Why on earth would God want to be in relationship with people like me who are so messed up? That's what I'm trying to figure out. Perhaps it's because we are so messed up. God has it all together, and could have just stayed separate from the world, didn't have to bother with us after we rejected Him. But He saw us suffering as a result of our selfishness and knew this would eventually lead us to destruction in one way or another. So He had compassion, and wrote Himself into our story to offer a way out. He didn't have to experience suffering or pain or sorrow or loneliness of any kind - but He chose to, to enter into our human experience. That's love. And He offered us a relationship with Him, through which He can start the work of redeeming the messed up things in our world and in our hearts and show us another way. That's love.
And I think that God has built into the core of our beings a deep desire for relationship, for community, for Communion. It's meant to be with Him and meant to draw us to Him, but we often get distracted and seek to fulfill it in other ways. I find myself drawn to the people in my life, close friends and the community God has blessed me with, to fill this heart-desire. There is something so beautiful about knowing and being known, loving and being loved, just as you are. Yet whatever human relationships we have can never quite do that completely. We will always be limited by our selfish tendencies, and it will never quite be enough - it cannot quite fill that relational void inside our hearts. Only God can. I often forget this, and God constantly has to remind me that the people and the community He has blessed me with are not the be-all end-all - and elevating them as such only sets up unfair expectations and creates frustration.
Human community is a reflection of the Communion God has for us, but it's not it. Only God's perfect Love can fulfill our deepest relational desires, and dispel all of the insecurities and ugliness that hide in the corners of our hearts. When my heart is filled with the Love of God, it can't help but overflow into my relationships with people, and I can share it freely without expecting an exact return. However, when I don't allow my heart to be filled by God, I can approach my relationships out of that lack, and greedily draw from others to satisfy my needs.
The neat thing is, that living in God's Love has implications for everything. Not just how I love my friends, but how I interact with strangers and how I do my work and how I dream about the future and how I live in the present. My prayer right now is that God would be teaching me how to live in His Love every single day.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Living the questions...
Where am I? Sometimes in the mad rush of life I realize that I need to pause for a moment and just figure out where I am before I jet off to the next thing.
Lots of questions it seems are running through my head these days, and I don't often get to dwell on them long enough to figure out what the answers are, but sometimes being able to articulate what it is I am seeking is enough.
How do I love the people God has placed me with? I want my love for others to be pure, not steeped in having my own needs met, but truly as a gift to the other, possible only through God's grace.
How do I truly reach out to my neighbors, breaching cultural barriers that sometimes seem insurmountable? I want to build relationships, become a real part of this place, and help meet needs where I can.
How do I build community with other like-minded folks without excluding those who are different? Is community the end in itself or should we be striving for a certain vision or goal? How does this play out practically with busy schedules and other commitments?
What is it that I am meant to do vocationally? How can this collection of experiences, passions, and gifts be best used to advance the Kingdom?
How do I live fully and with abandon, obedient always to living out God's deep love and never being controlled by fears or insecurities?
How can I cultivate a lifestyle that is fully in the present, focusing on precisely where God has placed me in the moment and who with? How can I learn the art of being, rather than be a slave to my schedule and to-do list?
How do I make God my number one priority, focusing on spending time with God and having an attitude of constant openness to the movements of the Spirit?
So many questions! It can get overwhelming when they're all flying around in my head, but then I remember. Part of the answer, I think, is that "I" cannot do any of this. I need my sisters and brothers, and most of all my God - otherwise none of this is possible.
Amidst all of these questions, I have been encouraged by the people in my life who remind me of what is important and who are figuring out this thing called life together with me. Cooking and conversations late into the night at my house. Burritos and talk about community organizing. Coffee and conversation about hospitality and rootedness. Exciting news about new communities forming on the Hill. Corn mazes and pumpkin carving with children I love. Handing out candy and talking about life on the stoop. Play-dates with the little boys next door. Hot drinks with an old friend in a new city. Dear friends returning from far away places.
I am so blessed by the people who journey with me, as we live these questions...
Lots of questions it seems are running through my head these days, and I don't often get to dwell on them long enough to figure out what the answers are, but sometimes being able to articulate what it is I am seeking is enough.
How do I love the people God has placed me with? I want my love for others to be pure, not steeped in having my own needs met, but truly as a gift to the other, possible only through God's grace.
How do I truly reach out to my neighbors, breaching cultural barriers that sometimes seem insurmountable? I want to build relationships, become a real part of this place, and help meet needs where I can.
How do I build community with other like-minded folks without excluding those who are different? Is community the end in itself or should we be striving for a certain vision or goal? How does this play out practically with busy schedules and other commitments?
What is it that I am meant to do vocationally? How can this collection of experiences, passions, and gifts be best used to advance the Kingdom?
How do I live fully and with abandon, obedient always to living out God's deep love and never being controlled by fears or insecurities?
How can I cultivate a lifestyle that is fully in the present, focusing on precisely where God has placed me in the moment and who with? How can I learn the art of being, rather than be a slave to my schedule and to-do list?
How do I make God my number one priority, focusing on spending time with God and having an attitude of constant openness to the movements of the Spirit?
So many questions! It can get overwhelming when they're all flying around in my head, but then I remember. Part of the answer, I think, is that "I" cannot do any of this. I need my sisters and brothers, and most of all my God - otherwise none of this is possible.
Amidst all of these questions, I have been encouraged by the people in my life who remind me of what is important and who are figuring out this thing called life together with me. Cooking and conversations late into the night at my house. Burritos and talk about community organizing. Coffee and conversation about hospitality and rootedness. Exciting news about new communities forming on the Hill. Corn mazes and pumpkin carving with children I love. Handing out candy and talking about life on the stoop. Play-dates with the little boys next door. Hot drinks with an old friend in a new city. Dear friends returning from far away places.
I am so blessed by the people who journey with me, as we live these questions...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Awakening
God rest us.
Rest the part of us which is tired.
Awaken the part of us which is asleep.
God awaken us and awake within us.
Amen.
I had a realization - I'm afraid that I've gotten too comfortable. Too comfortable with my job, my schedule, my life. Although there are so many good things about my life right now, I don't want to be satisfied with where I am. I feel like I've gotten so used to my everyday routine that I've become disconnected from some of the bigger, important things in life.
