Break | Family

Happy New Year!

Coming home to Florida for the first year’s days has been a great respite from the growing pains of the daily grind.  Here, I am engulfed in the love of my family, friends, and home church.  One thought resounds as I catch up with each friend/family member – I am very blessed. 

My parents recently celebrated their 31st anniversary.  My dad still heralds the day with a bouquet of roses and a grin on his face.  Not many families these days can boast of this.  The years were not easy, but I am thankful that even through their challenges, they committed to their faith and commitment to one another as a model for marriage.  I can't imagine (maybe I'll experience it someday) how hard it must be to put aside your dreams and expectations for your children (your intentions are good) and simply love.

I am thankful to grow up in tough love with a balance of edification and praise.  Mom and dad grew us up with simply the expectancy to do our best and to trust in the plan God had for us.  What did I take from all this? I learned obedience and discipline – practice watering my grass even though I do not understand the situation at hand.

I am blessed to come from a family who valued and committed our lives to the Lord.  I was not the easiest of teenagers to raise. Through no fault of my parents, I decided to rebel and make my parents’ lives a living hell.  My parents couldn’t have gotten through it, nor could we have grown to what we are today without the church family.  Youth pastors, Sunday school teachers, congregation family – we have this community to thank for who we are today.  How important church community is to a healthy upbringing!

Who knew God’s prodding would cast me out all the way to the polar opposite end of the country? I understand now His reasoning, but I can’t help but wish he would’ve packaged me up with my family and friends. I have my new community in Seattle now, but nothing can replace the one back at home.  However, I am proud to boast of my solid foundation, built by my community who sacrificed with the faith that their unconditional love would bear fruit.

I am blessed.  I am blessed.  I am blessed.