My alien wife (not Area 51) just became a citizen of the United States just a few days ago, during an oath-taking ceremony held at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium. To her, I say, "Welcome", "Congratulations", and "What took you so darn long, woman?" LOL. After being married to me for six years, Jescel decided that she needed to take this step towards citizenship, but why? Well, she left her native country, the Philippines, to follow me here to the U.S.
That's it -- just to simply follow me here to the U.S.. She knew that she had to follow me and she did so willingly, not that things have always been easy --especially those first few years, right? She did not follow me because she needed a "green card", nor did she plan to come here to take advantage of the different financial opportunities here in the U.S. that maybe she wouldn't have had back home. She knew that I was not independently wealthy nor an heir to a famous families fortune -- So why did she come here?
She simply chose to follow me because thats what she knew she needed to do, not only as my wife, but because proximity is important to relationships. The more imtimate the relationship, the more important it is to follow the object of your affection. I must ask the question, "Whom are you following and why?"
Because Jescel followed me, and continues to do so, she reaps the benefits of being in close proximity to me. But the "benefits" were not her primary focus of being in relationship with me. The benefits she receives are secondary to the relationship itself. Likewise, it is much the same way we are to follow Jesus. It has been my experience that many here in Miami, seek "stuff" (benefits) first -- and relationships second. To extrapolate, that means people follow people only because they want the "stuff" that comes in the form of "benefits" for themselves. Jesus want us to follow him first in (primary) relationship, and then all the (necessary and beneficial) stuff will be provided for us -- because Jesus knows we need it.
But the "stuff" should not be the motivating factor for your relationship with Jesus or with
anyone else for that matter.
I admit that it frustrates me to see so many people come here to the U.S. for a better life ,
only to chase after the "stuff" without regard for what really makes this country great, the idea that people from many different places and cultures can willingly jump into the "melting-pot" and
become part of something bigger than just themselves. Simply put, their attitude towards relating to anyone outside their clique really sucks! Yet, I do see many converts here in Miami that embrace being here in the U.S. and appreciate what that means, and don't mind welcoming you into their "circle". Yeah, hate to break it to ya... America, it's not just about "stuff". (rant complete)
As I sat watching the oath-taking ceremony, I saw moments of joy and recognized moments of sadness on my wife's face. She was joyous because she realizes how GREAT this country is among the many Nations of the World, and yet sad because of her tremendous love for her family, her people, and her native country, the Philippines, in that she feels like maybe she's giving up a piece of her filipina-ness in the process. Truth be told, Jescel knows that she's not selling her heritage she's simply deciding to FOLLOW the best way she can. The "stuff" is a secondary benefit to our relationship with one another, and through our primary relationship with Jesus, he blesses us with what we truly need! Congratulations, Jescel ... I Love you!
