Currently Reading A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future By Daniel Pink see related

Some Semesters Can Only Be Characterized by Catharsis

(Weeping and Bowing of Heads)

This semester I am humbled, I am humbled.

My God has taught me much about myself, about my friends, about Him. And I love Him.

I see my selfishness. It pervades everything, everywhere I look. And yet He pervades me still.

I see His gifts of grace.

                       My friends! My life is richer because of you.

                       My classes! I love to learn.

                       My family! I have missed you even more (though there were visits)!

                       My churches! How I love you both (dual denominations and all!), for you point me to Him.

I cannot begin to describe all of the pure fun I've had this semester. I have worked harder than I ever have before in my life, yes. But I have also let loose, had 15 meals in a row, seen improv in Chicago, gone on walks, talked into the night, watched Gilmore girls, let my guard down. I have cried. I have laughed. God has opened me. No longer am I hardened (though I am stubborn); but He's made me soft-er.

Do I really have a big heart now? Do I truly love my friends? Can the tears flow easily and the words more slowly? Let it be so, let it be so.

I pray that next semester would not be gray and static, but that the colors would fly, the relationships abound, and the fun and learning increase!

- - - - - - - - - - -

All that aside, Maryland has once again embraced me in her mid-60s arms! Hooray for no snow! Hooray for pleasure reading! Hooray for solitary time to think! Hooray for Bay Area Community Church! Hooray for my prospects this summer! Hooray for dear friends! Hooray for airport Chinese food with my parents! Hooray for shopping trips with my sister! Hooray for kicking my dog! Hooray for video games with my brother!

I am very bad at Tony Hawk ProSkater 2.

Exegesis (noun, plural -ses /-siz/):

Currently Listening Impossible Dream By Patty Griffin "Mother Of God" see related

My God lives!

All praise and glory to You, Lord Christ!

For Your love, Your faithfulness, Your justice.

Come, my friends, let us return to the LORD.

He has torn us to pieces

but He will heal us

(He will heal us!);

He has injured us,

He has crushed our pride,

He has foiled our plans,

but He will bind up our wounds

(He will heal us!).

After two days He will revive us;

            on the third day He will restore us,

            that we may live in His presence!

Let us acknowledge the LORD;

            let us press on to acknowledge Him (for it is not an easy road!).

As surely as the sun rises,

            He will appear;

He will come to us like the winter rains,

            Like the spring rains that water the earth.*

Maybe it’s alright. Maybe love is waiting at the end of every road.

To be whole, God! To be Yours!

Give us courage and make us humble. Break us, tear us, injure us,

that we might acknowledge You

anew.  

*Hosea 6 with minor adaptations. Hosea 6 and 11 have set the tone for my semester.

"...they have deserted the LORD to give themselves to prostitution,  to old wine and new, which take away the understanding of my people. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.

...a people without understanding will come to ruin!"

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

--Hosea 4:10-12,14 and Jonah 2:8

Currently Listening Can You Hear Us? By David Crowder Band see related

And now an extra two days to breathe easy.

Or easier.

Two days off are not well-deserved for me, for this past week was one of my easiest yet. I can't claim that this weekend is anything but grace for me.

How much easier is it for me to accept the grace of a shortened week than from the open hands of my God!

Let it not be so.

*edit*

It never feels like an extra two days.