It being Thanksgiving and all, it is only proper to be thankful for some things. Hopefully the ones I list are a bit more unique then usual.
- I am thankful for silence. Maybe it is because I live in a residence hall where it is usually loud all the time, but I just love sitting at home right now and really having silence. There is just a peace about it that makes me calm and comfortable. But this is definitely not the only kind of silence I enjoy and have grown to love. How about the comfortable silence between two good friends or family that is not awkward or weird? That is beautiful.
- I am thankful for the cold. See, this is not because I love winter sports or the outdoors or even getting all bundled up (although I do enjoy that every once in a while). It is more so because the cold helps be appreciate the warmth that spring and summer bring. If I never knew any better then just warmth, I think I would just take it for granted.
- Speaking of feeling cold and warm, I am thankful that the Thanksgiving to New Years Season may be cold on the outside, but really warm on the inside. Let me explain. Like many, I love the Holiday season, and even though the weather is below freezing outside, the warmth that I feel inside is incredible. I love how God works like that to use opposites to blend together so well.
- I am thankful for the feeling of heartache of missing someone. That feeling of sentiment that a little part of you is left behind. Maybe that sounds weird, but for me, it truly shows the people that mean the most to me.
- I am so unbelievably thankful that Jesus loves me just the way I am. That I do not need to impress him with the things I have done or am doing to receive his unbelievable free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. I am sooo thankful that it has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Ocean City Reunion and More
It is really weird because I am unsure if my heart has ever really felt this way in my life.
This past weekend was the reunion from the Summer Project I did this past summer in Ocean City, New Jersey. The reunion itself was at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Before I start my reflection on the reunion, I must say that Northwestern is such a beautiful university and I just loved the atmosphere.
Reflecting on it is a bit difficult just because I miss it so much. When I left this summer, I really did not have to deal with the “big, official good-bye” because I had to leave early for CA training. So going to reunion was a bit bittersweet knowing that at the end of a few days I would have to say good-bye to some people for the rest of my life.
Overall, the weekend was extremely quick but good. It was nice catching up with people and just enjoying people’s companies. One of my favorite parts was just sitting back and looking at all the people talking to each other and enjoying each other. The love and joy of Christ was so evident between everyone.
Just thinking about those people right now hurts a little bit, not knowing when we will see each other again. However, as believers in Christ, there is such an amazing and hopeful ending to be looked forward too.
Here are some other random thoughts that are not exactly organized from this past week:
- I have started listening to the Doxology by different bands. It has been incredible the strength in a few, old words. Praise Him!
- From last weekend and this week, it has been incredible how encouraged I have been by other people. I always wonder why I am so blessed with the people I am surrounded with.
- You know the uneasy feeling you get when you really just do not know what is going to happen next, but either way, it is going to be a big deal. And further, the even more uneasy feeling knowing you have to do something but not wanting to do it. It is like this battle between your spiritual self and human nature. Sometimes the human nature wins the battle, but more often than not, the spiritual side will prevail. I went through quite a few of those moments this week. But all was good in the end.
- More and more, I have begun to appreciate silence and solitude. Maybe it is because I live in a freshman residence hall and it is pretty loud often. But more than that, I just love being with people and not feeling the pressure to have to say something or think of a question to ask to keep the conversation going. It is just so nice just to appreciate the presence of the person you are with.
- Going off that last thought, it has been sweet just spending time like that with God. I think often times we pray for so long, that we never just sit and rest in His presence.
- Here is a fun question I like to ask myself: In 5000 years, what you are doing now is going to matter? Grades? Looks? Societal perception? People?
Just as I have been encouraged a lot this week, I wanted to do some public encouraging. I have mentioned my family many times and how I love them so much. I wanted to give props to my second brother. There are just so many things about him that make him special. I could go on forever in this blog, but he is just so self-less and would do anything for the betterment of others. He truly is an example of a person who is passionate but would much rather have someone else be better off.
That is it for now.
This past weekend was the reunion from the Summer Project I did this past summer in Ocean City, New Jersey. The reunion itself was at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Before I start my reflection on the reunion, I must say that Northwestern is such a beautiful university and I just loved the atmosphere.
Reflecting on it is a bit difficult just because I miss it so much. When I left this summer, I really did not have to deal with the “big, official good-bye” because I had to leave early for CA training. So going to reunion was a bit bittersweet knowing that at the end of a few days I would have to say good-bye to some people for the rest of my life.
Overall, the weekend was extremely quick but good. It was nice catching up with people and just enjoying people’s companies. One of my favorite parts was just sitting back and looking at all the people talking to each other and enjoying each other. The love and joy of Christ was so evident between everyone.
Just thinking about those people right now hurts a little bit, not knowing when we will see each other again. However, as believers in Christ, there is such an amazing and hopeful ending to be looked forward too.
Here are some other random thoughts that are not exactly organized from this past week:
- I have started listening to the Doxology by different bands. It has been incredible the strength in a few, old words. Praise Him!
- From last weekend and this week, it has been incredible how encouraged I have been by other people. I always wonder why I am so blessed with the people I am surrounded with.
- You know the uneasy feeling you get when you really just do not know what is going to happen next, but either way, it is going to be a big deal. And further, the even more uneasy feeling knowing you have to do something but not wanting to do it. It is like this battle between your spiritual self and human nature. Sometimes the human nature wins the battle, but more often than not, the spiritual side will prevail. I went through quite a few of those moments this week. But all was good in the end.
- More and more, I have begun to appreciate silence and solitude. Maybe it is because I live in a freshman residence hall and it is pretty loud often. But more than that, I just love being with people and not feeling the pressure to have to say something or think of a question to ask to keep the conversation going. It is just so nice just to appreciate the presence of the person you are with.
- Going off that last thought, it has been sweet just spending time like that with God. I think often times we pray for so long, that we never just sit and rest in His presence.
- Here is a fun question I like to ask myself: In 5000 years, what you are doing now is going to matter? Grades? Looks? Societal perception? People?
Just as I have been encouraged a lot this week, I wanted to do some public encouraging. I have mentioned my family many times and how I love them so much. I wanted to give props to my second brother. There are just so many things about him that make him special. I could go on forever in this blog, but he is just so self-less and would do anything for the betterment of others. He truly is an example of a person who is passionate but would much rather have someone else be better off.
That is it for now.
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