Urban housing & development, cycles of poverty and how to create & sustain jobs, gender issues and discrimination against women, hospitality & what it means to reach out to neighbors - so many things! There's this whole part of myself that cares so much about these things, but lately it's been so easy for them to get lost in the daily shuffle. I feel like I don't have the time or mental energy to engage them, but I don't want to lose sight of them because they're really at the core of who I am - and who I want to become. I want to truly engage in learning about and acting on these things that are so important to me.
Hand-in-hand with engaging these societal issues and problems is engaging with people, reaching out to the poor and marginalized, the broken and lonely. Sadly, I think I've kind of gotten used to not making as much of an effort. I have my volunteer times built into my schedule, but haven't allowed much space for being open to people I pass on the streets and what they might need at that moment. I've been reminded again of this radical lifestyle of reaching out and loving people that I used to want, and still do want, but seem to have fallen short of. It's not easy for me to reach out to strangers and get to know people - but following Jesus isn't supposed to be easy or natural or comfortable - just the opposite. I know that God wants to stretch me and push me out of my comfort zone, and I'm afraid to, but also afraid not to.
I want to strive again for this radical way of living, confronting these problems head-on and being part of the solutions, and above all loving people.
I want to be more intentional about hospitality and getting to know our neighbors;
I want to be more open to people as I walk the streets, and ready to help someone in need;
I want to be more connected to the things happening in the neighborhood and the city;
I want to learn more about the issues at play.
I want to dream again, and take small steps towards those dreams.
These are the desires of my heart. My prayer is that I will live in such a way that I am more faithful to them.
Living radically seems hard when it's done in small ways everyday on top of other demands. It doesn't feel like enough, and it's easy to get discouraged. It's also easy to forgot how important all of these things are. But people help me to remember, and dream with me and challenge me and encourage me. They remind me, too, that it all comes back to God and to love - without which we can do nothing. I feel like I am coming back to that.
And my song right now is Sara Groves' "Add to the Beauty":
We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold
Redemption comes in strange place, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside
It comes in small inspirations
It brings redemption to life and work
To our lives and our work
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find it's worth
This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful
This is grace, an invitation.
Rest the part of us which is tired.
Awaken the part of us which is asleep.
God awaken us and awake within us.
Amen.
I had a realization - I'm afraid that I've gotten too comfortable. Too comfortable with my job, my schedule, my life. Although there are so many good things about my life right now, I don't want to be satisfied with where I am. I feel like I've gotten so used to my everyday routine that I've become disconnected from some of the bigger, important things in life.
Urban housing & development, cycles of poverty and how to create & sustain jobs, gender issues and discrimination against women, hospitality & what it means to reach out to neighbors - so many things! There's this whole part of myself that cares so much about these things, but lately it's been so easy for them to get lost in the daily shuffle. I feel like I don't have the time or mental energy to engage them, but I don't want to lose sight of them because they're really at the core of who I am - and who I want to become. I want to truly engage in learning about and acting on these things that are so important to me.
Hand-in-hand with engaging these societal issues and problems is engaging with people, reaching out to the poor and marginalized, the broken and lonely. Sadly, I think I've kind of gotten used to not making as much of an effort. I have my volunteer times built into my schedule, but haven't allowed much space for being open to people I pass on the streets and what they might need at that moment. I've been reminded again of this radical lifestyle of reaching out and loving people that I used to want, and still do want, but seem to have fallen short of. It's not easy for me to reach out to strangers and get to know people - but following Jesus isn't supposed to be easy or natural or comfortable - just the opposite. I know that God wants to stretch me and push me out of my comfort zone, and I'm afraid to, but also afraid not to.
I want to strive again for this radical way of living, confronting these problems head-on and being part of the solutions, and above all loving people.
I want to be more intentional about hospitality and getting to know our neighbors;
I want to be more open to people as I walk the streets, and ready to help someone in need;
I want to be more connected to the things happening in the neighborhood and the city;
I want to learn more about the issues at play.
I want to dream again, and take small steps towards those dreams.
These are the desires of my heart. My prayer is that I will live in such a way that I am more faithful to them.
Living radically seems hard when it's done in small ways everyday on top of other demands. It doesn't feel like enough, and it's easy to get discouraged. It's also easy to forgot how important all of these things are. But people help me to remember, and dream with me and challenge me and encourage me. They remind me, too, that it all comes back to God and to love - without which we can do nothing. I feel like I am coming back to that.
And my song right now is Sara Groves' "Add to the Beauty":
We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold
Redemption comes in strange place, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside
It comes in small inspirations
It brings redemption to life and work
To our lives and our work
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find it's worth
This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful
This is grace, an invitation.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The gift of Time...
I do not often get stressed out these days, but lately I have been - by time. Suddenly there seemed to be a million things to do and people to see, and I found myself in a whirlwind of busyness that was of my making - but that left me frazzled and drained. I don't regret any of the things I did, but it's not a pace of life that I want to sustain. Rather, I deeply value the importance of rest and reflection, being fully present and allowing space for interruptions - and I want these to mark the rhythms of my life.
Time is finite, and I need to be ok with that - while also making the time that I do have count. I need to see it more and more as a gift, an opportunity, rather than merely a block on my calendar. I want how I use my time to reflect my highest values, rather than my weakest impulses. I am called to love with abandon the people God has placed me with, and to be faithful to the commitments I have made. Neither of these things are always easy - in fact, they're sometimes very hard. But with a generous portion of God's grace, I pray that I can.
One of the scary things about time is that it is so fleeting - and we can never get it back. Perhaps it's become more precious to me as I've been saying goodbyes lately - and as I prepare for more goodbyes and big changes in the lives of my closest friends.
It's funny, as I find myself again in the role of being a point of sending and return. There aren't only sad goodbyes, but also joyful returns, and for that I am grateful. And despite the pain of friends journeying onto new adventures without me, something in this role feels good too. I like being a settled, stable point for people when so much is changing, and it almost feels like an honor to support them and send them off to the great things God is calling them to. But I will need plenty of grace for those days too.
For now, my prayer is that I can love people like there's no tomorrow, not leaving important things unsaid - because life is too short, and we don't know how much time we've got until it's gone.
Time is finite, and I need to be ok with that - while also making the time that I do have count. I need to see it more and more as a gift, an opportunity, rather than merely a block on my calendar. I want how I use my time to reflect my highest values, rather than my weakest impulses. I am called to love with abandon the people God has placed me with, and to be faithful to the commitments I have made. Neither of these things are always easy - in fact, they're sometimes very hard. But with a generous portion of God's grace, I pray that I can.
