This excerpt is from Tim Keller's "Jesus the King" that i borrowed a while back from a friend (Sarah, I have yet to get it to you, sorry!). I thought of friends who are dealing with suffering and those who have in the past and my family who has dealt with deaths and broken relationships. Tim Keller is amazing.
The Obedience of Love
"When the circumstances of life are giving you the desires of your heart, you're content. Suffering happens, we might say, when there's a gap between the desires of your heart and the circumstances of your life, and the bigger the gap, the greater the suffering. what do you do when that gap gets too wide? one response is to change the circumstances- to get off the path that's taking you into suffering. of course, sometimes this is the right response; our present circumstances may really have to change. there may be a very unhealthy relationship that needs to be ended or put on a different course, or a medical condition that needs to treated aggressively. we should not accept all circumstances with passive fatalism. many people have a pattern, however, of dealing with almost any suffering by getting out of town, breaking promises, pulling out of relationships. they invariably try to go someplace where their desires are satisfied, because they consider their desires all-important, which makes their circumstances negotiable. they are willing to do practically anything to avoid suffering. the problem is that life circumstances rarely oblige. try that new set of circumstances and in six months you'll need another set...
of course, there are times when we need to suppress our desires, because they're so often destructive, but to eliminate all desire is to eliminate our ability to love; and God made us to love.
when you look at Jesus here in the Garden of Gethsemane, he appears to be taking the first approach. he's certainly not taking the way of detachment; he's pouring his heart out. He's undone. and he's honestly and desperately asking God to change the circumstances...He's actually not taking his circumstances into his own hands. in the end, he's obeying- relinquishing control over his circumstances and submitting his desires to the will of the Father...often what seem to be our deepest desires are really just our loudest desires...Jesus is saying- I trust you no matter what i'm feeling right now. i know that your desires are ultimately my desires. do what we both know must be done-
and in so doing, Jesus is absolutely obedient to the will of God...Jesus is subordinating his loudest desires to his deepest desires by putting them in the Father's hands. as if to say- if the circumstances of life do not satisfy the present desires of my heart, i'm not going to suppress those desires, but i'm not going to surrender to them, either. i know that they will only be satisfied, eventually, in the Father. i will trust and obey him, put myself in his hands, and go forward-
in the midst of his suffering, he obeys for the love of the Father- and for the love of us.
and when you see that, instead of perpetually denying your desires or changing your circumstances, you'll be able to trust the Father in your suffering. you will be able to trust that because Jesus took the cup, your deepest desires and your actual circumstances are going to keep converging until they unite forever on the day of the eternal feast.
the love of Christ- whose obedience is wide and long and high and deep enough to dissolve a mountain of rightful wrath- is the love you've been looking for all your life. no family love, no friend love, no mother or spousal love, no romantic love- nothing could possibly satisfy you like that...all those other kinds of loves will let you down; this one never will."
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
God is bigger
in my monday night bible study we are talking about the book of Jonah this week. first you should know that our bible study is a study on how to study the bible well- by using observation, interpretation, and application. we are spending a good bit of our time in the observation part and are reading the book of Jonah for this week's study. in this week's assignment, we were to observe different parts of this story. reading this over and over again and with the "observation" mentality, i read this story differently than i ever have before. last night, i was observing the storm that happened while Jonah was on the ship after he decided to flee from God. the assignment was to "list every description of the storm- in order of its appearance in text. what do you observe"?
these were my observations:
The Lord was in control of the storm- HE hurled a great wind upon the sea.
God's hand was in the storm in creating a "mighty tempest" on the sea- so strong that the ship threatened to break up.
The sea became more tempestuous (which means it was characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion---online dictionary---)
As the sailors tried more and more to control the situation by throwing cargo over the ship and running around, the sea grew more tempestuous.
now, this is my own interpretation of the text, but the first thing that stood out to me and has stuck with my since i read this last night was GOD was in control of the storm. He was the one who hurled the storm and the winds that was throwing the ship around...i think of the "storms" in life, where i have no control and feel like my life is being thrown around in the sea, but God is here in the storm in the book of Jonah, He is the one in control of it. how comforting that is. and also as the sailors tried to take control, the sea and winds became worse...until they finally cried out to the one true God to save them.
how many times am i like the sailors...when my life is being tossed by the unconstant throws of life, and all i know to do is call out to God. a friend told me lately how she has learned in her "storm" and in this season of her life, that God is her only constant.
i'm thankful that God is in control of the storm...He is in the midst of them. and He hears my call to Him, even when i am like the sailors.
these were my observations:
The Lord was in control of the storm- HE hurled a great wind upon the sea.
