The Struggle of a Blessed Life.

Some mornings when it is dreary and I still want to be in bed, I start up the Kuerig, turn on my music, and catch up on my favorite children's ministry blogs. Today is one of those mornings. Usually I read about the latest in kidmin culture, new books, curriculum, sweet room designs, and advice from those wiser then me. Today though, I was struck by Jonathan Cliff's latest post. He started writing about perspective. Usually I'm not a sucker for the motivational pushes for change...but this really hit me. He started off writing about the different things he has complained about lately (to which I read quickly so that I wouldn't feel too guilty), but then I couldn't ignore what he said next: 

"Perspective.  That’s some kind of word, huh?  How to get it?  How to maintain it?  How to keep it?I’m not sure, but I know that this $100 backpack will sure help.  Or will it?  I struggle to live out my perfectly perfect life in an environment that is the envy of the rest of the world.  I struggle.  Struggle, really?  What the what?  It’s the great western world dilemma.  Living with gratitude for all that I have, while also having a perspective on the blessings I’ve been given."

Wow. "I struggle to live out my perfectly perfect life in a an environment that is the envy of the rest of the world. I struggle." How true is this? Really...it's like a punch in the gut. So often I wake up frustrated. I am frustrated with where I am at in life. I am ready for more. I am frustrated with drivers who use the passing lane to stroll to work. I am frustrated that I am wet from the rain and that my nose itches from allergies. I am frustrated that I have too much to do...ironically I'm frustrated because I don't have enough to do. I sure have a rough life huh? I struggle in a life that is full of blessings. Sick.

Cliff goes on, "Is the new iPad a toy, or a work tool? Just seeing those words makes me want to puke." Why have these thoughts even entered my mind? Is that really my biggest question for the day? This is my struggle. Sick.

So how do we make sure that we do not fall into the trap of complaints, of envy, and of selfishness? When we call it what it is (who wants to do that?), it's entitlement, isn't it? I mean really I feel that I need or deserve the very best. People around me have the best, so I should too. I wonder how much it would change if I were to live somewhere else. Sometimes I look at pictures, read articles, or watch the news, and I feel like throwing up. I want new shoes to add to my pile, while that little kid is dying because he can't find food. Ridiculous. I want to change, but really if I'm honest, it sure does not sound fun.

Cliff ends with - "2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

My personal goal is to open my eyes to realities in the world that I would rather ignore and to let the Bible call me to look at those realities through the eyes of the one that gave up all to become poor.  And he did it so that I would become rich.  Not rich, like owning vacation homes and wearing expensive clothes rich.  Rich like not needing things of the world to define me. Perspective." 

What a great goal. I want to be rich as Christ defines rich... I am a daughter of the High King kind of rich.

28 before 28 - update

I am 23.5...28 is looming. Okay not really, but I wanted to update y'all on my list!

Green is done, blue is in progress, and black is not yet.

1. Learn to throw on the potter's wheel. - I had my first lesson today!

2. Have an apartment - make some of my own furniture...furnish it with antiques and quirky items. - done.

3. Finish writing my curriculum series for Children's Ministry.

4. Play tennis on a consistent basis. - I tried this for a couple weeks...

5. Continue to be a learner - read fiction and non-fiction, write, write, and continue writing, dialogue with others who stimulate new ideas and challenge me to grow and think about things in a new way. - I like this one.

6. Surround myself with friends to share life with, and be in a small group. - I'm really trying for this.

7. Lead a children's ministry. Equip families, tell Bible stories, invest in the lives of children, and love everyone that I meet. - Woot.

8. Maintain a healthy diet.

9. Buy an Ipad. - The children's ministry got one...so kind of.

10. Hike, bike, kayak, and camp...not just talking about it, but doing it. - I'm going to REI soon...one step closer...

11. Start on my Master's. - I want this to start now...

12. Make my parent's proud.

13. Get published- patience

14. Go on a missions trip.

15. Find a mentor.

16. Go skiing or snowboarding.

17. Lead someone (hopefully multiple people) to Christ.

18. Learn to play my guitar (not just chords, but actual songs and be good enough to play in front of others).

19. Consistently go to a coffee shop and talk to the people there.

20. Own a dog. - the best dog in the whole world

21. Read through the entire Bible. - I'm not going in order...but I do want to at some point

22. Learn to sew from my mom.

23. Sponsor a child through World Vision. - Compassion won out.

24. Go to a ministry conference (ex. Orange or Simply Youth Ministry)

25. Own, and know how to operate, a nice camera.

26. Volunteer at a sea turtle hospital...for at least a day.

27. Own a collection of records...and a record player.

28. Walk in the footprints of Christ getting closer and closer to Him each and every day.

Well, there you have it...I feel pretty good about getting most (hopefully) all of these done by the time I'm 28...there might be a few added and a few nixed as a result of growing and changing, but regardless...here we go!