Healing for the Flesh, Refreshment for the Bones

Do you ever feel the need to be refreshed?

In this busy season of life, full of more tests, presentations, papers and projects than I would care to count - I am in desperate need of refreshment.

Not the kind of refreshment you look for from your favorite beverage on a hot day, or after a brisk run around the Bear Trail. I'm talking about the refreshment you need for your soul.

It feels like every fiber of my being has been calling out, better yet, screaming out for this refreshment.

Where can one find such a thing?

"Be not wise in your own eyes, Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." ~ Proverbs 3:7-8

Yesteryear

I want to be little again.

I want my mom to make me peanut butter [no jelly] sandwiches with the crust cut off.

I want my dad to carry me on his shoulders.

I want to fight with my sister over who gets to sit in the front seat.

I want my brother to trick me into doing his chores.

I want to take family vacations.

I want to still believe in Santa Clause and fairy tales.

I don't want to pay bills, worry about graduating, or make 'grown-up' decisions. I want to avoid responsibility. Is that terrible?

The Heart's Affections

Have you ever thought about all the things our hearts have an affection for?

Perhaps this is a topic too deep to discuss so early in the morning. Nonetheless, it is a topic I have been reminded of often these days.

'What are my heart's affections?' ... I wondered.

1. Coffee - don't laugh. I'm serious about this one. What is it exactly about the aroma of a cup of fresh brewed coffee that makes me think I am not ready to face the day until I savor its goodness? It beats me. It may have something to do with my [slight] addiction to caffeine. It may have something to do with routine.

Or could it be something more than that? I love getting my favorite mug out each morning and waiting impatiently for the coffee to be ready. Most of all, I like sitting on our porch swing with my cup of joe in hand. My heart has an affection for this.

2. Organization - I love when things are organized. From my room, to my school work...my heart has an affection for organization.

Perhaps organizing gives me a sense of calm, a sense of control, when life is often so hectic.

3. Creativity - Creativity, of all kinds, delights me. Not just my creativity, either. I love seeing others be creative. For instance, one of my best friends Sarah is incredibly creative with her art. It amazes me. I couldn't paint something to save my life, but her art is so effortless. Another dear friend, Mallory, is so creative musically. Brittany shows her creativity through her incredible photography. Sarah Miller is creative with Spanish. That girl is fluent, I tell ya, and her heart rejoices in Spanish.

What is it about creativity that captures my heart in such a profound way? I think it has something to do with God's astounding sense of creativity.

If I was Rob Bell, I would say :

"This is about that."

So, my affection for coffee probably isn't really about the coffee.

My affection for organization and creativity is probably not really about organization and creativity. Because this is always about that.

There's always something more behind what our heart has an affection for, I believe.

because writing a blog is so much better than writing a paper...

I should be writing a paper, instead I'm posting my second blog of the day.

I want to walk down memory lane, because didn't someone once say 'You never know who you are until you know where you've been'?

Antibes, France.

Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco.

Paris, France.

Enjoying the beach in Barcelona.

The Colosseum, Rome.

My beautiful city, Florence, Italy.

Sunset in Sardinia, Italy.

Eating 'schneeballers' in Rothenburg, Germany.

Roomies in Cinque Terre, Italy.

I miss Europe. I miss the adventure.

But isn't every day an adventure?

Whether it be in Florence, Italy or Waco, Texas...life is beautiful and I am grateful.

'Celebrate we will, for life is short but sweet for certain.' ~ Dave Matthew's Band

Fear of Blogging

I have this fear, an irrational one to be sure. It is the fear of blogging.

Why? I'm sure you're dying to know...

1. I'm afraid of the inevitable inconsistency of my blogging. (I was in Europe for four months and blogged a total of three times...pathetic.)

2. I'm afraid I will have nothing to say. Shocking, I know.

3. Mostly, I am afraid that if/when I do begin to blog, the real me will shine through. You know...the me that I don't want anyone else to see. Blogging is vulnerable, I believe. Vulnerability scares me. See? The real me is already beginning to shine through my blogging...

However, despite my [irrational] fears of blogging, I am diving into the blogging community...quite late. Besides, all my friends are doing it. :)