Culture Shock--In Your Own Country

As I grapple with the current pandemic in America, one phrase keeps coming to mind. CULTURE SHOCK. Perhaps that's what some of you are feeling right now.

• It’s readjusting my grocery list when the store only has half the items I wanted. Or going back early the next morning—only to learn that the grocery changed their hour overnight.
  
• It’s asking my kids to comply with new rules that they don’t understand. And knowing that tomorrow’s rules will likely be different from today's.
  
• It’s feeling slightly unsafe. And wondering how I became that freak with rubber gloves and wipes in Walmart.
  
• It’s the rawness of having all my expectations thrown out the window and having no idea what each week will hold.

So many of you are experiencing all of that and more. I can give trite advice that has helped me through previous bouts of culture shock overseas. (Cling to Jesus. Have grace on each other. Find humor when possible.) But in reality, advice is not always helpful. Each person’s experience and challenges are unique. With God’s help, you will find your way through this mess. Who knows? As you find your new rythem, you might even discover habits and customs that you want to hang on to. That's the beauty of experiencing more than one culture.

In the meantime take a deep breathe, and have grace on yourself. Culture shock is real, and you may be in the midst of it--right in your own country.