"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you have imagined." -Thoreau
The year is only two days old, and I have no clue how it will unfold. I am still dog-sitting for two more days. The puppy is happily curled at my feet as I type. The Sugar Bowl is playing in the background. The quote above is from my cocoa cup.
Tomorrow, I have two "plans" on the agenda.
First, I'm meeting with the staff of Coffee Oasis to talk about joining their barista team. The big picture of the organization is to bring the Gospel to Kitsap county by providing hope and resources to homeless teenagers. As a barista at the Government building, the mission is to make good coffee and good conversation, strengthening community relationships and access to resources. These are skills God already gave me, for such a time as this.
Then, I have another class about the theology of the Catholic Church. The decisions of how to worship God are less clouded now, because I know that whatever decision I make will be mine. I continue to be amazed by how BIG God is. His plans are perfect.
These "plans" are small in the scope of a year: just two little meetings. But, any "plans" are small in the scope of eternity. I feel that I've been practicing the Thoreau quote my entire life. It has led to some incredible adventures. It has also led to quiet seasons of rest. Right now is a season of waiting, and I learn to be humble and content. (I know... I've said that many times before. At least I'm consistent!)
Independently, many friends and family members have encouraged me with the same promise made to the Israelites in exile:
"For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased
God isn't looking at my life to say, "Crap! I forgot to tell Laura to do anything in 2013." Rather, He is stripping away distractions. He's refining my dreams and teaching me to trust Him.
It's about to be a beautiful year. Praying for your plans, too.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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