Hummus makes for happiness.

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.

Opting out of the Umbrella

I love these days where the ocean and the sky are completely indistinguishable. The horizon cannot decide where to begin, end, or even appear for that matter. White caps and clouds simulate an illusion of my own Atlantis.
I surmise that one perfectly maneuvered leap would launch me into the depths of the blue surrounding me. I would be swimming and flying all at once.
And while my body longs to take that leap of faith, the heavens plead to sequester the showers within their masses and saturate the world in salt, sea, and sky.
There is such sweet release in rain.
Somehow my Creator seems to know that the only kisses I need are the droplets that He pours from the sky onto my bare skin. And somehow He makes life livable, because not everything will be okay all the time.
But I am okay with not being okay, because His love rains down similar to the torrents that are flooding the earth momentarily.
So, I say, let it pour.
Saturate.
Drench me.
Rain upon the world torrents of healing and redemption.
Reign upon the world forevermore in Your divine love.