my head make sense to me, but they don't come out so clear to other people. I have been very enriched this past week through what God has been teaching me. I'm really looking forward to next week too! An American missionary is coming to Brno to give a lecture on communication with God. The people here at In-Life say he is an excellent speaker and always gives interesting lectures. He has kept a great relationship with the people here for many years. I will also be going to a retreat next weekend with the fellow believers here. I am looking forward to getting away and spending some intimate time of fellowship with these new friends.
God continues to put people at home on my heart. I think and pray for you often. I know the people at Crossroads are gearing up for the big Easter celebration! Know that I will be with you all in spirit that day and will be praying it gives you opportunity to reach more in Santa Clarita. Here's hoping for 2000 more people to show up next year! My family has especially been on my heart this week. There have been times here that I've had the opportunity to meet other's family members. It aches my heart to know I can't introduce my own family and have them along on my adventures. I miss you Mom, Dad, Pooper, Fatty and Baby Girl!
I will write again soon :)
Rachel
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