A New Move that makes a Different Outlook...

Sometimes God has this way of completely dropping you in a place that you never even knew you needed.  Actually that has happened a lot of times in my life.  I've found myself always surrounded by people that I didn't even know I was missing from my life, till I met them.  This move is no different.  Although it is only 30 minutes from where I grew up, I am finding that it is far enough away that I have to get used to the culture here, but I am still in this place of familiarity. 

Let me tell you how God is working.  First of all I knew that I was going to need a different place to live.  My living situation this past year was challenging due to different personalities that never should have been living in the same apartment, and me really just not feeling comfortable having strangers in and out of my living space all of the time.  So, I started thinking and looking for a roommate.  That was when my good friend told me about someone that was moving and needed a roommate.  I was nervous and was not sure if it was even worth looking into.  Then I found out that she found a place in Jeff City.

So.....  I said yes, and decided I would just commute to and from CoMo. 

Then I found a job to apply for within CC. 

And I got it! 

So, now I think about how God continues to work  and move.  I think about how He puts people in my path.  I think about the reasons that He might want me in Jeff City. 

As I continue on this journey of the single life, I realize that my life moves don't have to revolve on finding "someone."  Because in all reality we are made for community, it just looks differently for different people.  For me I am done letting my life moves be made based on where I might find someone. 

Instead I believe with my whole heart that there are people that I need to meet in JC that I wouldn't have been able to meet if I had stayed in CoMo.  Our life is meant to be lived with love. 

So... as I journey along..... I realize that this truly is my best life, because it is the life that gives me a chance to love His people. 

Not being offended....

This week I did a study through my Bible App that was about being unoffendable.  Wouldn't you know that it seemed like there was something that happened everyday this week that I had the opportunity to get offended or not.  I wish I could say that I succeeded most of the week!  But I didn't! 

I will say that today something happened that I really am having to work through.  Do you ever have something happen, or in this case it didn't happen and it makes you question your worth and value to others?  It makes you wonder if you even matter at all. 

That's where I am at today.  I'm in this place of wondering if I even really make a difference to those around me.  Even as I type this I feel the tears welling up in my eyes.  I know that people care about me.  But isn't it so easy for us to just dismiss people out of our lives?  I feel like I miss people a lot more than they miss me.  Maybe that is just my personality.  Maybe I just have a sensitive heart, and I am always going to be the one that hurts more when people step out of my life.  Or maybe I just express my affection more.  I am not sure... but I sure do know that I never want other people to question their worth the way I am questioning mine.  I never want to be the person that makes others feel like they don't matter. 

So, I am going to take this as a lesson.  I am not going to be offended, but I am going to be a little hurt.  I can get over the hurt though.  I am going to use the hurt to engage in helping others.  I am going to continue to go out of my way to make sure that other people know that they are loved, valued, and that they are important in my life.  Not just when I see them everyday, but they are important because they impact me.  They are important because they are a part of my journey. 

Now I know that not everyone is meant to be in your life for all seasons.  I get that.  I know that sometimes you have to let people go.  Some people are only meant to walk with you for a little while.  But I think that even if people are only meant to walk with us for a little while, we still have the responsibility to tell them that they are valued by us.  We need to be building each other up.  Making sure people know what they mean to us.  Inviting them in, even if maybe they aren't our best friend.  Taking the time to listen to their hearts.  Taking the time to ask ourselves how we can be there for others.  It doesn't take a lot to lend an ear to someone, or invite them along on an outing. 

I am going to try my best in the coming weeks to be less offended by others, and show more love, invite people places more, and include everyone even those that I don't necessarily connect with immediately. 

We are all just doing our best, so let's make sure that our best is loving those around us, and letting them know what they mean to us.  Because everyday matters in making memories, and knowing you are loved.