Friday, September 7
I have just completed my second week of my last year of school. Never knew that I would be here. Here in Abilene, TX, here in graduate school. Lots of things have been on my mind recently. Questions about my future seem to spark other thoughts about the world at large and my place in it all. Bear with me as I attempt to write about some of these things.
In no particular order, the political stirrings for the upcoming election, my babies in Zambia, friends leaving, and what to do when I graduate all play a role. I really have never cared for politics, but it is a topic that I have always talked to my Dad about. He is my role-model for many things and voting for government officials is one of them. My Dad listens to both "parties" and then being led by the Spirit makes his decisions. That should not be a surprise to anyone, because that's the way his whole life is. And that's the way yours and mine should be as well. If we ask God to be involved in and guide our other decisions, what makes voting any different. I have come to realize that no one man can change America. It takes all of us. That day may never come where we can all be united for a cause because greed has entered the world. I daily remind myself of who owns the world and that this is not my home anyway. I could go more into depth about religion v. politics, politics v. government, but I do not care to debate about it.
Everything has a connection in my brain. Politics makes me think about the other places in the world that I have been. The governments there, the people it affects, why I love that country and God's teachings about everything. I have been reading Isaiah. I am no Bible scholar, but a prophesy is something that is to happen in the future, good or bad. The people of Israel were told many times about turning their hearts to God. When they would cry out He would help them, but He truly wanted a relationship with His people. It was their choice to turn away all those years. I see many parallels in our country today. There were times of good kings and bad kings (good government/bad government). I may not be articulating all of this well, but it does tell you what rolls around in my head. Coming back this summer from Zambia and Peru, I was changed. It was this week that I found out that a third baby that I worked with had passed away. My heart was not prepared this time. My life is abundantly rich compared to these babies, but that doesn't mean they are any less deserving of a long, healthy life. Remember what I said at the beginning of this post, that I never thought I would be here...I am thankful now for each and every moment.
Last night I looked at all the babies faces again as I talked with some friends of mine. They would always be frozen in time at that age and that state of being. My heart still overflows with hope for those that remain and joy for the time I was able to spend with them. That leads into my friends leaving Abilene. I was born and raised here. Went to four years of college and two years of grad school here. So I have seen many people come and go, always wishing that I could freeze those years as well. God has a purpose and a plan for each person. He knows who and what I need, when I need it and His timing is perfect. So whether He calls me to a job here in Abilene, in Texas, in the U.S., or somewhere else in the world, I will be taken care of. I trust that friends will arise and relationships will form as they always have. He will use my gifts for His glory whatever the circumstance, as long as I choose love Him with all my heart.
Hope this was encouraging to someone even though it was my thoughts. Remember who you are and whose you are!
