Obligations

Growing up, even as a young adult, I never thought much about obligations. I guess that's more a part of the adult world...at least in Western culture.

Here in Nigeria I meet it much more often. I remember the first time I thought about it. I had gone to a village with a friend, her brother was my student and we went to greet the family. I thought it was a good visit, but I came to realize it was much different for my friend.

She worked in the town and had a decent job so when she went to the village she had to make sure she went with plenty of money so that she could give some sort of monetary gift to her uncles and other extended family members or neighbors who might be in need. She could not afford to go home often, the demands were often too great; her job was decent, but not a high position.

This weekend there is a wedding I could have gone to. Since my husband is out of town I probably should have gone...probably.... What can I say, I am still like the rebellious teenager who doesn't want to do what she SHOULD do.

I often wonder what Jesus did such situations. Did he go to those "should do's"? I guess he did go to the wedding of Canaan and even did what his mom asked him to with the wine; but then on the other hand, he didn't want to!

Out of respect for our church member I could still go to the reception, but it's been nice to have a rare slow morning and make pizza for lunch; not something I do very often. It was also good to give my sister-in-laws the afternoon off since they usually share the cooking and I rarely do much.

Obligations...I still don't know how to deal with them, but I do know that I would have gone if my husband had suggested I go, or if I had a personal invitation ,or I knew the wedding couple...as it is, I feel I needed some down time so I hope I made the right choice.