Some Thoughts

I've thought of about 50 topics for posts this week, and just haven't gotten around to writing them. So, rather than write 50 posts today, I figured I'd share with you some of what's been on my mind as of late.

- My parents have been in Africa for the last few weeks, and wouldn't you know? These last few weeks have held a million things about which I wish I could call and talk to them.

- Relationships are hard.

- Seeing as relationships are hard, and the fact that those we love the most are also the ones we have the ability to hurt the deepest, I've decided it's an absolute miracle from the hand of God that two people can get married and stay married.

- Oswald Chambers rocks my world.

- The thing which struck me the most about Slumdog Millionaire was the stark contrast between Jamal's character, and the character of all of those around him. In particular, the purity of his love for Latika compared to the other characters, who selfishly use and abuse her for their own worldly pleasures, and his pursuit of her for her sake, rather than his own, is beautiful. The best part is that that beautiful picture pales in comparison to the pure love and relentless pursuit of Jesus for me.

- In other areas of entertainment, I will make a confession: I have read Twilight. The idea of a story about a teenage girl falling in love with a vampire was about as attractive to me as the idea of an actual vampire sucking my blood, but I was intrigued by what has made this such a phenomenon not only amongst teenage girls, but women my age as well. Having heard much about it, and having the opportunity to read it, because my roommate had borrowed it from a friend and read it, I decided to see what the hype was about. This is what I think it comes down to: Women long to be loved, pursued and protected. Edward not only loves, pursues, and protects Isabella, but he does so while denying himself (because, of course, he wants to drink her blood, but that would put a serious damper on the relationship). The best part is that that somewhat disturbing picture pales in comparison to the love, pursuit, protection and self-denial of Jesus for me.

- On the topic of protection: my roommate is dating a man in the military. I haven't spent a whole lot of time around people in the military, but having him around, and meeting others through him, has greatly increased my respect for and appreciation of those who serve to protect our country. It is a noble profession, and these are noble men.

- On the topic of the military: I have also been reading some books by Stephen Ambrose - Band of Brothers, and Citizen Soldiers (hopefully this restores some sense of respect for my reading choices after that one book I mentioned before). World War II intrigues me. My grandfather fought in the war, but he never talked about it much. Reading these books makes me wish I would've gotten to know more of his story before he passed away.

- God's economy looks a lot different than the world's. I am very aware of this every time I try to explain to someone why I came to San Diego. "Wait, you're telling me you quit your job and moved to San Diego without a job during the worst economic recession in recent history? What were you thinking?" It's particularly hard to explain in an interview; I can't exactly say God told me to move here, and still have a shot at getting hired.

- I have to believe that God is doing something right now, even though I can't see what it is. Otherwise, mine is just a hopeless existence. Praise Jesus, He is my Living Hope.