Whether Walking or Running, at Least I'm With You

I spent the end of my afternoon researching Dog agility and creating the corresponding PowerPoint for my informative speech coming up this Friday (can you say prayer request?). But really, could there be a better speech subject? I didn't think so...

I spent the beginning of my afternoon walking in the cold, warm sun (yes, I meant to say COLD!). This walk challenged me to broaden my attention, to stretch my compassion. There is so much more out there than me. There are much bigger problems than tests, than schedules, and, yes, even bigger than loneliness—if I choose to let them dwell in my memory out through my hands. Instead, most of the knowledge I have of persecution, oppression; of hurt, pain, and injustice; they all elicit a brief emotional response, but than they're gone, like the first snowfall of the year. Isn't it comforting to know that God doesn't repress evils that are incomprehensibly heinous? He can handle them. Even more comforting, though, is that He doesn't overlook "evils" that are excruciatingly miniscule. He can comfort them.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and bGod of all comfort." —2 Cor. 1:3

I spent the end of my evening writing this blog (and I assume studying...I'll let you know). I definitely miss spending more time with this blog. I much enjoy collecting my thoughts through type, and of course, knowing that you read them helps me censor myself (who knows how much I'd blabber if this were a personal journal!!). I have written mostly of lessons learned or battles fought. But, because I've had a hard time confronting many of those battles and lessons (and consequently have often neglected the task of writing them down) I am trying to transition into a place where I can write about trivial matters also. I want to be able to share some of the "everydays" with you; maybe then some of the major days will make more sense.

I spent the beginning of my evening on an errand adventure:Destination Arby's milkshakes via Dollar Tree and Wally World! I know, you wish you were there. Well, you should. My roommate and I (shout out to you Roomie!!) popped in the Christmas tunes and belted out as many "Silver Bells," "Winter Wonderlands," and "Merry Christmases" as the car radio would allow before intermittently shutting off. I used a coupon, bought some chapstick, and won the war between my triple-thick vanilla milkshake and I on the way back up to Bryan campus.

I spent this post recounting the day, in perpetual banter might I add. But can I just take this time to ask for prayer? I have recently applied for a summer camp job at a Christian camp in Trinity, TX. As much as it pains me to admit this, I actually care a lot about getting the job; Furthermore, I'm on the edge of abandoning trust in God's timing in order that I might regain personal control of the situation. So, if you could pray for patience for me, it would be much appreciated. AH! okay, I'm good.

Just like my worst favorite movies now-a-days, I'm going to cop-out and close with a song! Enjoy...

"I love you more than a slow-falling summer rain
More than a silence that only the snow leaves behind
I love you more

And I love you better than the gray of the autumn air
Better than spring in its blooming against the sky
I love you more

It may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be

Your love is steady and sure as the mountains high
Moving my heart like a river that gently bends
Your love is sure

Your love is wide open spaces where I can run
And yet, we're tangled up roots in the warm broken earth
Our love is sure

And it may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea but
Love given freely becomes what it ought to be

It may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea
And it may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but

Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to and
Hearts given freely becomes what they ought to
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be."

(-Audrey Assad's "Ought to Be." The House Your Building Album)