It's finals week and life is crazy. I pulled an almost-all nighter last night completing papers for Spanish classes and for ministry class at Bethel. This is the last week of our 5 week intensive study of the language and it's crunch time. I had 2 big finals, 1 five page paper and presentation, 2 more two page papers, a song in Spanish to memorize, a dance to make up and memorize, and 2 other six page papers for ministry. On top of that, we will be leaving our families for two weeks as of Friday for travel week and ministry class week at the base, so I'm trying to squeeze in quality time with the fam. Needless to say, the stress level has been a little higher this week.
It's easy to switch back to an American mindset of checklist mentality, even in such a relaxed culture like this one. It's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced life of spitting out papers and trying to fit relationships in between the study time. It's easy to wish time away during weeks like this one.
Reality check. I just took an hour away from the finals week grind to lay on a hammock outside at the base and it just hit me. I am in the Dominican Republic. I am living in a Caribbean country that so many people from the states dream of visiting. This is my life for the next three months. Mountains and palm trees tower over me. Tropical flowers and exotic creatures are at my feet. God's beautiful creation surrounds me and all I see is papers to write and time to wish away.
What are you so preoccupied with in your life that you can't pause and fully breathe in God's glorious creation just outside of that window, or wholly acknowledge all of his blessings he's bestowed upon you? Don't wish time away. Time is a precious gift and each breath we breathe is a symbol of God's grace.
Look around and give God glory for today.
beautiful. and I agree whole-heartedly. the need to just be and be and be is important to remember. it is what makes us who we are if we can remember to abide in God and His glory. we are an extension of that glory.
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