This is one of my favorite memories of summer.
Of course, the one that comes to mind is Paint Nite, which I always wanted to do. I wasn't looking for it, but when I saw a sign up for it, I knew I had to do it as it may be my only opportunity. I'm so glad I did. It was fun, inspiring, relaxing and memorable. I've had the painting hanging up in my room ever since.
Yesterday felt like a catchup day. With my sisters- chatting, desperately seeking quality time, as well as a slow start to a slowdown from a busy and tiring week. Somehow life's lessons came and I started to ponder these things and also see them as God's whispers.
-I woke up with a weird feeling in my sock, something near my toe. I found that part of my toenail on my big toe was coming off.
Lesson- This season is one of 'peeling off', of letting go, and just like the falling leaves, anticipating new growth and experiences.
-When my sisters and I were at the coffee shop, it was crowded, and busy. We waited long for our drinks. Somehow, I got the wrong drink. I picked up someone else's order, yet I heard the barista say it was the drink I ordered when I directly asked. It didn't look or taste at all what I ordered.
Lesson- Focus on your life. Focus on what God is placing in yours, not other people's lives where it completely distracts from the moment or the 'drink' that has been prepared for you. It's the right one and the not the one someone else has. It won't feel right, and definitely won't taste very good.
-Heavy traffic and was worried my gas tank was almost on empty. Luckily, I was able to reach the gas station right when my light turned on.
Lesson- God comes at just the right moment, when our tank is empty, and we are literally on fumes. He is never late and helps us in all our needs.
There's nothing like being brought back to your past in an instant. It's not a trigger, but rather a raw and interesting time that only God could do, to see where you have been and where you have come. It's rather a flashback, a 'Godcidence', and I can't help but smile.
Walking past or inside that library at the school, I want to look and tell my past self some encouraging things. About what the future will look like, and it will all come full circle and make sense and be worth the growth. My heart was revealing and leaking out this pain, and bitterness like a punctured water balloon. Not only was it leaking, but it was shrinking in passion, interest and confidence of the next steps.
I want and currently am focusing on God's ways and promises, and trust in that, since that was all I could cling to at the time.
I was there, at a table helping students and remembering almost a year ago of being here for my internship. It feels almost like it happened last week. God's ways are and can be mysterious and yet perfectly make sense.
Nothing beats God's surprises, and the ways in which he works, and even makes us smile and laugh in between. I'm so grateful for where I am right now.
I saw my dentist appointment as a reminder from God to trust and let go. To let go of things I'm used to, expectations or even shortcomings and sins. I think of teeth cleaning and plague as a stubborn attachment to things, and cleaning and flossing as God's grace to wash away these stubborn streaks in personality, as well as faults in our spiritual lives.
It wasn't until I got my retainer cleaned after many, many years (I honestly can't remember the last time) that I saw the real difference. I was so complacent with how ugly and disgusting it looked with all the grime stuck on it, it just was how it was inside or outside my mouth. But once I got it cleaned at the dentist office, my retainers had color once again and see through texture. It felt smooth and nice in my mouth and didn't feel embarrassed looking at them.
This cleansing could easily be seen in the spiritual life with our souls, even detachment and acceptance. I also think of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Something simple, even ordinary with a dental office can have affective spiritual lessons. :)
