Summer Surrender

This summer I am heading back to camp.  I am really excited about it!  I get to play super sitter to a couple of pretty great kids.  I will have the chance to reconnect with some people from last year and perhaps some bridges can be mended.

I also will be vacating my life in Prinsburg for a summer.  It will be a good thing.

I can't tell you how busy I have been lately and how messed up some of my relationships are right now.  It has been insane.  Life is kind of complicated, but it is good.  Funny, right?  I know.  It doesn't make sense.  However, to a God who loves me more than anyone else ever will, it makes perfect sense.  His hand is all over this and this weekend gave me some good time to think and pray.  He gave me some much needed quality time with my family (which I desperately needed) and a break from the usual routine.

What a blessing His presence is.  What a blessing isolation can be when utilized properly.

No matter how dark Friday may seem, just remember that Sunday is coming!

Last summer, I really held on to Hebrews 12:1-3.  These verses were a great reminder to me that no matter how crappy things were, how dark things seemed, or how weary I felt that I should not lose heart.  That I should run this race with perseverance, keeping my eyes constantly fixed on Jesus.  That a great cloud of witnesses is cheering me on and that Jesus is right there with me.  These verses also remind me of His sacrifice for me and that I tend to take this beautiful life that He has blessed me with for granted too often.  These "obstacles", even though difficult and hard to hurdle over sometimes, are getting me in spiritual shape.

He's my training partner.  Actually, He is more the coach and I just go with it. :)

I surrender, Lord, as I have so many times before, to Your will.  You know what is best for me.  You know the people in my life that You want there.  You give me courage.  I will run my heart out until I get to the end of this race and the ultimate prize. You.

Summer, here I come!  I am ready!  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)