The Splendor of Youth

She's growing up! Just look at that picture, isn't she gorgeous? Life is so uncomplicated when we are young! No worries, no pressures, just learning and growing. Isn't it wonderful! Of course, that is the way it should be, however, it isn't that way for everybody.

We thank God for giving us parents who love us and treat us with love and respect. We thank God for providing us a home, food on the table, clothes to wear, and friends to enjoy things with. We thank God for good things like happiness, stability, peace in our homes, loving family and friends, and most especially for His loving care and watchful eye over us.

Youth is so carefree, so full of curiosity, discovering, moving into new realms, growth. Youth is for the most part a happy time, until we reach those puberty years! Then everything is up for grabs!

I think that youth is a picture of those first years as a Christian. Everything is so new and wonderful and we are discovering God's love and life - and its all lovely. We are sheltered from troubles and burdens but then God opens our eyes little by little and we begin to see the sorrow, suffering and pain around us. We begin to learn to bear one another's burdens, to sacrifice and give to those in need, to spend and be spent in the ministry of God's love. And then perhaps we feel the weight of things and feel as though life is a great burden hard to bear. But we must remember our youth - our love for the Lord, our delight at learning and growing in God's love. Here is the key to remaining carefree as a child, sweet in spirit, joyful, full of light and love in the midst of pain and suffering. The scripture says, "Abide in Me and I will abide in You." I think this is the key - our first love! Let's remember that as we face the our daily lives of pressures, troubles, sorrows, and joys. God wants us to remain in love with him, trusting Him fully, and happy in His care.

Change is on the Wind

Change is on the Wind here at the Porowski household. Kim is moving out in 2 weeks - going on to Grad school in Atlanta Georgia. She will be there for 3 1/2 years and then who knows what she will be doing. We are also thinking of spending a few years teaching English as a Foreign Language in Mongolia. Dick and I just passed our TEFL course which consisted of 3 grueling weekends - 60 hours in total of intensive learning. It was a good course and very helpful.

However, change always is unsettling, though can be exciting if one has the adventuresome spirit. Challenge is always a good motivator and a spur up the backside to get moving. The best thing is that God is in control. His leading is my safety. His loving care is my strength and support. His assurance is my confidence. Change may be like a storm in that everything is in motion, unsettled, and a bit frightening, but God is in change, often bringing it about. There is no safe place but in the center of God's will. Here is peace. Here is where I choose to stay and stay put.