Well, I know I promised an entry about moving, and I have now officially moved. It was a more arduous process than I realized, but I still apologize for not keeping my word.
Things, for the most part, have been absolutely positively wonderful here in Washington! I've been here for nearly a month, and there has been hardly a drop of rain. There are thousands and thousands of gorgeous green trees, trees that are every shade of green you could think of, and probably a few that you can't! There are scads and scads of pristine lakes and staggeringly impressive mountain ranges that constantly take my breath away. God's creation is so vast and beautiful and it is on full display up here. I am so blessed!
And of course, it's been blissful to be so close to Ryan and see him everyday. After going through 7 1/2 months with 1200 miles of distance between us, we are relishing being only 20 minutes apart. When I think of how far God has brought us and what all He has brought us through these last 8 months, I am forced to my knees. Ryan is truly the greatest blessing in my life and his care and compassion for me has helped to make this transition as smooth as it's been.
A handful of people who are very dear to my heart are each going through some difficult situations and circumstances. In talking, crying and praying with each one in turn, I've been reminded again and again of two very important things: anything that is worth it is going to be difficult to maintain, and any situation that has God's fingerprints on it is going to elicit attack from Satan.
So many things take serious time and effort: Friendships. Marriage. Raising children. Having integrity. Being consistent. Living according to the spirit instead of the flesh. Waiting to have sex until marriage. Walking in the freedom of truth. The list could go on and on. None, I repeat, NONE of these things are easy.
There are also plenty of things that are easy: Fast food. Not caring about relationships. Taking the easy way out. Porn. Sleeping around. Weaving webs of lies and deceit to avoid a truth you might find shameful. All of these things are easy in terms of immediacy, but have no merit and ultimately cause more harm than good. I say these things not to shame anyone: I have struggled with nearly all of the easy things I just listed.
It seems an oxymoron for something that is worth it to be incredibly difficult and hard. Friendships and relationships go through storms and hurricanes. Doubts, fears, anxieties and insecurities raise their ugly heads. Death, sickness and the curse of our very humanness drain our strength and cripple our efforts time and time again. But does not suffering and struggling produce endurance, and endurance produce character? Bonds and ties do not become tight unless they are pulled. If a knot remains loose and is not tugged on, it will eventually come undone.
Being apart from Ryan for so long was not easy, but we stayed together and continued to grow together as best we could because I knew he was worth it, and he knew I was worth it. Moving 1200 miles away from everything I've ever known and from my friends and family who are so close to my heart was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but following God's will and direction to be closer to Ryan and to pursue a life in WA has been and continues to be so incredibly worth it. Learning how to maintain friendships from hundreds of miles away is difficult and continues to be a work in progress, but I know my friends and my family are worth the trial and the continual learning process.
I have also been seeing so many of my friends who are in situations that have God's ordination and fingerprints throughout them that are being attacked. I've been continually reminded that, when we are within God's will and following after His direction, attack will surely follow. We can anticipate it! Satan would love to thwart and delay any plan of God's. We would not be commanded to put on God's armor if there wasn't any need of it! Of course, being prepared and on the defense for attack requires constant vigilance, and I am ashamed of how many times I have let my guard down and not equipped myself with the armor, especially the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate guards the heart, and the heart is the seat of our emotions. If we don't place a guard of righteousness, or willpower over our hearts, they become overrun with emotional tendencies, and our decisions become harried, haphazard, and not thought through. Thank goodness that God is for us and He has deemed us more than conquerors, and we can claim overwhelming victory in any situation because of Jesus! YIPPEE!! =D
I don't really have a tidy end to this entry. These are just some thoughts that have been mulling around in my head. I'd love thoughts and feedback. =)
Things, for the most part, have been absolutely positively wonderful here in Washington! I've been here for nearly a month, and there has been hardly a drop of rain. There are thousands and thousands of gorgeous green trees, trees that are every shade of green you could think of, and probably a few that you can't! There are scads and scads of pristine lakes and staggeringly impressive mountain ranges that constantly take my breath away. God's creation is so vast and beautiful and it is on full display up here. I am so blessed!
And of course, it's been blissful to be so close to Ryan and see him everyday. After going through 7 1/2 months with 1200 miles of distance between us, we are relishing being only 20 minutes apart. When I think of how far God has brought us and what all He has brought us through these last 8 months, I am forced to my knees. Ryan is truly the greatest blessing in my life and his care and compassion for me has helped to make this transition as smooth as it's been.
A handful of people who are very dear to my heart are each going through some difficult situations and circumstances. In talking, crying and praying with each one in turn, I've been reminded again and again of two very important things: anything that is worth it is going to be difficult to maintain, and any situation that has God's fingerprints on it is going to elicit attack from Satan.
So many things take serious time and effort: Friendships. Marriage. Raising children. Having integrity. Being consistent. Living according to the spirit instead of the flesh. Waiting to have sex until marriage. Walking in the freedom of truth. The list could go on and on. None, I repeat, NONE of these things are easy.
There are also plenty of things that are easy: Fast food. Not caring about relationships. Taking the easy way out. Porn. Sleeping around. Weaving webs of lies and deceit to avoid a truth you might find shameful. All of these things are easy in terms of immediacy, but have no merit and ultimately cause more harm than good. I say these things not to shame anyone: I have struggled with nearly all of the easy things I just listed.
It seems an oxymoron for something that is worth it to be incredibly difficult and hard. Friendships and relationships go through storms and hurricanes. Doubts, fears, anxieties and insecurities raise their ugly heads. Death, sickness and the curse of our very humanness drain our strength and cripple our efforts time and time again. But does not suffering and struggling produce endurance, and endurance produce character? Bonds and ties do not become tight unless they are pulled. If a knot remains loose and is not tugged on, it will eventually come undone.
Being apart from Ryan for so long was not easy, but we stayed together and continued to grow together as best we could because I knew he was worth it, and he knew I was worth it. Moving 1200 miles away from everything I've ever known and from my friends and family who are so close to my heart was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but following God's will and direction to be closer to Ryan and to pursue a life in WA has been and continues to be so incredibly worth it. Learning how to maintain friendships from hundreds of miles away is difficult and continues to be a work in progress, but I know my friends and my family are worth the trial and the continual learning process.
I have also been seeing so many of my friends who are in situations that have God's ordination and fingerprints throughout them that are being attacked. I've been continually reminded that, when we are within God's will and following after His direction, attack will surely follow. We can anticipate it! Satan would love to thwart and delay any plan of God's. We would not be commanded to put on God's armor if there wasn't any need of it! Of course, being prepared and on the defense for attack requires constant vigilance, and I am ashamed of how many times I have let my guard down and not equipped myself with the armor, especially the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate guards the heart, and the heart is the seat of our emotions. If we don't place a guard of righteousness, or willpower over our hearts, they become overrun with emotional tendencies, and our decisions become harried, haphazard, and not thought through. Thank goodness that God is for us and He has deemed us more than conquerors, and we can claim overwhelming victory in any situation because of Jesus! YIPPEE!! =D
I don't really have a tidy end to this entry. These are just some thoughts that have been mulling around in my head. I'd love thoughts and feedback. =)
1 comment:
Such a blessing to read. I miss you so much. I thank you for your wisdom and your wonderful friendship (inner circle!!!). I hope and pray that you are well my dear friend. Can't wait to talk to you again. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
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