Popcorn, Toast, and a Trip to D.C.

View from the Robert E. Lee house at the Arlington National Cemetery

I'm going to admit right off the bat that last week I ate popcorn and toast for dinner. Oh the shame. But the toast was quite good and I'm a popcorn fanatic so it's really not that strange...well, for me at least.

Em & Jenn at Arlington Cemetary

In addition to my strange, nightly eating habits, I also took a trip to Washington D.C. this last weekend. As it is, I'm currently sitting in a lovely coffee shop right around the corner from my hotel enjoying a cup of coffee (I'm never far from caffeinated wonderful-ness) and the company of my roommate Jennifer (Jenn to those who know her well). We're killing some time before we're picked up by the shuttle that will take us to the airport. I'm looking forward to the dedicated reading time I'll enjoy while flying back ;)

I'm trying to process this whole trip. 

The Metro: An Experience

It's been full of new adventures, sightseeing, my first attempt at public transportation (I'm getting the hang of it!), and meeting new people. All in all, it's been amazing and yet tiring because, for me, it's a lot to process. I mean, this is the city I'll be moving to, but it hardly seems real to me. Like some type of complex math problem I haven't figured out yet (I never did well in math class).

I think one thing that has become clear to me is that a step like this isn't without complications or fear. I don't mean fear in a debilitating way, but fear that comes from the unknown. No one likes to jump from a great height without knowing what's going to meet them at the bottom. No one enjoys making decisions without knowing all of the facts.

Me with the memorial & reflecting pool in back

And at the same time, that's exactly what the Lord is asking me to do (to a certain extent). I may not know all of the details or see the whole picture, but He's asking me to trust that He does know them. Many verses come to mind about this:

... trust in the Lord with all your heart...those who know your name will trust in You...when I am afraid, I will trust in You...he who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe...trust in the Lord forever...do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God... may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him...

I guess you could say I'm flooded with an eerie calm. I'm existing in a state that is at once cautious and calculating as it is excited and filled with anticipation. I know the challenges to come - finding [affordable] housing being top of of list - but I must place my trust in Him before anything else.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9

I'm clinging to these verses and anticipating the adventures to come.

Reflecting pool and memorial (crowded due to the Cherry Blossom Festival)

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A Lesson in Trust

As I sat listening to the rain last night, I reflected on the fact that God knows where each of those little raindrops fall.  He knows the number of grains of sand on the beach.  He knows each of our hearts. 

This was (and still is) a huge comfort to me in the wake of tragedies like what happened in Connecticut as well as things that have hit more closely to home for me in the past few weeks.   There have been many tears and nights filled with worry lately.

Then on Thursday morning I read this passage in James:

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

I was especially convicted by verses 6-8.  The Lord revealed to me that I was asking things of Him without any faith and I knew it because I would pray and then agonize over what I had just "turned over" to God.  It was as if I had opened up my hands, offered my worry and pain to Him, and then taken it right back. 

When I realized I had been doing this, I felt a huge weight lifted.  By diagnosing the problem, I was able to see the solution.  God tells us to ask in faith which means to trust Him.  As I realized this, the words to one of my favorite verses came to mind, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" (Proverbs 3:5a).  If I'm being ruled by anxiety and worry, I'm not trusting and I will be "driven and tossed by the wind". 

Life is difficult and uncertain, but one thing is true - when we put our trust in the Lord, the God who created the universe and who sent His Son to reconcile a people for Himself, we put our trust in the only thing that can really help us.  It will do no good to turn to politics, or people, or laws, or even to morals.  None of these things will give us true justice or peace. 

I am praying for those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy - praying for peace for them, for those around them to love them with Christs love, and for God's name to be lifted high in the wake of heartache and loss during what should be a season of love and giving.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

~Isaiah 9:6~