Over the past two weeks I feel like there have been moments of great joy and hope along with some dire times of concern and anxiousness. I have taken some time to process what it is to be successful, happy, and purposeful with my life. I believe that Chau and I have taken the first step toward what we want for our lives and the quality of life that we strive to incorporate daily. So far, despite the lack of a full time job for me, we have felt completely at peace with our decision to move up here and explore a new area, and rediscover who we are as a couple. We have been blessed with family visiting, friends staying with us, visiting and planning trips up here, as well as, rediscovering old friendships that are now blossoming into regular meetings and purposeful investment in making our community up here.
Don't get me wrong, we definitely miss our community at home, greatly! And are thankful that we have your prayers, support and love consistently. I thank God that you are all in our lives and still consider us dear friends despite the distance. I take comfort in the thought of reaching out or receiving calls where we can pick up right where we left off. And for those where life continues to consume our time, know that I will always see our friendship as purposeful in my life and look forward to connect soon!
Now, in the last two weeks, We have both experienced the uncertainty of being far away from family when crisis takes place, learned and relearned God is in charge of our circumstances and will bless any situation, despite how we feel. Have questioned our place in this plan of God's master orchestration, and regrouped to find that what we think and pursue, can change in an instant.
The way I have come to see life (ever changing and developing) in the past two years is this... There are two (probably more) ways to function on a daily basis. One can live life in a safe environment, going with what works, makes people happy, allowing life to pass by with out tapping into the depth of who God has made them to be to the full extent, but still being content. Or, one can live life fully alive. This second option is a difficult one to achieve, because it takes risk, time, uncertainty and is scary, although I feel has personally brought me the purest joy. I am not saying one has to begrudgingly go sky diving, spelunking, or swim with the sharks after watching shark week, to live life fully alive (possibly until a dangerous end). What I am saying is God created us uniquely, to greatly impact each other in community. To work in an environment that suits you to make a difference naturally with the talents and gifts he has designed in you. Often times, I feel that our careers or social environmental norms are created by making generalizations-which become the norm in order to fulfill a quota. We no longer look for the natural gifts that make a difference for everyone involved, if engaged. More and more, I feel that encouragement is lacking in everyday communities that helps individuals differentiate what is unique about them, and therefore, would help them to pursue avenues that would help them flourish. I think we have to fight for ourselves as well as for others and what is good for life aligned with God. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (the second command in Matthew 22:38). How can we do this better, when we live in a world of people not seeing the value of who they are, or are bullying those around them due to their own insecurities. There is a lot more defensive living than offensive living these days. But ask yourself this, how refreshing is it when someone pays you a complement? Or helps you in someway, just out of kindness? How much more life do those acts of kindness and love breathe into your day? It fuels a fire deep within you to be purposeful or a desire to influence people's lives in a positive and uplifting way. It also restores faith in community, and therefore influences a movement to make this world a more loving place to be.
A few months ago, I was introduced to a friend of Chau's who selflessly helped me (with out knowing me) get into the sub pool in a desired district up here just by taking the step of telling me that it was accepting applications way back in November. Now, upon interviewing I spoke with a few other candidates who said they had been waiting and attempting to get into the sub pool for four plus years. I got in, which I have to say was an oddity because the amount of time to apply was less than a week. I thank God for that and know that he works through people to bless others. Another blessing was hearing from the same friend after finally meeting (and her throwing me a mini birthday party), that she thought we should hang out more often, and that she really liked me. I can not express how refreshing and touching it was to feel immediately accepted and encouraged by who I was naturally. I did not have to pretend, act a certain way or impress, I just was and I was told that I was liked. Why do we not do this naturally? Is it fear or pain? It can be hard to give from your heart, but I have to say I experienced pure joy and couldn't remember another time where after being met for the first time that I knew I was liked and accepted by someone who took the time and effort to just plainly say it, and not assume that I would know.
I know I have been blessed with good friends who are more like family, who protect and push for my success and I am ever grateful for each of you and all you have done. You have each helped to make me who I am now and will continue to influence me daily. We all need mirrors to see who we are and what we look like to others, I hope to be a good reflection for each of you. As well as, how you come to understand how I see you, to be a positive and uplifting experience. I pray that I come to those I meet as an accepting and loving person who is encouraging not judgmental. Nor that I be fearful of how I come across to the other person. Rather, to be a genuine person, encouraging them to be who God has made them, and not how others (including myself) would selfishly like them. All in all, I pray that we all take a step back from ourselves, and step toward uplifting someone besides us. You never know the importance of that connection, or the influence it can have on your community in which you live daily. Why live in a world of strangers, when you can live in a world full of friends?
Love you all,
Jess
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