Winter break was…well, I guess I could sum it up by saying I’m glad it’s over. For some people, they thrive on going back to their stomping grounds, revisiting friends and family in the area, and sleeping in until well into the afternoon. That becomes old for me usually around day two. I become bored and nostalgic. I love the setting changes every once and a while, but enjoy the routine for the most part. My over-analyzing thoughts sure have a way of weaseling their way into my every day life when I have the extra time.

I’m one of those people that can waste hours of my life on pro/con lists. They have literally become so obsolete to me that they are useless. I know what I truly want and persuade my own lists to show exactly that. So, when I have the time (i.e. 3 and a half weeks with no responsibilities) the results include list after list of nothingness. I over-analyze the most ridiculous things: my hair color, my white teeth, my family’s dynamics, my friends, my hobbies, and my entire personality. 

Bottom Line – too much empty time destroys me.

Therefore, today was wonderful. I spent the entire day surrounded with some of my closest college friends. I know I will see them for the next 5 months soon, but this timing was nothing short of perfect. Simply a day with lunch, a museum visit, and coffee. To be honest, I’m not a “museum type,” but when the opportunity arises to be in the same environment with 8 of my friends – I’ll take it. With days like this, it’s normal to hear questions such as these:

How’s your break been? What have you been up to? Who have you been hanging out with?

[And it won’t take long at all before you would begin to hear questions more like]

What has the Lord been teaching you? How are you REALLY? How are you fighting the lies? Can I pray for you?

Boy, oh boy. What a difference that one question can make. People who genuinely care about your responses, and are willing to just sit and listen – that is what makes up MY community. The community I have around me is one I wouldn’t trade for anything. I love them. Sure, we have our problems, but they fade at the sign of a solid hug. We forgive. We care. We love. Praise the Lord for my friends that encourage me and nudge me towards becoming a more loving person. 

Hebrews 10:25 – “And let us consider one another in order to spur love and good works, not giving up meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

[originally posted 1.11.2012]