So True.

My mom has a job interview in Midland tomorrow. I am so excited for her and my dad both. We have all been praying that something would come her way.

I know that she is excited too; however, I also know she is very apprehensive. It's that bittersweet feeling once again. I think she wants to move to Odessa to be with my dad, but she really had herself convinced that she wouldn't get offered a job and would (get) to stay in Midlothian. While the idea of something new is fun and exciting, she would rather not experience the change. Understanding how she feels, one of her friends said "If you didn't want God's help, you shouldn't have asked." Genius statement if you ask me. My mom has been praying for something to happen, and when God worked it out, it wasn't exactly what she had planned.

This is so common for all of us, I think. My roommate and I were talking about it the other day and we agree that we beg God for solace and answers, but then are not always happy with the results. I remember being in the situation (more times than I would like to admit) where my heart was so broken that I was drowning in both pain and self-pity. I could not, nor did I want to, pull myself out of it. I would ask, plead, bargain and beg the Lord to "please just help me let him go" and then days later he (whoever "he" was at the time) would walk back into my life. I couldn't help but wonder 1. Is this a test? or 2. MAYBE God is telling me NOT to let go of him! Truth be told, I almost always leaned toward the latter only to be disappointed time and again.

When we pray, I believe we almost always have stipulations-- mostly unintentional. "Lord, please help me move on (BUT make it easy for me)." "God, please put a new job in my path (but make it one with high pay and little work)." We love to bargain!

God has a plan for us... And when we ask Him for help, He will always come through, giving us what we NEED. If we could just push our wants to the backburner, I think we would be able to approach God more humbly.

Oh Night Divine.

The other day, one of my students said something that has really stuck with me. I am not sure what brought up the conversation, other than the fact that Christmas was right around the corner. She was talking to another student about the holiday that so many people love when she said, "I like God and all, but I really think Christmas is stupid." I was appalled.

So the more I think about it, the more I am bothered by her statement. Are we really not teaching our kids the true meaning of Christmas? How does one "like God," but hate Christmas? After all, He is behind all things Christmas. It is a celebration of the most precious gift ever given: His son, Jesus Christ. It is the basis of all things I believe. If there were no Jesus, our world would be mass chaos and we would not have anything to look forward to after death.

I am also compelled to think of her comment from another point of view... What if she has a point? What if she doesn't really hate the meaning and purpose of Christmas, but hates all of the things that Christmas has become? We, as a society, have become so consumed with lights, trees, Santa, and showering each other with so many presents that we forget why there is a Christmas holiday in the first place. I am guilty of this... Letting myself get so stressed thinking about all of the things I must accomplish. I know that if I just took a step back, I would be able to see through the tinsel and stacks of neatly wrapped silver presents with perfectly tied bows that match my house decor, and see the "reason for the season."

Sometimes we just need a reminder, and I thank my student for giving it to me. I just pray that she will be able to push aside her hatred for the secular Christmas, and remember why it truly is such a wonderful time of year.

Movin' on Up!

My dad left for Odessa today.

He was offered a much-deserved promotion that he has worked so hard for and I am so proud of him. I just wish the job were a little closer!! The bright side is that they have told him that they do not expect him to be in Odessa longer than 12 months, and then he'll be back in the metroplex. So, in the grand scheme of things, 1 year is not that long. My mom will stay here until she gets a job there.

Please pray for my family, especially my mom and dad as they adjust to a new lifestyle. I can't imagine how difficult it is for them to be apart for weeks at a time... They have been married since they were 20!

At the end of the day, we know that God is in control and that all things happen His way and in His time. We find comfort in that.