Life As I'm Learning It.

I remember saying in my last post that I really like the use of symbolism, metaphors, and visualizations. I’m pretty sure it’s because my brain thinks in color. Any time my mind has ever been forced inside of some kind of box, it fights to get out as quickly as possible. That might be why I normally hate subjects that are considered to be “academic.” Math, science, language arts, history, reading, and many more subjects in life functioned as black and white boxes for my brain. I was good at some of them, and not so good at some of them. Regardless, my mind really doesn’t like having to play by anybody’s rules – it’s much too free for that. This colorful mind of mine is both a blessing and a curse. I can see, hear, and feel things that many others can’t. I can sympathize and understand situations that I have no business even trying to comprehend, but I’m audacious enough to try anyway. I’m insightful, creative, and I love all kinds of different people. I love those people’s stories...

My friend Aja and I were hanging out a few weeks ago. Aja and I are very different, but we're very similar in a lot of ways too. One of the things we both do is constantly make parallels and comparisons, taking ordinary, every day situations and giving them deeper meanings. Jesus did that. They're called parables. I guess that means Aja and I are just another step closer to being super Christians. So a few weeks ago, Aja invited me over for a cup of tea. I'm not British, or even a hipster, and the only tea I drink is highly Southern – dark brown, iced, and sweet. Therefore, the idea of "a cup of tea" was quite appealing, because sometimes I like to pretend I'm another kind of person who likes that sort of thing. There were several different flavor choices for me, and I decided to go with honey lemon. That sounds pretty good, right? Some of you may like it, but my problem is that for so many years, the cough drops at my school were... You guessed it. Honey...

God has placed so many different people in my life. They all have different, beautiful stories to tell, and they're all unique and wonderful because they were created that way. Despite how many differences there are, we humans share so many similarities as well. We all need love, we all need Jesus, we all enjoy the good things this life has to offer, et cetera. But one of the most significant characteristics we share is the point I want to make with this post: We all know pain.  People experience life in different ways, and no life story is going to look exactly like another - our God is far too creative for that. But each person who has ever lived in this world that is fallen and cursed knows what it's like to hurt. Physical, emotional, and spiritual pain is just a part of this life, but that fact doesn't necessarily make it easier to accept.  If you read my last post, you know how I feel about talking things out. I don't care who you are or how you were ra...

I've read many blogs, and I've heard about how fun they can be to write. Now, if you're one of those people who really knows me, you've probably come to the point where you realize I'm a talker. I'm a great listener, yes, but I'm most definitely a talker. I love to talk and be talked to. There's something so beautiful about being heard - that someone else is willing to take the time to really listen to your story, or even just about what you ate for breakfast. That being said, I firmly believe that not only is talking one of the best forms of communication in existence, but it's also fantastic therapy for the heart and soul. It's true that this is coming from an aspiring Christian counselor, but I think it probably rings true for everyone on the planet. I've heard it said many times from one of the wisest people I've ever met (and I'm proud to say she's my mentor), that there's something that's very powerful about put...