I have been realising that there are some changes I need to make in my life and some improvements I need to make as well. I'm taking time to allow myself to bring into focus the things in life I need to give more attention to as well as things I need to reduce ---
There are friendships that I have lacked with investing time in and I feel God urging me to hang onto these people. I truly desire to keep and build these friendships as well as build new ones. This is where I will need to step in and initiate getting together with them instead of waiting for them to initiate getting together with me. God has blessed me with many friendships and they are one of the most important things in my life.
I need to be careful with how I spend my time. Time is precious and I really should not be wasting it by being on Pinterest or Facebook or watching tv. Weaning myself off of those things will be challenging, but doable. I need to be productive and use my time wisely. There are many things I could be doing. Last semester I said I was going to visit the Nursing home right down the road once a week. I did a couple of times, but didn't really stick with it. It's things like that, where I can be doing acts of service and reaching out to others, where I need to be spending my time. I'm praying the Lord will show me where I can do so.
Reducing how much I go out and spend money - shopping, drinks, restaurants, movies, etc. is another area I will be working on. God has blessed me with the money I have and I need to be a good steward of it and not spend it irresponsibly. Deciding how to use it will definitely make me put more effort into making choices that might need a second thought before making any permanent decisions.
There are events that need preparing for, such as Cori's wedding as well as a Secret I cannot share quite yet. All of those who are involved in these two areas are going to need help and support and I am thankful to be there for them. I will need to make sure that I am not lacking on my part and being caught up in things going on in my life and be sure I am aware and checking up on things going on around me and seeing where I can be of assistance.
Making an effort to do these things, as well as other things, will take practice and getting use to. I know that by changing these little areas in my life will not only affect others, but will also allow me to grow as a person.
"Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we must do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:10
Ever so gently is Africa tugging at my heart. I'm ready to go back. I'm ready to help others. I'm ready to have Jesus use me over there. I'm ready to go home. I am trying to not let these thoughts and feelings consume almost every corner of my mind, because it takes me away and makes me want to drop everything I have going on and GO. As appealing as that sounds, it wouldn't be the smartest action. As much as I long to head back to Africa, and I totally could, I know deep down that right now is not the time. Friends and family need me right now, especially when they are entering new chapters in their lives! The Lord is calling me to go to Africa one day and He hasn't made it clear when that time is, so in the mean time I need to be patient and continue on the path He has for me that will take me home. If I decided to head home now it would be under mainly selfish circumstances. It would reflect that I am not going to trust God in getting me there and that I could do it myself. I would not be successful in the things I want to be successful in and all due to trying to live life my way. I keep wondering if after these two big things take place, along with where I'm at with my education, if then God will take me home..? Ahh! It's too exciting to think about that I feel I could burst! I will not know what the Lord has planned for me until He reveals it to me. So in the mean time I must be patient and responsible and continue on the path He has for me, until He decides to direct me elsewhere.
"For He loves us with unfailing love; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever." Psalm 117:2
No comments:
Post a Comment