forever and a day...

with the ups and downs [and falling downs] of life, i found myself stuck in a pit for the past nine months, three weeks, and one day. at a time when i felt that so many things we on the up and up, i fell down. hard. not just physically stumbling over a crazy rubber floor mat and injuring my ankle. rather, all my dreams and aspirations crumbled when i tumbled that day. i was going forward. moving ahead. then STOPPED. abruptly. without warning. no notions of halting. just a dead stop.

it was easy to dwell on the fleshly ideas that it was God's fault. like HE put that mat in my path for me to trip over, like a sick joke or something. for Him to laugh on the sidelines as i attempted to recover. all while attempting to console myself with bitterness dripping from my pointing finger of blame at the Almighty One who spared me from greater disaster. when my wounded heart surrendered to the process of God's work in my through circumstances, things became more clear.

although i was going forward and moving ahead, i realize now that i was not running the race marked out for me that which Christ has called me heavenward. it took the sudden STOP in my life to readjust my priorities and hear, once again, the calling of my Savior. i had begun moving at a pace that was not in sync with Him.

so, now i'm back. reading. writing. blogging. ...and walking!

its good to see the blessings on the horizon as i continue to step forward. one step at a time.
...and hopefully without a gimpy strut.

a few of my favorite things

definately NOT whiskers on kittens and blue satin sashes....

RATHER...
getting a card in the mail.
old fashioned door keys.
books made into movies.
my perfectly made drink at Starbucks [and not waiting forever to get it!],
the butterflies in my stomach when i'm about to open the envelope of pictures at the photo developer to see the work i've done.
the smell of my husband's cologne lingering in the room after he's left for work.
pushing myself while running, and realizing i've run farther than the day before in less time.
crisp, clean sheets on my bed with the smell of fabric softener.
great fonts that add pizzazz and speak for themselves.
journals filled with dreams and ramblings of the mind.
seeing my friends become brides and mothers.
watching prayers fulfilled before my eyes.

my life so far...

its not bad. not exactly fantastic. just ordinary.
now, i'm not complaining because i have all of the dreams come true. husband, job, ministry, dog. all the good stuff. but there are dreams that lay asleep in my heart. desires and aspirations. but i work the 9-5 and chug along. day after day.

the greatness that is inside needs to be awakened. stirred. motivated. lived.
i want to fulfill the God-sized dreams that have been implanted in my heart. longings to serve in missions. excitement of developing my career in photography. all of the stuff that makes my life extraordinary.

o Lord, awaken my hidden heart. extend yourself through this life to complete your purposes. for i am your child and you are my creator.