Heat Shields

Reentry has never been particularly easy. Moving from a time of concentrated ministry in another context back to the "real" "normal" world always involves a good deal of friction.

Coming to grips with American/suburban/middle-class/white/my culture and affluence. Integrating what I've learned into my world-view/thought process/identity/life plans. Handling family/friends/strangers who haven't experienced what I've experienced and may still expect me to be who I was before. None are simple. All require a concentrated and prayerful effort.

I've never been great at this. Transitioning from a summer with CSM in Philly to my sophomore year at Penn State messed me up for months. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing. The process is important. I'd like to think that the experiences are important because I apply them to the rest of my life. The process just isn't simple or instantaneous.

But I'd also like to think that I'm getting better. Not sure if it's just the practice. Or that learning some of those lessons carries over from one experience to the next. Or if I'm just getting more thick skinned and adaptable. Or, perhaps, that I'm actually integrating all these pieces of my life into a more cohesive whole. Maybe.