Yes, you read that right – Texas requires you to carry car insurance even when you don’t have a car, or else they charge you a thirty percent premium on your next policy (if you go without insurance for thirty days). It’s called a “non owners policy”. I was giving up my car to save money, and the insurance company wanted me to carry car insurance! Sometimes, you can’t win for losing!
I graciously thanked my agent and said, “thanks, but no thanks” to carrying car insurance on my feet. I sarcastically thought about asking her if there was insurance I could carry if someone ran me over since speed is a religion here in Texas, but I decided to let that sleeping dog lie undisturbed.
The bottom line may be economics, but that’s as low as it goes. For me, I’m trying to look on the bright side of this picture. Should I be placed in the country of my choice, I don’t want to feel a sense of culture shock like I have in the past. It’s much easier to have next to nothing here in the United States and then going overseas because you don’t miss what you don’t have. There’s no horrible adjustment and no homesickness to contend with. I was in that situation once before, and I did miss what I had in terms of possessions. Quite frankly, I didn’t like worrying about the security of my “junque” at home. When I had the experience of living a few months in the country I hope to serve in, I found myself comparing my life to theirs constantly, and that cultural difference made it difficult.
The other obvious benefit is exercise. I will be in shape for such a journey and my feet will be “battle hardened”. There’s nothing worse than having blisters all over your feet because you weren’t used to walking. I also don’t want to walk up a flight of stairs and start crying and gasping for oxygen, either…that’s embarrassing! It makes sense to be in good shape before I leave and plan on the worst case scenario; if it comes to pass, you’re prepared, and if it doesn’t occur, you’re still in great shape.
At first it is hard to give up what you have because…well, it’s yours. There’s a certain amount of money tied up in it, but even more than that, it’s time and pride. You spent time looking for just the right object that fits your style and character, and when it matches who you are, how often do we regale each other with grand stories about how we put a room together or how we found the object in question? That’s called pride.
When you learn to give up everything, there’s also one more thing no one talks about: freedom. You are free to follow the desires of your heart, and a Christian, God defines those desires, not you. So in essence, you are free to follow wherever He sends you. Too often we don’t go where He wants us to because…well, we aren’t ready to give up our stuff.
Not everyone has the ability to give up nearly everything they own; I’m not judging someone who has great wealth. Sometimes, you’re better off being the financier for someone else who is physically, mentally and spiritually willing to go to the places for whatever reason, you can’t.
Going broke is like an onion:
- It stinks.
- It brings tears to your eyes.
- As each possession is stripped away, you find you don’t miss it.
- The more possessions are peel away, more of the real “you” is revealed.
