I cannot sleep tonight. Perhaps I still have some remaining jet-lag from my recent trip back to Michigan (Which was FANTASTIC). Whatever the case, my brain has decided to reject sleep in favor of typing on my almost forgotten blog. Does anybody read this thing anymore? (Besides my mom? hehe)
This past month (May), I celebrated my two years of living in California. Wow. Just pausing to think about that fact seems...unreal? I can hardly believe the journey that I've been on...has brought me to this place, to where I am now. Did I end up where I thought i would end up? Absolutely not. Was it harder than I thought it would be? You bet. Was it worth it? Yes. 100 times over. Am I at my final destination? Don't be ridiculous. Ha! However, I stand where I currently am, completely humbled in gratitude and thanksgiving for the protection and favor that God has shown me throughout this time. Anything that I've been able to accomplish has not been a result of my own doing, but has been through the strength that Jesus has infused in me to keep trucking along, to keep going, to keep fighting.
And so tonight, here I sit, curled up in my burnt-orange blanket with my stuffed animal owl in my lap. Tomorrow, the sun will eventually rise, the birds will wake up, and life will go on. But, these days, life seems to be much easier, much more pleasant for me. Each day isn't a struggle financially or emotionally...it just...is. And, part of me is so happy I can finally rest, lay my weary bones for awhile...
But the other part of me...well...I know better than that. And, I know that in my excitement to rest, I am bordering on the sluggishness that comes with materialistic comfort and complacency. I need to wake up, I need to light the fire back under my bum and start working diligently with the gifts, talents and responsibilities that the Lord has given me.
Lord willing, the focus of this labor will be to further Christs' kingdom here on earth. It won't be for selfish gain, it won't be to promote me, it will be all for Him. So, what does that look like? How am I going to do this? Mercy sakes if I know. But, what I do know is this...I'm going to do my best to use the rest of my short life to honor God, love the life he has given me, love the people he has placed in my life and cultivate the talents he has given me...one...day...at...a...time. And I trust, that each day will bring its' opportunities to do just this.
This past month (May), I celebrated my two years of living in California. Wow. Just pausing to think about that fact seems...unreal? I can hardly believe the journey that I've been on...has brought me to this place, to where I am now. Did I end up where I thought i would end up? Absolutely not. Was it harder than I thought it would be? You bet. Was it worth it? Yes. 100 times over. Am I at my final destination? Don't be ridiculous. Ha! However, I stand where I currently am, completely humbled in gratitude and thanksgiving for the protection and favor that God has shown me throughout this time. Anything that I've been able to accomplish has not been a result of my own doing, but has been through the strength that Jesus has infused in me to keep trucking along, to keep going, to keep fighting.
And so tonight, here I sit, curled up in my burnt-orange blanket with my stuffed animal owl in my lap. Tomorrow, the sun will eventually rise, the birds will wake up, and life will go on. But, these days, life seems to be much easier, much more pleasant for me. Each day isn't a struggle financially or emotionally...it just...is. And, part of me is so happy I can finally rest, lay my weary bones for awhile...
But the other part of me...well...I know better than that. And, I know that in my excitement to rest, I am bordering on the sluggishness that comes with materialistic comfort and complacency. I need to wake up, I need to light the fire back under my bum and start working diligently with the gifts, talents and responsibilities that the Lord has given me.
Lord willing, the focus of this labor will be to further Christs' kingdom here on earth. It won't be for selfish gain, it won't be to promote me, it will be all for Him. So, what does that look like? How am I going to do this? Mercy sakes if I know. But, what I do know is this...I'm going to do my best to use the rest of my short life to honor God, love the life he has given me, love the people he has placed in my life and cultivate the talents he has given me...one...day...at...a...time. And I trust, that each day will bring its' opportunities to do just this.
2nd Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker
who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Goodnight, sweet friends. Let me know how I can continue to pray for you and your families. As always, thanks for being apart of my journey. Much love to you on this sleepy evening.
CP
Goodnight, sweet friends. Let me know how I can continue to pray for you and your families. As always, thanks for being apart of my journey. Much love to you on this sleepy evening.
A picture of me and my sister :) I look sleepy, had just gotten off a flight! :)
CP
