Tuesday, May 11, 2010

In which I offer comfort

Current Tunes: Tegan & Sara (Sainthood)
Current Plans: Finish Kendra's senior photos, study for World Lit final, watch Pretender
Current Excitement: This weekend/graduation

To sum up my life in one word: Stressssss! My mind never shuts up! To-do lists, calendars, meetings, projects, papers, exams, work, scheduling, editing, finishing, finalizing, printing, due dates, requirements, evaluations... My mind is spinning out of control. I just want to be DONE with finals and college and school and everything. Can I? Please?

Bah. I'm trying to manage everything and make sure I have time to unwind. But it's hard. What I REALLY need is some Jesus time. Every day I get more and more excited about going to IHOP, because there my days will be structured around HIM.

You know what's a bummer, literally? Discontent. I'm encountering a lot of people lately in this season of stress and change who just cannot see the bright side of things. It's a constant urge to grow up, get out, forget, and hate what's here. But HERE is good! I'm not speaking physically, because I'll be the first to say that MN is lame. I mean this MOMENT is good! These people you're currently with are good. They need you, what you have to offer.. I'm trying to remind myself of this as well. I'm ready to GO GO GO. But in a few months, most of us won't be here anymore. We're all going off to start our lives. And how are you going to feel when nothing's the same anymore? When everything you were used to is suddenly foreign ground?

Listen, you're here, in this moment, for a reason. You are in THIS place with THESE people at THIS time for a purpose. Rest in it, soak it up, and stop complaining! Let your heart find comfort in the God of all comfort, who knows your life's story because HE wrote it!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3)

2 Corinthians is a brilliant book full of goodness. Read it.

Also, check out the band Castledoor. I think they are THE BEST.

And try to be contented.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

In which I follow

Current Tunes: The Blow
Current Plans: Shutting out the world, editing, and have a snuggle with Jesus.
Current Excitement: The next four days! They're going to rock.

Hello imaginary friends.

I've been having a pretty rough few weeks here. I have this awful cough that keeps me up at night, so sleeping has been a struggle. I miss it soooo much! And on top of that, I'm stressed to the breaking point with school, momstuff, and all those to-do lists playing in loops in my head. Meow. But this weekend will bring me some peace... I hope. Or I might just be so busy that I forget about it all.

Tomorrow after classes I'm hopefully hanging out with my love Susie and seeing the play at the high school. Friday is Stillwater with friend Marissa! Saturday is Duluth with the Quadsquad. Imma show 'em the town. And Sunday, Mother's Day, will be a picnic with family and an evening with the birthday girl and my other bfffffffff, Sarah. Can't waaaait!

Then it's back to real life. One more week of classes, which includes two exams and a group project, then the week after that is FINALS, with three written finals and one group project, condensed into three days.
THEN I AM DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL!
Soooo excited.

Also I'm hoping to mail in my IHOP application next week. Ugh. I wish I could just go. I'm ready for my next life. Plus I need to really soak in some Jesus. My life has been TOO busy lately to absorb His glory fully, which causes me to be less stable. He stabilizes me!

Here's a verse that was shared in chapel today. It's at the beginning of Acts when Jesus is telling His disciples to go out and spread the Word. They ask Him what his plans are and if the Father will restore Israel. Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7). I like this verse because it's a sharp reminder that it's not our place to know and understand God's plans for our lives! HE has all authority. He's already written everything down in His calendar. So we don't need to worry about it. God will not leave us hanging. He'll show up if we ask Him to.

Also, here's the chorus of one of the songs we sang. We got to sing it in spanish, which was SO COOL. I recognized it as 'my language.' But here it is in english-
"If you lead me, Lord, I will follow. Where you lead me I will go. If you heal me, Lord, I will follow. Where you lead me, I will go. Yo ire."

That's what the cry of my heart is now. I don't know what the future holds, and I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing or living or loving or learning. But my God does, and my God is enough! So if He leads, will be right behind Him. And that is comfort.

<3