God's hand was in the storm in creating a "mighty tempest" on the sea- so strong that the ship threatened to break up.
The sea became more tempestuous (which means it was characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion---online dictionary---)
As the sailors tried more and more to control the situation by throwing cargo over the ship and running around, the sea grew more tempestuous.
now, this is my own interpretation of the text, but the first thing that stood out to me and has stuck with my since i read this last night was GOD was in control of the storm. He was the one who hurled the storm and the winds that was throwing the ship around...i think of the "storms" in life, where i have no control and feel like my life is being thrown around in the sea, but God is here in the storm in the book of Jonah, He is the one in control of it. how comforting that is. and also as the sailors tried to take control, the sea and winds became worse...until they finally cried out to the one true God to save them.
how many times am i like the sailors...when my life is being tossed by the unconstant throws of life, and all i know to do is call out to God. a friend told me lately how she has learned in her "storm" and in this season of her life, that God is her only constant.
i'm thankful that God is in control of the storm...He is in the midst of them. and He hears my call to Him, even when i am like the sailors.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Inspired
so tonight, I am inspired to blog. i'm not sure if it is because my roommates are bloggers and everyone under our roof is currently working on their blogs, or if lately I have just felt the need to write.
everyone needs some inspiration to do or be something, and sometimes you just have to go for it whatever it is.
this past weekend I was encouraged during one of my runs about my job and the impact the people I work with have had on my life in the past year and a half of working with them. I am encouraged and inspired by each of them in different ways daily. right now, I am inspired by the work and vision of my boss and the organization Hope Smiles and the difference and impact it is making in our community...and i'm reminded that ultimately it is the work of God in the hearts of people. as kennedy and I ran this past weekend through some not great areas of Chattanooga, my heart was full of hope and love for the homeless people we saw as we were passing them by. before being involved with the great work of Hope Smiles, I would never have made eye contact with the people sitting on sidewalks holding up signs needing money, or people waiting at the bus stop who looked hopeless and in despair, or the old man sitting under the bridge to get out of the heat and sun. but God has grabbed my attention in remembering His love for me and ultimately for His people and creation...and how I ought to give that love to others. how does this apply now to me? it means remembering that daily we have opportunities to love and serve the people around us. it means that we need to encourage one another in this as believers. we need each other to lean on and keep accountable for our words, thoughts, and actions towards others. to take the time out of a minute of our busy days to love on someone or pray for someone.
God opens our eyes when we are least looking for Him to. He works in our hearts in the smallest of ways, but in those small ways, we can make a world of difference.
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity". Colossians 3:14
everyone needs some inspiration to do or be something, and sometimes you just have to go for it whatever it is.
this past weekend I was encouraged during one of my runs about my job and the impact the people I work with have had on my life in the past year and a half of working with them. I am encouraged and inspired by each of them in different ways daily. right now, I am inspired by the work and vision of my boss and the organization Hope Smiles and the difference and impact it is making in our community...and i'm reminded that ultimately it is the work of God in the hearts of people. as kennedy and I ran this past weekend through some not great areas of Chattanooga, my heart was full of hope and love for the homeless people we saw as we were passing them by. before being involved with the great work of Hope Smiles, I would never have made eye contact with the people sitting on sidewalks holding up signs needing money, or people waiting at the bus stop who looked hopeless and in despair, or the old man sitting under the bridge to get out of the heat and sun. but God has grabbed my attention in remembering His love for me and ultimately for His people and creation...and how I ought to give that love to others. how does this apply now to me? it means remembering that daily we have opportunities to love and serve the people around us. it means that we need to encourage one another in this as believers. we need each other to lean on and keep accountable for our words, thoughts, and actions towards others. to take the time out of a minute of our busy days to love on someone or pray for someone.
God opens our eyes when we are least looking for Him to. He works in our hearts in the smallest of ways, but in those small ways, we can make a world of difference.
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity". Colossians 3:14
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Psalm 31
I love this Psalm:
In you O Lord do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! for you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and you guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God...I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. be gracious to me O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and body also, for my life is spent with sorry and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away...but I trust in you O Lord I say you are my God. my times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
I have really been searching through these verses recently after different circumstances have come up with friends. these verses provide so much comfort and promise from our faithful God. my favorite part of this Psalm is the part that says..."for your name's sake you lead me and you guide me". I heard a sermon recently on perspective and how perspective can change the way we live our lives... I think if we reminded ourselves of this daily that it is for His name's sake that we are led and that we live, we would live and make decisions differently. Even in difficult times. We can boldly say that He cares for us and loves us and we may go through really hard things, but it is for His sake and not our own.
