Awake

I know this blog is meant to share our adventures here in Colorado, but there will be times that I'll share certain thoughts, ponderings, or "revelations" (albeit profound or not-so-profound) that I might have while I'm here. So, here's the first attempt...

We've been here almost a month (crazy.) and it honestly hasn't been a huge adjustment. I really feel like I'm at summer camp...if you will (I'm sure that thought will change when there's 6 inches of snow on the ground). We have had and will have visitors from home, and I've been enjoying my time off from school (just like any good teacher gets to do after a year of hard work and a classroom full of 5th graders). Sleeping late, watching morning TV (by morning TV, I mean the World Cup), working out, searching the Internet, cooking, playing card games, renting movies, running errands, riding bikes, going to the bathroom whenever I want to go!, etc. are just some of summer's simple pleasures.

Anyway, leading up to this move, on the days I would feel stressed or just "blah", I'd think "When we get to Colorado"...then this...or that. I was putting a lot of "life" into this move, but God would remind me, "Colorado may not be the "life" you're looking for." Sort of "the grass ain't always greener" food for thought...and it was what I needed... a good reality check about putting hope into things that may or may not deliver on its promises.

So, lately, here's what has convicted me about "life". Whether God called us to Colorado or Turkey (love you Sarah) or to stay at 217 Hidden Creek Drive, He wants me to be awake...which is when "life" can actually occur. Doesn't "life" sometimes feel like we're asleep? Think about it...when sleeping, your body runs automatically. You breath on your own, your heart pumps, brain waves flow. Everything operates like it always has operated. Your body is just going with the flow...the natural rhythm.

For me, even though I've moved across the country, life still kind of feels automatic...like I'm asleep I guess. Routine. Planned. Scheduled. This is how I like to operate most (OK, you could say "all") of the time...just ask Marc. But is this what I am called to be...asleep?

I have come to the conclusion that for long-time Believers (like myself)...it's easy to fall asleep. So, I've been challenged (thanks to OMPC.org)...to wake up! And what does that require from me? Well, I think of being younger and being woken up for school. There was always a "crying out" to get me going...like..."Kelley-Re...it's 6:15! Get up!", or an alarm blaring WLWI, or a Dad who turns on the light and then shakes the bed so violently you could throw-up. (FYI-never did).

And let me just stop and say this for those of you who don't know me very well...I am not...I repeat...am not! a morning person. I don't like to wake up. It's hard. It requires movement...action. Something of me that I haven't had to deal with in the last 8 hours. Let's face it...it is much easier to just stay asleep.

So...why wake-up at all? Well, you could create a list a mile long, but I think it basically boils down to this...we're obviously not meant to be sleepers.. We're meant to be awake. It's the only way we can live life now...not when we get to Colorado...or when we start school...or once our finances are in order...or have a baby...or get back from vacation.

So with that being said, I know I have some "waking up" to do...and it will require some crying out. Crying out to the only one who can truly wake us up- Jesus. Isn't that what He wants from me? A life full of "awake-ness"...not of "sleepy-ness". An awareness of Him in my life on a daily basis. His love. His forgiveness. His grace. His word. His promises. His faithfulness. These are always there...even when I am asleep. But by being awake...I'm guaranteed not to miss them.

Ephesians 5:14 (ESV)
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."


Isaiah 51:9 (ESV)
"Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the days of the old, the generations of long ago. "


1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)
"Listen, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."