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| I've decided to make the switch to blogspot. It's time. Thank you xanga for documenting my journey through college and the 3 years afterwards and my continual sanctification dating from the time I was a heathen till now. You can find me at christinefloridalu.blogspot.com.
It's better this way! I'll be in China for 2 months starting next week anyway, and the authorities over there have not yet decided to limit free speech at blogspot.com (i think). | | |
| My classmate and I have been spending time at the Hollenbeck Assisted Living Home in LA, where we've had the opportunity to talk with some people and observe in their daily activities as a community.
Needless to say, it's not a super upbeat place. We visited one lady in particular, who's turning 98 and with very good mental function. She talked with us while lying in bed, and told us that aside from her daily walk at 2pm, she lies there, listening to the radio, resting, because she can't do much else. She can't watch TV or read, because her eyesight isn't good. Her husband died in WWII and her closest living relative is in Alabama. Other people we talked to were down in spirits, disgruntled, and praised us for being young, because being old and sick is terrible, etc.
Being there made me a little sad, but it reminded me a lot about the purpose of life. We came into the world as helpless creatures, needing to be carried and fed, and unable to survive on our own. Likewise, that is how we will leave.
I wondered that if I were to reach such a ripe age, and lose everything -- my family, my physical abilities, and slowly my mental function -- will I be able to still be of use for God? Will I still praise Him in my circumstances? Will I look back on my life and wonder if the BEST has past and wallow in self-pity for who I WAS and who I never will be again? Will I be nostalgic for a life that I once had, being in grief, and waiting for the inevitability of death?
And in all of this, I kept thinking about how wonderful it is to be old! To be in the PHYSICAL representation of how God wants you SPIRITUALLY. That is, completely and utterly helpless in any of our abilities and fully dependent on Him and only the strength that He gives. All the while, not being as children, who need to be taught about how to live and to think, but having the knowledge of all the years we've had to KNOW him and experience his faithfulness and grace. I can only pray that when/if the Lord pleases to have me in that state, that I would still rejoice, pray, and be thankful. That I would wait in HOPE and ANTICIPATION, not for the glory days of my earthly life, but for glorification and eternity with my Savior and to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." | | |
| "Stephen, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"A scientist of the BRAIN!"
"You mean, a neurologist?"
"YES! A Neurogolist!" | | |
| I was in the shower today when it struck me: I am NEVER content with my hair!
I mean, that was why I went out and stupidly got a $20 perm -- because I wanted something different (and I was cheap). Now that I have this perm, all I want is naturally straight hair that's healthy.
The other day, I was wondering what it would be like if I got it cut REALLY short. However, I've done that before and regretted it. All I wished for was long hair.
Therefore, I am NEVER content with my hair at any stage. I always look at old pictures, thinking, "Man, that was a great haircut" but back then, I never appreciated it.
Isn't that how life is? Always looking for something different? Something better? Then you look back at your life and realize that it was pretty darn great back then.
Let's be content with our hair RIGHT NOW. | | |
| 1) The wise man preaches to his own heart, he doesn't listen to it.
2) Hold everything with an open palm so that if the Lord takes it away it will be easier to let go.
3) When you think that you are deserving of nothing but hell, you will be filled with thanksgiving and praise.
4) Discontentment is the primary product of self-preoccupation.
5) Meditate ONLY on what is true (Phil 4:8) -- have reign over your thought life.
6) You will only be as good a friend/daughter/wife/mother/student/employee as you are a believer of Christ.
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