In you O Lord do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! for you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and you guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God...I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. be gracious to me O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and body also, for my life is spent with sorry and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away...but I trust in you O Lord I say you are my God. my times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
I have really been searching through these verses recently after different circumstances have come up with friends. these verses provide so much comfort and promise from our faithful God. my favorite part of this Psalm is the part that says..."for your name's sake you lead me and you guide me". I heard a sermon recently on perspective and how perspective can change the way we live our lives... I think if we reminded ourselves of this daily that it is for His name's sake that we are led and that we live, we would live and make decisions differently. Even in difficult times. We can boldly say that He cares for us and loves us and we may go through really hard things, but it is for His sake and not our own.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Psalm 138:8
The verse that comes to mind tonight as I'm flipping through the Psalms (one of my favorite books of the Bible) says: "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands".
I think this verse is easier said and believed in the "easy" times in our lives, where things are going smoothly, everything is looking up for us, very little things go wrong. At least for me, these verses seem more attractive when circumstances in my life are good. However, when things go wrong or there is disappointment or uncertainty, this becomes harder to understand and believe...will the Lord in my grief/pain/suffering/confusion really fulfill His purpose for me? IS He fulfilling His purpose for me at this very moment? Is He really a God of steadfast love that endures forever? How can He be when I am experiencing pain or grief? The plea at the end of the verse "Do not forsake the work of your hands" brings a reality to the fact that we need Him. And I am so grateful and in awe that He does not leave us to ourselves. His hand is in every part of our lives. Today I was talking with a patient who has had severe medical issues with her heart and her back, and has been married for 20 something years to a man who had been married before (who had kids from that marriage). So she has 3 stepchildren and grandchildren from his previous marriage. All throughout her life, she developed more and more back problems and had to have surgery after surgery where her doctors were telling her she should not have children and that it would be detrimental to her health. I asked her how that made her feel and she said she was embarrassed and disappointed, but she knew all along that God had a plan. Now she is one of those people where I start having these conversations and I want to dig deeper and deeper into her story- which really is not "her" story, it is God's story (as she is a believer) shown in her testimony and in her life. She said she grew up with both of her parents being alcoholics...and she remembers praying at an early age by her bed- "God I know you love me, but why do you have me in this family?" She said she just knew that God loved her- that someone bigger than her parents knew her and loved her. I teared up at this that even though her parents were not believers, she knew at an early age miraculously that simple truth that was spoken into her heart. She said at age 13 she accepted Christ and her grandmother was a devout Christian that prayed with her and her siblings and read Scripture with them daily because of her parents' circumstances. I am amazed at her story and God's love and mercy towards her what would have been hopeless life. I told her that her story is exactly the reason why we as Christians need to share our stories that are really God's stories- His grace and truth weaved into the threads of our very beings! I was so encouraged by her. She started crying in my chair when we both said out loud- God knows what we need to hear when we need to hear it.
What an amazing God we serve- He is loving, faithful, sovereign, powerful, gracious, merciful. So many wonderful things that many times we cannot even begin to comprehend.
The past few months have certainly revealed more and more of God's sovereign hand and how loving and gracious He is. Even in the difficult circumstances, He is there. He never leaves us. His Spirit CANNOT leave us if we have accepted Him as our only Savior. It's hard for me to really grasp that concept.
So back to the verse in Psalm. There was a time last year when if someone had told me that verse, I would have prayed- Ok God, I know you're sovereign and your timing is perfect and you know your plan for my life that is for my best, but it's really hard for me to see that right now- but give me strength to trust you.
There were many times last year of crying out to the Lord and not understanding His doings, but I was reminded by my parents and others around me to continue in prayer and trust in His goodness.
Looking back at that time in my life and where I am now, it comes easier for me to say the Lord WILL fulfill His purpose for me, His steadfast love DOES endure forever. I think what we all struggle with is when times are not good and things are not going as we thought they were or how we planned, where we need these truths spoken over and over again into our lives- and we need people around us who point us always to Christ.
I am thankful for even the awful times, because it is in those places where God draws us to Himself- where we come to that place where we only have Him to rely on.
So I'll close with an update, but this is what I have been dwelling on in Scripture and hearing in different people's stories that I have heard lately- a common theme of trust and God's hand in ALL things.