One of the scary things about time is that it is so fleeting - and we can never get it back. Perhaps it's become more precious to me as I've been saying goodbyes lately - and as I prepare for more goodbyes and big changes in the lives of my closest friends.
It's funny, as I find myself again in the role of being a point of sending and return. There aren't only sad goodbyes, but also joyful returns, and for that I am grateful. And despite the pain of friends journeying onto new adventures without me, something in this role feels good too. I like being a settled, stable point for people when so much is changing, and it almost feels like an honor to support them and send them off to the great things God is calling them to. But I will need plenty of grace for those days too.
For now, my prayer is that I can love people like there's no tomorrow, not leaving important things unsaid - because life is too short, and we don't know how much time we've got until it's gone.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Being neighbors and growing roots
Tonight was a free evening, and little Derek and Evan came knocking on our door to "show us something". It was a GIANT zucchini in our garden that we had missed! Then we had a birthday surprise to show Derek, who just turned 4 on July 4th. Did I want to ride bikes for a bit? Sure! That led to reading some books and playing with the farm and racing cars until it was bedtime. When I finally left their house the sun was setting, and Inousa, our friendly and intelligent neighbor from Burkina Faso, was out back listening to music from his truck. I stopped and chatted for a while - he is getting ready to go back home, and so is soaking in the last weeks of his life in America. He always has interesting insights into life and culture here, and I appreciate his perspective.
It's nights like this that I am so grateful to have enough free space in my life to spontaneously spend time with neighbors. I am in love with this place and its people. When it's not blazing hot outside, I relish simply walking the streets of Allison Hill, with no particular aim except to know this place and be known. I want to memorize each back-street and get acquainted with the people so that everyone doesn't look the same to me anymore. Although my neighborhood certainly has its share of death, most days I can't help but be overwhelmed by the life that is so fully present here - kids laughing and playing together in the streets, families relaxing on their porches, guys hanging out and making fun. Although I certainly am still an oddity here, there's no place I'd rather be.
And as I walk the streets and go about my daily routine, I can't help but see the possibilities. Abandoned houses become loved and lived-in places. Empty lots become community spaces. And strangers become neighbors. I have so many dreams that I want to live out here. To truly know and love the people that God has placed here with me. To begin to understand the complexities of this place. To learn about the good work that is already being done by so many committed people. To discover my niche and what I am meant to do here. Some days there is an urgency to this last question - wanting to know what I'm supposed to do. But on days like today, I am content to spend time with neighbors - learning a little more about them and sharing in their lives.
A wise friend recently shared a quote by Henri Nowen that expresses the feeling I have well: "More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time and freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence..." I pray that God will use this desire in me as I continue to set down roots here...
It's nights like this that I am so grateful to have enough free space in my life to spontaneously spend time with neighbors. I am in love with this place and its people. When it's not blazing hot outside, I relish simply walking the streets of Allison Hill, with no particular aim except to know this place and be known. I want to memorize each back-street and get acquainted with the people so that everyone doesn't look the same to me anymore. Although my neighborhood certainly has its share of death, most days I can't help but be overwhelmed by the life that is so fully present here - kids laughing and playing together in the streets, families relaxing on their porches, guys hanging out and making fun. Although I certainly am still an oddity here, there's no place I'd rather be.
And as I walk the streets and go about my daily routine, I can't help but see the possibilities. Abandoned houses become loved and lived-in places. Empty lots become community spaces. And strangers become neighbors. I have so many dreams that I want to live out here. To truly know and love the people that God has placed here with me. To begin to understand the complexities of this place. To learn about the good work that is already being done by so many committed people. To discover my niche and what I am meant to do here. Some days there is an urgency to this last question - wanting to know what I'm supposed to do. But on days like today, I am content to spend time with neighbors - learning a little more about them and sharing in their lives.
A wise friend recently shared a quote by Henri Nowen that expresses the feeling I have well: "More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time and freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence..." I pray that God will use this desire in me as I continue to set down roots here...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What a wonderful world...
This week has left me with many markers pointing to God's goodness. Not that it's been an easy or carefree week - in fact, each day there have been disappointments or frustrations that have gotten me down. But each day there have been clear reminders of the goodness of God. Through life-giving conversations with friends, the beauty of creation, connections with co-workers, the smiles of children, and the special gift of new life, God has reminded me of the great blessings in life.
Usually things aren't this clear for me - my learning is usually much more muddled. Perhaps that's why I'm sharing this now...because God did make it clear that this is something to pay attention to. My prayer is that my eyes will always be open and attentive to see this. Amidst the small everyday struggles and the large overwhelming challenges, may we all see God and his goodness in this wonderful world.
It may sound funny, but the way I often experience joy is that songs will start welling up in my heart - and flowing out my lips :) Today the song in my heart was Louis Armstrong's classic "It's a Wonderful World". Here are the words...
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
Usually things aren't this clear for me - my learning is usually much more muddled. Perhaps that's why I'm sharing this now...because God did make it clear that this is something to pay attention to. My prayer is that my eyes will always be open and attentive to see this. Amidst the small everyday struggles and the large overwhelming challenges, may we all see God and his goodness in this wonderful world.
It may sound funny, but the way I often experience joy is that songs will start welling up in my heart - and flowing out my lips :) Today the song in my heart was Louis Armstrong's classic "It's a Wonderful World". Here are the words...
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
One year out: Thoughts on work & life from "the other side"
As I attended Messiah's graduation this May, I remembered mine like it was yesterday - yet it also seemed like so long since I had walked across that stage. And as I wrote out this month's check for rent, I paused - it was exactly a year ago that I had begun this chapter of my life on 1527 Derry St. It made me ponder - what had I learned? How had I changed? What would I tell this year's seniors if I had the chance? So here are a few nuggets of wisdom, from my experience to yours...
There is such pressure as you graduate to "figure out what I'm doing with my life". The constant questions from well-meaning relatives and friends can be discouraging if you don't have a "good" answer. When I graduated I had ideas about what I wanted to do, but spent a whole summer unsure about what would be next. There will undoubtedly be times of uncertainty, of feeling "stuck", of knowing you have so much to give but having no outlet. They're hard, but they will pass sooner or later. I could not have imagined the ways that God provided for fulfilling and stretching work. Things will work out, although usually in ways that you never expected. That's how God rolls, it seems - God is full of surprises. God also likes to test our patience - but God will come through.
