Mosaic of Life

Life is like a mosaic. There are all these little pieces that don't look like they could be related and come together to make something intelligible to the eye. But every piece has its place, adding a little nuance of detail, to a big and beautiful collection that eventually makes sense. Every day I see how the little things in my life are fitting together into a mosaic...how that one conversation, that one song, that one friend that entered my life with such diving timing, are slowly revealing more of a larger picture that is fragmented yet amazing.

I never cease to wonder at the power of a God who can so creatively knit together the details of all of our lives simultaneously so we all experience things uniquely for our own development. I am a puzzle person so I have an extra respect for the ability to make sense of this artistic chaos. I don't know if you have ever tried a mosaic puzzle, but they aren't all that fun. Haha. You just don't know where or how to begin. There are sections of patterns in a mosaic. I find it very interesting to think that two neighboring pieces in my mosaic might be something that happened to me when I was 8 and something that will happen to me when I am 30. The thing that happened when I was 8 may have no meaning or significance until I am 30 and connect the two experiences.


Made you think!
Shep  :)

Peace in the Poor

I know a lot of people in tough situations right now. Seeing their stories being written has renewed the peace that I have in Jesus. I have been blessed in so many ways in the past several months. I didn't have a wonderful week and I am very broke for the next two, but I'm kind of ok with it. I need to struggle to know what has value. In my discomfort I am at peace because I am confident in the promise of provision. Famines aren't forever and the feast is soon to come. It takes tough times and dry spells to reveal our character flaws so we can fix them and develop rich character. This also gives me peace when I am struggling.

I cannot say that I am satisfied with where I am in life. I can say that it is me holding me back because of the way I respond to my circumstances. If I could change one thing about my life it would be my college debt. Obviously no one wants loan debt. It is absurd that the education that is supposed to make me more successful in life has only kept me prisoner. My debt is a ball and chain around my ankle. More that that, it is something I can conveniently hide behind as an excuse to not live the life that I desire and that God desires for me.

Life is not so vivid when you are blind to your successes and your failures are so apparent. Encouragement is crucial when you believe all the lies about yourself and you accept the ugly truths without aspiring to more. You have to surround yourself with people who will not let you stay in your pit of destruction. As often as I don't want to share why I am down (because I know it is up to me to do/be better), it is sometimes necessary to share so that others can speak truth into my life. I am so grateful to be in church groups in which I know this will happen. I know that I won't find it in me to pull myself out of the holes I am in and make things happen. Thankfully other people believe in my power more than I do and they can push me into action. My hope is that at some point I won't need such frequent and heavy doses of encouragement.

My life is not perfect or enviable. However, I cannot and will not let that control how I feel. I am hopeful for the future. I know that every storm passes and this life is just a blip in time. It's worth the prize but it's gonna hurt sometimes.

Acts 20:23-24
 ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.


Welcome to the fight
Shep