Update: I am happily dating the man I never would have thought existed or God could have picked more perfectly for me. I'm thankful for His loving kindness in providing me with and blessing me with him. I picture God literally opening His arms and pulling me out of a dark place and into light within the past year or so. I can't count the number of times I prayed for clarity, wisdom, and God's strength to bring me to where I am now.
Loving Nashville, of course, and more importantly loving what I do every day with people that I love working with and doing life with.
I can't wait for this weekend of rest and being home. My mom is already asking what my plans are so she can figure out cooking for me and my dad all weekend.
Lastly, this quote:
The goal of redemption is not immediate happiness as we might define it now, but holiness of life; not the good life as we imagine it on Earth, but the perfection of Heaven itself."
p. 27, A Grace Revealed. Jerry Sittser.
I think this verse is easier said and believed in the "easy" times in our lives, where things are going smoothly, everything is looking up for us, very little things go wrong. At least for me, these verses seem more attractive when circumstances in my life are good. However, when things go wrong or there is disappointment or uncertainty, this becomes harder to understand and believe...will the Lord in my grief/pain/suffering/confusion really fulfill His purpose for me? IS He fulfilling His purpose for me at this very moment? Is He really a God of steadfast love that endures forever? How can He be when I am experiencing pain or grief? The plea at the end of the verse "Do not forsake the work of your hands" brings a reality to the fact that we need Him. And I am so grateful and in awe that He does not leave us to ourselves. His hand is in every part of our lives. Today I was talking with a patient who has had severe medical issues with her heart and her back, and has been married for 20 something years to a man who had been married before (who had kids from that marriage). So she has 3 stepchildren and grandchildren from his previous marriage. All throughout her life, she developed more and more back problems and had to have surgery after surgery where her doctors were telling her she should not have children and that it would be detrimental to her health. I asked her how that made her feel and she said she was embarrassed and disappointed, but she knew all along that God had a plan. Now she is one of those people where I start having these conversations and I want to dig deeper and deeper into her story- which really is not "her" story, it is God's story (as she is a believer) shown in her testimony and in her life. She said she grew up with both of her parents being alcoholics...and she remembers praying at an early age by her bed- "God I know you love me, but why do you have me in this family?" She said she just knew that God loved her- that someone bigger than her parents knew her and loved her. I teared up at this that even though her parents were not believers, she knew at an early age miraculously that simple truth that was spoken into her heart. She said at age 13 she accepted Christ and her grandmother was a devout Christian that prayed with her and her siblings and read Scripture with them daily because of her parents' circumstances. I am amazed at her story and God's love and mercy towards her what would have been hopeless life. I told her that her story is exactly the reason why we as Christians need to share our stories that are really God's stories- His grace and truth weaved into the threads of our very beings! I was so encouraged by her. She started crying in my chair when we both said out loud- God knows what we need to hear when we need to hear it.
What an amazing God we serve- He is loving, faithful, sovereign, powerful, gracious, merciful. So many wonderful things that many times we cannot even begin to comprehend.
The past few months have certainly revealed more and more of God's sovereign hand and how loving and gracious He is. Even in the difficult circumstances, He is there. He never leaves us. His Spirit CANNOT leave us if we have accepted Him as our only Savior. It's hard for me to really grasp that concept.
So back to the verse in Psalm. There was a time last year when if someone had told me that verse, I would have prayed- Ok God, I know you're sovereign and your timing is perfect and you know your plan for my life that is for my best, but it's really hard for me to see that right now- but give me strength to trust you.
There were many times last year of crying out to the Lord and not understanding His doings, but I was reminded by my parents and others around me to continue in prayer and trust in His goodness.
Looking back at that time in my life and where I am now, it comes easier for me to say the Lord WILL fulfill His purpose for me, His steadfast love DOES endure forever. I think what we all struggle with is when times are not good and things are not going as we thought they were or how we planned, where we need these truths spoken over and over again into our lives- and we need people around us who point us always to Christ.
I am thankful for even the awful times, because it is in those places where God draws us to Himself- where we come to that place where we only have Him to rely on.
So I'll close with an update, but this is what I have been dwelling on in Scripture and hearing in different people's stories that I have heard lately- a common theme of trust and God's hand in ALL things.
Update: I am happily dating the man I never would have thought existed or God could have picked more perfectly for me. I'm thankful for His loving kindness in providing me with and blessing me with him. I picture God literally opening His arms and pulling me out of a dark place and into light within the past year or so. I can't count the number of times I prayed for clarity, wisdom, and God's strength to bring me to where I am now.
Loving Nashville, of course, and more importantly loving what I do every day with people that I love working with and doing life with.
