Sorry for the break in writing. I haven't written anything in a while because:
a. I grade papers on a daily basis, which takes time and writing brain energy.
b. Christmas! Busy time.
c. I've had a blah attitude about life in general. And who wants to write about that?!
Christmas back in America had its pros and cons. Spending Christmas with family was of course the highlight. That's the part you really miss when you're away. However, I had gotten used to the "quiet" Christmas overseas. Nothing was extravagant. Not many presents. Not the over-commercialization. I admit that it was more difficult this year to focus on the holiday rather than the to-do/to-buy list.
Well, I said that no one wants to write about a blah attitude, but that' exactly what I'm going to do for a moment. What do you do when life turns out differently than you expected it to? How do you handle disappointment? I'm learning that if I stop trusting in God's goodness during those times, there is great potential for anger, resentment, and cynicism. A wise person recently reminded me that the children of Israel had a lot in common with me. (That usually doesn't mean anything positive.) You see, they had been rescued from slavery, escaped with truckloads of treasures, miraculously led across the Red Sea, and were constantly seeing the might acts of God. Then, when they were at the brink of their destiny, they stood at the edge of the Promised Land....pouting and afraid. That generation did not experience the fullness of what God had prepared for them. Why? They didn't trust him. I really don't want to miss out on the opportunities that God has during this season of my life simply because I didn't trust him. If we get offended at God, we have a problem remembering who we are in the relationship. He is, well, Almightly God. And I am.....not.
Oswald Chambers has been kicking my butt almost everyday and I read his challenging words. I was also recently reminded that God does not ask us to sacrifice something simply because he doesn't want us to have it. Surrender and sacrifice always have far grander and holier purposes than that.
So, maybe I have a few lessons to learn before I head out on my next great journey. After all, the journey is now....no matter where you are. The journey is with Him.
1 comment:
I like those words... the journey is now the journey is with Him. That certainly applies to all of us. I loved hearing the pics and hearing about your Christmas times over there. You aren't too, too blah... in fact you are a joy. I know that any time you feel too "grrr" you can be with those children and your siblings and laughs abound.
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