Letter to Myself

-based on Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me”-

As you read this down the road, no matter a week or a year

Listen to the words and the voices you hear

They are your words and your voice

They are God’s direction and Will

Remember the days you hid chocolate in your room

The days you snuck the dog table food

You’re first date, you’re passions and goals

Adapt and grow but remember your roots

The times you laughed, cried, fought, failed and won

Let this letter remind you of the good times and the bad

Remember the starts of college, kidsmin leadership, the real world

Reflect on where you’ve been, where you are and where you hope to be

Remember the struggles of confidence, friendships, family

The faith you yearned for

The love you strived for

The path God laid out for you

You’re relationship with the Lord is above all else

Do not forsake him but seek him whole-heartedly

Live the Godly life you’ve pledged to live

Be the example and leader to those you serve

As you read this down the road, no matter a week or a year

Listen to the words and the voices you hear

They are your words and your voice

They are God’s direction and Will

'Fresh Start' but Where's the Start?

I can't find the start line.

So I’ve been MIA for a while, no worthy explanation except that I got lazy. Lazy in a lot of areas and it has led to dissatisfaction; dissatisfaction with my relationship with the Lord, with my social life, with my relationship with my brother. I’m not trying to sound depressed or pitiful but I am stating these dissatisfactions so that they are written down with more permanence, in hopes that friends and family can help keep me accountable! (That’s you!)

Most importantly I have not maintained a daily relationship with the Lord. I pray most days but it’s usually a prayer of want, not a prayer of thanks. I don’t feel like I’m having a conversation with God. I’m a leader in kid’s ministry, on staff with the church and yet I don’t feel like a leader. I can’t say why, yet, but I can’t see the potential impact I could have on kids. I know being a part of the kidsmin team is important, don’t get me wrong but I want to have a direct impact on kids’ relationships with the Lord. I don’t know if this feeling is because I don’t have the relationship with the Lord I desire for myself or because I’ve been lazy or something else entirely.

My social life has not improved much since the last post. I have yet to hang out with many friends, no matter how many text inquiries I send out. Maybe that’s the problem, not having a clear idea of what I want to do and not flat out asking friends to hang out. I have not connected with the YA group much yet, I went to the first Thursday night small group, missed the monthly ‘hang out’ small group because of a funeral and last week’s small group was canceled. Now most of my YA friends are on the high school retreat so I've spent the weekend at home. I know these friendships I desire can’t be built over night (though I wish they could) but I had hoped it would be tad bit easier.

My brother and I, though over most of the petty fighting, still struggle to get along at times. He is floundering a bit, I will respect his privacy and not delve into detail but his behavior and reactions to situations  causes me to wonder sometimes. Trying to be a good big sister is harder than I thought when sometimes I really just want to knock him upside the head, taking the move from his favorite tv show NCIS. I haven’t and won’t but the thought has crossed my mind.

My work career started off with a bang (pun intended) as I helped out at our church's first fireworks stand fundraiser. It was a lot of fun, a bit frustrating and definitely exhausting. The hard work of our staff and volunteer team made it an excellent venture, earning us $20,000 toward our children’s and youth departments. I have completed my first week of official work and it went really well, I think. Tomorrow will be the deciding factor as it is my first official Sunday on staff. It is a different process being on staff versus being a summer intern. I am here for the long haul and it’s a different mentality, something I am still adjusting to.

I need a hobby, an activity of some sorts that I can do on my days off and in the evenings after work. I told myself I’d start making cards (birthday, special occasions etc). I even bought supplies. Yet the supplies still remain in the bag I purchased them in. I told myself I’d get into shape but I have yet to run a mile or go to the gym.

I need to find something soon or else I’m going to turn into one lazy bum. (Only half kidding).