This is Not a Thanksgiving List

Thankfulness is a funny thing. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone. And that may be true at times. But other times, it is overwhelming to think about all that you do have.

I know when I think about what I have, I have a lot.

More than I need. More than I even want at times. More than I can add to a list to stick on a blog post to tell you what I'm most grateful for (though I thought of doing exactly that). Let's face it, a list wouldn't cut it.

Because I have a life most people dream of having. I'm fed, clothed, sheltered, provided for. But more than that, I'm encouraged, challenged, motivated, comforted, and loved day in and day out. And I have the Creator of the Universe willing and wanting to bless me. Me (of all people)!

So, I don't have a cute, little list for you today in honor of Thanksgiving. Instead, I have a short piece of rambling and a whole lot of awe for the One who thought to give me the things I wouldn't even consider ever putting on a list.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you are overwhelmed with blessings today.

Life in the Corridor

Life right now is like an endless corridor.
On either side of me, as I walk down it,
There are rows of doors, doors, and more doors.
I grab a door knob, turn, and find that the door is locked.
I try another,
And it opens.
So I walk through only to find another door.
I open that one and find one more door.
I continue opening doors until I open one to find
A big, daunting door that's clearly locked.
Tightly chained.
Bolted shut.
No key to be found.
With a sign that says something like,
"Turn around" or "Not this one -nice try though!"
So I find myself back at the corridor
Trying more doors,
No end in sight.
But I know that there
Must be light
At the end of the corridor,
Though I can't always see it.
And I hold onto this hope:
That someday,
Somehow,
I will open one of those doors
And find what I've been waiting for.
And that will make it all
Worth the effort.

On Success

What is success really? How do you define this daunting word? The world says one thing; one thing we all know well, that we hear day after day.

"It's all about the money. The status. The power. It is all about giving them exactly what they want." 

But who is this "them" who wants these things? And what if what you want isn't what "them" wants? And what about God? What about His wants? 

If you tune out what the world says and listen more to what He says where does that leave you? If you're really, truly honest with yourself what do you think success means? What does it look like? Like money, status, and power? Or something else? What is success really? 

And what would you have to do to gain it? 

Spring Break 2010

Paradise is out there...

"Rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20

Overwhelmed

I admit it -I am overwhelmed right now.

Overwhelmed for many reasons. 

Because of the desire to turn back time and the knowledge that the Timeless One had control even in old memories. 

Because of the struggle I have to be motivated and initiate relationships and the opportunities I've had recently to really be engaged in the lives of those around me, enjoying deep discussions full of authenticity. 

Because of the stress that comes with class after class and the peace I have through the One who makes me lie down in green pastures.  

Because of the unknowns of the future that continues to grow near and the hope of the promise that my future has already been planned out.

Because of the longing to stay where I am at right now and the gratefulness that I've been here even this long. 

Mist

On the road you travel

There will sometimes be mist

One minute you can see clearly

The next all certainty is gone

The fog gets thick

And you can no longer see

More than two steps

In front of you

You cautiously follow

What you hope you will find

After the next step

One foot in front of the other

Until it is suddenly clear again

Before the Fall

There's always that moment before something bad happens.

That moment where time slows and you think to yourself, "Is there anything I can do to make this better?" The moment when you almost feel super-human, but are still very much aware of the fact that you're not. That moment in which you are both strangely relaxed and extremely anxious. The moment when you know that all you can do is wait for the fall.


Wait and wonder how bad it'll actually be once you hit the ground.


There's always that moment before something bad happens.

Goodbye Colorado

No more mountains for me : (

Reese's Cups

So, I just had a Reese's peanut butter cup. You know how they always come in one of those paper cup thingys? Well, this one came in 21 of them! Does anyone else find this odd?

Boy + Balloon

Have you ever seen a boy with a balloon?

Today, I did. To give you the specifics, the boy was a one-year-old named Isaac. And the balloon was yellow.

Hand a boy a balloon and you'll probably be given in return a huge, cheeky grin and a look that says, "I've been waiting my entire life for this moment!" Then, allow that boy to play with the balloon as much as he wants and he'll be your best friend for eternity.

Give a boy a balloon and you will learn the joy of simplicity. You will experience the wide-eyed twinkle of a small miracle. You will observe the pudgy wave of a goodbye to the ordinary. And the more he plays, the more you'll wonder why you can't be more like him.

I hope you find your own balloon, grab onto it, and never let it go.