Christmas Decorations are going up everywhere! It is so exciting! Starbucks, caribou, even Joe's (Moody's campus coffee shop) have their holiday drinks. Green and Red seem to have taken over. The lighting of Michigan Avenue was last night, I wasn't there but I hear it was pretty. The weather is getting colder, I'm not sure I'm ready for winter. haha In fact, I know I'm not. I still need a winter coat and according to my colleagues, I need a good pair of boots to survive the snow drifts and bitter cold. The holiday spirit is somewhat comforting, I can't wait until next Wednesday when I'll be on my way to Iowa and I will be able to sit in front of the fire place with my sister, brother-in-law and my adorable little niece and nephew!
This "warm-spirited" time of year always makes me think and reflect. I have been in the States now for four months! Its crazy! On one hand, it seems like I have been here for merely months, on the other hand it is hard at times to recall life before Moody. I find myself amazed each day when I think about where God has taken me and what He has allowed me to experience. All this is summed up in a melting pot of feelings when I think about the possibilities of what God has in store for me in the coming weeks, months, and years. Sometimes it scares me, fear of the unknown. Other times, it frustrates me, I have a hard time walking into "darkness"-moving forward not knowing where I am going. Over all though, I think I am pretty excited to see how God continues to mold and shape me. I've learned a lot about myself over the last four months, the main thing being that I didn't know myself half as well as I thought I did. It is so easy to let myself be defined by the people I hang out with, the clothes I wear, the style of my hair, the books I read, the things I believe. It is a daily struggle of mine to remind myself that none of these things define me, the only thing that does is Christ.
This post is pretty pointless as far as any deep and though provoking statements, its a simple summary of my random thoughts. :) May the peace of Christ fill you. Don't settle for the fake "peace of the season." Mint Mochas, Eggnog lattes, ambiance lighting, the relational closeness that seems to come around this time of year may all leave you warm and fuzzy on the inside, but I guarantee that all those feelings will fade away in a short time. Instead. Let us seek the only peace that lasts, a peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace of Christ.
blessings to you all,
charity joy
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