Being changed

Another post from my wife:

Ran into an old friend at the grocery store today.  I was at the register and she was maybe 6 people back in the line when she called my name.  I turned and smiled and waved to her.  Once we were both finished checking out, she approached me and said, “Why are you bein’ all shy?”  Me, shy?  I guess because I did not call out across the store maybe she felt I was behaving differently .  No one in the last 3 decades, to my recollection, however, has called me shy.  Am I now shy? No. Have I changed? I will say “yes.” We all have; Kinley, our girls, and myself.  Being called shy made me stop and reflect.  I am the same person, but I’m not.  We are the same, only not really.  Our hearts are changed... well, changing.  We still are the same basic personalities, I feel.  I’m still a talker, for sure.  But I’m quieter at times, more thoughtful in some situations. I’d say some of our actions, reactions, habits, and conversations have changed because our perspective is changing.  For our old friends, like the one I saw in the grocery, we’re still your friends--only changed some.  So for those of you reading this, if you see us in the grocery store, mall, park, where ever—call out to us!  We want to see you and chat with you.  But if you feel we are somehow different, don’t take it personally. There’s nothing wrong.  As we follow Him in obedience to this call to love and serve the people of Iraqi Kurdistan, we will be changed.  It is our prayer that others will be changed as well.