waiting for life

This is the first time I've been able to just sit down and think in a while. It feels a little overwhelming. I've put so many thoughts on hold and now it's time to dig them up again. I'm learning so much about life this year at school but it's not the fun kind of learning. It's hard lessons. I know that God is shaping me and growing me but I've never felt growing pains like this before. It's different, but I know good will follow. God is faithful...and I am in the process of being made new. It is a constant struggle, but I am starting to think that life, even though it can be full of joy, is a constant struggle because of our sin. I'm learning what it means to be in perpetual pursuit of God. He's showing me that only he can make me whole. And give me shalom :)

I'm getting exactly what I wanted for Christmas this year and it's coming at just the right time...next Wednesday I'll be in the DR! I'm praying for some restoration to accompany this trip. I think it will be good for my soul to be there and spend the week before Christmas in my favorite place with the people who are the love of my life. I think it's time to take a break from the hard lessons and let God's peace wash over me. I know that's what He longs to do.

This verse is one that someone recently challenged me with...I'm encouraged by it and at the same time I feel the weight of it on my shoulders:

"be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land i swore to their ancestors to give them."
joshua 1:6