a little bit of fiction dedicated to my best friend, Preston Jackson.
The captain yelled, "Let up the sails!" His commands seem to be useless with tattered and torn sails. He had just about given up all hope, for it was the fourteenth day of sailing though a dreadfully wind-tossed storm and there was still no sign of the rain letting up. They were already off course due to the direction of the winds, and had far yet to go. The captain kept thinking that he had led his weary crew into a sea full of death. They were sure to shipwreck, if they didn't just sink first.
Actually a thought occurred to him as another sheet of rain laid its icy hands on his crew. *I wish He was in this boat to let out the words, "Peace be still."* And then it donned on him--*the Lord is indeed with us.* He related the account of Paul's shipwreck recorded in the book of Acts. *How could I have forgotten the thing that matters the most, especially in this time of need? I have let the worldly matters get in the way of glorifying the Holy One.* He shamefully bowed in repentance. "Save us, Lord!"
The new man of hope set foot on the bow of the ship and cried out through the noise of flapping sails and the splashing water, "Men, do not be afraid, for the Lord is with us!" and then he prayed, "into your hands, Lord, do as you will!"
As the captain was still saying these things, a man shouted out with joy "look, land!" The sun peered its way though the clouds sending beautiful rays of reflections in the clouds that would make a little child say, "Jesus is coming!" As the clouds slowly disappeared they saw a tiny remnant of a port in the distance. The weather beaten men raised their sopping hats and praise the Lord saying, "He has delivered us from these fourteen days!"
With a smile, the man got out of his truck to begin the day.
So as I meditate on life, I am both happy and sad. First of all, it's sad that man sins against the Creator. Then it is sad that Christ had to die on the cross, but's it is such a blessing to have salvation that makes us have happiness not only in this physical life but also an eternal life!
I have spent two weeks on little sleep getting stressed about getting art projects done and papers turned in. At early hours in the morning I would think about how horrible this was. But then as I was putting away all the clothes that got piled up and returning the books to the library, I was kind of sad for it to all have been done. Don't get me wrong, I was very relieved to get the work out of the way, but somehow it made me sad to know that I will no longer go to school someday, no longer have the same opportunities for learning art under a teacher.
People keep saying to me, "I can't wait till classes are done." My response everytime is "nooo! I don't want classes to end!" I know I won't be graduating until a while, so I will be in school for a while, but I love my classes and I don't want them to end.
When I first moved back home the only thing I wanted to do is to leave. Now, I am about to leave in about a month and I don't really want to leave. It makes me sad to think that I will leave my family. I love hanging out with my mama, going yard saleing, cooking together, or just drinking coffee together in the morning. She is an inspiration for my art. I will miss her so much! And my brother! There will be no one to yell "han-ban" every morning and attack me until I can't breath. I feel sorry for him because he will be here all by himself and his bow and arrow. And I will miss my dad too, who pats me on the back and give me instructions on how to check the oil in the car or change the tires. Or he tells me what to do about the ringworm.
But at the same time, I am very excited about going to North Georgia. I get to hopefully have a little apartment and be in the mountains where I hope to stay forever. I can't wait to take all the art classes. And I am really excited about going to Mountain View! I am also excited about seeing Jim and Alyssa and hopefully make new friends.
God has dealt more than just favorable with me! I am very blessed! Looking back at the things I didn't like in my life, such as going to high school, coming home from FC, or working at Fresh Beginnings, I have learned so much from those situation. I am learning to be content in every situation and learning to take the opportunities that I have and use them rather than complain against them. I hope and pray that I can remember that lesson when I move to North Georgia so that I will deal with the transition in a godly fashion.
You are such an impressive person, Hannah. It's encouraging to see you appreciating the blessings God has given in your present situation, even while facing some big changes. Keep trusting God.
I think I understand what you are saying -- it's a little hard right now due to tests and papers -- but I think I will agree with you very soon :)
side note: I *think* I might be dropping Emerson off for christmas break and then picking him up -- so you better be there so I can see your lovely face again! 'cause I miss you like crazy!
I appreciate your bravery to look into a future a trust God to take care of you and also for you optimism to look at the good in the situations in the past present and future.
Thanks, Hannah! It's true we are all very blessed, and not just because of our opportunities or worldly wealth either! Contentment is a great thing to learn.
You are kidding me!! that soon? I knew it but I can not believe it. We have a new young man at church that started NG this fall. His name is Whit Hays from Jonesborrow Ga. He is starting a bible class there with 2 others attending from our church. You have that to look forward to!
oh and I have no idea how to spell embordiery, so I tend to make it different every time and I am too lazy right now to look it up. I am already waisting time as is!
I miss you, too. Did I ever tell you, when school first started a lot of people were saying, "Every time I see Emerson, it makes me miss Hannah." I didn't know what they were talking about because I missed you all the time. :'( But I got to see you for Fall Break and I'm sure I'll see you again soonish. :) Love you, Hannah!
Whoaaa! Thank you, Hannah!! I love you, too, and I miss you an amazingly boocoos bunch! I'm so glad you are happy up in GA, though, because that helps me from being too selfish! :-D
--random yard sales (with Ethan, which always proves to be an interesting experience)
--poisonous toxins (not to be redundant) in the kitchen sink
--apples in the car for three hours
--a conversation about eating chocolate covered bugs (didn't you know that roaches are like oreos... crunchy on the outside and creamy in the middle)
--7 appointments
--two tickets and the number..."what is it again? 4636? no 3456? 4536? I can't remember!"
--Nancy, the stranger on Vitoria street and her friendly white poodle who likes to eat Halloween candy. (ask Ethan, this proved to be an adventure within itself!) and I still can't remember the number!
--onion breath! (yes, Audrey, they were delicious. But b/c I made them they kind of got burnt :Z
--toothpaste or lack there of (for a week now thanks to Emerson), I even cut the bottom off of the tube!
--Beethoven (and other symphony pieces): a random, unplanned date! (This was my favorite part of the day.)
--unfinished art work un-worked on.
--and lastly to finish the night.... Pachelbel, the music for my someday future wedding!
Would the lack of toothpaste in the hall closet have anything to do with your onion breath? (Hey, I need toothpaste too!) This post made me laugh very much - especially about the roaches. That's what I miss the most about home is the family laughter. I can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving.
Well, it didn't completely supress the mountain-man urge in me, but it quenched some of the anxiety to go outdoors and see the trees, water, and animals. It was VERY well worth it. I can't wait to show you pictures!