I can't wait for this weekend of rest and being home. My mom is already asking what my plans are so she can figure out cooking for me and my dad all weekend.
Lastly, this quote:
The goal of redemption is not immediate happiness as we might define it now, but holiness of life; not the good life as we imagine it on Earth, but the perfection of Heaven itself."
p. 27, A Grace Revealed. Jerry Sittser.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
simple joys of life
when you run 13.1 miles, you have two hours to think. i'm pretty sure i caught my mind running in so many different directions today as i ran around the city of nashville for the 2013 country music half marathon. i think about so many things and go through different things in my life that i'm thankful for. i also look for the simple things at the race, like when a friend sees a friend cheering them on, when little kids are watching from the sidelines with their hands out to give runners high-fives. i make sure when i see that to go out of my way and give them a high five back. today it was raining the entire race, but i even caught myself being grateful for the rain and not the intense heat and sweating which usually occurs during the country music race.
there was a different atmosphere this year, however, for runners. i can't explain it, and it wasn't a negative atmosphere, it was actually uplifting and encouraging. after the tragedy at the boston marathon a couple of weeks ago, you could see and feel the resilience of the runners today and that everyone's heart went out to the victims and their families, especially the lives that were lost and the 150 injured. i also found myself remembering how much and why i love nashville. as we ran by the fire department and churches and other organizations within the city, their volunteers and employees all standing outside in the pouring rain screaming and cheering, the runners would pass by and cheer back for the firemen, churches, etc. i saw one guy in his 30's probably running and he fist pump cheered the fire dept. it was touching and encouraging to see the life of a city playing out in supporting a race- when it is below 50 degrees and pouring rain. not to mention, the runners' support for each other. i saw two handicapped people on the course today with people pushing them and running alongside them. runners that passed by would cheer for them. it's the little, simple joys that you experience in a race that make you want to experience and be constantly reminded of them in day to day life.
there was a different atmosphere this year, however, for runners. i can't explain it, and it wasn't a negative atmosphere, it was actually uplifting and encouraging. after the tragedy at the boston marathon a couple of weeks ago, you could see and feel the resilience of the runners today and that everyone's heart went out to the victims and their families, especially the lives that were lost and the 150 injured. i also found myself remembering how much and why i love nashville. as we ran by the fire department and churches and other organizations within the city, their volunteers and employees all standing outside in the pouring rain screaming and cheering, the runners would pass by and cheer back for the firemen, churches, etc. i saw one guy in his 30's probably running and he fist pump cheered the fire dept. it was touching and encouraging to see the life of a city playing out in supporting a race- when it is below 50 degrees and pouring rain. not to mention, the runners' support for each other. i saw two handicapped people on the course today with people pushing them and running alongside them. runners that passed by would cheer for them. it's the little, simple joys that you experience in a race that make you want to experience and be constantly reminded of them in day to day life.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
hallelujah
Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?
I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach
I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day
Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play
And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
- bethany dillon
lately, i am loving these lyrics. i love the chorus and thinking about singing praise and saying hallelujah to whatever is in front of me. life is crazy for me right now. i feel like i am juggling too many things and if i drop one, i drop everything. i have school hours to get, papers to write, moving into a new place, cleaning my old place, work, and on top of that daily little things and committing to being still and resting and being a good friend.
last week for easter i was here- the first holiday that i have not been home! i went to crosspoint and the sermon was basically saying we try to hold so much ourselves and hold everything together by ourselves and then we get overwhelmed and weighed down. but he referenced psalm 18:2- stating that God is our Rock...our safe place, place of dwelling, and refuge. and we can trust Him with anything- with whatever is in front of us. we can praise Him and He doesn't change. i needed to hear that and be reminded of that truth in this season of my life.
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?
I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach
I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day
Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play
And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah
- bethany dillon
lately, i am loving these lyrics. i love the chorus and thinking about singing praise and saying hallelujah to whatever is in front of me. life is crazy for me right now. i feel like i am juggling too many things and if i drop one, i drop everything. i have school hours to get, papers to write, moving into a new place, cleaning my old place, work, and on top of that daily little things and committing to being still and resting and being a good friend.
last week for easter i was here- the first holiday that i have not been home! i went to crosspoint and the sermon was basically saying we try to hold so much ourselves and hold everything together by ourselves and then we get overwhelmed and weighed down. but he referenced psalm 18:2- stating that God is our Rock...our safe place, place of dwelling, and refuge. and we can trust Him with anything- with whatever is in front of us. we can praise Him and He doesn't change. i needed to hear that and be reminded of that truth in this season of my life.
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