June 03, 2010

Greener Pastures

As if being on the DL*wasn't frustrating enough on its own - having no definitive reason as to why is even more so!  Not being able to compete in the triathlon on Monday was difficult, not helped by the congratulatory emails I received from both the Daily Mile & the race directors. 

*that's baseball lingo for being benched.  DL = the disabled list

I know that I'm supposed to be drawing closer to God in this time.  Whether that was His intention and He orchestrated the circumstance, or if He just wants to use it I'm not sure. 

I know that God wants me to depend on Him and Him alone right now.  That's why I feel (whether its true or not) that Jay doesn't quite understand.  In fact I think there are only a handful of people that truly get what I'm feeling right now.  That's not because I'm surrounded by heartless or uncaring people, quite the opposite.

God doesn't wanting me turning to my husband, family, or even friends for comfort. 

Just Him.

Reading yesterday afternoon, I came across the following quote.  It seemed random and not on topic for the book, but perfect for my current situation.

"If God wants you in the place you are in right now, then there are no greener pastures." -Stormie Omartian

What are my greener pastures?  Right now they are rediscovering my love of reading, and planning my 30th birthday party. 

Jay and I have gotten a lot done to the house that we neglected after we moved in and got tired.  Its good to get these finishing touches done.

As for reading, I've started the Chronicles of Narnia series.  I'm loving the imagery of Aslan the Lion (Lewis's Christ character in the books).  I almost cried in the doctor's office reading the description of the strong yet gentle Savior.  There have been a few moments since then, where I've pictured myself curled up with my head resting on the Lion of Judah, stroking his mane.

A few weeks ago I was in a funk and took some pictures of things that make me happy.

I'm trading this running route...




(See the cows on the hill?  Those guys mooing help in making me feel at home.)

To this reading perch...



(See my toes-es in the bottom corner?)



Trading nights of training and weekends of racing for moments of making this the best home it can be.





We are blessed, Jay & I.  No matter how tired or frustrated I get, that's undeniable.



(Like my "I need more cowbell" necklace?)





I can't take credit for any of the gardening work - most of the landscaping was already taken care of.  What little work that has been done out there has been done by Jay.  I love most of what the previous owners had planted though.




 What are you thankful for today?

16 comments:

  1. The pictures of the house look gorgeous!! Love it :)

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  2. I'm thankful for awesome people like you in my life. I want to come visit and sit on that porch swing.

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  3. I am thankful that I found such amazing and thankful women to inspire me and remind me that there is always something to be thankful for, especially in the midst of frustration!

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  4. The pictures of your property are beautiful. I'm thankful that I've "met" such a fabulous group of women through this crazy thing called the internet. I know God wants you to lean on Him, but I don't think he'd mind if we helped prop you up a little too.

    ps-I rarely take off my "cowbell" because it makes me :)

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  5. What a positive attitude. I love this post.

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  6. Good grief...that view is so gorgeous I nearly teared up a bit. Hmmm...hormonal much?

    Thankful for all the special little things in life that God gives us - porch swings, iced tea, sunsets, good hair days ;)

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  7. Okay, I love the bluetooth in your ear, lol!

    And I gotta say...I think the greener pastures are picture perfect. I wish I had a beautiful spot like that to read...without ridiculous humidity...or wasps...and mowed grass...

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  8. *breathe*
    "Thou shalt not covet thy blog buddy's porch...thou shalt not covet thy blog buddy's porch swing..."
    *breathe*

    There, that's better! ;-)

    Wow-o-wow, you live in a *beautiful* place! I love all the huge trees and green, rolling hills. (I can almost hear the cows moo!) I'm thankful for where I live, too, and that we have had enough rain that our hills are still green in June, too. And right now, in the start of one crazy weekend, I'm grateful for the overabundance of that as well.

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  9. *gorgeous* area you live in. next time i get close i definitely want to meet up for coffee or something! :)

    i'm thankful for so, so much. today it's that P, the little guy i'm nannying for, was screaming "hi! hi! hi!" this morning when he knew that i was there. i could hear him before i saw him :)

    you...will know why you're benched soon. i'm confident of it. i want to pull out binding and loosing terms here and be able to tell you why...but i always seem to be stuck with one word or phrase instead. today, i hear and see peace all around you. so i pray it for you...that you will receive it and live it, and be in peace until the knowing comes.

    :)

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  10. It's so nice to see the pictures of your house and yard. Everything is beautiful and I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous of the porch!
    It sounds like you are using this DL time well. The Narnia books are fantastic!

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  11. That is such a gorgeous view! I think I could sit and take it all in forever!

    Maybe He is using this time so that you can find yourself again and enjoy the things that most of us take for granted or don't have time to enjoy. Make the most of it while you can!

    You are such an inspiration to all, no matter if it's running or just life in general.

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  12. What a beautiful home! Your yard/land/porch are amazing...enjoy this time because I know you'll be up and at 'em soon enough.

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  13. GREAT POST!!! loooove the pics!!!

    thankful for the laundry I must do 3x/week that says that I have a husband that comes home every night from hardworking job to support our home. thankful for the rowdy loud & happy kid filled environment that says that I have a job that I love w/families that appreciate me. thankful for the alarm going off every morning that says I get another day & the sun will come up.

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  14. Brooke, this is my favorite post that I have read since I have met you. Very very very very good. It gives me a great feeling in my heart!! I just love it and your smile at the end!

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  15. What a beautiful view!! I'll continue to pray that you'll see this place you're in as your "greener pasture". I'm sure it's hard, but I like that you're learning & growing closer to Him through this.

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  16. those are some fab pics!!! looks awesome.

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what up yo?