Tired

We read a poem by Robert Frost in American Letters yesterday called "After Apple Picking." The persona in the poem is describing his exhaustion with something he really enjoys doing, simply because he's been working at it so hard for quite some time. I immediately empathized with his plight, because I find myself getting burned out on things that I truly love to do. In those times, the best remedy that I've discovered is to take a short sabbatical from them just to fill my mind with something else so I can later return with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the
rain." - Author Unknown

This has become my new motto, probably because I generally find myself in the middle of a storm. Whether it's an attack from the enemy on me or my family/friends, or too many activities, or just plain weariness, the storm is there. I don't want to merely survive life, because I have so many reasons to love it. If I can only learn to stop focusing on the pounding surf that threatens to drown me, I will find that God is calling me to dance upon the waves in the rain with Him.

Life in the fast lane

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earthWould care to know my name Would care to feel my hurt Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star Would choose to light the way For my ever wandering heart Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours, I am Yours Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin Would look on me with love and watch me rise again Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea Would call out through the rain And calm the storm in me Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours I am Yours Whom shall I fear Whom shall I fear 'Cause I am Yours I am Yours

"Who Am I" by Casting Crowns

Guys, it is just incredible what God can do through you when you surrender to Him. When He calls you to do mighty things, He will equip you to do mighty things. His protection is surrounding you, and the power of His Holy Spirit will flow through you. I re-discovered today one of my favorite Bible verses:

"Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call and the Lord will answer; you will cry and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:8-11

Think on it and be encouraged by it.

Thoughts for a New Year

It's been far too long since the last time I posted on good old xanga. Unfortunately, it's usually the first thing to go when life gets busy, which (surprise, surprise) is probably 95% of the year. I've certainly enjoyed bumming around for the past couple of days since we got home from Germany. It's good to have a real break where you do absolutely nothing every once in a while.

Speaking of Germany, it was probably one of the best Christmases I've ever had. My family and my sister-in-law's family flew up to meet Phil and Jess at his army post for the holidays. They have an awesome apartment on post, and we had such great times hanging out there, watching movies, and playing games. We are such a fun bunch! We also got to travel to a couple other towns near Baumholder, like Bernkastle Keus (lovely little Christmas village) and Heidelberg (amazing castle). The scenery was picturesque: right out of a movie or a fairy tale. Unfortunately, this also made Christmas one of the loneliest holidays I've ever had. The family was almost complete, but we were missing my very special someone. Not having Alex there was so much more painful than I would have imagined, especially since almost everyone else we hung out with had his or her other half there. Story of our lives for another year.