Whether you are looking for a job or have found one, know that there will never be the "perfect job" - but you can get pretty darn close. Every position will have its joys and frustrations, just as the skill-set you bring to it will have both strengths and weaknesses. But each experience for however long offers a great opportunity to learn more about what you want to do, what you love and are good at, and how you can grow and be better.
And you know what? You don't have to have it all figured out. I'm becoming more and more convinced that no one really does. Whether you're fresh out of college or in your 30s married with kids there are still transitions, there are still questions of what's going to happen next, of where to go and what to do, of how you can better live out your ideals and your vocation. The questions never end, but if you can find the peace to live in those questions, you'll be ok.
And I think it's pretty rare that we get clear answers. Maybe you will suddenly know for sure, "Ahah, this is what I will do for the rest of my life." But that's not the common experience. Rather, I think we are given clues along the way that point us towards what could be next. I've learned to pay attention to the things that energize and excite me, the things that fill me with joy, and the things that make me angry. All of these are clues to where my deep passions lie and when my work intersects with them.
I've also learned that changing the world looks different than I used to think. I imagined making sweeping changes in government policy, and spurring significant neighborhood revitalization. Now I see things differently. I haven't given up on my ideals, but I have learned in trying to live them out that change requires much time and commitment - it does not come quickly or easily. It requires humility in recognizing how much you have to learn, but also courage to go and try something even if you don't have it all figured out.
More often than not, living out your ideals will look very ordinary and you may feel like you're not doing very much. But in being counter-cultural day-in and day-out, you are extraordinary. And as a community of people - in your neighborhood and around the world - doing many small, ordinary things, little by little we are changing the world. It may not be as grand as you imagine, but it does matter.
To do any of this, though, community is essential. Messiah students, you'll chuckle, but it's really true. You can't live out your ideals alone. It's hard, doing community as imperfect people in a messy world. But it is totally and completely worth it - and if you don't have a good community, nothing much else matters. As much as jobs and other things have transitioned over the past year for me, it has been my community (near and far) which has remained constant. Find people who share your ideals, who will stand beside you, laugh and cry with you, live out your dreams with you, and sit with you in the questions.
You're gonna be alright :) Life on the other side is good.
There is such pressure as you graduate to "figure out what I'm doing with my life". The constant questions from well-meaning relatives and friends can be discouraging if you don't have a "good" answer. When I graduated I had ideas about what I wanted to do, but spent a whole summer unsure about what would be next. There will undoubtedly be times of uncertainty, of feeling "stuck", of knowing you have so much to give but having no outlet. They're hard, but they will pass sooner or later. I could not have imagined the ways that God provided for fulfilling and stretching work. Things will work out, although usually in ways that you never expected. That's how God rolls, it seems - God is full of surprises. God also likes to test our patience - but God will come through.
Whether you are looking for a job or have found one, know that there will never be the "perfect job" - but you can get pretty darn close. Every position will have its joys and frustrations, just as the skill-set you bring to it will have both strengths and weaknesses. But each experience for however long offers a great opportunity to learn more about what you want to do, what you love and are good at, and how you can grow and be better.
And you know what? You don't have to have it all figured out. I'm becoming more and more convinced that no one really does. Whether you're fresh out of college or in your 30s married with kids there are still transitions, there are still questions of what's going to happen next, of where to go and what to do, of how you can better live out your ideals and your vocation. The questions never end, but if you can find the peace to live in those questions, you'll be ok.
And I think it's pretty rare that we get clear answers. Maybe you will suddenly know for sure, "Ahah, this is what I will do for the rest of my life." But that's not the common experience. Rather, I think we are given clues along the way that point us towards what could be next. I've learned to pay attention to the things that energize and excite me, the things that fill me with joy, and the things that make me angry. All of these are clues to where my deep passions lie and when my work intersects with them.
I've also learned that changing the world looks different than I used to think. I imagined making sweeping changes in government policy, and spurring significant neighborhood revitalization. Now I see things differently. I haven't given up on my ideals, but I have learned in trying to live them out that change requires much time and commitment - it does not come quickly or easily. It requires humility in recognizing how much you have to learn, but also courage to go and try something even if you don't have it all figured out.
More often than not, living out your ideals will look very ordinary and you may feel like you're not doing very much. But in being counter-cultural day-in and day-out, you are extraordinary. And as a community of people - in your neighborhood and around the world - doing many small, ordinary things, little by little we are changing the world. It may not be as grand as you imagine, but it does matter.
To do any of this, though, community is essential. Messiah students, you'll chuckle, but it's really true. You can't live out your ideals alone. It's hard, doing community as imperfect people in a messy world. But it is totally and completely worth it - and if you don't have a good community, nothing much else matters. As much as jobs and other things have transitioned over the past year for me, it has been my community (near and far) which has remained constant. Find people who share your ideals, who will stand beside you, laugh and cry with you, live out your dreams with you, and sit with you in the questions.
You're gonna be alright :) Life on the other side is good.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My "Blind Side"
I just saw "The Blind Side", and it blew me away. I'm always very impacted by movies and stories, but this one was particularly meaningful because it was a true story. It was inspiring, but real. It wasn't a perfect story, but it was a hopeful story. It showcased one success story, but didn't pretend that this wasn't the exception instead of the rule. It was solid. It was sassy. It was gritty. It was funny. It was REAL. And I think that's what I appreciated most about it.
Now I am filled with so many emotions. Joy - for the success of this young man and his new family. Sadness - for all those who won't have the same chances, and whose lives will be cut short. And more than anything else, it leaves me with an overwhelming sense of wanting to do and be more. What would it look like for me to practice radical hospitality like this family did? What kind of community could I be a part of where this would not only be possible but supported?
I'm in this place where I am constantly wanting to do more in so many ways, but feel limited by my current commitments. I deeply value the things that I am doing now, but it often seems so small and insignificant. At times like this my heart just cries out - to do something bigger and more meaningful. How do I become part of this neighborhood and really invest here? How do I practice radical community living? What do I do with my dream of buying and rehabbing a house? How can I learn more, grow more? How do I fulfill this cry of my heart?
