I.D. Card

I recently had a bit of a scare here in Taiwan. I was at the Taiwan National Bank with my friend Echo. She was helping me get a Taiwanese cashier's check so I can renew my U.S. passport this month. The banker asked for several documents, which I gave him... then he asked for my ARC (Alien Resident Card), which serves as my Taiwanese identification, Visa, etc. I normally keep my ARC in my wallet along with my scooter driving license, Taiwan National Healthcare Card, and other important items. Foreigners are expected to carry their ARC at all times and be ready to present it when asked for it. I opened up my wallet, searched in the normal place, and began to get a sinking feeling in my stomach. My ARC was not there! I searched every pocket in my wallet and purse and didn't see it anywhere! Thankfully, Echo had a copy of my passport with her (she always helps me with my official documents and holds copies of everything for me in case there's an emergency of some kind), which the banker accepted, and I was able to get my cashier's check! Thank goodness for organized and prepared Echo!!! My ARC did turn up inside my passport, it is my visa allowing me to come and go from Taiwan legally, so I had it in my passport when I arrived back here in August, and never replaced it in my wallet. All the excitement over my ARC card was a clear reminder to me of my status as a foreigner here in Taiwan. This is not my country, or my home! I am an "alien" here, a visitor. While this is where I live and work, and I enjoy being here, getting to know people, learning about the culture and people here, I am not a permanent resident. I am putting down some roots, but not too deeply because I know I won't be here forever. I think as a Christian, this is a good reminder to me of where my true citizenship lies... not in an earthly country, but in heaven! I am, and should remain, a foreigner, an alien, in this world as it is not my true home! I should be looking forward to my home in heaven with the same anticipation and longing that I look forward to going back to the USA each summer! From now on, I will be careful to keep track of my ARC card! I will also be careful to keep my eyes focused on my eternal home, heaven!