Pausing to Think

The past few days have been nice. I actually had 3 days off in a row so I took them and headed to the beach to visit my cousin and his fiancee. They had to work while I was there, which gave me a chance to go to the Carolina shores and replay the whirlwind of a month it's been in my head. I was able to enjoy some R&R, and finally finish the spiritually thought provoking book I've been reading since May. :) We had some great fellowship together when they got home, whether it was grabbing ice-cream after dinner or going to watch my cousin play city league softball. It was encouraging and I was once again reminded of the blessing of a close family.

Last week I saw some crazy stuff at work and it scared me, but more so it stirred questions in me. Like, why are infants allowed to be taken home to abusive parents, alcoholics, drug abusers, etc. My heart wants to take the baby and run, but it breaks just as much for the hurting, broken, parents. I have always been kind of a people pleaser, or maybe just really easy to get along with. I have strong opinions mainly about spiritual things and everything else I could care less about most of the time. I want to help people, whether it be to solve all their problems, give them all I have, or whatever else, I am willing to do it. This can often lead me to be self-righteous and prideful especially in my thinking if I'm not careful to check my motives beforehand. To think that anyone needs me or what I have to offer, above Christ in me, is foolish. The bottom line is it's not about me, it's about the work Christ accomplished through the Cross for me and the abundant life He's made available to me. I want people to know that more than anything.

Now I'm back from vacation, and it's back to work I go tomorrow while my gracious parents will be moving me in to my new apartment(dad will put my bed together and mom will probably do some cleaning, etc.). It should be a fun, work-filled week-end!