Being confronted by my own inadequacies is hard when I'm so full of passion. But passion isn't enough. Change takes commitment and perseverance, time and energy. Although I know I fall short in so many ways, I take some comfort in a quote that's painted on the fence around the Allison Hill mural. It says: "Courage doesn't always roar - sometimes it's the quiet voice that says 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Give me that kind of courage, God. Amen.
Now I am filled with so many emotions. Joy - for the success of this young man and his new family. Sadness - for all those who won't have the same chances, and whose lives will be cut short. And more than anything else, it leaves me with an overwhelming sense of wanting to do and be more. What would it look like for me to practice radical hospitality like this family did? What kind of community could I be a part of where this would not only be possible but supported?
I'm in this place where I am constantly wanting to do more in so many ways, but feel limited by my current commitments. I deeply value the things that I am doing now, but it often seems so small and insignificant. At times like this my heart just cries out - to do something bigger and more meaningful. How do I become part of this neighborhood and really invest here? How do I practice radical community living? What do I do with my dream of buying and rehabbing a house? How can I learn more, grow more? How do I fulfill this cry of my heart?
Being confronted by my own inadequacies is hard when I'm so full of passion. But passion isn't enough. Change takes commitment and perseverance, time and energy. Although I know I fall short in so many ways, I take some comfort in a quote that's painted on the fence around the Allison Hill mural. It says: "Courage doesn't always roar - sometimes it's the quiet voice that says 'I will try again tomorrow.'" Give me that kind of courage, God. Amen.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
What's next?
That's the question that's been on my mind this week. People tell me that I'm good at living in the present and not worrying too much about the future. And that's been true until recently, when I've been forced to think about what's next for me.
It's funny because in some ways I feel like I'm right back where I was at this time last year - trying to figure out what to do after May when I leave Messiah. In a lot of ways, though, it is an entirely different situation. I have learned and grown a lot in this first year out of college, and some things have been established that will not change. I am committed to my community here, my neighborhood on Allison Hill, and the city of Harrisburg for the foreseeable future - rooted to a sense of people and place.
Yet my sense of vocation is still very-much ambiguous. If anything, it has broadened in the last year even while I have gained more specific experience. And at this juncture, it is almost harder to discern. Last spring I had some very specific ideas about what I wanted to do, none of which I actually ended up doing. Now, I have developed a good sense of my passions and skills more broadly, but am quite unclear how that will translate into actual jobs that are available.
All I know is this. I want to fight injustices however I can, and have a particular passion for racism, poverty, education, healthcare, and urban issues. I possess the gifts of leadership, administration, and teaching. I love being an educator and communicator to challenge, inform, and persuade people. I love being an administrator and program manager, assessing and improving programs and organizing people and resources around a particular goal. Too often these types of roles are divorced from eachother, but I want to bring them together to change people AND change policies. I want to bring stake-holders together to work on solutions, and teach and empower people to make things happen.
Basically, I want the best of both worlds. Maybe it's too much to ask, and I don't know what it would look like, but that is where I am. It's a confusing place to be, and I wish there were more clarity and direction. I don't know where I'm going...but I guess I'll know when I get there.
One of the songs on my playlist right now is "Dreams" by The Cranberries:
Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.
I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.
Ah, la da ah...
La...
I want more impossible to ignore,
Impossible to ignore.
And they'll come true, impossible not to do,
Impossible not to do.
It's funny because in some ways I feel like I'm right back where I was at this time last year - trying to figure out what to do after May when I leave Messiah. In a lot of ways, though, it is an entirely different situation. I have learned and grown a lot in this first year out of college, and some things have been established that will not change. I am committed to my community here, my neighborhood on Allison Hill, and the city of Harrisburg for the foreseeable future - rooted to a sense of people and place.
Yet my sense of vocation is still very-much ambiguous. If anything, it has broadened in the last year even while I have gained more specific experience. And at this juncture, it is almost harder to discern. Last spring I had some very specific ideas about what I wanted to do, none of which I actually ended up doing. Now, I have developed a good sense of my passions and skills more broadly, but am quite unclear how that will translate into actual jobs that are available.
All I know is this. I want to fight injustices however I can, and have a particular passion for racism, poverty, education, healthcare, and urban issues. I possess the gifts of leadership, administration, and teaching. I love being an educator and communicator to challenge, inform, and persuade people. I love being an administrator and program manager, assessing and improving programs and organizing people and resources around a particular goal. Too often these types of roles are divorced from eachother, but I want to bring them together to change people AND change policies. I want to bring stake-holders together to work on solutions, and teach and empower people to make things happen.
Basically, I want the best of both worlds. Maybe it's too much to ask, and I don't know what it would look like, but that is where I am. It's a confusing place to be, and I wish there were more clarity and direction. I don't know where I'm going...but I guess I'll know when I get there.
One of the songs on my playlist right now is "Dreams" by The Cranberries:
Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.
I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.
Ah, la da ah...
La...
I want more impossible to ignore,
Impossible to ignore.
And they'll come true, impossible not to do,
Impossible not to do.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
In anticipation of Lent...
Ash Wednesday is approaching, and I find myself in excited anticipation for this season of Lent. I deeply value times set aside for reflection, discipline, and growth and that is what I have found this season to be.
It is a time of preparation leading up to Easter when we have the opportunity to stop and re-evaluate where we are, and focus intentionally on how we would like to change. Specifically, fasting from those things in our lives that hold us back from growing in our relationship with God.
Through reflection over the past few weeks, I have decided to fast from TV shows and other things in my life that serve as distractions. I've become more cognizant of the fact that when I am exhausted after work or have had a rough day, I tend towards escapism - which often manifests itself in watching an episode of a TV show online. I justify this to myself, saying that "I just need to forget about life right now" or "I just need to do something mindless for awhile". But really I am shutting down and trying to escape from my reality, which I don't think is a healthy response. So during Lent this year I am going to be intentional about processing through what is going on rather than gravitating towards entertainment.
But Lent is about adding more than subtracting, and so as I remove time spent "escaping" I will be focused on replacing that with time spent engaging with God and growing in Him. Dedicating daily time to prayer, reading, and meditation has always been hard for me, but I am excited for this opportunity to make a renewed effort. I am a person who likes structure, so I have made some "well-planned steps" (as Henri Nowen puts it) as a way to create discipline. Although ideally we should "pray without ceasing", realistically I've identified several key times during the day when I can pause and focus on God. I am excited about following the Lenten readings...I've come to value the words and litanies of others more as of late, and eager to learn from them.
