Life has been busy and fun, with a lot of new changes and new starts coming down the pipeline. I accepted a part-time job as a therapist, and will be able to also get a full-time day job as well. I am waiting patiently for the rest to fall in place! I am really excited to have a consistent schedule again too! My roommate from College, Kristen, just recently got a job in Lancaster and we anticipate getting an apartment together in the Fall, God-willing. I am also doing the research job until a full-time job is in place, which has been really great. It also been fun to have had a beach trip, a trip to Baltimore, and a few weddings to keep things interesting and fun:)
I have had the blessing of being a part of a team of young adults from my church that served in Lancaster City last week. I feel like the whole experience taught me a lot about myself and things that I can be working on, in my own life. I was encouraged by the perseverance, hope, and faith many of the people I encountered on the trip exhibited in the face of many life trials. I hope that when I encounter difficult times in my own life, I can exhibit the same trust in God, that they had shown me.
Here are some of the areas I have been convicted on lately and really need to work on (somehow writing these things down helps motivate me to take action more than just talking about them). The first step to change, is admitting the problem, right?
An issue of Pride--- I've noticed a lot of times, I am not the most humble person. I crave affirmation, and will often times highlight the successes in my life, hoping that they will overshadow my shortcomings. Sometimes, I find myself exaggerating my successes. If I'm truthful to myself, this is probably more a cover up for any shame I may feel about the reality of whatever it is I am exaggerating than anything else.
So what's my goal? What do I envision change in this area to look like for me?
--HUMILITY-- I want to be able to be honest and open about my shortcomings. I want to be able to laugh about and accept the fact that I lose things a lot and that's just the way God made me. Life's more of an adventure when you are on a daily scavenger hunt for your keys, right?
When I didn't get the job, I felt confident that I had bagged, I want to be humbled by the experience. I don't want to make excuses like, " Oh well, I probably was just overqualified." Rather, I want to say, " I gave it my best shot and I really liked the organization, but there was another person who was a better fit and could serve the organization better than me. When I'm talking with someone, I wouldn't blurt out or find a way in conversation to state that I have my graduate degree in social work. I would celebrate the opportunity to serve someone else, privately, rather than publicizing what happened. I want to be able to ask for help from others when I need it. These are just some examples, but you get the premise. Primarily, 2 verses come to mind, that really remind me of how to approach a lifestyle of humility. Because when it comes down to it, our weakness is the common denominator that connects each human. We all have weakness.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matthew 6:3
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An issue of Self-Centerdness- I'm finding that a lot of times when I am upset about something, the stem or root of my feelings are anchored in something I don't like about myself. I'm glad that I am more aware of this these days. However, I still find myself getting wrapped up in my own thoughts/feelings that I miss out on the opportunity to really see people through the eyes of Christ.
What will change look like?-- I would be less focused on my needs and more focused on the needs of those around me. Rather than trying to interrupting/or trying to force my ideas into a conversation, I would listen to the person talking and think about what they are saying for deeply. I am sure I have some things of value to share, but a lot of times I miss what is really behind what someone is saying because I am too busy thinking about what I want to say next.
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Lack of motivation- Running and exercise is something that I have really enjoyed in the past. But lately, with the heat and quite frankly my laziness, I haven't been getting my butt running or much exercise. I've found plenty of non-active alternatives (ie-job resumes, work documentation, etc.) that I've used to justify my laziness. It needs to stop! I don't want to just talk about my desire to run, I want to actually do it! I really want to get a gym membership somewhere that has a pool. That's something I loved at Roberts. However, the finances are just not there right now for that. I need to be a little more creative in this weather!
What will improvement look like?
-Weekly intentionality about doing things to keep active. Once I have the funds, joining a gym with a pool, getting involved in some exercise classes, etc. to switch things up a bit.
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Anyway, I know it's not the New Year, but these are my Summer Resolutions:)
Let's pray that the Lord helps me to work towards change in these areas!
****My Favorite Song of the Week*******************
May Your Power Rest on Me
Written by Joel Gerdis and Neil Robins
Dm
C(Dm)
Gm
Let
me
hear
my
Savior
say“Your
strength
shall
return”Then
I’ll
rejoice
in
my
weakness
As
I
lean
on
your
grace.
Dm Bb
As
I
lean
on
your
grace.
Chorus:
F
Gm
May
your
power
rest
on
me.
Dm Bb
You
are
strong
when
I
am
weak
F
Gm
(C
)
I
can
bear
all
things
when
temptation
springs
Dm Bb
For
you
sustain
me
all
my
days
Let
me
know
my
Savior’s
face
Let
my
hope
be
secure
Then
I’ll
rejoice
in
my
weakness
As
I
lean
on
your
grace
As
I
lean
on
your
grace
Chorus
Gm
Once
from
the
Lord
withdrawn
Dm C
I
thought
that
I
could
live
my
life
alone
Gm
Leaving
the
solid
ground
Dm C
I
sank
beneath
His
wisdom
Gm
Gm/A
Bb F Bbm
The
harder
I
tried
to
climb
The
closer
I
was
to
find
how
great
is
my
weakness
Though
the
trial
still
goes
on
Your
grace
will
be
my
song
For
I
can
bear
all
things
when
temptation
springs
For
you
sustain
me
all
my
days
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