Over Christmas break, I’ve had a little more time to sit and theoretically smell the roses (except that they’re all under lots of feet of snow right now) and think about life. Sometimes that’s a dangerous thing, but God has been using it to remind me to live out my faith more effectively in some very specific areas. At the end of this past rather introspective week, therefore, my prayer is that thru the years, God would preserve and deepen in me a sense of compassion, of humility, of a willingness to learn and an ability to graciously acknowledge when I am wrong and where I have a responsibility to change.

We do not fight against flesh and blood, and yet we live in a flesh-and-blood universe where we are surrounded by flesh-and-blood individuals like ourselves. And thus in our dealings with people, there is a relational component as well as a spiritual one, and a physical component which accompanies the philosophical. When we hyper-intellectualize and falsely spiritualize the earthiness of the human journey towards sanctification, we often separate the physical, emotional and sexual components of human nature from the philosophical, relational, and spiritual ones, and in so doing, we create a fragmented, disjointed picture of humanness in which no human can fully recognize himself, because not all parts of himself are there reflected.

It’s easy to become disconnected from reality in our philosophizing about spiritual themes and truths. However, truth is effective only when it is firmly grounded in reality and thoroughly applicable to the human experience as it truly is—not how it is in theory. My heart has been especially burdened for those who struggle with same sex attraction, pornography addiction, cutting, depression, and eating disorders, because I feel that all of these are areas where Christians need to buck up and step up and sometimes shut up in order to listen, feel, and learn how they can effectively help their struggling brothers and sisters in Christ gain personal victory on the moral frontlines.

Walking with someone thru their issues is messy. And nasty. And sometimes it just makes you feel grumpy. But it’s worth it. And sometimes I feel like we need to be a lot better about reminding ourselves a lot more often that it IS worth it, and that we have a responsibility to care even when we don’t feel like it. To refuse to get involved or to stand apathetically on the sidelines when we know that people are struggling and that we have the capacity to help them through self-sacrificing friendship is ultimately an expression of selfish indifference and possibly even contempt.

“Yeah, I’ve been blessed by God. I’ve been discipled. I’ve been ministered to. I’ve been redeemed, and God continues to sanctify me. But do I care enough to reach out a hand and pull you with me? Frankly…nah. I don’t see that. I don’t think you’re worth that. Sorry.” Um, really? ‘Cuz God kinda thinks differently on that one.

It’s Christmas time. Again. And there’s much talk of keeping Christ in Christmas, and the reason for the season, and sharing Christmas spirit with everyone you meet, and a whole bunch of other jazz, some of which may have been invented by Hallmark Corporate. Which is awesome—I’m totally a fan of people being nice to each other. But I think as Christians we need to take it further than that…it’s not about spreading feel-good fuzzies and warm smiles—although those are great. It’s about being a friend, sharing your heart, sharing your Savior, and investing in people. Year round. So Merry Christmas. To everyone. And may we be Christ-bearers in dark places at all times of the year. :-)

Thanksgiving has come and gone yet again. (It's this weird thing that the calendar does--it keeps moving. Takes me by surprise every year, I confess). And so, very briefly, while I should be studying for my final on Monday morning, I take a moment to chronicle a few of the things for which I have been and am incredibly grateful:

 My youngest niece and nephew...both of whom are a little obsessed with technology and capes. Although Lauren may be...just practicing her impersonation of Superwoman. They bless my life with their kissableness and their perpetual sense of wonder at the little miracles of human existence.

 Superwoman smile. Fashion sense may come later in life. If it doesn't, hey, smiling makes up for a lot. 

 My oldest--and most verbose--nephew, who is here leading a demonstration on how to cough into one's shirt. He blesses my heart and is the source of many laughs. 

My man--sweet, sensitive, Godly, and funny, with a sizeable sprinkle of mischief-maker. 

Coffee. Sometimes, it's the primary thing that keeps me smiling at the end of the day. 

My awesome siblings. For whatever reason, we don't have a picture of all of six of us at any point in the past...very long time. So here are two of my bestest friends in the whole world, and we'll just pretend the other three are in there too. 

Books. The ability to think. The opportunity to study. Oo, and the fact that studies in the formal sense eventually END?! That is a deeply happifying fact in my life right now. 

 Health. Awesome roommates and hilarious friends. And...the fact that none of us got hit by a car during any of our athletic adventures this year is also something for which I'm grateful. 

Dedicated, patient, incredible mentors. Glenn Ransom has poured more into each of us Varsity students than we may ever truly know, and I am deeply, sincerely grateful for his time, his insight, his guidance and love, and (most days) his quirky sense of humor. 

The list could go on and on, because in all honesty, I serve an awesome heavenly Father who has seen fit to bless me in hundreds of ways that I don't deserve but gratefully accept. But, um, my conscience is speaking to me about that final that I really SHOULD be studying for right now, and thus...I must excuse myself without further ado.