For the Love of Lettuce

The countdown is on. Mercy Ships’ field service in Benin will soon come to a close. In a very short time, I will be back on US soil for a much needed break! Last year I had planned my re-entry actions for months. I wanted to take a bath and man; I had a list of food I wanted to eat! I dreamed of drinking a creamy, chocolate, milk shake and having a huge, crispy chicken salad with fresh, lush, green, lettuce. Did I ever think lettuce would be my first re-entry meal request? Not in a million years! But, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Astonishingly, my love for vegetables increased when they were not readily available. In Liberia, we had cucumbers and tomatoes available at every meal, but unfortunately, I was never hungry enough to try them. What I missed was lettuce. Oh, what I would have given for a salad. I believe I saw lettuce at total of seven times in the entire eight months I was on the ship in Liberia. The availability of fresh vegetables was very limited. Also, the labor required to wash, bleach, and rinse enough lettuce for 400 crew members to have a salad, was not really worth the effort. The few times I had lettuce on the ship; my taste buds recall that is was terribly bitter and not entirely tasty. Therefore, when anticipating my re-entry back to the States, among seeing friends and family, I really just wanted to eat a salad. These past few weeks have been intense for me and I cannot even describe how burned out I have been feeling. I never wanted to come to a point in life where I live for the future and miss out on the present…where life happens… but this past week, I have really been dreaming of some comforts from home and I have sort of been wishing my time away. Although I hate to admit it, the following are a list of phrases that came out my mouth this past week. “I am exhausted. I want to go home! I am burned out. I have nothing more to give. I’m done! I don’t know if I can make it much longer. I am shutting down! I need a break!” After working a few 12 hour shifts in a row this past week, I really thought I was not going to be able to hold up much longer if something didn’t change. I have been crying out to God for strength for each task, for grace to flow in my conversations, and for restful sleep. I wanted to know He was hearing my cry and listening to me! One evening this past week, I staggered into the dining hall for dinner. I was anticipating another grilled cheese sandwich because I heard the dinner menu was fish and you know how I don’t get along with fish. But, much to my surprise! There in front of my eyes, on the buffet line, were the most beautiful little pieces of crispy chicken. Oh, my goodness! My eyes scanned down the rest of the buffet line and I saw cheese, lettuce, and… I held my breath… did the most recent container bring more dressing? I looked over to the condiment counter and almost screamed out of excitement. There was salad dressing! I had all the components that I needed to make a crispy chicken salad! For the love of lettuce! I almost started to cry. I gathered my salad items together and joined some of my friends at a table to eat. We paused before we ate and I thanked God for loving me, for His incredible grace, and for my crispy chicken salad! Does God hear us when we pray? Does he care for our every need? I have to admit, sometimes life's circumstances make me wonder, but deep down inside… I know God cares for us…He has even numbered the hair on our head (which isn’t a huge task for some of us). But when it comes down to it, God cares about our every need. He hears us when we call. He knows exactly what we need and I feel so blessed that he cares enough about me to give me something simple like a crispy chicken salad! My only struggle now is I have nothing to look forward to when I come home!... Kidding! I am still looking forward to having a chocolate milkshake…Oh, and saying hello to all of you!