I realized recently that I love getting out of my comfort zone. In fact, I truly don't like to be "comfortable" for too long. I don't learn much when I'm comfortable. And although it's often painful, I learn a lot and grow tremendously when I'm outside my comfort zone. One of my pastors said, "our faith flourishes outside our comfort zones" and I have found that to be so true. It's where God is able to teach us the most.
I read a great blog today about being uncomfortable. A lot of people in the United States live in great comfort. We have a nice place to live, food to eat, cars to drive and jobs to go to every day. We make enough to pay the bills and then some. But did you know that if you fit into that category you are VERY RICH. Richer than most of the world.
We know that there are people who do not have as much as we do and we think about helping them but how many of really do?? How many of us would be willing to give up what have and downsize? How many would be willing to sell everything that they have and move to a place to help those who are in desperate need? Would I? Would you?
I hope that this is going to be a year of great learning for me and in order for me to really learn well I'm probably going to have to get out of my comfort zone.
To read Tom's thought provoking blog, click here:
http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/thoughts/2013/01/25/uncomfortable/
Friday, January 25, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Silencing the Voices Around Me
Currently somewhat "computerless" which of course makes blogging a bit more difficult.
I have a lot to learn. We probably all do. But none of us can say for sure where anyone else in their journey through life. But we should have an idea at least of where we are and where we should be going. If you don't, better take some time to do a little soul searching.
That is in part what I am currently doing. There are probably people who know me that think I am taking too much time to figure things out. Everyone has their opinions. And that's fine. But I learned a long time ago not to listen to other peoples' opinions about my life. Because it's my life. Not theirs. And I am apparently one of those people who needs a little more time than some others to find my niche.
In the mean time, I am working on the glaring imperfections that I see in myself. Right now that means learning to be patient, taking things one day at time and listening to God's voice.
In time, the unclear will be made clear.
I have a lot to learn. We probably all do. But none of us can say for sure where anyone else in their journey through life. But we should have an idea at least of where we are and where we should be going. If you don't, better take some time to do a little soul searching.
That is in part what I am currently doing. There are probably people who know me that think I am taking too much time to figure things out. Everyone has their opinions. And that's fine. But I learned a long time ago not to listen to other peoples' opinions about my life. Because it's my life. Not theirs. And I am apparently one of those people who needs a little more time than some others to find my niche.
In the mean time, I am working on the glaring imperfections that I see in myself. Right now that means learning to be patient, taking things one day at time and listening to God's voice.
In time, the unclear will be made clear.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
My Thoughts on Leaving
I
seem to have been born with a spirit and personality bent for change
and adventure. It's as if there is a constant restlessness within me
pushing me forward and often into the unknown. I love it. I gravitate
toward it.
I'm
setting out again, continuing on my journey, and I am excited. I think
that this is going to be a good year, a good move and a good change. But
mixed with that excitement is a certain sadness. You see, one of the
hazards of wandering is leaving little pieces of your heart wherever you
have been.
There
are too many people to name them all - people who have touched my life
in some way or another and made it better. Whether our paths have
crossed for a reason or just for a season, please know that I have
appreciated the time that we have had. Hopefully our paths will cross
again.
There
are pieces of my heart in different towns, states and countries but all
of those pieces make a whole and all of those people have helped make
me who I am today. Thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me
to be a part of yours.
Monday, January 07, 2013
"I'm going on an Adventure"
Once again I'm packing. I seem to do this a lot. But this might be the most excited I've ever been to pack and move. Mostly because I have a really good feeling about this particular adventure. I'm heading to a new place, somewhere I've never really been (I've done that before) and I'm getting ready to meet all new people, save for one. I feel that this is not only the right thing to do but that great things are going to come of it. What things, I don't know. I can't put my finger on why I'm so excited but I am. Of course, leaving people behind is tough (more on that later) but sometimes we wandering spirits just have to answer the call of change and the open road and see what happens. This is one of those times.
"Home is behind, the world is ahead" -J.R.R. Tolkien
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Moments and Memories - Thoughts on 2012
Over the last few weeks I have attempted to put some of 2012 into words and write my thoughts down. But there are times in life when there are no words. You can't explain how you feel no matter how hard you try and expressing from a heart that is hurting is sometimes too overwhelming. So I have decided to look back on the year and focus more on the memories that I have, for those are the things that I want to hold onto in the years to come.
I had the opportunity to help with the care of my sweet grandmother as she spent her last few months on earth. There were some difficult and sad moments to be sure but mostly what I will remember are the funny things she said and did and her unfailing love for GOD even to the very end. She was one of the most godly women I have ever known and she left a legacy that will live on for generations to come. As my cousin said, "she left big shoes to fill".
In her final months and weeks, I would read her devotions with her and she would often quote the scripture along with me. We would sing old hymns together and she still knew the words - even though she didn't know who most of her family was. And she never forgot GOD. Her prayers reflected that. As I would help her into bed some nights I would ask her if she wanted to pray and she always said yes. Sometimes she would get a little distracted but for the most part her prayers were the most lucid conversations that she would have all day. She knew who GOD was. He was her anchor when nothing else around her looked familiar. And that kind of faith isn't something you pick up overnight. That kind of faith comes from a lifelong relationship with your Creator and Lover of your Soul. It is rooted so deep that even when your body and mind are failing, you still have a Hope.
