Adulthood...rated PG?

I wish. I wish I could just summon parental guidance when I needed it. And I practically can. My parents (all 4 of them) are great about giving advice and helping out anytime I need it...and even when I don't realize I need it. And I'm so blessed to have had them all these years to feed me, clothe me, house me, support me, and encourage me.

But today was different. Today I received the keys to my first house...that is mine...that I now own...that I will be paying for over the next 30 years. Geesh. And that was my reaction.

After Shu left, I just walked around the empty rooms...trying to slow my heartbeat. Trying to not breathe quickly. Trying not to cry. And I did good. (Yes, I intentionally chose my usual Tennessee terminology). I didn't cry. But I did go straight over to my friend Alyson's house to interrupt her and Paul's dinner. You can't say enough about the importance of community and quality friends. They were perfect. They talked me down. They even walked over with me and went back through the place, giving me ideas about furniture placement. They really liked it. I feel so much better now.

All in all, I'm going to be okay. I did a quick prayer-walk before I left the first time. I expect God to do so many things in and through that place. And I know that He'll be with me there. He's still and always will be my Shepherd. I'm excited to start this journey.

Our Puddles

In true Washingtonian fashion (I consider myself one now), I took advantage of the sunshine regardless of the 42 degree temp outside and went for a jog/walk out on Ruston Way. It was perfect and the kind of day that makes me LOVE this state and LOVE my town. The scenery's hard to beat. I was down on the end past all the business after making the loop, and I noticed a bird flapping/splashing around across the street. It looked like a suzy, but I'm not placing bets. (Sorry, Dad, I know you woulda been proud if I could call a duck when I saw one.) Yes, he was on the hill side of Ruston (across the road from the water) in a big puddle, just hanging out. The puddle was pretty big - maybe 20 yards at its widest point and no more than a foot deep at any point. But it was brown, and pretty muddy. And an inlet of the Puget Sound was just across the road!

I couldn't help but immediately think of us (mankind) and God. We work so hard to get our "puddles" to fit, to be enough, to make us happy. We get everything in our lives catered to what we think we can "control" and call it good. God has infinitely more, and it's usually not even that far away. Now, it has its costs. Sitting in the Sound, you're gonna get thrown around a bit from the wakes of the ships. The water's gonna rise and fall. But there's so much opportunity. I can pretty much bet there isn't much food, fellowship, or provision for that little bird in the puddle. The Sound, on the other hand...tons more birds, infinite food supply, and ridiculous scenery.

God, I want the Sound. Never let me be content in my puddles. Remind me that contentment rests only in hoping in You. It's not here. It's not even in the Sound. It's in You. Forgive me for my facade of control.

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Phil. 4:19

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matt. 6:33