Not Home Yet

Two weeks is such a tease.

I finally feel like I’m part of life at home, and then it’s time to leave again.

I guess it is a reminder that this world is not my home, and I shouldn’t become comfortable here. I have all of eternity to rest and be at ease, so why should I take time now to do so? There is work to be done.

I am an alien and stranger on earth. Why do I contend with that so strongly at times? I want nothing more than to belong—to belong to a certain life; to belong to a home; to belong to someone; and yet I belong only to Christ. Christ is my only claim in this life—I have no other.

So, two weeks, a taste of Home—joyous laughter; a quiet night with beloved; deep rest; experiencing my father’s heart; blessing upon blessing upon blessing…

Oh God, remind me of the brevity of life and the importance of speaking for You with every word that is given me. This is not where I belong, and I have been called to live with eternity’s values in view. So let me not rest in a shadowy vision of what is to come—let me not make this my home. I don’t want to become content with a counterfeit happiness.

I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting, and I will hold onto Jesus for life.

Laying Down My Arms

I read this excerpt from C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity tonight and it really hit me. How much of myself do I continually hold back from the Lord? What rights do I continually cling to that aren't even mine to grasp? The only liberty I have as a Christian is to give up my rights.

"The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, "Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want all of you. I have not come to torment your natural flesh, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there. I want to have the whole tree down. I don't want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked--the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours."

Oh Jesus, teach me how to give my whole self to You, as You have given Your whole self to me.

Winter Wonderlands and Pleasures of Life

Well, a simple attempt in taking out the trash tonight turned into wading through 2 feet of snow to get back inside my dorm building.... It's a little chilly out there! A blizzard came through yesterday, dumping 15 or so inches of snow on the foot we already had. We have as much snow right now as we had at the end of winter last year. Oh, Minnesota. :)



In other news, I had a great week, and am looking forward to another busy but excellent week again. :) I am currently taking First Corinthians and loving it. Our teacher is chock full of spiritual wisdom, so I'm clinging to as much of it as I can. Mentoring this week has been superb as well--hard, but soooo good! Last week was tough because I felt like I forgot how to mentor over my Thanksgiving break, but this week the Lord brought me back and was blessing my one on ones with my girls each day. I am thrilled and so humbled that He chooses a weak vessel such as myself to shepherd these girls. What a blessing and privilege!

On Friday I travel home again to FL to spend Christmas with my family. Can you say stoked?! Here's what I'm looking forward to:

• loving on my new baby niece =)
• strolling along Park Ave. with my Mama in Winter Park
• listening to the wisdom of my Papa in simple daily conversation
• hiding out with my baby sister at our secret spots to get some quality 1-on-1 time
• laughing with the greatest family in the world
• giving back massages to anyone wanting one
• enjoying the presence of my newest little sister, our foreign exchange student, Trie :)
• experiencing the remarkable blessings of my Lord with my family--most grateful recipients!

I have much to be excited for this Christmas season. What are you most looking forward to?

Rejoicing always for His abundant care,

Jules