Reflection

Today on my way home from work I popped in a CD that I hadn't listened to since last summer. For me, music has a special way of attaching itself to a particular era in my life...I usually go in spurts when it comes to music, listening to one group for a season or so and then switching to a new taste. Music, like the physical senses of smell and taste, take me back to whatever era I was in when I really liked that particular band, song, or style. This CD took me back to last summer, which was very different than this summer.

As I listened to the CD and still sang every word of each song, I shook my head in amazement. How much life has changed since a year ago today! I never would have imagined last August that by today I would be married, living in Scranton, starting grad school classes in a week, and starting a TSS job the same week. God is amazing, and He as brought me through the last couple years with strength and grace that only He could supply.

With that in mind...I can't wait to see where I'll be next year. Only God knows what the next step is in His plan for my life...maybe it will be more blessings, maybe it will be sorrow. Maybe it will be hardship, or possibly some prosperity. All I can do is leave it up to Him and wait patiently for His call.

Wisdom from a Samurai?

I was watching Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai the other day and actually managed to glean something valuable from it...besides that constant conviction that comes with watching a movie portraying the self-discipline of Asian cultures. As Tom Cruise's character lives among a group of Samurai and their families, he makes this observation:

"Every morning they wake and seek the perfection of whatever it is they do."

Wow. What if someone could say that about my life? That I wake up every morning with a clear purpose in mind, a plan to follow, and a passion about that plan that fuels my every step. It begged the question: what IS that thing I "do"? If I sought to pursue it with such passion, what would I be pursuing?

As a Christian, the first thing that comes to mind is my relationship with Christ and a dedication to become more like Him. I should be waking up every morning and seeking "perfection" in becoming more like Christ. Even though that is not completely attainable this side of the heavens, it's definitely a good purpose to begin every day with.