Takeaways

As I reflect on the realization that my journey at Adventures concludes this week…That I’ll welcome “my” last team tomorrow…That I’ll move out of my apartment that’s been my home for the last 3 years in just under 2 weeks…  It all feels surreal and yet I anticipate what the next season will look like. Waiting in hopeful anticipation for the journey and goodness the Lord has for me is sweet. 

But I also cannot help to reflect over the time here in Gainesville, Georgia. To recall the main things I am taking from my time here, and the things I don’t want to forget about in a year or 10. I find that I am often a dumb sheep that forgets many a thing if I don’t jot it down somewhere, and have the chance to turn back the pages of my journal to find in the days and months to come. 

 

I thought I would invite you into my thoughts as well. 

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Truths I learned about my Father

1. He is for me. Like all about things for me. He has good for me, even if I cannot see any hope or “feel” anything, he is always for me. When I feel like I’m in the swamp and I’m just trying to pull down the moss hanging around my eyes, He is for me. When I feel empty or apathetic, He is for me. When I am loving life and all seems to be on the up, He is for me. If the timing seems off or I am scared, He is for me. When I am brave and seek His presence, He is for me. Nothing I do or don’t do determines it, He is just for me. 

 

2. His grace abounds. He has a lot of grace for me. Oftentimes I don’t show myself the same amount of grace because I’m perfectionistic and can be critical of myself. But the Father doesn’t expect perfect, He just wants my heart to seek Him and gives me grace when I get it wrong…or move throughout the day not even acknowledging His presence. There isn’t fruit in riding the shame train, He is pouring out grace and just wants me to simply say hello and welcomes me back into his arms. 

 

3. He isn’t always about tying up the ribbons and making bows. What I mean by this is I love when things are finished well, chapters have a distinct ending, all the details are checked off, all the tasks are finalized… essentially everything is perfectly tied up with a ribbon and bow like a pretty present under the Christmas tree. However, the Lord doesn’t always do neat and tidy and perfect. He likes mess, holding things in tension, and unclear lines. He doesn’t work in check boxes or ribbons/bow, He is complex and intricate, His creativity far surpasses the endings I desire. In the unknown of ribbons and bows, it pushes me to see His role and His heart, and to seek His presence to hold my heart and emotions. 

 

4. Always bring it back to the simple things. We often overcomplicate things. The Father’s heart is simple: Love. He wants my affection and attention, to choose to seek it daily. To grow my love for His heart, and to receive his love for mine. 

A simple way that I’ve found that engages my heart with His is through painting. I’ve also realized that at times my emotions and feelings are hard to work through with the Father, so painting randomly with a variety of colors helps me to release the tension of holding those feelings as I intentionally connect colors to emotions I am holding in my mind and heart. 

 

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Lessons I don’t want to forget from season in GA

1. Be grateful. Taking time to be grateful turns your attitude and the day around pretty quickly. Takes my eyes off myself and my issues, and it releases my spirit to be full of gratitude. It’s like a little reset button.

 

2. It’s ok to fail. But don’t give up on the dream. I had plenty of safe space to fail during my time at Adventures, and I learned so much through the failure. However, in failure, we cannot give up the dream we have in our hearts. 

 

3. The local church body is crucial and necessary. I’ve been blessed to be a part of a church who is seeking the Father’s heart through local outreach and ministry, as well as personal development and reaching across the globe. I have been given opportunities to serve in the children’s ministry as well as English classes. I’ve loved getting to pour into the next generation in that, but also follow and learn from those in generations ahead of me. 

 

4. Sometimes you don’t want to show up. Do it anyways. I had a coworker call me out for not attending a weekly worship session at work because “I had things to do for work.” She said, “Beth, you have things to give away. Don’t miss that opportunity to bless others.” It was a big reality of my selfishness and my desires over the body of believers. So I often catch myself asking if I am choosing to show up. And I hope that my answer is yes. 

 

5. Set the task list down, see the person in front of you. Meet them in fullness. Set down the distractions, align your body language to show interest, and actually listen to invest in their words. I often want to just steam ahead in the task list because I want to get things done. However, in that, I miss getting to hear the Father’s heart through a friend or coworker or acquaintance and to be encouraged by what they are living through in life. 

 

6. Chase the things that bring you life. Find what sets your heart ablaze, and find ways to pursue it. Whether it be within your career or outside of your “9-5 job.” Seek those things, they will bring life to your heart and soul, blessing others and also yourself in return. 

 

7. Be brave. Take chances and risks. The Lord will guide me, just gotta keep my ear to his voice. The Lord will help pick up the pieces, if needed. The Lord will bring honor and glory to the chances I take, as He sees fit. He will be with me in the times that I sweat because I am vulnerable and lay everything on the table, but isn’t that the point of bravery? Without that bravery and risk, what am I missing staying in my comfort zone? 

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Again, thank you for continuing to journey with me as the Lord walks alongside of us in life. I appreciate your support, love and encouragement.

Love,

Beth