Your Life Timeline: Exchange Year as an Era
This past week, we were asked to create a timeline of our lives in (can you believe it) Literacy class. We were trying to gain a better understanding of historical surveys, so we decided to start with ourselves. For each "era," we were supposed to write some key terms and the main lesson we learned from that time period. Here was mine:
1994-1996: New Starts and Uprooting
1996-2000: Shock and Chaos
2000-2005: Settlement and Complacency
2005-2012: Stress and the Little Things
2012-Present: True Life and Happiness
But after writing this, I thought to myself, "What did I learn?" I just didn't know. Then I remembered that throughout this entire class, we have talking about how talking = living. If I didn't learn anything, was I only existing? That would be a sad a pointless existence. So I thought a little more and came up with this:
1st Era: Never be afraid of change. Change is God's redirection, and He will do whatever it takes to get you back on the right path.
2nd Era: In the midst of shock and numbness, still and root yourself in God--always.
3rd Era: Complacency is one of the Devil's best weapons. That means he's successful in stalling your growth. Listen to God with an open heart, then act.
4th Era: Little things have big effects. Stress can be good or bad. But over-stress is never good. In Christ, you will always find peace.
5th Era: Always listen to God's truths. The world will sell you lies, and not a single one of them will bring you happiness.
When I think about this, it just reminds me of how exchange is truly a new starting point for a whole new era.
Gift Giving: German Style!
My little's birthday was last week, which reminded me of gift giving "traditions" in Germany...aka what you give someone when you don't know them that well. Welcome to the list:
1. Flowers
2. Candles
3. Calendars
I never knew what to do with candles because I'm allergic to some artificial scents and usually end up burning myself one way or another. But somehow, someone would always give me a candle anyways. Flowers were another thing. Many Germans like nature and gardening; I don't mind these wonderful things that provide oxygen! But I don't really want my room to turn into an arboretum. Calendars are cool too, until 3 people all give you calendars. Then you have to decide which one has a better design.
If People Could Know
I just got back from my retreat in KY today (so many firsts on this trip--first time in KY, first time eating at a Cracker Barrel and Sonic, first time at fall retreat with my friends, first time dressing up as Piglet, etc). I couldn't believe it was actually snowing...
Anyways, a topic that our sorority has been talking about is how we shouldn't be believing the lies that the world throws at us. I hear what everyone is struggling with, and I almost can't believe it. I guess God gave words of knowledge for a reason, but it honestly pains me when I hear people's goals, dreams, and how they are not satisfied with their lives. It honestly hurts me when--
1. I know what their dreams are
2. I know exactly why God is not giving it to them
3. They are in their own way, but have no idea, so their dreams won't come true anytime soon.
Whenever it comes to goals and dreams, God either says, besides "yes!"...:
a) NO. This is bad for you. And when they think it is good for them, but it's actually bad, it's just sad. Sometimes it is so hard for me to confront people and tell them, "Unfortunately, you just have to know that this is not going to happen. Stop tricking yourself." But it's so difficult. It's like you are the bearer of horrible, crushing news. I hate this position. But what can I do when it's the truth? God always says the truth, and whatever he chooses to reveal will happen.
b) I want to give this to you, but you aren't ready, so not now. And then God lets me know what they have to do, but I either a) am too scared to confront them about it in fear of being creepy or b) way too happy and want to help them get on this track, but have trouble waiting for them to come to the darn realization that they are on the wrong track. But God lets me know that I can never rush things, because when I do, I cut his mercy and meaningful processes short.
c) Dream bigger, little one. This is when God looks down and sees that wonderful dream, but deems it too small. This happens to those wonderful people who have amazing intentions for doing God's work, but has no idea how much God has in store. I am so excited when we are at this option. Look out, big things coming your way. Watch those blessings rain down. Get ready to be blown out of the water. Keep trusting God.
This past week, we were asked to create a timeline of our lives in (can you believe it) Literacy class. We were trying to gain a better understanding of historical surveys, so we decided to start with ourselves. For each "era," we were supposed to write some key terms and the main lesson we learned from that time period. Here was mine:
1994-1996: New Starts and Uprooting
1996-2000: Shock and Chaos
2000-2005: Settlement and Complacency
2005-2012: Stress and the Little Things
2012-Present: True Life and Happiness
But after writing this, I thought to myself, "What did I learn?" I just didn't know. Then I remembered that throughout this entire class, we have talking about how talking = living. If I didn't learn anything, was I only existing? That would be a sad a pointless existence. So I thought a little more and came up with this:
1st Era: Never be afraid of change. Change is God's redirection, and He will do whatever it takes to get you back on the right path.
2nd Era: In the midst of shock and numbness, still and root yourself in God--always.
3rd Era: Complacency is one of the Devil's best weapons. That means he's successful in stalling your growth. Listen to God with an open heart, then act.
4th Era: Little things have big effects. Stress can be good or bad. But over-stress is never good. In Christ, you will always find peace.
5th Era: Always listen to God's truths. The world will sell you lies, and not a single one of them will bring you happiness.
When I think about this, it just reminds me of how exchange is truly a new starting point for a whole new era.
Gift Giving: German Style!
My little's birthday was last week, which reminded me of gift giving "traditions" in Germany...aka what you give someone when you don't know them that well. Welcome to the list:
1. Flowers
2. Candles
3. Calendars
I never knew what to do with candles because I'm allergic to some artificial scents and usually end up burning myself one way or another. But somehow, someone would always give me a candle anyways. Flowers were another thing. Many Germans like nature and gardening; I don't mind these wonderful things that provide oxygen! But I don't really want my room to turn into an arboretum. Calendars are cool too, until 3 people all give you calendars. Then you have to decide which one has a better design.
If People Could Know
I just got back from my retreat in KY today (so many firsts on this trip--first time in KY, first time eating at a Cracker Barrel and Sonic, first time at fall retreat with my friends, first time dressing up as Piglet, etc). I couldn't believe it was actually snowing...
Anyways, a topic that our sorority has been talking about is how we shouldn't be believing the lies that the world throws at us. I hear what everyone is struggling with, and I almost can't believe it. I guess God gave words of knowledge for a reason, but it honestly pains me when I hear people's goals, dreams, and how they are not satisfied with their lives. It honestly hurts me when--
1. I know what their dreams are
2. I know exactly why God is not giving it to them
3. They are in their own way, but have no idea, so their dreams won't come true anytime soon.
Whenever it comes to goals and dreams, God either says, besides "yes!"...:
a) NO. This is bad for you. And when they think it is good for them, but it's actually bad, it's just sad. Sometimes it is so hard for me to confront people and tell them, "Unfortunately, you just have to know that this is not going to happen. Stop tricking yourself." But it's so difficult. It's like you are the bearer of horrible, crushing news. I hate this position. But what can I do when it's the truth? God always says the truth, and whatever he chooses to reveal will happen.
b) I want to give this to you, but you aren't ready, so not now. And then God lets me know what they have to do, but I either a) am too scared to confront them about it in fear of being creepy or b) way too happy and want to help them get on this track, but have trouble waiting for them to come to the darn realization that they are on the wrong track. But God lets me know that I can never rush things, because when I do, I cut his mercy and meaningful processes short.
c) Dream bigger, little one. This is when God looks down and sees that wonderful dream, but deems it too small. This happens to those wonderful people who have amazing intentions for doing God's work, but has no idea how much God has in store. I am so excited when we are at this option. Look out, big things coming your way. Watch those blessings rain down. Get ready to be blown out of the water. Keep trusting God.
Unfortunately, most people are stuck at 1 and 2. When I look at 1, I am just so sad. When I look at 2, I am testing my patience with God. When I am at 3, it's just a beautiful state of bliss. Dreams are always there for a reason. Sometimes God will grant it because it brings you closer to Him. Sometimes, God lets it slip away because it will kill you even when you don't know it.
Just some things to think about.
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