Transitions in olive oil

Today I emptied the last few drops of olive oil out of the bottle that had come back with us in our shipment from France. As I did, it became a symbol of so many things that have “run out” and been replaced by new forms since our arrival back in the States 20 months ago. In those first months, the period of mourning for all we had left that was near and dear, I treasured every bit of French life I had brought back with me. During that time I desperately needed to lean on that normality. But, the void of what was left behind has little by little started being replaced by other new experiences, ones that would not have been possible if we had never moved. In that way, Germany and Eastern Europe, West Africa and Southeast Asia have not only been useful extensions of our ministry, but they have given the time and space needed to heal our souls and give us a new direction.

Whether it is a deep cut in the skin or a deep hurt in the heart, healing is a process that needs time. Just as the hurt came from being torn away from so many close Christian friends and colleagues, the healing has been provided by dozens of gracious, competent, and dedicated new Christian friends that we have had the privilege of meeting and working with on 3 continents. After all these months, I can now see that our heart bonds have not been reduced because we left France but have actually expanded and increased.

So, just as a mother’s capacity to love is expanded by each child she brings into her family, so our capacity to “feel at home” has stretched to include many new places around the world. Of course, France will always hold an exceptionally special place in our hearts because it was, after all, the French who made this all possible through their acceptance and love.

During this process it was also great fun to discover how closely linked the worldwide Christian family really is. In every place we ministered we met people who already knew some of our friends in either France or the US! I like the French expression which calls such experiences a “clin d’œil de Dieu” (a wink from God). He really does demonstrate his love in very personal down-to-earth ways.

So, today I opened a new bottle of olive oil. The label says that this one was bottled in the US using oil imported from Tunisia, Spain, Turkey, Italy, and Argentina. An appropriately eclectic mixture, it seems. Hmm, I’ve already visited Spain and Italy. Maybe someday I can get to each of those other countries, too!