So these are my hopes for this season...what are yours? My prayer is that God will guide us in drawing closer to Him, and being molded into the people He desires us to be.
It is a time of preparation leading up to Easter when we have the opportunity to stop and re-evaluate where we are, and focus intentionally on how we would like to change. Specifically, fasting from those things in our lives that hold us back from growing in our relationship with God.
Through reflection over the past few weeks, I have decided to fast from TV shows and other things in my life that serve as distractions. I've become more cognizant of the fact that when I am exhausted after work or have had a rough day, I tend towards escapism - which often manifests itself in watching an episode of a TV show online. I justify this to myself, saying that "I just need to forget about life right now" or "I just need to do something mindless for awhile". But really I am shutting down and trying to escape from my reality, which I don't think is a healthy response. So during Lent this year I am going to be intentional about processing through what is going on rather than gravitating towards entertainment.
But Lent is about adding more than subtracting, and so as I remove time spent "escaping" I will be focused on replacing that with time spent engaging with God and growing in Him. Dedicating daily time to prayer, reading, and meditation has always been hard for me, but I am excited for this opportunity to make a renewed effort. I am a person who likes structure, so I have made some "well-planned steps" (as Henri Nowen puts it) as a way to create discipline. Although ideally we should "pray without ceasing", realistically I've identified several key times during the day when I can pause and focus on God. I am excited about following the Lenten readings...I've come to value the words and litanies of others more as of late, and eager to learn from them.
So these are my hopes for this season...what are yours? My prayer is that God will guide us in drawing closer to Him, and being molded into the people He desires us to be.
Friday, February 5, 2010
This is my single status, my declaration of independance...
Transport yourself to New England, 1954, where the brightest women in the country go to school at Wesley - and prepare for lives as the next generation of wives and mothers. Higher education does not translate into career - it's merely a time of preparation before the ladies get their rings and "Mrs.". This is the world that Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) enters in "Mona Lisa Smile".
I liked Julia Roberts' character because she was a rebel - refusing to conform to the expectations of that time and place, and trying to teach her students that there can be more to life than getting married and having babies. Although much has changed for the better in the last 50 years, these expectations of being a wife and a mother - and now having a career - are still very-much alive. Why is it shocking to people that I don't necessarily want to get married or have children? Why must I explain to people my single status? Pop culture is in love with being in love, and even Christian culture is very marriage- and family-oriented. Some things that irk me:
The Facebook ads that forever pop up asking me if I want a boyfriend or telling me where to meet nice Christian men - just because my profile lists me as "single".
The fact that every time I turn on the radio, all I ever hear are songs of varying forms on the same theme - "I love you, baby" "I'm lost without you" "I need you more and more" "I want you back" "don't break my heart", etc.
And don't even get me started on chick flicks! Aside from the ridiculous scenarios of meeting and courting and the short time lapses between the main characters meeting, falling in love, and sleeping together and/or getting married, I am bothered by the general glorification of romantic relationships where all you need is eachother and you live "happily ever after". It feeds this desire for women to find that perfect guy who meets all of their needs - setting up unrealistic expectations and creating discontentment.
At every turn we are told that it is not ok to be single - this is just some kind of holding area as we bide our time until "Mr. Right" comes along. We are not complete, we are not whole, we are not all that we can be without a "significant other". What does it say about our society when an 8-year-old girl tells me that she feels sorry for me because I don't have a boyfriend? I feel sorry for her for being taught that she is not complete without one.
Now let me pause and clarify that I am not totally against love and relationships and marriage - I have many friends who are married, engaged, dating, etc. and I am honestly and sincerely happy for them, and I can see what a beautiful thing they have. I also see some of the hard parts of it. But what I resist is the notion that that is the only thing that there is to strive for.
I want to live in a society where my single status is not pitied, but celebrated. I am independent, with few responsibilities and much time and passion to throw into whatever I am doing. I have wonderful friends and faith communities to share with, laugh with, and draw support from. I don't need a relationship. Honestly, I don't want a relationship. And I certainly don't need anyone's pity.
To close my little rant, here's the song that's been my anthem - Natasha Bedingfield's "Single":
I'm not waiting around for a man to save me
('Cos I'm happy where I am)
Don't depend on a guy to validate me
(No no)
I don't need to be anyone's baby
(Is that so hard to understand?)
No I don't need another half to make me... whole
Make your move if you want
Doesn't mean I will or won't
I'm free to make my mind up
You either got it or you don't
[Chorus:]
This is my current single status
My declaration of independence
There's no way I'm trading places
Right now a star's in the ascendant
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I wanna be
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I'm gonna be
Don't need to be on somebody's arm to look good
(I like who I am)
I'm not saying I don't wanna fall in love 'cos I would
I'm not gonna get hooked up just 'cos you say I should
(Can't romance on demand)
I'm gonna wait so I'm sorry if you misunderstood
I liked Julia Roberts' character because she was a rebel - refusing to conform to the expectations of that time and place, and trying to teach her students that there can be more to life than getting married and having babies. Although much has changed for the better in the last 50 years, these expectations of being a wife and a mother - and now having a career - are still very-much alive. Why is it shocking to people that I don't necessarily want to get married or have children? Why must I explain to people my single status? Pop culture is in love with being in love, and even Christian culture is very marriage- and family-oriented. Some things that irk me:
The Facebook ads that forever pop up asking me if I want a boyfriend or telling me where to meet nice Christian men - just because my profile lists me as "single".
The fact that every time I turn on the radio, all I ever hear are songs of varying forms on the same theme - "I love you, baby" "I'm lost without you" "I need you more and more" "I want you back" "don't break my heart", etc.
And don't even get me started on chick flicks! Aside from the ridiculous scenarios of meeting and courting and the short time lapses between the main characters meeting, falling in love, and sleeping together and/or getting married, I am bothered by the general glorification of romantic relationships where all you need is eachother and you live "happily ever after". It feeds this desire for women to find that perfect guy who meets all of their needs - setting up unrealistic expectations and creating discontentment.
