A Beautiful Catastrophe

So, it has been one week now that we have been traveling, driving, stopping somewhere & exploring the "must see" areas. It is so, so fun. Very invigorating. An amazing experience to see these places. However, it is slightly dissatisfying. You go to a city long enough to fall in love, and then you have to leave- break up- and move on to the next place. Jacey & I talked about this for awhile & figured out that it is a beautiful catastrophe. It's beautiful & wonderful that we can see these spots & be able to appreciate it. But it also is a catastrophe because you want to live in each place... To get to know people, hike the trails, explore the shops, familiarize yourself with the mountains around you, and so on . It can plant a seed of discontent. 

In life, we all have seeds of discontent... We can choose to water this seed... To give it nourishment with our thoughts... Pondering on the relationships in our lives we don't have, or the experiences we haven't been able to live, or silly things like skill-sets & athletic ability. For me, I choose to water the seed & fertilize it when I dwell on the areas of discontentment. And then eventually it grows in to a plant of discontentment & bitterness in my life. It prevents me from rejoicing with those who rejoice, and from living in the moment & thanking God for whatever gifts He has set in front of me at that time. I don't want to water these seeds. I want to uproot them & so they take no room up in my heart. I want to live seeing the grace & the gifts God has for me in that time. Maybe they're small. Maybe they're big. But they are there & I can choose to see them. I can choose to admire the surfers, knowing I may never learn to surf. I can choose to appreciate the beautiful art of rock climbing, even if I never climb those rocks. I can choose to appreciate the fact that I can run, even if it is an 11 minute mile. "Comparison is the thief of joy." I want to enjoy what God has given me & thank Him for what He has given others. Conversely, if I really want to become a surfer, or rock-climber, or fast runner then I can just determine to do it & practice & work at it & do it. I don't think that it does any good to be envious of people who have worked really hard for something when I have not. 

One additional note... I'm sure whoever may be reading this has already heard me say this, but in case I haven't; go read One Thousand Gifts. It is so good. It challenges you to live with a heart of thanksgiving, and has been a huge encouragement to me.