Safe in Harbor

I've currently been swamped in homework for summer classes (bummer, right?), but the good side of that is discovering oodles and oodles of new music. Currently on my spin rotation is the uber cute Hunter Hayes. And while his music is lyrical honey, one of my favorite sets of lines of his songs seems to be the mantra to my life right now. It goes a little something like:

"These days I’m not sure if I know
What I’m doing here or where I’ll go
But, every night I say the same old prayer:
'God, I don’t have to see you. I know that you’re there
Cause there were times I thought I wouldn’t make it home
But I kept a little faith to fall back on.'
Yeah, and I’ve learned to put my trust where it belongs
And I’ve gotta little faith to fall back on."

I think what is so sweet to me about this song is the genuineness of it. I am sure we all lose faith at times. Sometimes our faith is not sunshine and glitter and gold. Sometimes it is hella hard, sometimes it makes people hate you and turn their back on you (Matthew 13:13), sometimes it just feels lonely and cold. I think that is perfectly normal because like all other aspects of life, our faith too must go through valleys. In doing so, we get to see the breathtaking view of the mountains in the distance. They must seem unattainable at the time, but truth is, if we are in the valley, chances are we were--not long ago--just on one of those mountains. And the reality our Savior promises is He'll be with us every step of the way until we get that feeling back again. I love that. I delight in that. It is TRULY where my faith is built. My God has certainly carried me lately (insert all of sophomore year of college), and in that time, I never felt closer to Him. He was the only thing I had to cling to, and I realized He was enough.

All this being said, lately I have been a strange mix of stress, excitement, sadness, nervousness, and giddiness. I am processing three course loads worth of classes this summer, prepping for a month long adventure in India (read more about this here), contemplating my junior year of college, and reconnecting some great friendships. This summer has been a load for sure. But it has also been a great revelation in the beauty in risk. I firmly believe that you will never know if you do not try. It is true for everything. If you do not walk out on a limb every once in a while--in your pursuit of knowledge, in expanding your friend circle, in relationships in general--you'll spend your whole time climbing that tree. And while that tree probably has a great, safe view, you will never feel that sweet breeze of summertime if you never take the chance...

William Shedd once said, "Ships are safe in harbor, but that is not what ships are built for." I think he is right on with this one. And I don't think that is what I was built for (when God was molding this little Southern heart, He threw some wandering spirit up in there). So here's to casting off the bowlines and learning to stand alone (and not being afraid to like it) with God to carry you anytime you need it. Happy sailing, friends!

God bless.