Even though I was out running around in a coating of snow, sleet, and slush back east, I didn't complain. I was cold but I felt… content. I imagine the Apostle Paul was familiar with all facets of life and perhaps why he spoke with authority on the subject.
Read moreThe value of virtue.
One thing for sure is through the trials in life, having peace that passes understanding is of primary importance to me. There are few other things that allow decisions to be made to move forward, with the confidence we have had........
With all my experiences in life and loss, peace has become even more important. I know it when I find it; when it is not present, it cannot be manufactured. While it may not matter to many, I know the value of this virtue.
Logan's MB Surf team played in Anaheim today, missing 4 of their players to SAT's. He donned the libero uniform and took up the position. His team headed to the semifinals on another 90 day in November; however, we wrapped it up by heading to Urgent Care:/
While digging a ball, he hit the court and ended up with a slight gash in his chin:/ When I saw him bleeding, I was summoned by the coach and we headed to the trainer. After bandaged up, he went back to play for the last few points.... the heart of an athlete always emerges.
I wasn't sure what to do regarding stitches or not, and if his dad was here he would've bandaged him up with butterfly bandages and first aid ointment and declared all is well. The old school way. The doctor decided differently and gave him 5 blue stitches for 5 days. Either I had peace through it all, or I am still just numb......
Thank the Lord for the gift that passes human understanding, and defies any odds stacked against us. It is possible to have internal peace, where there is none to be found in the external sense........
At a point in Jesus' ministry, he advised those who followed to determine whether or not a place or people, deserved their "peace." They may be welcomed initially, but perhaps no longer wanted.
After making a determination, they were advised to put their peace on the place, or leave with it intact, not to be wasted.
If a person or place was not worthy of this blessing and well wishes, the blessing left with them. They'd shake the "dust" off and move on. No blessing to be left. No peace to be placed.
I came here expecting one thing, and have experienced something so totally opposite.
"Vice Verses." Switchfoot
No silence for the soul.
Some days I think I want to give back my perceived "destiny" ...... to God, wondering if He's got the wrong person here. Times too trying, tasks so immense I can hardly fathom how to accomplish them. But then, I find a way to speak life to my own soul..............
I know how I felt when loss hit my heart...... knowing I was changed forever, and I would forever change the world for good. Those memories are burned within my being and imprinted upon the soul, the seat of my emotions.
This first week after leaving the real estate world in Cali, I am getting my own rental affairs in order. I've been running on fumes for several years, and now is the time to refuel. I need my ventures to run as a well oiled machine, for now and what is to come. You see, I have great ambitions....
I am filling the homes I have coming available and again the demand is great back in Pennsylvania. I have some pondering to do. I'm taking the early part of this week to put a plan into action.... and then I will WRITE. This will be my new "job" and I am treating it as such.
I will be heading back to the East Coast this week, for a weekend wedding:) Can't wait to see my family and perhaps friends if I can fit it all in! When you come to California most people think it's a place one will never want to leave........
In the past week, God has been speaking to me about joy, particularly relating to my little niece Ava Joy. The great lyricist David, in Psalms 51:12 says, "restore to me the JOY of your salvation and grant me a willing heart to sustain me." The word restore often implies the need to return that which has been lost.......
David is asking for help...... needing to return to a time of innocence and hope, salvation. He also needed help to remain where he is was meant to be, for as long as he needed to be there, and to find joy in it. I think his message is a universal one, as so many souls feel this condition..........
"There are things we can do, But from the things that work there are only two, And from the two that we choose to do
Peace will win, And fear will lose
There's faith and there's sleep, We need to pick one please because
Faith is to be awake, And to be awake is for us to think
And for us to think is to be alive, And I will try with every rhyme
To come across like I am dying, To let you know you need to try to think
I have these thoughts, So often I ought, To replace that slot
With what I once bought, 'Cause somebody stole
My car radio, And now I just sit in silence. " (Car Radio)
My soul cannot be silent. (KC)
Peace.
I think possibly now more than ever in my life, I am looking to live in peace. It seems, however, that is not entirely in my control. Since coming west, it seems someone is always looking to take my peace from me........ but I'm not giving it up.
When you decide to do something different with your life, or your journey takes a path less traveled, the hordes of hell come against it. If I don't embrace my destiny, I will become bitter about it. I'm challenged to "love" those who seem to enjoy causing conflicts.
Logan and I continue to talk through the things he misses from home, as he's now at the 9 month mark of his move. We keep our focus on the future because we can't bring back the past....... and is going back really an option......
We are nearing the end of the long HS VB season as the Redondo Seahawks are closing in on their last matches. Because you can play year round, there is really no end to it. Lots of options with beach, club, and weekend tournaments. The push to the end of spring season is in sight.
Chynna is settling into her new place in Redondo Beach. She and I will now schedule times for coffee or lunch:) Hoping her boss works with her VB training schedule coming up in May. Things are falling into place for her. She's a different person now than the first few months here.... more to come.
Austin's practice with El Camino's Club Team went well; they're in off season now. He will return every Monday to play indoors with the team, so we will see where that leads him. He's focused on song writing and his music in the meantime, until school begins in May.
As for me, I'm looking for fun which is still foreign in some ways. My gas mileage sucks because of the short distances I'm driving these days and doing a lot of it. Possibly heading to LAX tomorrow to pick up a friend of Austin's for a quick visit. It's good I don't mind driving.
I am feeling more inspired to use the stress brought on by others for my own fuel and fire. Rather than be overcome by it, I want to try to conquer it. I've learned that being at peace is something that requires discipline, as part of my mental training.
Not everyone has peace, nor do they know how to keep it but they're just the ones who want to steal mine.