So, the past two weeks of my life have been somewhat emotionally overwhelming. Sometimes that can be good - sometimes that can be bad. I would not have considered myself an emotional person until I met my dear friend Evie K. She is to blame for this new wave of emotionality this past year (yes... I think I might have made up that word.) She cries on the regular; it makes her feel better. She says something to the effect of, "I just need to cry it out and I will feel better." Now, when I first heard that, my initial thoughts included, "Are you kidding me?! Why on earth would you wanna cry?!" Silly and slightly insensitive me came out and I totally didn't get her then... but I do now since her Evie-crying-influence has finally rubbed off on me after nearly 3 years of friendship.
In any event, emotions like this are still somewhat new to me. I am also realizing that this summer has been one of many firsts and lasts. One of which being: This is the first time I have truly recognized certain emotions. I know that sounds weird but for example... I have realized that it takes a lot for me to be vulnerable and disclose myself to people. I'd like to think that I am an outgoing, lovable, crazy, and funny young woman - but I am pretty good at hiding my fears, my insecurities, my pain. This summer I learned that that might not be the best thing. That it is good to unlock those emotions - and that holding back tears might not always be the "strong" thing to do. I have been so thankful for the outpouring of happy and sad tears this summer. Praise.
Second: I really enjoy spending quiet moments with the Lord. Now, if you asked me a year ago, I would say that YES - I enjoy quiet times in the morning... yadda yadda... But now, most days, I am just ready to go for a drive in silence, to sit and read a book without any interference, to extend my quiet times from 30 minutes to who-knows-when. I am learning how to not set limits on my time with God - but instead to encourage as much quiet time with the Lord as much as possible. If you know me well, you know it is hard for me to sit still! God has done something to me that makes me want to sit and be with Him - and I think that is good.
Third: A last. This is the last summer that I can spend worrying about what's next. God has been SO good to me - putting people in my path, opportunities that pop up - I am not worried about my next move because I already know that there is something just around the corner. It is such a great feeling being a college graduate and knowing that there is a set plan for at least a year (if not more) post-graduation! No worrying about classes or a college budget or overwhelming exam schedules. From here on... it's one day at a time. This life is running at a completely new and different pace.
Fourth: Another last. This is the last time I can be with my family in this way. I worry about this... For anyone who knows me, you understand that this will always be a journey. Sometimes there are rocky paths but other times there are smooth courses. This summer might just be the last time I can be at home and be a full-time-live-at-home daughter.
Fifth: A first time that I have been away from friends for this long. It has been such a blessing to be near friends in the past, but this is the first summer I have spent away from SO MANY friends. It has been different working every day and not being able to invest more in more people. It has taught me a good lesson though - that yes, work is consuming, and yes, it is possible to pour into friends but just not several at a time. Loving a couple friends at a time is good too. :-) I can't always be a "big-group" girl.
Fifth-and-a-half: This summer has been good for me to learn more about the incredible love of Christ and what He has called us to do: love others. I want to love others more. It is one thing to really like someone or to "love" your super cool road bike (ha...) but it is not quite the same as the LOVE that Jesus has taught us. I recognize more what that LOVE looks like, and I want to learn how to extend and accept it more.
If there is one thing that will always stay consistent - meaning it can never be a first or a last thing - is God and His love and provision. God has blessed me so much this summer and I have no idea how I am so worthy of it all. I have been challenged so much this summer. I have had to dig deep in my heart, recognize weaknesses and strengths and deliver my worries to the Lord. I learned that there are walls that I have built that are hard to chip away from - but then I was able to watch God break them down. He is SO good. He is the alpha and omega - the beginning and the end - He will remain the same through all of the ages! No matter what circumstances I find myself in. Isn't that great news!? That no matter how much we think we fail, His provision remains and the blessings flow - one and then the other and then the other. I have been so thankful for tears of joy and tears of pain, amazing quiet times of worship and heartbreaks left and right. The blessings God has delivered to me: special people, certain conversations, interesting books - all have encouraged me and have taught me lessons that were so needed in my life.
I am incredibly thankful and proud to be emotional about it. :-) I am praising God for these new firsts and lasts in my life. God, keep bringing them on because it just goes to show that I have so much more that I want and need to learn.
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