Giffeh

Can I just take a minute and talk about my youngest brother? He is absolutely incredible. I love him to death. He constantly makes me laugh, but more than just being funny, he’s a fantastic fellow.

The other night, he was injured in a football game. You have to understand that football is not his sport. He attends an extremely small school, and it’s the sort of ordeal where the athletes in the bunch just rotate jerseys all year. Griffin is truly a runner, but it’s also football season, so he’s paying his dues, so to speak. So the other night, he hyperextends his knee during the game. Bad news for a runner. Shortly after that, his friend was tackled incredibly hard, resulting in a hospital stay. When a runner injures any part of his lower limbs, chances are, he’s out for a bit. I, however, have yet to hear Griffin complain one bit about his knee. Even when I asked him about it, with “tears in his voice”, he said, “I’m not worried about that right now.” All he is thinking about is his friend.

I learned today from my mom that while his knee is still injured, it’s not causing as much pain as expected. In addition to that great news, I hear that his friend, although still in the hospital, is making great progress. When I got home tonight, my heart flooded with joy to see (via his facebook status) Griffin giving all praise to God for being the Healer.That Griffin Metcalf, yeah he’s pretty fantastic, and ladies, he’s single. I’m just warning you, though, that you’d have to deal with me, and no one messes with my brothers. Just saying.

I miss curfews and rules.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.--Psalm 16:5,6

From the time I was a little girl up until now, I've dealt with boundaries...discipline. When I was a child, boundaries weren't fun. I wanted freedom and independence. I wanted the chance to prove that I could handle it...whatever "it" may be. Boy, was I silly! Who was I kidding--what can a 5 year old handle? What rational decision can a 12 year old make? Now that I'm an adult, I have that freedom and independence. Most of the time, it's good. Some times, though, I just want someone to tell me what to do. Guidance is something I wish I hadn't taken for granted. I want guidelines to follow and a list of rules. I feel like it would make things easier.

The more I think about it, though, I realize that I do have boundaries today. They may not be the same as they were 10 years ago when I lived with my parents, but they are all around me. Living in Nashville, away from my family? A boundary. Being single? A boundary. Having a year of school left when I really want to start working? A boundary. Currently making a little more than minimum wage? A boundary. Living on a campus with 35 school-aged children? A boundary. God has placed boundaries in my life, and they have fallen in pleasant places. Pleasant places....not cursed places. God has my best in mind. He is orchestrating things in my life according to the kind intention of His will. Hello!! I need this to soak into my thick head.

All that is well and good, but what happens when I'm too stubborn to appreciate the boundaries? What happens when I feel like life isn't abundant at the moment? What happens when I'm not content? If I'm honest, there are times when these feelings and thoughts pervade my mind and soul. I realize they are from the Enemy and that I shouldn't pay attention to them, but that doesn't make them any less real. It is in these moments that I must remember that the Lord is my portion. He is enough. He can fill the voids, He can satisfy the longings, and He can bring contentment to my heart, causing me to see the boundaries as pleasant. He is enough. Period.