The arrival of autumn

Some days I feel so inspired by an idea or though, or perplexed by frustration/stress, that I can't wait to write. Today though, I have little inspiration. But, I do have some updates. I have passed my social work licensure exam and got a full-time job as a hospital based social worker/case manager. I am super excited that theses pieces are slowly coming together and I am really looking forward to what the next year has in store for me:)

I just pray that this is a year of great growth for me both spiritually and personally. And that I can learn how to love others more deeply and live life in community better than I have in the past. I pray that I will accomplish some of the dreams and goals the Lord has laid on my heart and keep stepping forward "one step at a time".

Summer is coming to an end. This summer has flown by at points and seemed like it would never end at others. These days, I am thoroughly enjoying the cooler days sans the humidity and the few days I have left before my full time job is in place. While things are coming together with the job, etc. I still need to be patient with getting an apartment. I need a little more time to build up my finances so that I can successfully navigate life in my own place and the responsibilities that go along with it.

In my devotions this morning...this was my challenge:

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Matthew 7:3

How often do I get frustrated/annoyed with others...only to realize my frustration is really about my own difficulty in that area I am frustrated with them about. Hopefully, these moments prompt me to make change in my own life, so I can get the plank out of my own eye:)

Also...a recent quote by C.S. Lewis that I am absolutely in love with.....

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Inconvenience or Opportunity?

These days, my schedule seems unruly and scattered on my Google calendar. Each event or to-do is neatly painted with a corresponding color to indicate the type of item on the schedule (Job 1, Job2, Work, Family, Social, etc.). I'm a bit type A, I know. But the time I take to color code creates a pretty good visual for me, how much time each week I am spending on different categories of life. I like to think it is a little immediate check or balance when my calendar pops up on the screen.

Its funny, because when I look at how I spend my time, I can almost predict what the state of my heart is that week. Was I spending time with the Lord, or was I spending more time in entertainment/work? I should preface this with saying, that I believe spending time with friends to some extent can constitute for time with God alongside one on one time with the big guy, as they are an important part of encouragement in my spiritual life.

I titled this post inconvenience or opportunity, because lately I've found myself getting annoyed by little "inconveniences". Needing to go back to work, because I forgot something. Running errands and writing case notes on a day where I would much rather be outside in the sun.

These days (well this week anyway), I'm working at seeing these "inconveniences" more as opportunities. That 2nd trip to work allows me more time in my car to listen to worship music and bask in the goodness of God. Next to outdoor runs, my car is the next best place where I feel like I connect to God. Weird, huh? I'm trying to infuse God into even the mundane tasks. Writing case notes is a cool opportunity to thank God for each of the unique people I get to interact with. It's a chance to allow the holy spirit to guide my treatment plans. Somehow...all of a sudden these "inconveniences" are becoming more of adventures beyond what I can see:)

I think sometimes we (well I should speak for myself--"I")--tend to do the same thing with friendships. I'm a devoted friend, when I have time. But when my google calendar is a splattered rainbow canvas, with little white space--I find excuses not to call a friend or go out of my way to volunteer for this or that. Sometimes, I seek out friendship when I need it. When things aren't going so well or I need extra support---I reach out to friends. But what about when I am not in need? Do I follow up with friends in the everyday--when it may not be as convenient? To be honest--not as much as I should.

I recently took a facebook hiatus for 2 weeks. Funny, how I made more of an effort to contact people via phone or in person when facebook was not a convenient tool for catching up. Hopefully...this is another area that I can continue to grow in. I feel like this time of life for me is a major period of growth. I've been blessed with a lot of opportunities to seek out the opportunity in inconvenience. I get to give God my undivided attention, without the concerns of significant others, etc. And, I have to time to delve into who God is calling me to be. I'm a work in progress, but I'm really enjoying this time!

Check this out http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1CB0CNNU

.....and I challenge you to embrace the opportunity of inconvenience. Jesus' death on the cross was in no way convenient--but he saw the opportunity for us in the inconvenience.