Travels & things that unravel

The last I spoke with you, I had highly anticipated and somewhat fret the arrival of my fall travels nearing each day. I can assure you that words have been written and thoughts been exchanged each day. Some of which I have chosen at this point to keep as an internal ponderous thought and nothing more. But I do want to share with you at least a bit of my journey thus far.

I am currently in Houston, Texas. They're not lying when they tell you everything is big in Texas. Houston is huge and having traveled here last fall and seen a lot of things, this time around my eyes are opened to things I never even regarded last year. Two weeks into my six weeks of fall travels and I am already seeing things unfold and begin to be unveiled in my life. It's quite amazing what some separation from the distractions and monotony of life can do for my your mind, body and soul. I asked God before heading out to show me things about my future and teach me to trust him alone in the moments when I truly do feel alone. I tell you this not to give you some grand insight to my life but to give you an individual hope for yourself to know that when you truly listen out for God, he will speak to you! I had truly believed that God was going to speak to me on this trip and oh how he's exceeded my expectations. It's difficult to quite articulate but it's like when you go to a football game and you choose to sit in the best seat at the very front (not a top priority of mine). All of the other games when you sat thickly amongst the crowd, you became distracted with conversations and the interactions among you and you observed and fully witnessed maybe half of the game if you're lucky. You then have to ask those around you what truly happened because you never witnessed it for yourself. But when you sit all the way at the front, everything that once distracted you is now behind you and you are fully immersed and fully present in that moment. You don't have to turn to anyone for insight because you are experiencing it for yourself. When you get a front row ticket, you see with different eyes. I finally got a front row ticket and I could see everything clear as day!!!

Being in new state lines with unfamiliar faces has made me more familiar with myself and who God has created me to be. It's been quite eye-opening and mind blowing. I've been reminded that God has such a crazy way of fitting things together in our lives that if we truly were to manipulate his will, we would suffer a life of settling and leaving us empty and frantically searching in return.

I was able to catch up with a couple of great friends one night this week in which I felt both encouraged and challenged as an individual. I was reminded, "Why live in God's permissive will when you could be living in his perfect will"? Much or rather all of my life I have limited God to the mold that I see for my life. Though they are all things that I strongly desire with true intentions, I have been  narrow minded and told him the ways in which they are able to come to past. I forgot that as a creative individual, someone more creative has created me. How silly to think that A+B always has to equal C! I see a timeline yet he sees a lifetime. I see rational and he sees radical. I see boundaries and he sees opportunities.I pray innumerable and he answers bountiful.

Though there are many pieces of my future that are still being put into place, I am able to see God clearly, front and center. When I see sunrises in the morning, I no longer see a pretty splash of pink and purple; I truly know he made that new day for me and a chance to start anew. When I experience the different cultures of the various cities, I no longer get frustrated with the ones that I don't really care for; I see a beautiful array and variety of creativity within the world. When I open my eyes, I see things differently. I'm still afraid but I have hope. I'm still sad but he fills me with his joy. I'm still lonely but I'm not alone. I'm still unsure of what the future holds but he assures me that he holds it.

This week I have been challenged with all of my desires in life and he were to grant me those things I've so fervently asked for, would I be willing to do what is required to chase after it? I have been reminded multiple times in my life to be careful what I pray and ask for because God will give it to me and then some. Sometimes the things we truly want in our lives require stepping out and taking a not so familiar route to get there. Oh but when I arrive...I can only imagine the elated feelings that occur.

I came across a piece of paper that I forgot I had packed in my travel bag. I read the words and my soul was reminded of its truths. Perhaps its words will thicken your faith as it did mine.

"Change.
Even the word threatens me.
The thought of going from a comfortable,
though boring, situation
into unknown territory is frightening.
It's hard enough to adjust to a roomful of furniture
that has been switched around,
much less adapt to a whole new set of circumstances
that God is arranging in my life.

I guess the Lord had to make us basically hesitant
and wary of change, so that we'd be stable
and wouldn't go running away
every time we encountered an unlikeable circumstance.
But God doesn't want us to be stagnant either.

For a long time I've been praying
that He would do something in my life.
But when he tries to answer that prayer
by introducing something new and challenging to me,
I run scared.
I had expected He would bring some new interest
into the old familiar situation.
But he surprised me.
Instead, He closed that door and opened another,
saying, "This is the way; walk ye in it."*

I've never been an adventurer or explorer,
Cozy, familiar surroundings are what I prefer.
But I'm going to take a step of faith
and show the Lord I really trust Him.

I'm going to follow Him
no matter where He leads."

-Linda Kling
*Isaiah 30:21

These are the things of travel that began to unravel.