Brad recently did a MAJOR system overhaul on my computer. It's about 5x's faster than it used to be, and I now have Windows 7 (a huge improvement over XP). Most of the things from my old hard drive have been put on this new hard drive, -- except 2010 pictures! So, this post will again be picture-less. I'm considering doing a flashback or two and posting some pics that never made it from 2009, but that will have to wait until another day. Today I'm feeling a bit reflective.... (scary, I know!)
A lot of our friends here are college kids. Our home is within walking distance from two campuses. College is a great time of growing and exploring. It's also a time of making decisions that will effect the rest of their lives! We have many friends that will be graduating in the next year to two. They are already looking for internships, jobs, or opportunities to continuing studying. Their future is uncertain. Uncertainty leads to anxiety and fear. What if they don't accept me? What if I can't get a job? What if my parents don't approve of what I want to do? What if...What if... What if....
I understand those fears and concerns. Being the planner that I am, uncertainty is difficult for me, too. BUT, peace can be experienced and embraced even in the mist of uncertainty. There's the cheesy saying, "We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow." It is so true! When take our focus off of what we don't know and place our focus on the One who knows all, then true peace can be found.
Brad taught a Jr. High retreat about 10 years ago. He used the example of a three-legged stool. If you remove one leg, it's not stable. But when all three legs are there together, the stool is completely trust worthy and able to hold all of our weight. The three legs are three aspects of our Father's character. 1. He is all-knowing, all-wise. When he looks at our lives, He knows what the best solution is. He knows what the very best plan is. And, since He's not bound by time, He knows how this will affect the future as well. 2. He is all-powerful. Knowing is one thing, doing is completely different. Thankfully, our Father not only knows what is best for us, but He is powerful enough to bring it about! 3. Finally, He is all-loving. Love is what motivates Him to exercise His power. He LOVES His children! He wants what is best for us because He loves us. He is the parent that I wish I could be! I love my kids; I want what is best for them, but I don't always know what that is or have the power to make it happen. Our Father does not have the limitations and frustrations that I do. He is all-wise, all-powerful, and all-loving! When we remember these three aspects of His character (the three legs of a stool), we are able to sit on the stool with complete confidence. We can rest and find peace. We don't know what will happen, but we know the One who does know, and He is worthy of our trust.
Our immediate future is not too "uncertain." But, some things around us are beginning to change -- things that I wouldn't change if I were in control. Some friends are heading back to the States for 9 months. Some other friends are moving to another city. And, as those things happen, we will have new opportunities and responsibilities, and we don't know exactly what that will look like. Thankfully, by His grace, I can honestly say I feel peaceful. He has been faithful in the past, and I know He will be faithful in the future too!
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