I was so excited to see this week’s Carnival of Beauty topic…’The Beauty of my Country’. I can finally tell you a little about the country I grew up in; and even can tie it in with Scripture :smile:.
As you know I lived the first 30 years of my earthly life in Germany. I grew up in a country with a rich history (yeah, I know some really dark one too, but which country doesn’t have dark parts in their history?). Anyway, I grew up in a divided country, which was reunited on October 3rd, 1990…I am sorry to say that it didn’t mean much to me that Germany was reunited. For one thing, I was blessed to grow up in the Western part; the free part. We had great schools, I got a good education (my parents insisted on that). I was also blessed to grow up in a nurturing environment. One dark part though, growing up in the late 60’s to mid 80’s was that we, pretty much on a daily basis, had terrorist attacks. Either groups within (yeah Germany had terrorist cells – just don’t remember why they blew things up), the IRA, the Basque Separatist, and the Sicilian Mafia. But you know, you adjust to that. You just accept it…
Even though with all the challenges growing up, I love my country. And to be honest with you, my friends, I would go back in a heartbeat. I miss the European way of living. I miss the street side cafes, the Biergardens, the festivals…the shopping. The whole nine yards…And of course, I miss my family. I don’t have the chance to spoil my niece and nephew; I can’t hug my mom or sister when they are going through a hard time. Some days that makes me sad. I miss hopping on the train and be in a few hours in a different country like Italy, Spain or France.
Many times I have asked myself, why in the world God planted us here in the US, especially Arizona. I think for one thing, He brought us here to bring me back to a close relationship with Him. On the other hand, God wanted to make it clear to me, that no matter where I live, it is not home. We have our home in heaven and if we get to comfortable in the places we live and we love, we would forget all about heaven…
“…Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” ~ Philippians 3:19-21 (NIV).
Do I miss living in Germany? Of course…Am I content where I live now? Certainly! Because I know it is by the hand of God.
The Carnival of Beauty is this week hosted by Bethany at ‘A Picturesque Life‘. There is still time to submit your entry for this week. Deadline was moved to 10pm CST. Hope to see you on Wednesday at the carnival.
This is such a well thought out post, and you did such a good job linking in the scripture. I think that living in Europe would be so wonderful, and this post makes me want to leave now.
I love this post. God brought me to Texas.. Away from everything I knew.. all the people and places. I was so lost when I first got here ..not knowing anyone but Guppy. It was very hard at first , but God taught me the same lesson. It took me getting away from my comfort zone to truly understand it and depend on God for it though.
thank you for always inspiring me and for always getting me to think..
Have a safe and happy 4th 🙂
Iris this was a great post! I can’t believe you once told me that you didn’t think your writing was very good. You’re FABULOUS! Very inspiring, as always. I can see how you would prefer Europe, I’ve always wanted to go myself and I would love to visit the villages my ancestors came from. I am only second-generation American so my heritage is closely rooted over there 🙂
That was a great post. A while ago I told you I’d send you some schnitzel… Oktoberfest is coming up soon – you should give Kitchener (former Berlin before WWII) a visit! I know what you mean about missing home and feeling the anguish of not being able to give your family a simple hug when they need it. Although I’m not as far away from home as you are (and I didn’t have culture shock to deal with) ~ 5,000 kilometers is far enough for me. This is where God has us for now… who knows what He has install for us down the road? Thanks for the uplifting words and scripture. Very cool.
It is hard being away from family. Our move from TN to GA was a short move but deeply felt. We are still struggling with the distance from Hubbys kids and our granddaughter. But like you we prayed hard about this move and we both know this is where God has plans for us! Great posting. Your writing just gets better and better!
I came over here from the comment you left on my Saturday photo hunt (thanks!). I wanted to see your photo, but I had to read this post first. I’ve seen your blog before, but have been “too busy” (I don’t like that phrase) to come back & check it out. I was very interested at first glance, seeing that you’re from Germany (I saw that the first time I visited here…can’t remember where exactly). I’ve always been fascinated with other languages & cultures. I studied a little tiny bit of German for a few months, but got busy (there’s that nasty word again) & dropped it. =( Das ist nicht gut!
I just wanted to say, your post above is beautiful. It’s so encouraging to hear fellow believers talk about being content. In today’s world, it’s so hard to lose our focus & try to get things to happen the way WE think they should be. Great post. I hope to come back & visit your blog more. Please stop by & visit mine anytime. =)
Auf wiedersehn!
Wow, you made me think. That is dangerous, ya know! hehe
I’m pretty darn comfy where I live – but I am back on my home turf. I don’t think I could even be so comfy I’d forget about heaven. I’ve dealt with the distance, as you know – when I lived in CA and SC. More so in CA. I never really missed my home turf tho – I just missed the way people were, the pace, the land, etc. I didn’t plan to come back to TN, actually. God’s plan was different, we see. I did want my children near family so it all worked out OK. Also, hubby landed a great job, fast… and everything just worked out – by the Grace of God.
I’d love to hop a train and visit other countries. That’s one thing I’ve always dreamed about – visitin’ other places. It just isn’t affordable for us to take such trips.
Maybe we can meet half way sometime – wonder where that would put us?
TnChick, it would put y’all in Texas! In October! hehe
Great post, Iris. I thought I knew where you were headed, then you took me to what I now recognize as the only logical conclusion! Loved it!
“This world is not my home, I’m just a’passin’ through!”
“You see, no matter which nationality we have, which earthly citizenship we claim to be ours, we defiantly have a dual citizenship…One with the seal of our country and the other with the seal of God, who claimed us to be His citizen by the blood of Christ…”
AMEN! Just beautiful, Iris! And so very, very true! And I can’t wait until I am REALLY home!
Warmly,
Ann V.
It’s a good reminder that the good ol’ USA is not the only country that people love. I loved hearing about your years in Germany and the reminder to us with scripture. Thanks.
I so relate to this whole subject. Having dual citizenship does open our eyes to remind us of our true home. Thanks for sharing.
Great post.
I understand the not living by family–even though we’re all in the same country we don’t live close enough to visit. It’s hard!
Found you through the Carnival of Beauty.
Thank you for sharing about Germany with us Iris :o) I love the ending and you are so very right – this is not our home.
Got your lovely email – will reply soon :o)
I have dual citizenship too… Canada and the US. But my ancestors came from the Rhine river (Paletinate) in Germany! They were Lutheran vinedressers and and they fled the country when they were persecuted for their beliefs during the Reformation. They ended up in Ireland as lay pastors under the protection of Britain’s Queen Anne. Many of them eventuallly sailed across the Atlantic and settled in New York state. Because of their appreciation for the UK’s protection during their persecution, they remained loyal to the crown during the American Revolution. When the “redcoats” where defeated, my family fled north to Canada, a British colony. In some way, I feel I’ve completed the family circle by migrating back to the US! I LOVE it here!!!!! My sister now lives in the UK, so I guess we’re returning to our ancestral roots. Germany is a beautiful country, and maybe our kids will end up living there, who knows! I remember watching the news when the Berlin wall came down, and thinking that everyone looked like they could be my relatives … fair-skinned and blonde! It felt like home. So do you make struedels for holidays?
I am just going back and reading some of your older posts. Need some inspiration tonight – so I thought I would linger and read some of your stuff that I missed.
I can’t imagine leaving home. I was born and raised in this city (alhtough I live in the suburbs now) and I live close to my family. I couldn’t bear to be far from my twin or my mom. But it is so true that it is our eternal home that is the one we should focus on. And like with you, wherever we go here down here, if it is bringing us closer to the Lord than we are in the right place.