Skip to main content

Learning from Him

One post a month isn't so bad... right? Or even every two months?

But I really am grateful. And I'm recognizing my blessings. Boston is AWESOME.

I'm finding that a lot of the things I hadn't enjoyed about living here I don't even notice anymore; they don't even bother me. Which has me thinking that maybe - just maybe - Boston hasn't actually changed... I have.

Truth: I am beyond proud of my incredibly smart husband. He is truly at the right place to advance his career. I have no idea where he goes from here, but I can't wait to see how God uses his brains.

Truth: I love my job. Yes, it's not full time. Yes, it's not the grade level I feel suited to. Yes, I'm not sure I want to stay in this school district. BUT. I do love what I do. Even though I have no idea where I end up, or how long I'm going to be in this job, I know that I am where I was supposed to be. Thank God that he can use me even when I don't want to be used and I'm unaware I'm being used.

Truth: I do love living in Boston. So much to love! Singing "Sweet Caroline" at Red Sox games. People watching on the T. Finally being back on the water (um, hello sea food!). Walking pretty much anywhere. History just about anywhere I look. I. Love. Boston.

Thankfulness and gratitude have saved me. It's true. By looking around and seeing all the awesome, and recognizing God in it, and keeping track of it... it forced me to get back to myself.

And I found the reason...

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold onto what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

It's a cycle- rejoice, pray, give thanks, and repeat. That is what God wants for me, and in his grace, he taught me how. And with that, let God talk to you; listen to everything he says. Then, he will sanctify you. And my favorite is the last verse; HE WILL DO IT! Praise God for his faithfulness!

P.S.- my list is now to long to post, so here's a link; 1000 Gifts. Finding joy is fun!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Getting In My Own Way

Moving to Boston was probably the scariest and hardest thing I've done. It took me a long time to wrestle through what was happening in my heart and be able to step into this place where God has me (for now). Some of what I had to wrestle through here came up right before  we left. I realized that because I had known Indianapolis wasn't where we would settle down, I had unintentionally disengaged myself before I had even left. Yeah, I had friends... but only surface level. I didn't have a deep, accountable, bonded friendship. So when we came here and the only relationship I had was Nate, our marriage took a hit. I had no one to lean on here (except him, and there were things I wouldn't say; my lack of honesty was hard on both of us), and no one who missed me there to check in and stay connected. Three years later I realize this is a pattern. I am BAD at intentionally connecting with people in a deep way. I wait for people to reach out to me and that is selfish and they...

Flaws and All

When Nate proposed, he gave me a gorgeous 3/4 carat round cut diamond. I have always received compliments for its look, and have been quick to respond, "Thanks, he did a great job." He picked it out himself, and had it inscribed with our shared initials NJV. The first time I took it for cleaning, they let me verify the inclusions with the jeweler's loop to ensure they matched the map on the certification sheet. Inclusions are the fancy jewelry term for flaws . Small black dots, lines and squiggles hang out in my diamond. Most aren't visible to the naked eye, but under certain light and at certain angles, I can see one in my ring. At first, it really bothered me. I felt like my diamond wasn't good enough, that Nate had been swindled by our jeweler (this happened to coincide with a string of trips to the jewelry store that left me bitter... maybe a post for another time), and hated that my perfect diamond wasn't perfect. Now after 7 years of being married, th...

Caught

I am a Christian who voted for Hillary. Now that that's out of the way... I've noticed a growing disconnect between the way I was raised and the expectations for me. When I mentioned in passing to my mom that I had never voted for the person who became president, there was a pause. And when the question finally came, "You voted for Hillary?" there was something there I couldn't place. Surprise, sure... but something else. I've felt it this whole election cycle. Christians passionately and loudly came down on both sides. Listen, neither candidate was perfect, and neither exemplifies Biblical living perfectly. Now that that's out of the way... Here are my thoughts... here's why  I voted for her. 1. I was raised to be a thoughtful, caring and compassionate person. I was taught that my value does not come from the words people use to describe me (although that does show me the value they place on me). So when I hear a man who is runni...