My room has a map in it. It covers a large portion of one wall. Pushpins are lovingly shoved into continents and countries I long to see. Ever since Alaska, the course of those pins has taken a drastic change. No longer is Europe the dominating terrain but Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. I have always longed to travel, but once my heart began discovering the expanse of Love, that longing was transformed into a desire to see the poor, desolate nations and recognize them as beautiful and desirable.
I am lacking in listening in so many regards, but as I begin to catch little snippets from my Savior, my heart aches for community and the ability to Love others better. I am hungry to explore and see, but I also feel as if I have something incredibly beautiful right in front of me. For years, I desperately desired to attend Pepperdine for the prestige. But that desire has been transformed into a passion for a campus and an area/people in need of Love.
As I trekked to the cafeteria yesterday evening, I coyly avoided my normal route and opted for an ocean view. As I gazed out over an expanse of stormy seas and cloud-laden sky, I wondered how I could have ever desired to look into the eyes of another, when, my Father allows me to see His beauty in the depths of the ocean. My arms instinctively wrapped themselves around me to keep the chill and anticipation of rain at bay. And as I held myself for warmth, my Father enveloped me with the knowledge of His Love and desire for my heart, plans, and passions. I know I always say this but He really is just so good-no one else can give me such peace, joy, or smiles!
The end.
(+Bethany!)Who is this God?
King of glory.
You are Holy.
The Lion and the Lamb.
Hallelujah.
Oh Messiah, You are the great I Am.
I do that whole Lent thing. I am not Catholic, and that whole denomination thing does not mean much to me (although I do develop a bit of pride when one talks about John Wesley…Blame it on my early socialization in the Methodist church).
But I still do that whole Lent thing. I like it for numerous reasons. If you want elaboration…just ask.
Anywho…back to the point of this post. I mulled over many ideas in preparation for the 40 days leading up to Easter. I had really wanted to do a Daniel Fast for the entire 40 days, but after partaking in one at the beginning of the semester I found Pepperdine’s caf lacking in even vegetarian friendliness. So essentially, I would starve. I am all in favor of actual 40 day fasts, but uh…unless God writes it in the sky for me, I will not be trying to kill myself through fasting any time soon.
40 days of Daniel is a different story though, but Dorm living makes it incredibly difficult. When I have an apartment and am allowed a rice cooker, blender, and George Foreman this will be an entirely different story. Better luck next year!
Anywho…back to what I am actually doing for Lent. In attempts to become a better communicator, I felt led to give up a form of communication. Tricky huh?
So, for Lent I will be fasting (ha…had to get it in there somewhere!) from conversational text messaging.
Yes, I still want to hear about your day, but please just call me. 15 minutes on the telephone is so much more personal than 15 text messages.
Do not leave me lonely because your phobia of phone conversations triumphs over talking.
If you have a funny story to tell me…I would much rather hear you laugh out loud than reading “lol, bahaha, or lmao” twelve times.
If something is actually not going well, how I am supposed to be able to interpret that in a text message?
Oh, and do not even get me started on text message sarcasm, context, or interpretation…
All in all…let’s talk. Let me hear your voice, and you can hear mine.
Happy Lent season folks: let’s make this last longer than 40 days.
Let’s communicate.
Let’s have Jesus’ resurrection on the brain all of the time J
My room has a map in it. It covers a large portion of one wall. Pushpins are lovingly shoved into continents and countries I long to see. Ever since Alaska, the course of those pins has taken a drastic change. No longer is Europe the dominating terrain but Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. I have always longed to travel, but once my heart began discovering the expanse of Love, that longing was transformed into a desire to see the poor, desolate nations and recognize them as beautiful and desirable.
I am lacking in listening in so many regards, but as I begin to catch little snippets from my Savior, my heart aches for community and the ability to Love others better. I am hungry to explore and see, but I also feel as if I have something incredibly beautiful right in front of me. For years, I desperately desired to attend Pepperdine for the prestige. But that desire has been transformed into a passion for a campus and an area/people in need of Love.
As I trekked to the cafeteria yesterday evening, I coyly avoided my normal route and opted for an ocean view. As I gazed out over an expanse of stormy seas and cloud-laden sky, I wondered how I could have ever desired to look into the eyes of another, when, my Father allows me to see His beauty in the depths of the ocean. My arms instinctively wrapped themselves around me to keep the chill and anticipation of rain at bay. And as I held myself for warmth, my Father enveloped me with the knowledge of His Love and desire for my heart, plans, and passions. I know I always say this but He really is just so good-no one else can give me such peace, joy, or smiles!
The end.
(+Bethany!)Who is this God?
King of glory.
You are Holy.
The Lion and the Lamb.
Hallelujah.
Oh Messiah, You are the great I Am.
I do that whole Lent thing. I am not Catholic, and that whole denomination thing does not mean much to me (although I do develop a bit of pride when one talks about John Wesley…Blame it on my early socialization in the Methodist church).
But I still do that whole Lent thing. I like it for numerous reasons. If you want elaboration…just ask.
Anywho…back to the point of this post. I mulled over many ideas in preparation for the 40 days leading up to Easter. I had really wanted to do a Daniel Fast for the entire 40 days, but after partaking in one at the beginning of the semester I found Pepperdine’s caf lacking in even vegetarian friendliness. So essentially, I would starve. I am all in favor of actual 40 day fasts, but uh…unless God writes it in the sky for me, I will not be trying to kill myself through fasting any time soon.
40 days of Daniel is a different story though, but Dorm living makes it incredibly difficult. When I have an apartment and am allowed a rice cooker, blender, and George Foreman this will be an entirely different story. Better luck next year!
Anywho…back to what I am actually doing for Lent. In attempts to become a better communicator, I felt led to give up a form of communication. Tricky huh?
So, for Lent I will be fasting (ha…had to get it in there somewhere!) from conversational text messaging.
Yes, I still want to hear about your day, but please just call me. 15 minutes on the telephone is so much more personal than 15 text messages.
Do not leave me lonely because your phobia of phone conversations triumphs over talking.
If you have a funny story to tell me…I would much rather hear you laugh out loud than reading “lol, bahaha, or lmao” twelve times.
If something is actually not going well, how I am supposed to be able to interpret that in a text message?
Oh, and do not even get me started on text message sarcasm, context, or interpretation…
All in all…let’s talk. Let me hear your voice, and you can hear mine.
Happy Lent season folks: let’s make this last longer than 40 days.
Let’s communicate.
Let’s have Jesus’ resurrection on the brain all of the time J