At every turn we are told that it is not ok to be single - this is just some kind of holding area as we bide our time until "Mr. Right" comes along. We are not complete, we are not whole, we are not all that we can be without a "significant other". What does it say about our society when an 8-year-old girl tells me that she feels sorry for me because I don't have a boyfriend? I feel sorry for her for being taught that she is not complete without one.
Now let me pause and clarify that I am not totally against love and relationships and marriage - I have many friends who are married, engaged, dating, etc. and I am honestly and sincerely happy for them, and I can see what a beautiful thing they have. I also see some of the hard parts of it. But what I resist is the notion that that is the only thing that there is to strive for.
I want to live in a society where my single status is not pitied, but celebrated. I am independent, with few responsibilities and much time and passion to throw into whatever I am doing. I have wonderful friends and faith communities to share with, laugh with, and draw support from. I don't need a relationship. Honestly, I don't want a relationship. And I certainly don't need anyone's pity.
To close my little rant, here's the song that's been my anthem - Natasha Bedingfield's "Single":
I'm not waiting around for a man to save me
('Cos I'm happy where I am)
Don't depend on a guy to validate me
(No no)
I don't need to be anyone's baby
(Is that so hard to understand?)
No I don't need another half to make me... whole
Make your move if you want
Doesn't mean I will or won't
I'm free to make my mind up
You either got it or you don't
[Chorus:]
This is my current single status
My declaration of independence
There's no way I'm trading places
Right now a star's in the ascendant
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I wanna be
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I'm gonna be
Don't need to be on somebody's arm to look good
(I like who I am)
I'm not saying I don't wanna fall in love 'cos I would
I'm not gonna get hooked up just 'cos you say I should
(Can't romance on demand)
I'm gonna wait so I'm sorry if you misunderstood
Monday, January 18, 2010
Let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King...
...And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong
We are bound together
By the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound and we are bound
-James Taylor "Shed a Little Light"
For the past number of weeks and months, much of my work has centered around preparing for Martin Luther King Day, Messiah's day to engage students in learning, serving, and reflecting on how the legacy of Dr. King is being lived out in Harrisburg today. Today was the day, and everything went wonderfully, but only now am I able to personally reflect on the significance of this day. I've been so caught up in seating arrangements and making sure we have enough cups and finding the right budget codes that only now that it's all over can I fully appreciate what this is all about.
It's about planting the seeds that will one day grow, and watering seeds that are already planted. It's about seeing students who are just being exposed to ideas of justice and service start to ask questions, and seeing students who have developed deep and thoughtful insights share those with others.
It's about honoring our Community Partners, individuals and organizations in the community that are working tirelessly everyday, living out Dr. King's vision of equality and justice in very tangible ways.
And it's about stepping back to think about the big picture - to recognize the great life and work of Dr. King and so many others who have gone before us. Re-reading some of Dr. King's speeches still gives me the chills - someone so passionate and so eloquent and so effective in rallying people around this cause so dear to his heart. Although his life was cut tragically short, it is his legacy that lives on.
And if we want to truly honor Dr. King today, then we must challenge ourselves to see how we can be living out his vision in our daily lives. There are so many injustices in our world that's it's easy to become numb to it all. But although we can't solve all the problems of the world, God has placed within us certain passions, gifts, and abilities in order to serve his kingdom. It is our job to explore how we can use there in our particular place in this particular time. May God help us in this endeavor...
All men and women
Living on the earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong
We are bound together
By the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound and we are bound
-James Taylor "Shed a Little Light"
For the past number of weeks and months, much of my work has centered around preparing for Martin Luther King Day, Messiah's day to engage students in learning, serving, and reflecting on how the legacy of Dr. King is being lived out in Harrisburg today. Today was the day, and everything went wonderfully, but only now am I able to personally reflect on the significance of this day. I've been so caught up in seating arrangements and making sure we have enough cups and finding the right budget codes that only now that it's all over can I fully appreciate what this is all about.
It's about planting the seeds that will one day grow, and watering seeds that are already planted. It's about seeing students who are just being exposed to ideas of justice and service start to ask questions, and seeing students who have developed deep and thoughtful insights share those with others.
It's about honoring our Community Partners, individuals and organizations in the community that are working tirelessly everyday, living out Dr. King's vision of equality and justice in very tangible ways.
And it's about stepping back to think about the big picture - to recognize the great life and work of Dr. King and so many others who have gone before us. Re-reading some of Dr. King's speeches still gives me the chills - someone so passionate and so eloquent and so effective in rallying people around this cause so dear to his heart. Although his life was cut tragically short, it is his legacy that lives on.
And if we want to truly honor Dr. King today, then we must challenge ourselves to see how we can be living out his vision in our daily lives. There are so many injustices in our world that's it's easy to become numb to it all. But although we can't solve all the problems of the world, God has placed within us certain passions, gifts, and abilities in order to serve his kingdom. It is our job to explore how we can use there in our particular place in this particular time. May God help us in this endeavor...
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010: Goals to Guide Me
Although I don't make New Year's Resolutions per se, I do make goals for the New Year. I like the feeling of having a new beginning, a fresh start to make some changes. I've been pondering what these should be for 2010, and these are what I've felt are important things to focus on in the New Year.
1) Being more honest in expressing my needs and wants to others.
One thing that I've noticed about myself over the past several years is that I am not good at telling other people what I need or want. This became clear to me most recently over Christmas break, when I knew that I needed alone time to function. But instead of communicating this to my family, I let myself be sucked into their busyness without taking a break - which resulted in me being resentful of them and acting like a jerk. I've seen this as a pattern for myself, and I don't like it. My personality is such that I don't want to put anyone out, and I avoid conflict like the plague. So instead of bringing up my own need or want, I will just suppress it. It doesn't help that passive-aggressiveness has been modeled for me growing up, so when I do finally express something that I need or want it's often not direct but passive-aggressive. This is something that I want to unlearn, but it feels like I'm trying to go against the very grain of my being. But I think intentionally working towards more honesty and directness in what I need and want will create healthier relationships with my family, my roommates, my co-workers, and my friends - and decrease my frustrations.
2) Being more accepting of who I am in my role at work.