God called Gram home in 2012. At 94 years of age she had lived a long and wonderful life and it was time for her to move on to eternity. Of course there was sadness but mostly there was rejoicing that her struggles were over and she was face to face with her Savior.
I come from a large family - on both sides. I have a lot of first cousins. And I am privileged to know each and every one of them.
This past summer I spent a weekend with my aunt and her family at their camp on the lake. We went swimming and boating. Had BBQs and water balloon fights. And just enjoyed a lazy weekend. It was so much fun and I have great memories of those couple of days. Memories that I will carry with me forever. Mostly because that was the last time I saw my cousin Aaron.
To say that I am proud of Aaron would be an understatement. And I will share with you why. But first let me share with you the Aaron that I knew.
Aaron was fun to be around. He was a tease and he had the greatest laugh when something struck him as funny. He was laid back and very little seemed to stress him out or get him worked up. He was attentive - to everyone but especially to his family. He was a great conversationalist and when he asked you a question, he really wanted to know the answer. He genuinely cared about others. He was selfless. He was kind. He was hard working. He was an all around great guy.
I will especially remember all the times he would give me a "hard time" about something just to see how fast I would have a comeback. And then he would laugh and wait for the next opportune moment to start all over again. I miss that.
I was proud of Aaron before October 2, 2012. In 2000 he made the decision to serve his country and he did it well. He found his calling and he stepped up to that call over and over again. He was a great soldier. But his calling asked the highest price. And he gave it...and was welcomed into the arms of his Savior.
Even as I write these words I have a hard time believing that he is gone. It's strange how your heart can be so full of pride and hurt all at the same time. These are those moments. The ones that there are no words for. The ones that you want so badly to express how you feel but you can't. And so I share memories. The ones that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever.
As a new year begins there are many things to look forward to and there will be lots of new memories made. But I don't think I day will go by that these two dear people won't cross my mind. They lived their lives to the fullest and that is what they would encourage everyone to do. I want to make 2013 a year of making the moments I'm given count.
I had the opportunity to help with the care of my sweet grandmother as she spent her last few months on earth. There were some difficult and sad moments to be sure but mostly what I will remember are the funny things she said and did and her unfailing love for GOD even to the very end. She was one of the most godly women I have ever known and she left a legacy that will live on for generations to come. As my cousin said, "she left big shoes to fill".
In her final months and weeks, I would read her devotions with her and she would often quote the scripture along with me. We would sing old hymns together and she still knew the words - even though she didn't know who most of her family was. And she never forgot GOD. Her prayers reflected that. As I would help her into bed some nights I would ask her if she wanted to pray and she always said yes. Sometimes she would get a little distracted but for the most part her prayers were the most lucid conversations that she would have all day. She knew who GOD was. He was her anchor when nothing else around her looked familiar. And that kind of faith isn't something you pick up overnight. That kind of faith comes from a lifelong relationship with your Creator and Lover of your Soul. It is rooted so deep that even when your body and mind are failing, you still have a Hope.
God called Gram home in 2012. At 94 years of age she had lived a long and wonderful life and it was time for her to move on to eternity. Of course there was sadness but mostly there was rejoicing that her struggles were over and she was face to face with her Savior.
I come from a large family - on both sides. I have a lot of first cousins. And I am privileged to know each and every one of them.
This past summer I spent a weekend with my aunt and her family at their camp on the lake. We went swimming and boating. Had BBQs and water balloon fights. And just enjoyed a lazy weekend. It was so much fun and I have great memories of those couple of days. Memories that I will carry with me forever. Mostly because that was the last time I saw my cousin Aaron.
To say that I am proud of Aaron would be an understatement. And I will share with you why. But first let me share with you the Aaron that I knew.
Aaron was fun to be around. He was a tease and he had the greatest laugh when something struck him as funny. He was laid back and very little seemed to stress him out or get him worked up. He was attentive - to everyone but especially to his family. He was a great conversationalist and when he asked you a question, he really wanted to know the answer. He genuinely cared about others. He was selfless. He was kind. He was hard working. He was an all around great guy.
I will especially remember all the times he would give me a "hard time" about something just to see how fast I would have a comeback. And then he would laugh and wait for the next opportune moment to start all over again. I miss that.
I was proud of Aaron before October 2, 2012. In 2000 he made the decision to serve his country and he did it well. He found his calling and he stepped up to that call over and over again. He was a great soldier. But his calling asked the highest price. And he gave it...and was welcomed into the arms of his Savior.
Even as I write these words I have a hard time believing that he is gone. It's strange how your heart can be so full of pride and hurt all at the same time. These are those moments. The ones that there are no words for. The ones that you want so badly to express how you feel but you can't. And so I share memories. The ones that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever.
As a new year begins there are many things to look forward to and there will be lots of new memories made. But I don't think I day will go by that these two dear people won't cross my mind. They lived their lives to the fullest and that is what they would encourage everyone to do. I want to make 2013 a year of making the moments I'm given count.
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