The smell of the fire smoke brings me home as I sit in session. The night before I made a fire in the front yard of the base in Guatemala. I’m wearing the same flannel as the night before. I told stories to my squadmate about my dad who would always make fires back at home. Memories flooded my mind of me sitting on his lap smelling his flannel, the smell of fire smoke. Looking out on the night sky of the North Carolina mountains in all their splendor. They make me feel small and show the majesty and wonder of God. Even as a kid I used to look at them saying, “I know I can move mountains.”
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If I said “I don’t miss North Carolina” I would probably be lying. I miss it. I miss the mountains that would beg me to hike them. I miss the creek that would sing the song no other thing in creation could sing. I miss the people. The miles upon miles of farmland in Walnut Cove with the farmers who were raised to do this. Their job is tedious but they find so much delight in the simple things. I miss the old men who I’d find in Bojangles at 6 am eating their bo-berry biscuits and sipping their coffee. They had no schedule and no plans but couldn’t be more satisfied with their lives. I miss busy Winston-Salem and all their hipsters. They were tattooed all over their bodies and often had more piercings than they should ever have, but they were genuine. They didn’t fake their expression or try to be something they weren’t.
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As I sat in my journal writing all these things this morning I heard the Lord say something so clear to me.
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“don’t blink”
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“What?” I say in complete confusion. “Lord what are you saying?”
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“just don’t blink.”
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Then all at once, it clicked. “Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.” He’s talking about my season.
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I love North Carolina. It’s a beautiful state and unlike any place you’ll ever live in, but what about where I am. I’m in the “Land of Eternal Spring” I’m on Holy Ground where God regularly does incredible things. My season is one of joy and cultivation and I’m growing so much. I’ve met so many people who are so kind and welcoming. They’ve offered a stranger a hand in friendship with them for only a short three months. Who am I to say “well you’re not North Carolina”? They love so well and I’m missing it.
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S A V O R
– to enjoy or appreciate something completely, especially by dwelling on it –
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The Lord gave me this word a few nights ago. He told me I’m missing so much by trying to be good and rather than disciplining myself to no end not enjoying anything in life, trying to please Him, just to sit. Savor every moment I have with Him. Watching my squad worship, roasting a marshmallow on the fire, sitting and staring at a mountainside. In everything, there is something to savor about the Lord. I every mundane part of your day there is something to enjoy to the fullest extent. So savor.
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I’m not going to take this race for granted. Rather, enjoy every moment of it. It’s something that is going to blink by, it already is. So I’m ready to savor every moment with the Lord.
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Cause He’s worth it.
