A "Soupy" Sunday Lesson

There are things I should know.  Things I should have learned by now, but I am seeing that I have some HUGE blind spots in the cultural lens through which I view the world.  There are things I have just not thought much about because of the routine I had living in the US.  Here's an example:

If I think back a few years ago, with my upbringing, the social norms of American culture, and the daily routine most families establish, there were just the normal things I did.  I don't really even think through them.  Leftovers...I mean, who give much thought to leftovers??  If the food was tasty, it was like, "Woohoo...more for tomorrow!"  And into the fridge they went.  I never thought of another option when I made more than I could eat that day.

In moving to Central Asia, I have been "shocked" by many cultural differences.  However, some of the cultural norms I that have been surprising, have also taught me lessons I should already know...but somehow missed.  The simplicity of food as a way to love others is something that is apparent in most cultures.  But as an American...my hospitality was always planned.  Rarely do people just come knocking on your door to visit.  I may plan to bring food to a potluck or cookies to a party or invite people over for dinner a week in advance.  But, I never really thought much about taking my leftovers next door.

Life in K-stan has made me think twice about leftovers.  As I sit with my friends, and they look at lots of extra food, their first instinct is not "will this fit in my fridge?"  Their first thought is "who can I share this with?"  Sometimes, they plan to share their food before they even eat it and set some aside for neighbors beforehand.  While I used to think, oohh...more for me later, my thoughts are, by grace, shifting to think "who can I share my abundance with...He has surely blessed me abundantly!"

Now, don't think I don't have leftovers in the fridge....or even plan to make more than we need for a busy week ahead.  I am still an American "planner" in many ways, and with my job teaching ESL, I don't always have time to make big meals for each day like most of the women here.  However, I am often "shocked" in a pleasant way by the things I learn in this culture and the way these things often silently rebuke me saying "Don't you know this by now?  How have you missed something so elementary?"

Each of us, no matter where we are from, have our cultural blindspots...it is just easier for me to see the blindspots in my friends here, than to see my own.  I am thankful God often uses the mundane daily things to teach me big lessons about my heart and they way He longs for my transformation.

So, the soup you see above...it is tasty!  And I made WAY too much....thankfully, I will be visiting some friends tonight and will bring it with me to share with them :)