Although I love my job, at times it's easy to feel insecure in my role. I know that I can do the job and do it well, but as an introvert there are times when my personality seems to be working against me, and I fall into comparing myself to others. I don't have an outgoing and "fun" personality that immediately puts people at ease. It can be difficult to make my voice heard in meetings because I need time to process, and because I don't like to interrupt. And I'm afraid people think I'm awkward at times when conversations are not effortless. But I do bring a lot of strengths to this position as an introvert - carefully analyzing and processing things, asking good questions and listening well, and offering meaningful insights when I do speak up. So my goal is to find a healthy balance between stretching myself in ways that are helpful for my job, and being comfortable with who I am and how I work - not trying to be someone I'm not.
3) Make my relationship with God a priority.
To be honest, I've been really lax in spending time with God in the last few months. It always seems to go in seasons for me - I was doing really well with quiet times during Lent last year and into the summer, but once I started my job, mornings just did not work anymore, and I haven't found a good time. Or really, I haven't made it a priority to find a good time. What bothers me most is that I really haven't been very bothered by this - but I do feel like something important is missing. So in the New Year I am praying that God will give me both the desire and the discipline to spend regular time with Him - and a good mix of structure and creativity to grow in my relationship with Him. If I'm not strong in this, nothing else really matters much...
So these are the big things that I want to give particular attention to in this New Year. There are lots of other things that I want to do too - keep up with the news better, read more, get more involved in the neighborhood, practice hospitality more, get better at cleaning and getting rid of stuff. But I don't want to get too ambitious :) And a lot of these things depend on how busy things are at work, which determines how much time and energy I have left. So I hope that I can do a decent job at balancing everything this year - while also recognizing that I am a finite human being living with a limited amount of time and energy :)
So friends, keep me accountable! And take some time to think about what your goals are for 2010...
1) Being more honest in expressing my needs and wants to others.
One thing that I've noticed about myself over the past several years is that I am not good at telling other people what I need or want. This became clear to me most recently over Christmas break, when I knew that I needed alone time to function. But instead of communicating this to my family, I let myself be sucked into their busyness without taking a break - which resulted in me being resentful of them and acting like a jerk. I've seen this as a pattern for myself, and I don't like it. My personality is such that I don't want to put anyone out, and I avoid conflict like the plague. So instead of bringing up my own need or want, I will just suppress it. It doesn't help that passive-aggressiveness has been modeled for me growing up, so when I do finally express something that I need or want it's often not direct but passive-aggressive. This is something that I want to unlearn, but it feels like I'm trying to go against the very grain of my being. But I think intentionally working towards more honesty and directness in what I need and want will create healthier relationships with my family, my roommates, my co-workers, and my friends - and decrease my frustrations.
2) Being more accepting of who I am in my role at work.
Although I love my job, at times it's easy to feel insecure in my role. I know that I can do the job and do it well, but as an introvert there are times when my personality seems to be working against me, and I fall into comparing myself to others. I don't have an outgoing and "fun" personality that immediately puts people at ease. It can be difficult to make my voice heard in meetings because I need time to process, and because I don't like to interrupt. And I'm afraid people think I'm awkward at times when conversations are not effortless. But I do bring a lot of strengths to this position as an introvert - carefully analyzing and processing things, asking good questions and listening well, and offering meaningful insights when I do speak up. So my goal is to find a healthy balance between stretching myself in ways that are helpful for my job, and being comfortable with who I am and how I work - not trying to be someone I'm not.
3) Make my relationship with God a priority.
To be honest, I've been really lax in spending time with God in the last few months. It always seems to go in seasons for me - I was doing really well with quiet times during Lent last year and into the summer, but once I started my job, mornings just did not work anymore, and I haven't found a good time. Or really, I haven't made it a priority to find a good time. What bothers me most is that I really haven't been very bothered by this - but I do feel like something important is missing. So in the New Year I am praying that God will give me both the desire and the discipline to spend regular time with Him - and a good mix of structure and creativity to grow in my relationship with Him. If I'm not strong in this, nothing else really matters much...
So these are the big things that I want to give particular attention to in this New Year. There are lots of other things that I want to do too - keep up with the news better, read more, get more involved in the neighborhood, practice hospitality more, get better at cleaning and getting rid of stuff. But I don't want to get too ambitious :) And a lot of these things depend on how busy things are at work, which determines how much time and energy I have left. So I hope that I can do a decent job at balancing everything this year - while also recognizing that I am a finite human being living with a limited amount of time and energy :)
So friends, keep me accountable! And take some time to think about what your goals are for 2010...
2009: The Year in Review
Last night I counted down the seconds to midnight on Second St, watched the giant strawberry drop from the Hilton, and cheered as the fireworks went off. But although it was fun to usher in 2010 with much celebration, I feel the need to stop and reflect before moving into the New Year.
I would say 2009 was marked most by transition and by community. I graduated college, moved out on my own, worked part-time over the summer, and then jumped into this job at Messiah in August. A lot of big changes to take place within a short amount of time!
But amidst all of that, this year I would say I have felt the most community. Living in SoJo for my last semester was the most supported I have ever felt - which is fortunate because that last semester is also the most stressed that I've ever been :) Living with two wonderful friends after graduation has been such a blessing, as I am constantly reminded of. And throughout all of this, I have my church communities, my small group, and others who offer love and support.
I would say that this year also was clearly marked by God's provision. I have basically an ideal living situation, a great landlord right next door, a job that I love and am good at, and COMMUNITY all around me. Not that life is perfect - there are difficulties and frustrations as always - but I really couldn't have imagined a better situation for myself. Thank you, God!
As I move into the New Year, there are a lot of question marks, but I can rest assured that whatever comes my way, He will continue to provide...
I would say 2009 was marked most by transition and by community. I graduated college, moved out on my own, worked part-time over the summer, and then jumped into this job at Messiah in August. A lot of big changes to take place within a short amount of time!
But amidst all of that, this year I would say I have felt the most community. Living in SoJo for my last semester was the most supported I have ever felt - which is fortunate because that last semester is also the most stressed that I've ever been :) Living with two wonderful friends after graduation has been such a blessing, as I am constantly reminded of. And throughout all of this, I have my church communities, my small group, and others who offer love and support.
I would say that this year also was clearly marked by God's provision. I have basically an ideal living situation, a great landlord right next door, a job that I love and am good at, and COMMUNITY all around me. Not that life is perfect - there are difficulties and frustrations as always - but I really couldn't have imagined a better situation for myself. Thank you, God!
As I move into the New Year, there are a lot of question marks, but I can rest assured that whatever comes my way, He will continue to provide...
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