You know when life gets really busy, and you look back and realize that it's now been months since the last time you stopped to just reflect? That's been our life for the past few months! Our time has been occupied by really wonderful things- and yet it's so important to me to be able to step back and look at what God has done in that time. Maybe that's why people really like to write and receive Christmas letters... and if you've read my blog, you've stayed pretty up-to-date on our lives. So let's use that as the reason I didn't put one together, yet again. Ha!
In looking at the work God has done this year, the theme that seems to reoccur is that of belonging. I think that it's something that I've always struggled with; in high school I was broken from my insular existence and thrust in to a world where life wasn't fair, choices weren't as easy to make as they had previously been, and it was hard to see God in certain situations. College wasn't much easier... even though I had always pictured myself ending up at North Park, my experience there was so different from the one my parents described to me. I thought I saw people living that typical life... but I didn't fit into that mold. I was a student- athlete, I was living in my home city but living on campus, I had worked at camp for 2 years, I knew people from around the Covenant Church... and yet I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere!
Then moving here. By the time I had graduated from North Park, I recognized my identity as a Christ-follower as the only one that had any power over my life. When Brad and I moved to the suburbs, I began to live that out. Separated from my friends of 20+ years and my family, Brad and I had to trust we were following God's leading.
It's been the best decision we've ever made.
I have been transformed and renewed in my relationship with God. Our marriage is something completely different than what initially drew us together; it's become a partnership that fills me with gratitude and joy every day. Our son is surrounded by people who understand our walk & struggle, and want to be in the trenches with us... whether or not they're Christians!
So we've had this season of enjoying life with our families and friends... and yet there has been this nudge, a knock, a pound... it's been telling us that we are supposed to be stretching even further than we ever thought possible.
There's a song by Switchfoot called "Where I Belong" that has really made an impact on me this year. The artist is struggling with his place in this world, and how hard it is to exist here sometimes when our culture is pushing us into complacency, instead of revolution. Some day, I believe we are going to be in that place where we belong, where we aren't living in temporary bodies or crying about atrocious genocides or devastating hurricanes. I know that I am supposed to living out that hope and joy every. Single. Day. And it's becoming clear what that's going to look like. All signs have been directing way, and we'll let you know in the coming months what that means. In the meantime, please just give us your prayers that God would continue to guide us and mark us for His works, whatever our station may be.
Merry Christmas! We'll be taking a break on a cruise with Brad's family... Christmas by the pool? Yes please! We hope that you have time to reflect on the blessings in your life this past year, and enjoy time with whomever you spend the day with!
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