"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -- St. Augustine

Monday, July 27, 2009

Passion and Purity - A Reflection

Passion and Purity. A simple statement that says so much. A simple phrase which shows what many of our relationships lack. Recently in history, our relationships with guys and girls have been lackluster at best. Sure, they've supposedly been passion-filled but not purity-filled. Purity. What an ancient term as some would say. An archaic word at best. Heaven forbid someone walk through high school and college without spending the night with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Purity - be it emotional, physical, or mental - has gone by the wayside. It is no wonder our high school hallways are filled with expectant teen mothers and fathers who could care less.

Both guys and girls could share the blame. I find it difficult at best looking at society today. Girls dress seductively.... practically begging to be taken home. To the guys who read this, I apologize. Sadly, many Christian women do not see what the big deal is showing a little skin here and there. Guys prowl the halls... hoping for the chance to conquer yet another girl. Girls with little or no relationship history are the big pulls.... however, many remain unmoved while some do succumb. Perhaps it's because these girls have been holding out for a hero. A knight in shining armor. A superhero coming in to rescue them. Often, high school girls (and guys) find themselves wondering if they are worth anything outside of a dating relationship.

I found myself in a little bit of both categories. I tried holding out for my hero... but I gave my heart away to way to four too many boys. While I never physically succumb, my heart was ripped to shreds by my senior year. As I sat at work today, I started reading a book a friend had given me after a very difficult few weeks. "Passion and Purity" by Elisabeth Elliot. This book challenged and stretched me as I sat and read it. It challenged me to think about who I was holding out for. God has the most incredible guy on the face of the earth planned for ME.... a broken mess. I find it so hard to believe at times that He chooses to call me His daughter because I fall time and time again. Each time, He picks me up, dusts the dirt off, and helps me carry on. I challenge the girls and guys who may stumble upon this blog and read it, to find "Passion and Purity" on a local bookshelf and read it for yourself. It's definitely worth it.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Broken

You know... it's funny. Sometimes things happen and you feel as if you are on the top of the world and within a few hours, something else happens and you are crushed. Completely destroyed. That high you had a few hours ago is totally gone. You sit.... wallowing in the pain and frustration. You wish it would all go away. You feel broken, cracked, bruised, and shattered. Every moment of excitement is now tarnished with an ugly crack that threatens to allow everything inside to spill out. Tears threaten to fall. Anger seethes underneath a composure that's barely held.

And all at once..... you feel broken. Completely destroyed. Every emotion is now in a mangled heap. But somewhere from the distance comes a voice...... that calls you. That comforts. That heals. A man comes and lifts you out of the pit. That lifts you out of the pain you wallow in. But he asks before he pulls you out. You must be willing and wanting him to pull you out. He is a healer.... and he takes you in his arms and carries you to where he can look at your wounds and bandage them. They burn as he cleans them. The malice, frustration, and anger burn as he gently rubs them away. For a while, you resist, wanting nothing but to let the pain fester. However, it hurts less after you finally let him repair the damage done. And after all is said and done, he asks that you cling to him as he carries you home. He asks you not look for someone else to carry you but that you allow him to carry you home. His eyes of love see your brokenness and he promises to not let you stumble again.

"Broken" - Lifehouse
"The broken clock is a comfort.
It helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow
From stealing all my time.
I am here still waiting
Though I still have my doubts.
I am damaged at best
Like you've already figured out.

I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating.
In the pain
There is healing.
In your name
I find meaning.
So I'm holding on. I'm holding on. I'm holding on.
Barely holding on to You."

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Heat and Humidity

Well, as usual, the SD summers bring lots of heat and lots of humidity. I shouldn't complain I suppose. It hasn't been over 100 a day yet this summer and we are now onto July. Which brings me to something else, Crown Soccer starts in less than a two months. I've been training like crazy, following the running program from my coach. As a freshman who hasn't played in a year, I'm a little scared to death. Yesterday, I started sprint work. BAH. Not my idea of a good time. This running program is another reason why I shouldn't complain about the hot days. Last time I did a training program, I baked in the sweltering heat.

This weekend is going to be busy. With a concert in town that I have to help out with, I'm going to definitely be busy. I'm pretty excited for this weekend. Lots to do. =) I'm trying to save up some money for college this fall. Because of some incredible scholarships as I stated before, I have my entire first year paid for! So the money is mostly going toward paying for books and other assorted fees that come with being a college student. I suddenly realized I will be moving away for an entire year. No basketball games watching the boys I grew up with. No study halls goofing off with my best friends. No cheering on my younger brothers playing soccer. It's going to be so different. But I'm ready. I've been ready for a while.

Well, I probably should go take a run. I'm training and I need to stick with it.

Until later.....