{2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.}
I absolutely LOVE going for walks in the Fall. There is truly nothing better than going out of your way to step on a crispy leaf. That, and there is just something special about the chill in the air and the beauty of the changing colors that surround you. I usually walk my dog after work and sometimes even before (if I’m feeling ambitious). It sounds so perfect right?! The Fall leaves, the dog, the crisp chilly air?! Well don’t be fooled. My dog walks as if she’s drunk, I’m usually cold and more times than not the leaves are soggy from rain rather than crispy hahah! It sounds more magical than it really is but nevertheless, I love it. I do some of my best thinking on my walks. I love being alone with my thoughts because it allows me to prepare for the day or reflect on it. Unless I am catching up with a friend on the phone, chatting away, I don’t usually look at it. More often than not, I’m in too deep in appreciation of my surroundings! (I’m such a dork, I know!) I get a little carried away in my rambles but I really could go on forever about how pretty this life is. You can find beauty in everything if you look hard enough. As you might remember from previous posts, my family recently moved. Well, it feels recent but it was actually quite a few months ago. We are still adjusting and to us, it still feels new. Home is now a much smaller condo in a quaint little neighborhood. I find it quite charming. Though it is technically still in the city of East Lansing, it is just enough off to the side that in many ways, you feel like you’re out in the woods. I’ve discovered some great little walking trails and can’t wait to keep exploring.
I started this post with a verse and then went on to talk about walking my dog on crispy Fall days. I’m all over the place, but intentionally so. I went on quite a few walks this weekend and did quite a bit of thinking. On Sunday morning, I went to a church service that started off slow and then drew me right in! Funny how when we try to turn from God, He finds a way to pull us in. I was captivated by the message that was given on Sunday morning and it has been running in my head ever since. Though the message didn’t directly revolve around the verse up top, it’s the verse that popped into my head after it was all said and done. So, the verse and the walk finally come together! This morning I made it out with my dog and I spent my entire walk replaying the message in my head. God’s power is made perfect in my weakness and this past weekend I felt weak. I’ve been anxious and scared, busy focusing on my definition of a happy destination rather than my journey. Anyone else find that our journey often causes us wander? Wandering is the place between where you started and where you want to be. So through the trials He had me walk through this weekend, I panicked! I’m not perfect so I panicked. I wish I could have substituted the word prayed instead of panicked and finished this post with in conclusion pray through your trials but that would just be too easy! And that’s not a route I am super familiar with! In fact, I believe my choice word’s in more than one instance were, “what the hell!” in reaction to what was happening. (Super appropriate as I talk about a church sermon and particular verse!) But I am human and I want you to see that side of me as you read these posts. I can write uplifting messages until the cows come home but at the end of the day, I am human and sometimes I throw my hands in the air and just say WTF. Hahah! So anywho, back to my point. I panicked until I was able to refocus on the idea that God allows trials in our lives for the purpose of building our character. Between the church service I attended and the walks that allowed me time to pray, think and just be still, I concluded that if it’s a trial from God, I need to rest in it. And that my friends is what I am trying to do now! I am resting in the assurance that God’s power is made perfect in my weakness and through the trials He has sent my way, He is building my character and developing me into the person He wants me to be!
So phew! That’s a lot to gather from a crispy Fall walk with my drunky doggy on a chilly morning but welcome to my life! My mind is always busy and my heart is always open! I think about 1,000 thoughts a minute and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I highly recommend going for a walk today. Try to clear your head and just be still. Perhaps you don’t have a dog or even crispy Fall leaves where you are, but that’s ok! Throw on a cozy cardigan and some tennis shoes, walk, pray and see what God is looking for from you today!
Thank you for reading my long ramble! Clearly I have a lot on my mind lately! Heheh! I hope everyone has a great week. I have linked my outfit for those of you that asked about it from an old instagram! Oh and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Xoxo, Anna
