The Adventure Begins

As you read this, I am driving out of Denver, officially beginning the adventure of summer 2014.  This will be a different one, for sure.  Full of change and growth and challenge.  Full of JOY and possibly (let’s be real, most likely) some tears.  Filled with new relationships, thesis writing, embracing ministry, and who knows what else.

Life is crazy that way.  We never know what is coming up the road.  But there is so much hope and peace in knowing that God not only knows our roads, He created them.

I get stressed and anxious easily.  To the point where the other day I had to force myself to reread my own blog post about God dwelling in our tense, tight knots of life.  I had to remind myself of the promise He makes us, that He will be there even in the hard times.  Especially in the hard times.

I want to be a person who chooses trust over fear.

Someone who can relax and lay back and just float down the river of life without having to paddle or steer or even look ahead. 

I want to be someone who breathes easily because the stress of life is nothing compared to the greatness of Jesus.

There will always be something to worry about, but there is always Someone to hold onto.

I want to be someone who regularly appreciates the blessings God gives us each day.  That is why I named this blog “This Life’s Blessings.”  Because when you stop, lay down your stress or worry or anger, and just look around?  Life is so beautiful.

Recently Jesus gave me a moment of stopping and relishing in the beauty of the relationships I have in my life.  I said out loud to myself, “Man, I have amazing people all around me!” I have friends who have known me since I was a bratty middle schooler (and who loved me then and still love me now!).  My beautiful family, who has been redeemed and restored through heartache and hardship.  I have sweet friends who have walked with me through the beautiful and ugly of life.  Women who have mentored me through times of struggle and great achievement.  College friends who laughed with me in the library, seminary friends who have had break-downs with me in the library….

I have fellow soul-care soul-friends who will ask the hard questions and journey into suffering with me.  And JOY-seeking, dream-building friends who help bring small ideas to life.

I am surrounded by blessings.  I do not want my life to be characterized and dominated by the stress and worry and constant to-do list.  I want it to be about the happiness and community and what-is list of what really surrounds me.

I want that for this summer.  I want to dwell in a space of gratitude. I want to discover more of who God is and who I am in Him.  It will be a challenge, but it is worth fighting for. 
As I leave this beautiful city of Denver, I rest in this promise from Isaiah: