Reflections and Responses

I almost laughed when I skimmed the results of my Google search for “adaptable animals.” Some of the most adaptable animals on Earth are: (drum roll, please!): rats, cockroaches, jellyfish, mosquitoes, coyotes, and bobcats. I am NOT making up this information! Several Web sites listed these pleasant creatures - some of our absolute favorites, right?! – as the most adaptable animals. I found that humorous, but let’s be honest: we dislike adapting as much as we dislike the animals that adapt well. It’s amazing how resilient and adaptable we humans can be. Think about different seasons of your life and how you somehow made seemingly impossible circumstances work. Staying up late and memorizing a remarkable amount of information before a test in college, pushing your body extremely hard while exercising, changing your entire eating and sleeping schedule when you have a baby – all of these are examples and proof that we can handle much more than we think we can. When trying situations arise...

When darkness is surrounding me by Your Spirit, Lord help me sing that You are working all things out Lord, I really need to hear you speak Remind me in the waiting that You are working all things out For the good of those who are called by You for the good of those who are in Love with You That's why we sing Holy God of light I lay down my life Holy is the Lord Even in the storm be glorified We like to take the blessing from You Shall we not take the trouble too You are working all things out We like to take prosperity Shall we not take the suffering You are working all things out Holy are you Lord even in the storm be glorified Worthy of affection - "For the Good" - Shane & Shane You can listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEpFLLQyqr4 I encourage you to take a moment out of your day and remember that He is working all things out for the good of those who love Him!

Today I had the privilege of spending several hours with some of my best girlfriends from college. Like always, today was a true encouragement and good for me in so many ways. These girls and I are in similar places in life, so it's neat to trade stories, hearing about each other's lives, jobs, and families. I always gain insight and benefit from hearing their perspectives on things. We laughed a lot, listened a lot, and learned a lot. One thing that stuck out to me from our conversation today was the importance of speaking well of our husbands and building them up. Society/culture teaches that it's cool for women to bash their husbands, making fun of them and laughing at their "stupidity." That's the opposite of what the Bible teaches and what we are called to do as Christians. We need to encourage our husbands, speaking well of them and lifting them up. This was a healthy reminder to me to always be aware of my words - even ones that I mean in jest - and the...

John and I are going out of town this weekend, and I am really, really excited about it. This will be our first trip that is purely for vacation (not also for a wedding or a trip with the youth, etc.) since our honeymoon. Not that we "deserve" a vacation or anything, but it will be very nice to enjoy one! We are heading to Highlands, North Carolina. It will only take a couple of hours to get there, but I'm hoping it will feel like we are in a whole new world! Not that I don't love our lives here, but I sometimes struggle to relax until I am in a different environment. John is a pro at turning off his mind and "chilling out," but I am much better at doing so when I am removed from my normal environment and the temptation to work on my to-do list when I should just rest and BE. So, this weekend, I am excited to just BE. I hope that we will take some hikes, walk around the little town, read and spend time outside - just hanging out and relaxing! I hope that YOU...

A co-worker recently asked me what differences I have noticed between “ITP" and "OTP” now that I have been living ITP for a while now. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these terms (I was until a few months ago), she was asking me what differences I have noticed about living “inside the perimeter” of Atlanta verses living outside of it. I have noticed a few things, such as: - Parking. I park in parking decks everywhere ITP – Walmart, our apartment, you name it. OTP, I hardly ever used parking decks. - Restaurants. OTP I went to chain restaurants 95% of the time. I didn’t trust most non-chain restaurants there! ITP, I never eat at chains. There aren’t many here – plus, there are so many fun non-chain restaurants that we want to try! - Friendliness. People ITP are not as friendly as people OTP (okay, there are exceptions to this rule both ways, but it’s a general observation.) - Diversity. People are much more diverse ITP – in socioeconomic status, religion, ethnici...

There are a few words that startle us every time we hear them, almost literally invoking pain. Car accident. Divorce. Cancer. Addiction. Fired. These are just a few examples. I have heard a couple of these words in association with people I love dearly in the past several weeks. Even as someone who has called myself a believer for my entire life, I admit that the question “why?” has surfaced in my mind as I have processed these situations. The answer, to these questions and to ANY question that’s really worth asking, is found in scripture. I was convicted yet comforted when I recalled Acts 1:7, which says: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” It is not my job to know why, nor do I have any reason to know why, things unfolded as they did. Having an intimate relationship with God does not mean that He is required to tell me everything. It means that I must trust Him, and that I can be at ease knowing that HE holds all knowledge. In...

My sister gave me a book for Christmas that I finally picked up to read last week. The book – Jonah and the Worm by Jill Briscoe – is a children’s book with deep meanings, and I am so glad that I finally began to read it. It’s kind of like Shrek or other animated movies that are cleverly written to be enjoyed by both children and their parents. The book tells the story of Jonah from the Bible focusing on the perspective of the worm in the story. Details are embellished, but the timing and schedule of events is the same as the Biblical account. This short little book contains really profound truths that have jumped off the page at me. For example, the worm receives a message from God that he should travel to Ninevah, though God doesn’t give him an explanation as to why. Travelling to Ninevah means leaving behind his family and familiarity, but he decides to obey and go where the Lord is sending him – even though he doesn’t know what purpose God has for him there. On his way to Ninevah...