Thanksgiving: Waiting

Doesn't it seem like an odd thing to be thankful for? Waiting.. impatiently waiting. Yesterday, I got stuck in traffic on the interstate. I had gone out to run just a quick errand, so naturally I was very frustrated with stand-still traffic. I passed a sign that said there was an accident, but I assumed that it was just a fender bender. I was very impatiently waiting to just make it to my exit which was about 5 yards away, and I would even say that I had a touch of road rage as I got more and more frustrated.

What exactly was I so impatient for? What was it that was so important that I just couldn't wait another 15 minutes in traffic? I had gone to pick up one simple, little thing for my horse. That's not exactly an emergency, and absolutely could have waited. But I was so caught up in my own desires that I didn't even think about the accident or care about who had been involved in it. While watching the news this evening, I learned that the accident had been a rollover crash that killed an eleven year old little girl. Suddenly, all of my own needs and wants seem so miniscule and trivial. I had been impatiently waiting to get to a store, while a little girl is never going to be able to go to the store again. She'll never get stuck in traffic again. She doesn't have any more opportunities like I still have. The world around me is weighed down with so much hurt, and that is beyond my own frustrations with traffic. How can I be so self-centered about just making it to a store in this situation?

How can this be applied to faith? This past summer, I attended a different church than my usual, and the particular sermon was entitled "Waiting." The church was having a whole sermon series on waiting on God. The pastor spoke about how everybody goes through "seasons of waiting" and that it can be easy to lose faith and become frustrated with our situation. One particular phrase that caught my attention right from the beginning was, "God is not doing this TO you. God is doing something IN you." We all go through times of trial that test the strength of our faith.. I know I've had my fair share of those seasons. During this time of waiting, we need to ask ourselves how we can wait more patiently or how we can "wait well." God is doing something within us, and if we let Him, we can come out of it with a stronger faith and a greater outlook on life. So the next time you go through a period of hardship, frustration and waiting, rely on God and remember that He is working on you, not doing something TO you!

Day 19 of Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving in Tragedy

I had hoped to keep up my list of Thanksgiving throughout November, but as it often does, life got in the way. Between trips home, choir programs, and finals, I just wasn't able to keep up. I fully intend to keep my word though, and still plan on doing all 30 posts of what I am thankful for.

Today, it is particularly easy to count my blessings and think about the things that I am thankful for. In the wake of a tragedy, such as today's elementary school shooting in Connecticut, it is easy for me to praise God for keeping my family, friends and community safe. However, my heart cries for the families that are suffering tonight, and it is hard for me to even find the words to write this. Today's events cause me to be so confused, and I can't even imagine how it could happen...

For about a year and four months now, I have been working at a daycare near my home. I had planned on writing a post about how thankful I am for this job, but now it takes on completely new meaning for me. I am grateful that I even have a job and that I enjoy what I do very much. Every single day when I go to work I am excited to be there, and I enjoy nearly every second spent at the daycare. I have literally fallen in love with "my" kids, the parents, and my coworkers. I am so thankful for them. Today especially, however, I am thankful for every single one of my kids' lives, and how precious and sweet they are. I have learned something from each and every one of them, and would be heartbroken if something happened to ANY of them, not to mention to all of them. I would literally give my own life for these kids if it came down to it, and I'm thankful that it hasn't. Reading about this tragedy in the news makes me want to go hold my babies at work so tightly, and praise God for their lives. I am SO grateful that I have been able to get to know each of these kids, and I am so grateful that I have more days to come with them, unlike the families and teachers and students in Connecticut affected by this. I never want to take another day at work for granted, and I pray for the safety of my own kids tonight, as well as healing for the community of Newtown, CT. My heart aches.

Day 18: High school

My high school experience wasn't exactly the "best time of my life," and brought me many struggles. However, I had many wonderful friends in school, I was involved in many activities, and I took challenging classes that I learned a lot from. Through these experiences, I gained so much knowledge! Without this, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I would not be in college, at least not the exceptional college I am at now, I would not enjoy music or singing as much as I do, and I definitely wouldn't have many of the life skills I need to survive in the "real world."

