Minneapolis---Miami, Ohio---Minneapolis

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go down to Oxford, Ohio to see some friends from this past summer. They go to the Miami University in Ohio, also called J Crew U (because many on the campus dress up a good amount). Anyways, while I was there, I started realizing some things that blew my mind away. Here are some of my reflective thoughts on the weekend.
- Why the heck would I spend way too much on a ticket to the Middle-of-Nowhere, Ohio to visit people that I have known less than a year? Logically, it really does not make sense. Many will say going on a Summer Project will change your life. Others say you will make friends for a lifetime. My question is why do people say that? All to often, the focus is on the person or the people themselves, not on what is at the core of that person that is missed. Here is where I am going with all this, all too often I think about people from this summer and really miss them in my heart. But is it solely the person that I miss, their personality, their smile, laugh, or conversations. I don’t think so. It is more than that. It is the way God was working in their lives. It is that special relationship each person had with the Savior of the world.
- As I continue to think about the core of people and their relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot help but feel comforted. See, the unbelievable thing about it all is that the same God that I saw in the actions and personalities of people, that I experienced on the boardwalk, at work, or wherever else in Ocean City is the same God that is here with me in Minneapolis, Minnesota. What an amazing thing to remember and hold on to?!
- This thought of missing people so much more than what God was doing this summer is a bit scary. As I progress in college and start to realize that graduation college and entering the real world is actually going to happen, I continue to think about what my relationship with God truly is. Is it an activity? Is it volunteering or hanging out with others that believe the same thing I do? Is it doing something or going to a meeting? While all these things are great, all too often, people fall in love with the activity, meeting, or people, not the God that is at the source of it all. Why do we lose sight of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords among small things like a large meeting or a fun time?
- On to a lighter subject, I have realized something extremely cool of being with good friends. There is something special and unique about friends that are near and dear to you. Two guys that I was very close with drove down from Ball State, which is a few hours away. While I was excited and pumped to see them, I felt no pressure to have to say something or have a conversation. The pure joy in simply being in the presence of these guys and all the others at Miami was satisfying enough. What a blessing?! For some reason, I look at my relationship with Jesus often times in a different way. Why is it that we always need to be doing something or saying something to Him? While these are not bad things, many get caught up in those processes and routines instead of realizing that it is a true, real relationship.

I wanted to end with another random event and thought. A few weeks ago, I had written that I lost arguably one of my most prized possessions, my Prayer Journal. By God’s grace it was found and returned to me through the mail. Alright, I know that is not that big of a deal to many of you, but reflecting on how unbelievable God is so amazing. The timing of God is so unknown but so perfect and right. A little over four years ago I had this serious allergic reaction to an Amoxicillin. Some of you from high school would remember this (Especially one guy). Recalling that time through the reflections and words that I wrote is incredible. See, the beauty of the situation was what I wrote the day before the entire allergic reaction happened. I was feeling lonely and down, wondering if my friends truly even cared about me. The next day, my life was on the brink of ending. While that was a bit scary, the after effects of seeing how much people cared and really did love me were incredible.
Here is my challenge to all of you and myself. Too often we go through life being reserved in our appreciation towards others around us. We think that it would be awkward to express how much a person means to us. We continue to shy away from being encouraging but some how attracted to insults, sarcasm, and put-downs. Why is this paradox so true? People, be encouraging today. Find one person today and compliment them on something. Tell someone how they have positively affected you. Be open and honest. Why is it so easy for many of us to be critical of someone but so hard to be uplifting? Do not just agree in your head that this is good or right; instead, go do it right now!