Tag: Thankful

Thankful, again and again.

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The last time I wrote, I spoke of the unknown future that awaits me. It was only minutes later that my prayers began to be answered in very real ways.

First, let me travel back a few years.

My first semester at Biola University, I walked into my first undergraduate class and met Andrea, my first year seminar professor. I quickly learned that Andrea was an Indiana native, and I was thrilled.  I would come into class, and we would chat Colts football for awhile, and talk about the weather back home.  I only had Andrea for one semester, but I have gotten coffee with her occasionally since then to catch up.

Andrea is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. She is a strong, single, independent, stunningly beautiful woman with a heart of gold, and she has become a great mentor through my walk at Biola.

I hadn’t seen Andrea since this semester started, and shortly after my last blog entry, I ran into her on campus.  She asked me what was on my mind that morning, and I told her how stressed I was about finding a place to live for the summer and following year.  She replied, “Lydia, you know, if you don’t find something, I have a spare bedroom that I would love to rent out to you.”

What a blessing.

I took her up on the offer for summer.  I now have a place to stay while I research apartments for the most ideal location and price, not to mention I am thrilled for some more quality time with a woman that I respect deeply.  I cannot wait to grow in conversation and faith.  I am beyond thankful.

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On another note, I started a new job last week in the same department in which I intern: University Communications and Marketing, specifically the public relations department, at Biola. I am really enjoying it.

I thrive on learning new things, and I am growing in many ways already.  I am looking forward to the future, and the great people I am learning from. Again, another reason to be thankful.

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“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8

Blessed, Broken, Renewed

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Learning. I am blessed.

I have so many things to be thankful for, and I am trying not to lose sight of that. I am truly blessed each day. I wish I was better at remembering to look at each day like a canvas painted with the pastel colors of blessings, it would be much more beautiful.

What would the world look like if each person were to paint their blessings each day? What if these canvases covered the walls downtown, the graffiti under bridges, the billboards on the side of the road?  If phrases of jubilation and praise were painting our cities, how would our interaction with others change?

Learning. I am broken.

My heart has not left my stomach in days, and it is difficult to ignore at night.  It will get easier, one of these days. Looking forward to that day. I want to cut off completely from the rest of the world, turn off all technology and hide behind my pen and my letters.  At the same time, however, I long for more deep connection.

Learning. I am renewed.

The apostle Paul once said, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”