Bueller... Bueller...

Ok so everyone remembers this scene from the 80s movies Ferris Bueller's Day Off, right? I mean it's classic. Well, I was reminded of this particular part of the movie recently while I was driving home from work the other day...

This timeless scene was triggered because I came to the realization that recently I have not been very "present" in my life. My mind is either consumed by matters of my past, or is absorbed by thoughts and anticipation of my future. I have lost my concentration on what I am actually doing NOW. If you have read  any of my previous blogs you are aware that I am in this season of my life where I am trying to figure things out. It has been a beautiful, confusing journey. As thought provoking and wonderful as it has been, I feel my attention on where God has me and what He has me doing at this very moment has been distracted. It is as if God has been calling "Katelyn.. Katelyn" out to me and I have been too consumed with my thoughts to hear Him.

I want to be in the mindset of the here and now. As much as I am ready to be out of this season and into another, I do not want to miss the gifts of this season. I do not want to miss the opportunities of this season in my life, because one day my life will be drastically different and I want to look back knowing that this chapter was complete. Even the things and situations about the season I am in now that do not appear to be a blessing or valuable, I want to see them as treasures of great worth in my life now.

I am a planner and a dreamer, so my mind is, more often than not, preoccupied with everything but the here and now. Being present is something I have always struggled with, and I have not always realized it. But now that God has pricked my heart about this particular area of my life, I want to see change. I want to make the most of these days. Not just for myself, but for the peace of knowing that I gave up my control to dwell on the past and plan the future, to simply give myself to the circumstances, people and opportunities that are a current part of my life.

Glass Half Full

Well, it is time again for another blog....

I recently returned from a long weekend getaway at Chestnut Bay Resort on Lake Weiss in North Alabama with my family. Although it was a quick trip, it was absolutely wonderful, nonetheless. It was the ideal blend of relaxing, outdoor activities, family time and just simply letting my hair down (or, really throwing it in a ponytail). This vacation allowed me to refocus and de-clutter my mind for a bit. Everyone should have a vacation, at some point. It is good for the soul.

They are the cutest nephews ever.

Fun poolside.

The whole gang.

Lovely.

In addition to mini-vacation, I have been praying for a change in attitude about certain situations in my life. There are many things that, for so long, I've looked at as negative things in my life. Well, I believe that I'm in this stage of life for a purpose and I should do nothing but rejoice in that. It is not always easy to have this mindset, but I have to take a permanent vacation from looking at the glass half empty. I have to do this for myself and, more importantly, for the God I serve and who gave me this life that I'm living. It is His, and He deserves nothing less than my best. I read this excerpt from Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest last night and I took a lot from its meaningful message....

 "If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ."