All things new

Spring, we have all been anticipating it for months now and yesterday re-awoke the desire for it. As I walked back to my house I heard a noise and realized it was the tree branches groaning and creaking in the wind. I looked at the tree and realized it was full of wine red buds. The potential of life waiting to burst worth. I became excited and thought about the seasons. Would we be thankful for spring if it was not the light at the end of a cold, white, tunnel of winter? Would summer seem as fun if it was not the climax of warmth and sunshine? Would fall's tapestry of color be less beautiful to us if we saw it every day?

I know I am asking rhetorical questions, but it is because we all know the answer. We would hate to admit it but winter gives us the joy for spring. Spring helps us love summer, and so on. Yet we easily become board with what we are given...always seeking change when the current surroundings no longer fits into our wants and desires.

I find I do this with God sometimes. I catch myself in a moment of joy and excitement but the novelty soon wears off. My culture thrives on instant gratification and so my ingrained desire is to run and find the next moment to fill me with joy. I grow tired of the valleys and become frustrated with God. Yet in all these things He is whispering "Patience". I have found that when I dwell in the moment and not wait with an anxious heart, that's when I find God, that's when I see a little more of the plan for my life, and that's when I feel loved. I take the time to allow God to show me.

So dwell in the last few cloudy days, the cold wind, and rain. Let Spring come in its own time...

The cripple

Well before Spring Break I sprained my ankle. Under normal cirucmstances this would not be so bad...but for Spring Break, no one wants to limp around. But to make matters more interesting I was going on a Mission Trip To Sri Lanka. There is nothing better then limping around when you are trying to make the impression that you are there to help.

The point to all this is that my ankle ended up not even being an issue in stopping me from having fun and being able to help. But before I went on the trip I caused a fellow student an interesting quandry one morning....

I went to breakfast that Wednesday morning as usual. A little tired from lack of sleep and limping because of my swollen ankle. My plan was simple, go in and get breakfast and then head to the nurse's to find out what they could do for me. I got my tray, filled my plate, and headed over to the drink line. I was half way there when I realized the guy in line behind me for food was also heading to the drink line. This normally would not be a problem but he was walking full speed and then noticed I was limping in the same direction that he was. He hesitated having the choice of either slowing down and letting me go first or staying commited to his brisk walk and clearly beat me to the line. I chuckled to myself knowing it didn't matter to me and slightly ammused at the quandry I was putting him in.