bye bye summertime

So, the summer has come to a close. It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The flowers will begin to fade and the leaves will drift down to the ground. The spring and summer that represents growth and new life will pass into the fall and winter of hibernation. It's the natural human tendency to become sedantary when the chill of the winter slows down the blood in our veins and the snow makes each of our steps heavy. Does that mean that we stop growing? And do we put our lives on hold? New York has a way of speeding us up and causing us to constantly move, even when we want to be still. But is it in the right direction? Do we move just because we are shoved by the crowd? And where are they pushing us? How fast can we go before we have to slow down? Hopefully the push of New York is not greater than the pull of the winter and we can actually slow down and reflect. We can be still and listen when the world seems quiet. When snow covers the ground, there is a hush over the city. And it is a needed hush. I want to be quiet and listen to the still, small voice in my soul that is constantly calling me. It is what pushes me in the right direction. Let me listen to this Voice rather than the push of the city and the people and the rush of life. If I hibernate, let it be a time to reflect on my life and listen to the Voice that doesn't want me to stay still. I have to be moving if I want to be directed.

the old man and the sea

I met God on the beach today. I walked and prayed and listened. I watched the waves crash over and over, marveling at the fact that God lives in the waves; He is the Sea. He is the sunshine and sand and blue skies. He controls the ocean with less than a whisper. So why do we think He doesn't control our lives? He knows the perfect plan, the next step, exactly where I should be. I prayed big prayers today. I asked Him to show me my next step, to place me exactly where He wants me to be at exactly the right time. I want the Lord to bless me. And I believe He will. The ocean makes you realize how small you are in this massive universe. The power of the Sea is overwhelming. Yet God still cares about me. He allows me to wake up every morning. He breathes life into my lungs and keeps me alive. He will reveal my steps. He will lead me in the way I should go. I just need to listen to the waves and the wind and the leaves and the still, small Voice I hear in my heart.

2-4

So today I turned 24 years old, which, according to my good friend Brianna, makes me officially in my mid-twenties. Great. I'm not sure if I was excited or apprehensive about this whole event, but I celebrated anyway. Although my family wasn't around, I had a good ol' time celebrating on Friday night with some friends at Duke's restaurant, a southern BBQ place around the corner from my office (of course I went to a Southern place...a girl's gotta stay true to her roots). Today, my plans of a picnic in the park were thwarted by a sudden turn in weather (70 degrees and sunny turned to windy, rainy, and cold in a matter of minutes). BUT my wonderful roommate made me a triple-layer red velvet cake with whipped cream cheese frosting Italian-style (it was leaning a bit...), so all was well in the world after all. Thanks to everyone for the birthday love, whether in person, over the phone, or on the internet - I loved it ALL. My birthday was, indeed, very happy.