Stronger



(Picture by Jeff Myers)

Over a somewhat random course of events, I happened upon my Chicago journal from the mission trip last summer and I wanted to share some of the thoughts I learned from that week. There are so many memories from that trip that stick out to me, that added clarity to my life and my walk with Christ. One of these is pictured above. We were helping out at a camp ground called "Riverwood," and one of the tasks they gave us was to pull this "log" out of the river. Anyway, there were just a few of us to begin with, but when we realized this log, which was more like a tree, was too heavy for us we went out and grabbed some more people. I'm not going to lie, when we got went back with everyone, I had it in my head that it would suddenly be easy. But you know what? It wasn't. We had to push it out in spurts ("one, two, three!" *pick up and shove*). But we got it out. And it felt so good to be a part of that. I realized that it was a great analogy for our walk through life. This world we live in is messed up. We are messed up, and we mess up, often. And there is stuff that will be thrown at us throughout our life time that is rough. Stuff that we can't go through alone. God has put people in our lives to help us, but that doesn't mean it'll be simple. Life is still going to be difficult, bad stuff is still going to happen. Trusting God and the people He has put in our lives doesn't make it easy. It just make it possible. And with Him, with them, we can get through the crap thrown at us. We can overcome the downed trees in our path, climb the mountains that appear in front of us and defeat the Goliath's that stand in our way. Because with God all things are possible. And one heave, one step, one stone at a time, we can get through anything. And we will be stronger because of it.

Letter to a friend

I wrote this letter to a dear friend of mine and wanted to share it with you. I've heard before that when you feel the fullness of God's love you can not help but share it with others. I've prayed "God break my heart for what breaks yours" Tonight both of these happened. My heart broke for those living outside of Him, God knows I wouldn't survive. I'm so blessed to have been born to my parents, and grown up at my church, surrounded by all the wonderful people I have around me. This letter was my expression of the pain I feel for those who have not opened their eyes/hearts to the gift God has offered them.

"How does one explain color to a man who's been blind since birth? I long for you to understand why it is I have so much passion about my faith. But I don't know how to explain something that is such an intimate part of me. As one of my closest friends, you know my struggles, my mistakes. You know me. Does the transparency draw you in or turn you away? I get so nervous that being open about my faults will turn you away from this completeness that I want so badly for you to have. Never before have I wanted you to understand this, as much as I do at this moment. You know as well as anyone, and better than most, that I still have doubts. You know I still get lonely, sad and dejected at times. But in those moments, God shows up. Everytime. I get to feeling like no one cares and He puts someone in my life to remind me that He still cares. And I can't count the number of times that's been you. I am so blessed to have you in my life. You have been the best friend I could possibly ask for. And knowing how well you have loved me, I want more than anything for you to feel the peace that God has given me. The joy even when life sucks. And knowing that when I can go on no longer, He will be there to pick up right where I left off. And even as I sit here in tears thinking about how you have to deal with life on your own, I have every confidence in my Jesus who loves you even more than I do.  And as hard as it is to let you go, I know that He will take even better care of you than I ever could. I want you to have a confidant when you can't tell anyone else, to feel the warmth of being loved even when you're alone, be able to laugh at nothing and everything even when your world is falling apart. I want you to feel this love that is so great and undeserved that you can't help but smile. This grace so sweet and all-encompassing that you feel you're drowning in it. I want you to have it all. I want you to know that God is on your side even when the world seems to be against you. I pray constantly that you will finally see this Truth i've come to know and love. I've never felt this strongly about anything. He loves you so much and I can not wait for the day when you open your arms and accept what is offered to you.
Always in my heart,
Megan"