From where I sit

This is where I have been sitting all morning. What a gift to sit in this beautiful place, listening to the waves, and reading. With Clint being a young life area director we are invited for a staff conference at Ocean Isle and while Clint and the other staffers are in a meeting I have chosen to be a little introvert and sit. Just sit! And it has been a gift to just sit and be present. It has hit me that we have lived in K-town for a month and a half, and we have been going hard. Between moving, unpacking, YL trips, beginning new jobs, making new friends, taking every chance we get to see family, saying yes to every opportunity in town to meet new people, it has been awesome, but also exhausting. So, sitting this morning has been relaxing, refreshing, and I have been reminded of whom has called me. One of my favorite books is Love Does by Bob Goff, such a great book! A fun quote this morning that got me thinking was, "will you take what you think defines you, leave it behind, and let ME define who you are instead." What a great thought to sit in and be reminded that I am not defined by what I do, why I have, or WHERE I LIVE! Jesus is the defining thing of my life, of our marriage, and of our residency! I hope that is an encouraging thought for you today!

I have also been sitting in Psalm 103 as I sit here, this is a hefty copy and paste that is about to happen, but it is SO GOOD!

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord. (Psalms 103:1-22 NLT)