Going to a large high school prepared me well for my relations with people as well. I had many friends, and for the most part got along well with everyone. However, there were just a few instances where I didn't get along with someone and we didn't see eye-to-eye. Because of this, I learned how to better handle disagreement and resolve conflict, a valuable skill!

My high school is known for providing excellent education to students, and I am so thankful for that! Now that I am in college, I am beyond prepared for my course load. I strongly believe that my high school education is what prepared me so well. Without this, I never would have been this successful in college, and for that, I am so thankful to JHS!

Day 17: Extended family

I am so amazed by my family and how wonderful they are! My family supports me through absolutely everything, and I am so thankful for that! Until just a few years ago, I was not close with any of my extended family, since I live very far from them! However, I have gotten to know many of my family members better recently. I am shocked to know how much they care about me, and have always cared about me, even though we weren't close! Suddenly, my support system has grown tremendously, and I am so thankful for that! I definitely feel surrounded by support, and I can't imagine life without this family around anymore! Thank God for this support system!

Day 16: Travel

I have been so fortunate to have been able to travel quite a bit in my life. I love traveling and being able to experience different cultures! Travel allows you to see new places, new environments, try new, unique foods, and meet people completely different from you.

While traveling, I have seen and done some truly amazing things! Each of these opportunities has given me a completely new perspective, and I have seen the majesty of God in so many different, wonderful places! In Ireland, I experienced many Irish celebrations, saw many castles (As they call them, ABCs: "Another Bloody Castle!"), and got to see Irish dance in the very place it originated! I also got to see the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, which are so incredible! The cliffs are massive and absolutely beautiful. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful they are, and how clear God's presence seems to be there!

In Curacao, part of the Netherlands Antilles off the coast of Venezuela, I was able to experience Dutch culture and Dutch food, plus see many amazing sights! Curacao has an amazing aquarium as well, where I was actually able to swim with dolphins! This was absolutely the highlight of my trip! I learned so much about dolphins, and found that they are truly incredible creatures! They are so smart, and I was able to work hands-on with them. What an experience!

I am simply amazed by the wonderful things that God has created, and I am so thankful that I have been able to experience it through travel! I am so blessed by these opportunities!

Day 15: Music

This week has just been a fantastic week for me in choir and private voice lessons, so today I am especially thankful for music, and what a big part of my life it has been! I have always been in choir and band (at least since 5th grade, when our school starts those), and I have always had incredible opportunities because of that. I have learned so much through my high school and college's music programs, and I have even gotten to perform in some pretty amazing places (The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and the Disney stage in Orlando, to name a few!). Music has definitely boosted my confidence in so many ways as well, and challenged me to get out of my comfort zone. Three or four years ago, I never, ever would have done a solo in front of people. Now, I have performed solos in several solo competitions and I have even done solos in front of audiences of approximately 10,000 people.  I now know how much I actually LOVE performing in front of people!!

Not only has music given me many amazing opportunities, it has given me the chance to really worship God! Before I came to know Christ personally, I really didn't appreciate music or singing. Now, however, I see that He gave me my talent for music for a reason! I love being able to use my voice to sing His praise and share that with others as well! So I am very thankful that I have a voice to use for that!

Day 14: The little things!

Today I really took the time to realize what I am taking advantage of in my life. There are a million different little, petty things that I use or do every single day that I often either don't pay any attention to or I even complain about. I complain about getting distracted by Facebook when doing my homework, but I should be thankful that I have Facebook, or that I get to have homework and get an education! So many times have I complained about homework or going to class, but I am so incredibly fortunate to even have that opportunity!

This week in particular I have been quick to complain about walking everywhere on campus. I realize that this sounds incredibly lazy, and it really is! I have been struggling with some old injuries from horse back riding and dance for several months, however, and my knees have been giving me a lot of trouble lately. So, although I have been in a lot of pain, I should be thankful that I actually can walk and that my campus is so very small compared to most colleges! I am also very, very thankful for ibuprofen and ice! :)

I am so thankful for all the little things that I have that make my life possible, that many other people have to live without. And really, I am just thankful for life in general!