Present 

​        To me, 2015 was a blur; the fastest year of my life. Yes, I started a new job but that’s really the only major milestone I can recall. A lot of times in life I find myself hoping to enter a new phase or try to get to some end destination I’ve dreamt up in my head without being present in the current state.  
          This year I want to make a change. I want to be present in 2016. Sure time will continue to pass but I don’t want to let it pass as I wait for things to happen but rather improve myself along the way.
          Recently I heard a good Word at church about being hopeful getting to the dream. The message talked about Joseph and God allowing him to go through some things to make sure he was mature enough for his dream. The message picks up in Genesis 50 where Joseph’s dream is fulfilled; however, Joseph first realized his dream in Genesis 37. The message talked about how God will use isolation as preparation i.e.  Joseph’s time in prison. The pastor also made a point to say we should maximize our moments of isolation so we don’t waste the preparation time before the manifestation of our dreams. An example he gave was we shouldn’t be asking God for a husband but just sitting around; maybe we should start to cook and clean in the isolation period. Just like an athlete trains in the off season ahead of the anticipated season. I can definitely relate to this last analogy since I ran track for 6 years, our coach would let us know the workout waiting for us once we returned from the holidays but it was up to us to prepare for it over the break. 
          Overall, I was encouraged by the message and reminded we have to be patient and hopeful as we wait for our dreams to be fulfilled. But as I wait for my dreams to be fulfilled I’m going to be present and utilize the isolation and preparation period. As I wait for Mr. Right to show up and  as I wait to enter my dream profession I will maximize the isolation period. I will cultivate my hobbies i.e. try new recipes, expand my makeup skills, rise to the call to be a leader at work and not shrink from responsibilities. I can’t help but imagine the greater the isolation and preparation the greater the placement. 

In Nashville trying something new with my cousin during my birthday weekend, definitely an experience I'll never forget. #airsoft

           “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
            Commentary:  Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. God will not leave you alone with your problems; He will stay close and help you grow.
            Just as God was with Joseph in the pit before he was sold into slavery (Genesis 37: 24-36), God meets us in our pits. But, God doesn’t leave us there; He uses our pits as platforms. Just as Joseph was taken from the pit to Potiphar’s house, who knows where our pits will lead to?
        “But he said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12: 9
       Commentary: We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than simply on our own energy, effort, or talent.  Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, because in admitting our weakness, we affirm God’s strength.