Marveling at God's Promises

Lord,
Words can hardly explain the joy and peace in my heart. It's been a while since I have been in this place of pure contentment. I can honestly say, it is a genuine joy that is exuding out of nothing more than knowing you have it all under control. The last few days have just been so fantastic. You have opened doors to meet new friends, potential babysitting jobs, and a church that makes me want to draw closer to you each day. I pray Lord, that I would continue to experience the joy and contentment in you...not just when things are going well, but when there is struggle.
Thank you for bringing me to an institution with professors and staff who truly care about me. I am overwhelmed with emotion thinking of how blessed I am to have this opportunity to learn and grow in my ability to help and serve others and hopefully give you the glory through it all. Lord, I just pray that as I continue to make decisions about my field work, that you would just open my heart to where I could learn the most. If this means, in the original placement, give me an open mind, open heart, and an eagerness to grow. Help me to give the same grace to others that you have given me. And if that is not where I am meant to be, I pray that other doors would open and you would help me to handle the situation with sensitivity.
Lord, it's funny. I was thinking today about how little I have thought about singleness that last few days. I've been having too much fun living life to the fullest and seeking out a new community within Rochester. The bounty of new friendships has been such a blessing. I pray that you would help me to nourish these new relationship and allow them to blossom. Lord, I do lift up the man I will marry someday. I pray that right now you would be at work in his life, and giving him a heart for serving others. Whatever struggles or temptations he may be facing, I just pray that his heart would be turned toward you. I pray that he too can experience the fullness and contentment that are found in you!
I lift up all my friends new and old. Specifically, be with those who are in transition. I pray that doors would open for anticipated jobs. I pray that broken relationships in their lives will be mended. And I pray that through it all, each one will experience you in new and exciting ways.
Thanks for knowing my heart before I even come to you Lord. What a comfort it is to know that we don't always have to know exactly what to say, for you know us and have a full grasp of what we need most--you. I pray that I will not lose sight of the fact that you see the bigger picture and I pray that I can live with the tensions of life knowing that it's all part of a grande scheme of something greater to come. Mold me and shape me, even when it hurts Lord. Use me and show me how I can grow deeper into my relationship with you.
It's been a long day and I need to sleep, but thank you for this day Lord!

Active Pursuit of the Beauty of Freedom in Christ

It's been a little while since my last post. So much has happened in the last few weeks. Being home was so refreshing. I cherished every minute of it. Being back just made me realize how thankful and blessed I am for genuine relationships with family and friends.
I'm still working on developing those kind of relationships here in Rochester and I have no doubt that God will provide new encouraging relationships . But it takes time for those relationships to blossom into something more than acquaintances. I love adventure and I miss having friends to call up who are willing to get up and explore with me. There is so much I want to see and do in Rochester, but it's not nearly as fun to do alone. I'm realizing more and more, that God has created me to be in need of relationship. Predominantly, relationship with him. Although the lonely times here are not fun sometimes, it draws me passionately into my relationship with Christ. He has so much that he wants to teach me, and I pray that I will be open and thirsty for all that he brings. While I actively seek out the thrill of a new adventure, I pray that I will seek Christ with that same enthusiasm.
Since I've been back and have been able to get my classes completed, I am looking ahead at new adventures. I have heard so much about Zumba. I hear it is a great workout and so fun! So, I found a class and I'm doing it! I want to find a church and get involved; either in leading a small group of teen girls or serving out in the community. And, I would love to find some babysitting opportunities. I'm filling up my calender with all the things I want to do, and I will do them whether I have people to do them with or not. Luckily, tomorrow Marti is free and we are going to Letchworth Park (the Grand Canyon of NY). My Rochester Bucket List is filling up, and it is now or never to complete them. I just don't want to take any moment for granted here.
On another note, I am an aunt!! My nephew Elliott James was born on July 10th. He is the most handsome little guy ever and I just can't wait to meet him. Being a distance from family during this exciting time is a challenge. Good thing babies don't remember their first year anyway, right? You better believe that next year, I will be all over spoiling that little man like crazy! I'm looking forward to getting back to Lancaster for a couple days in the 2.5 weeks, and then slipping down to Baltimore to meet Elliott.
Alright, well, I've got an uneventful night ahead of me. So, I think I am going to be a good student and go to a coffee shop and write my extra credit paper and review for my Saturday final.
Lord, I pray that you will fill me with a contentment that only you can provide. Show me where I can be used to bring you glory. I pray that you would give me a humble, genuine spirit that naturally overflows from the joy you bring me. I lift up all those who are lonely and feel lost tonight. Grant them the peace of your touch. Amen.

Renewed Perspective

I was browsing for an online devotional to start my morning and stumble across the words of John Piper. God spoke straight to my heart with words that I needed to here. I am eager to seek God in my singleness, but struggle with the same dilemma as most girls--the desire to experience a similar intimate relationship on earth, as I experience with Christ.

I've worried for too long about whether or not God will bring someone into my life. I have tried countless times to give everything up to God, and somehow the nagging feeling always comes back. But John Piper's words today spoke a new truth about singleness and portrays it in a way that excites me. Today...I think my perspective has changed and I will see my singleness as a purposeful design of Christ. He will bestow on my the blessing of purpose, if I choose to follow Him. I will not attempt to control my circumstances, but rather let Christ use me to bring birth to new believers.

Thanks Lord, for bringing this new perspective to me today and allowing it to resonate with and relieve my weary heart.

Here is a portion of what John Piper said @http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2007/2162_Single_in_Christ_A_Name_Better_Than_Sons_and_Daughters/

"My main point is that God promises those of you who remain single in Christ blessings that are better than the blessings of marriage and children, and he calls you to display, by the Christ-exalting devotion of your singleness, the truths about Christ and his kingdom that shine more clearly through singleness than through marriage and childrearing. The truths, namely,

1. That the family of God grows not by propagation through sexual intercourse, but by regeneration through faith in Christ;¹
2. That relationships in Christ are more permanent, and more precious, than relationships in families (and, of course, it is wonderful when relationships in families are also relationships in Christ; but we know that is often not the case);
3. That marriage is temporary, and finally gives way to the relationship to which it was pointing all along: Christ and the church—the way a picture is no longer needed when you see face to face;
4. That faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life; all other relationships get their final significance from this. No family relationship is ultimate; relationship to Christ is.

To say the main point more briefly: God promises spectacular blessings to those of you who remain single in Christ, and he gives you an extraordinary calling for your life. To be single in Christ is, therefore, not a falling short of God’s best, but a path of Christ-exalting, covenant-keeping obedience that many are called to walk."