Simply Thankful

I generally like to talk and share with friends in order to process life. Over the years, journaling has begun to play a larger role in how I like to process. I actually enjoy and relish time by myself these days. The influence of many wonderful introverted friends along with a desire to embrace the discipline of solitude has no doubt helped. Since moving overseas, I've had more alone time than ever before in my life. To be honest, this was something I was a bit apprehensive about before moving. Turns out, I've really loved most of the time alone I've had these past five months. This has been one of the sweet surprises in this season.

I've found that it has brought about a deepening of my faith in ways both describable and indescribable. Solitude is often overlooked as valuable, and it is often over shadowed by a lack of simplicity (another rarely embraced spiritual discipline). These last five months I've lived quite simple. Not just physically with things, stuff, etc., but I've also lived simply due to my "lack" of social life and responsibilities. Now, don't get me wrong here I'm still a fan of a social life and engaging with people! I, also, look forward to a day when I feel challenged again with some good responsibility (I use the word good here because I've had my share of bad responsibility in my day...that's a topic for another blog or two). However, I've seen that there is much that can come from having space and less stress. I'm more available to the people around me. I can be more present to them. I'm not just thinking about the next thing..err I mean person on my schedule.

I, no doubt, will one day have a fuller schedule than what I currently have right now. I do hope to have a family someday and that seems to keep people on their toes! I'm just real thankful to have a season that will prepare me to walk into whatever my next "fuller" season is with a renewed vigor toward keeping Sabbath, living simply and loving fully even if it means not doing everything I'd like to do.