Brokenness Aside

Hello blog world, 

Yes, I am still alive :) It's been a long time since writing on this blog, but today as I sit in my kitchen sipping my iced coffee (my reward for getting up to go to spin class this morning), watching the sun warm up the bricked walkway in my backyard, I felt like writing. So much has happened in my life since last fall! Good things, hard things, fun things :) 

Working a year with Campus Outreach at JU was a wonderfully stretching experience. In many ways, it was an incredibly challenging year, and in other ways, it was incredibly beneficial. I know I grew so much in my own walk with Christ, and for that I am grateful. Leading others is hard work! I cannot boast in anything I did on my own this year, EVERYTHING I was able to accomplish came through Christ. 

"Now, for the loss I bear His name,

What was my gain, I count my loss;

My former pride I call my shame,

And nail my glory to His cross.

No more my God,

No more my God,

No more my God,

I boast no more."   

~Indelible Grace Music~

Don't get me wrong, there were times when I thought I was fine on my own. I'm a college graduate, I thought surely I can give this student advice on life--I'm smart, I'll know what to say. Boy, that's not true! I learned I have to fully trust Christ to give me the words to say, particularly when trying to speak into a younger girl's life. God blessed me with a ministry this year to many girls at JU. More than I could have expected to reach on my own! 

My final experience with CO was our summer project to Puerto Rico for a month of intense training (Prayer, Evangelism, Word, and Stewardship training), community service, time on the campus of University of PR, and partnering with a local church. Four girls from JU came with me this summer, and it was amazing to see their blossoming relationships with Christ.

Our theme for the summer was Mosaic (how God pieces together our broken lives to display His grace). 

While we were there, I finally read my dad's book: "Disability and the Gospel: How God uses our brokenness to display His grace." To put it frankly, it was a powerful read. It got me thinking a lot: about my own brokenness, about God's incredible grace and patience for His people, about my own sister and her impact on my life and the lives of so many other people (she is severely disabled and was the inspiration behind the book). It's been neat to see this subject of brokenness is being talked about a lot, and I think that is a good thing. I need to be reminded of it often (remember, I'm the girl that too often thinks I'm fine on my own). 

This video made me emotional, but in a good way. So that's your fair warning before you watch it :)  (http://youtu.be/Bg6Mmoer3rk)

One of my best friend's friend recently lost her baby (2.5 weeks until her due date with no known cause). It is heart breaking to hear of tragedy like that, and I know people in those situations must have so many different emotions and questions for God (why? why? why?) It is hard, but we must remember that God is constantly displaying His grace through brokenness. 

"Will your grace run out

If I let you down 

‘Cause all I know

Is how to run

‘Cause I am a sinner 

If its not one thing its another

Caught up in words 

Tangled in lies 

You are the Savior 

And you take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful 

Beautiful 

Will you call me child

When I tell you lies 

Cause all I know 

Is how to cry 

I am a sinner 

If its not one thing its another 

Caught up in words 

Tangled in lies 

You are the Savior 

And you take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful 

Beautiful"

~All Sons & Daughters: Brokenness Aside~