This year, I lived with three close girlfriends and four guys friends next door in a duplex. I had a great year doing life alongside all of them. This past weekend I graduated and moved out of that house into my friend’s apartment for the summer.
Just a few months ago, graduation seemed so out of reach. I was looking forward to the next thing-summer. But what I have found the past few days is that because we are broken humans, our weakness is to look to the next thing- searching for peace, rest, clarity, something new. We often miss far more of what God has in front of us.
So how can we be more present to moments and be full of gratitude?
We can create habits of turning our mind to God throughout the day. By being more aware of His presence in our daily lives, we can begin to be mindful and focused. Although the past should be remembered and the future is promised, the present should be viewed with urgency and significance.
How can we avoid that feeling of ‘I wish I would have appreciated that more’?
The truth is I think that feeling should be celebrated. It should be held on to tightly because it means you experienced something that was good, and you likely won’t have it again. The good news is that God has more in store for you. He has more moments where you will admire his creation, more people that are going to impact you, more places that you will experience Him. You can bring your experiences and your people with you on your journey. So, when you feel as though you didn't appreciate something enough, remember that feeling means you experienced something that brought you deep joy.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
I am excited for this summer as I will spend some of my time at the camp I've spent summers at called Easterseals Wisconsin, as well as continuing to nanny for some time during the week. Beyond work, I will also be finding time to rest, spend time with friends, and continue to support raise. I have roughly $5,000 until my mission is fully funded and there is less than 100 days until training camp! Yay!
A couple months ago I was able to share about The World Race with my church here in Eau Claire, The Haven. I look forward to speaking at my home church, Immanuel Lutheran on June 19th.
My sweet friend Maddy and I are also working together to create a design for t-shirt. My hope is that this will be an opportunity for people to represent God and begin Jesus conversations through clothing.
There is a song called Keep Me in The Moment by Jeremy Camp. It says,
"Singing oh Lord, keep me in the moment
Help me live with my eyes wide open 'cause I don't wanna miss what you have for me"
I pray that myself and my sweet graduated friends will begin this transition out of college with open hands and eyes to see what God has for them in this time of transition. We thank you for the ways you have prepared us during college by surrounding us with community and opportunity for growth. I also pray that we would seek Him and glorify Him in all our works and relationships.
This time is bittersweet, but it is more sweet.
