April 21, 2022 – Click here to listen
I arrived in Costa Rica and though just a short two-hour flight from Miami, it seems like we traveled to an entirely different world. Our rental condo required traversing two flights of stairs heaving heavy suitcases up the steep inclines. I was clearly struggling, and a Costa Rica man who was working on the landscaping saw me and came running over to help me. He grabbed my suitcase and put it on his shoulder and took it up the stairs for me; I took up the two small carry-on bags up to the top floor and then I had to go back and retrieve the grandaddy of all heavy suitcases, my wife’s. He was watching me and again came over and grabbed it from me and lugged the beast up the stairs.
He could not understand English, but I was able to communicate enough Spanish to tell him that it belonged to my wife. He flashed a knowing smile and fist-bumped me. Though tipping is not a common practice in Costa Rica I gave him a nice tip for helping me and he wished me Pura Vida and went back to his gardening.
People talk about the tremendous fishing and natural beauty of Costa Rica, but its warm and friendly people are its greatest asset in my mind. It is not as developed as the United States and life is indeed laid back and simple here, but that is a big part of its allure to me.
I saw a man yesterday leading a couple of cows with rather long horns alongside the road. I could tell by his clothing that he was obviously rather poor by American standards, but he had a content and pleased look on his face. In sophisticated Miami airport, I didn’t encounter anyone who had a similar demeanor. In fact, almost universally people had irritated scowls on their faces. The airport employees had their hands stuck out for tips at every juncture and those catching flights fought and pushed their way through the crowds trying to get on flights that were far too full.
I thought of all the illegal immigrants risking rape, rip-offs and even their very lives as the cartel coyotes move them into America in huge numbers. Will it be their dream come true or their worst nightmare? I suppose it depends upon the country of origin, but I imagine more than one does not understand the purity and peace of their once simple life.
Don’t get me wrong I love our country. America was good for me. I went from rags to riches and raised the best of families and have lived a life that has been overly blessed by God. I will say, however, that the America I grew up in is different from the one today. Children were not being slaughtered by the millions via abortion, drugs were just beginning to gain a foothold and hardly anyone used them, there were only three television channels and the programming was wholesome, civility was practiced, no social media or Internet existed, violence was very limited, teaching children in the 3rd grade that they too can become transsexual was not allowed or could never have even have been contemplated, Church was a huge factor in the majority of American lives, and yes life was simpler and more peaceful.
This Easter I was disappointed to see that our President didn’t even mention God or Jesus, nor did any of the major news outlets. Here in Costa Rica, there was a week-long holiday and celebration for it. While they may be considered a “third world country” and looked down upon by the fashionable, I hope they don’t become another LA, NYC, or San Francisco.
Progress would have been to strengthen our nation as one nation under God, undivided, with liberty and justice for all, but alas despite technological revolutions we experienced regress and not progress. Costa Rica is like going back in time. I hope this little country does not regress in the name of progress and maintains its Pura Vida outlook, the pure life that is simple and yet pleasant.
Though richer and more sophisticated than anyone can imagine Jesus was humble and loved the simple life. Hmmm . . . Shouldn’t we follow in his footsteps?
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.