Why Am I Here?

Recently I have been working on an assignment for one of my university classes, where I have to look up recent natural hazards and events and write a report based on what happened, the damage that was done, and the possible ramifications of the event. At first it seemed pretty easy, just look up a few articles, explain what they are about, no big deal. That was, until I got to the very end.

In the last entry I wrote, I mentioned how families would have to deal not only with physical loss, but emotional loss as well, as they deal with the deaths of friends or family, and the loss of their homes. At first this didn't bother me, until I typed in the last word and realized, "This could have happened to me." There is little to no reason why I should not be in that same situation, dealing with that grief and loss, and yet I'm not. Instead of losing everything after starting off with next to nothing, in a country that is economically poor, I am safe and warm in a place where I have all that I need, writing about the misfortunes of others a world away, and all I can say is, "They should try to be more prepared next time," or, "Outside help should find more efficient ways to get to those in need sooner."

It almost makes me angry to think that while I'm here, others are suffering in the world, and there's not much that I can do about it. Thankfully, there is at least one thing that I can do, and while it might not be a direct influence, I have learned today that it can really help. So please, if you are willing, I would ask that you be considerate of those who are suffering, or who may be in pain, and may need a glimmer of hope, and that you would pray for them. It may be all that I can do, and all that a lot of people can do, but at the moment it feels like that is why I am here; to pray.

How Do You Beat the Odds?

Sometimes, when I have a new idea or a new desire for something, I start to get really excited and hopeful, like I might be able to do something new in my life, or possibly even make a change for someone else. The more I think about it, the more I want to do it, and I feel as if I won't let anything get in my way. And then, of course, I usually go and tell someone else about it... which often ends up totally tearing down the awesome feelings that I have built up.

Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever get excited or pumped for something, only to have someone tell you that you're crazy, or it will never work out, or that it's a bad idea?

It seems kind of like this has been happening to me my whole life. I know, realistically, that in order to do some big things it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience, but sometimes it feels as if you don't even get that chance. I don't know if people just like to drag other people down, or if in fact they just care too much that they don't want to see you taking any unnecessary risks, but sometimes you gave to be able to go out on a limb to really grow.

I know that given time, and even just where I am right now, God can still do great things in my life. I would like to be less afraid and more passionate about the things I want to do, but I am afraid that others will simply crush those ideas that I have. It can be really hard to dream when you're the only one that really understands where your dreams are coming from, but remember this; God knows where you are, where you're coming from, and where you're going to be. And in the end, He's the only one that really matters.

So when you're dreaming, planning, and looking for your passion, remember God, the Father Almighty, and don't be afraid. Just have faith.

Does God Play Croquet?

My first post, and I'm already starting off with a pretty obscure-seeming topic. But, truthfully, I think that is the whole point of having this blog. To type whatever it is that might come to mind for me, or whatever it is that God seems to want to make a point of. Sometimes it's just time to go, and hold nothing back, and for me this is one of those times. So, without further ado, I give you God and croquet.

It seems like in life we all have goals that we set, hoops that we have to jump through, and plans that we want to fulfill. We're always encouraged to dream of the future, and to reach that end goal of success. If you want, you could compare this to a game of croquet. Like life, in croquet you have a certain number of hoops that you have to pass through before you can make it to the end, and the goal is to be the first person to make it through all of those hoops and to come out ahead of everyone else.

Sometimes, however, we set so many goals and aim for so many arches that we completely miss the path that God has laid out for us. We're so set on getting to the end as quickly as possible, that we bypass all of those little things that we don't see as important. I find that this is often the point where God steps in and says, "Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a second. Back up. You completely missed that hoop that I set up for you, but don't worry; I never run out of swings."

Like any game of croquet, you're bound to overshoot the hoop that you're aiming for, but no matter how many times you miss, you are always able to go back. And do you know what the great thing is? God will always be with you in every swing, cheering you on and encouraging you whether you hit or miss. He is patient, and he has all of eternity to wait for you to get through all of the hoops He has set up for you.

Now, I know what you're thinking, (or I can at least guess at what I would be thinking). Why not just cheat? No one will notice if I skip a hoop here or there.

I can tell you of at least one person who will know, however, and in the end He's the one that matters the most. If you know any seriously competitive people, (or are one yourself), then you know that winning after cheating isn't really like winning at all. No matter how many times you have to go backwards, it makes it all worth it when you finally get through that last hoop and hit that peg, knowing that you did it fairly, and according to a set path that was greater than your own.

Let's face it, no one really likes to lose, but we have also have to keep in mind one very important fact: even when we mess up and seem to be constantly falling behind, as long as we keep trying and trust that God will lead us on the right path, in the end we all win.