by Jonathan
It’s that time of year when a lot of folks return to their passport countries; some for a visit and some for good. Which means it’s that time of year when returners get upset that folks “at home” don’t really care all that much about life abroad, or our ministry, or our former country, etc.
But what if the returners cared as much about the home team as we want the home team to care about us?
What if the returners asked their senders questions of the same quantity and intensity that we desire the senders to ask us?
Maybe you’ve been abroad for two years or four years or six months. That’s awesome! And maybe you’ve got stories and you’ve experienced love and loss and grit and glory.
So have they.
Those who “stayed behind” lived life too. And while you were living two years, they were living two years too. And most likely, they’ve got stories and they’ve experienced love and loss and grit and glory too.
And while we’re so desperately wanting people to listen to and care about our stories, perhaps we should spend some time listening to and caring about theirs.
Turns out, pretty much everyone likes being heard.
And I think that’s a gift we should give. These people send us, pray for us, sacrifice for us. The least we can do is actually care about their stories of love and loss.
Remember, they lived life too.
The Trotter Family 
Good reminder! Thanks.
Well said …this is something we have to remind our furloughed or home assignment missionaries a lot. Life is not about you or even them but it’s all about Jesus so to be interested in their life is how Jesus did it, and he already knew about their life but He cared about them personally, not so much in what they did but their hearts, their soul, their life.
This is excellently put! I’m going to set this aside for future reference. Thank you!