When your song is forgotten.

Someone once said that "a friend is one who knows your song so perfectly that they are able sing you the words when you have forgotten them". (Or, maybe I just made that up...I don't know.)

The point is that, no matter who you are... whether determined and persistent, or irresolute and wavering... whether a visionary and idealist, or a realist and pragmatic, We will all have times that we lose sight of our path, our goals, and sadly even of ourselves. We all forget our Song.

Most of us are lucky. We have people in our lives who have vested time with us, who have loved us and cared for us enough to really know who we are; our strengths, weaknesses, loves, peeves, hopes, and fears. In that these people often are those near in these times that we have lost our vision and purpose. They so very often speak life to us when we lack it.

This past weekend, I traveled to Hasting, NE for Cole and Lisa's wedding. Prior to my beginning the drive I had little knowledge of the nearness of my forgetting of my song...of who I am and what I love. (This is crazy to imagine as you all know how pensive I am and how I think far, far too much. All the same I missed seeing all this.) As I drove farther north...the fall colors showed of cooler weather and changing seasons, and I showed of relaxation. I then begun to realize alot...and I was able to take a deep breathe. A breathe that I can only seem to gasp when I am free of the hustle and bustle...when in the middle of God's creation...LISTENING. This was a breathe that brought fresh air to the depth of my heart.

Upon arriving in Hastings, Cole and his family, Ben, Kelsey, Ann, Andy, and Ryan reminded me of so much. They allowed me to see reflected in their lives, a purpose equal to that which I want to always hold within my own life. They just by being, reminded me of my purpose.

My Juneau brothers and sisters, everyone of you. Just by being near you, made me so much the stronger in my walk with our Lord.

And, my new found friends. Will, Sean, Tad, Nordin, Brock...you reminded me to laugh.

And, Melissa and Jill...my conversations with you (although short) about your time spent overseas serving has strengthened my love for the Church and has reminded me to run forward in serving our King.

All of you spoke to me in such a deep, deep way. I left with new wind under my wings, fresh direction in my feet, and a swelling of love in my heart.

Thank you for singing me my song...even when I knew not of it's loss...and you knew not of my need.

You have reminded me how much I can affect the world around me...and I now hope I have reminded you of the same!

Love,

Bradley

Days like these...ache so bad. Days like these...make me realize so much. Days like these make my world...

Today, had been just a monotonous haze of doing...

Work, that no one wants. A class that is particularly difficult for me. Long hours. Little sleep. Lack of motivation.

Then today became a day of joy. Realization of how beautifully orchestrated my life has been! Realization of how wonderful my days are!

At work:

Fran, The sweetest lady I know is there with a smile...a smile and a song. There she washes the dishes we place in front of her.

Cammie, always smiling. Smiling Cammie!

The Ralstons...chugging away at life, always with arms out to help those nearest.

My family:

Parents who have always loved. Brother who I can always count on. Family always filled the front row of any event I was in...clapping, smiling, caring. Friends, friends whom I know I can always count on.

My future:

Always set, Always Secure in my King.

Today = Blessing. No-matter what it is filled with, blessing all the same.

What about the lady at the braum's check-out this morning? What about my professor who has so many students get up and leave in disrespect? What about that child who has his whole life before him and no dad...and no one willing to stop and tell him about the Father?

So many people in this world...all are fighting an up hill battle. Why had my day been so full of nothingness? Why is it so easy to enter into this selfish, egosentric thought process? And, Why is it so difficult to just smile and offer a helping hand, and a kind word?

This is my wake-up call. This is a challenge to me. This is a challenge to you.

We all make a difference...it's a question of what kind.

Anxious?

...We all have a tendency to become anxious.

I you may see as a non-worrying soul, roll with the punches, easy going, fella (you may not also). I would like to be and at times I am but let me share with you one story of my past... I had a stress induced ulcer at age 5...why? well I worried about class...and mostly T-Ball...that is right I stressed out about hitting a stationary ball! (Talk about foolish anxiety).

But is not all anxiety foolish?

Philippians 4:6 says,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Why should we have any concern for our steps tomorrow, if we look to Christ for direction?

I say this...and saying it is easy. Yet, even today...after feeling as though I have effectively given heed to the direction of Christ (in school...in work...in general) I find myself to be anxious about something that I have held on to over the years...

I sit here saying "yes Lord, I will go there.", "yes Lord, I will change that.", "yes Lord, I will be...", then I find myself saying "Lord, you know best, but let me...", "You have never failed me, yet let me take lead...here, now, with this."

God, help me let go of all this anxiety...this concern for my tomorrow, for my next step, for where I will live, and who I will marry. Let me be concerned only on bringing glory to you...to appropriately reflecting you to those around me...to loving others...to living for you!

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

You have plans to prosper me...

You have never failed me...

You prepare a place for me...

You are my strength...

.........

"You maketh me lie down in green pastures...You leadeth me beside the still waters!"