Ireland is amazing. I blessed in too many ways to count, but I repeat my words of praise every moment I can. The landscape is visibly, gently carved by the hand of God. The people reflect Him in their laughter, the light in their eyes, and the spirit of their manner. The air always carries a breeze, like a long, embracing hug, everlasting in that peaceful moment. Ah yes, I’m here.
I have been stretched in many ways during this trip: as a leader, as a student, as a coworker, as an individual. And a thought crept up on me today during my daily “seaside stroll”—I have been praying for renewal in my spiritual life, for a consuming fire, and a spirit of thirst. All this while, I have been discouraged by the lack of a “thunderous” response to my surely humble plea.
Yet once more, God brought me to a place of learning and mercy—and showed me where I stand, corrected. Today I realized that while the “high moments on mountain-tops” are glorious, and should be appreciated; we can always display a spirit of renewal, through willingness and humility. Even at our low points, in the dark moments, when we are most lonely, we can have a spirit of renewal—renewal of hope, of dependence on God, of strength through weakness, of persistence; renewal of glory.
This renewal, this refresh, this revitalization… it happens wherever we chance to seek it out, in times of chaos—alluding somewhat to life here on the island—and in times of peace, places to revive us again.
I’m not on a mountaintop right now. I’m not close to the heavens. All I see is an impossible pass. A long journey. But what I feel? A renewal of mercy. A renewal, a reason to take up my cross and carry on. A renewal to live.
I miss my Taylor friends and my family, but I know I’m here for “such a time as this”…So here I’ll stay, until called home.
Love to all!
E
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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