Crossroads

Something we encounter at several points in our life and, in fact, walk everyday. Crossroads pave our past, present and future. They are not just decision points, but rather, sometimes subtle, life-changing processes that can bring us closer to God's heart. 

A college senior is maybe one of the first to cross the mind for a person who treads upon a major crossroad.  Maybe the crossroad is a relationship, a job offer, or even more simply, drinking orange juice or deciding what to wear. However, these crossroads and paths chosen are not decisions at the present, but rather have been grown and decided over time. Each crossroad passed can provide wisdom and insight for the next. This causes interests, passions and desires to develop and change along the journey. These crossroads shape and mold our character and the very core within us. 

C.S. Lewis states it beautifully: "Every time you make a choice you are turning into the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into a heavenly creature or a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow creatures, and with itself."

What are we to say then? If the map of life contains so many crossroads, where will you end up? In the end, I believe God provides the freedom, or crossroads, that enables a deeper and more intimate relationship with him. The choice, in its entirety, is left to you. 

In perfect love there is perfect freedom.

"God, that's legit."

Bonjour

This is the typical greeting for most any interaction in France. Over the past 3 days, my vocabulary for the language has increased. Nicole, Lis and I have encountered a seemingly exponential curve for learning the language and the culture. 

I had the opportunity to travel to Paris, France for a week and, after jumping through a few hoops, it became reality. The time here thus far has been quite a learning experience. It truly is amazing to relish at the beauty of history-in the form of paintings, churches, palaces and other buildings. It's more than a picture, even one that expresses more than a thousand words. Being in the midst of the experience is something I'm treasuring. 

The first day is was a challenge to figure out exactly how to get around using the RER and the metro. The fast-paced systems and people created a hurried atmosphere. However, this is partly due to our relative inability to speak French. The 7 hour time difference seemed to affect the first day, in which we didn't do too much, but tiredness bleed into the second day as well. 

The second day was our first 'look' at Paris. We visited the world-famous Louvre, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf and many other places along the Seine River. In addition, we enjoyed our first real French breakfast composed of orange juice, coffee (half milk, half coffee), along with some bread with butter and jelly. The French are known for many things, but especially wine, bread and cheese. 

The third and current day, we choose to visit the magnificent Chateau de Versailles, a little southwest of Paris. It is an extraordinary palace where many families resided, namely King Louis XIV and Dauphine. The paintings that covered the apartments inside were simply intriguing and detailed. The sheer size and vastness expanded the imagination. Behind the gold-plated gates and palace are well kept gardens along with many fountains. The length from the front of the palace and the end of the water channels and gardens encompassed close to 1.50-2 miles. After Versailles we ate some food at home, then headed to the great-domed Patheon. Inside were more marvelous paintings and sculptures, along with a 'Crypt' in the basement where famous and notable deceased people were buried. 

It has rained every day so far. However, today the rain broke about noon and held off for the rest of the day. We're hoping for more days like this, as it presents a challenge for comfortably and getting around. 

I've been able to enjoy Christ through the smaller things here. Not in bad light, but there are more challenges than I expected. Most of these God is beautifully placing in the my path to bring many things to mind. What a gracious opportunity and gift the Father has blessed me with. My dream is to use this experience for his kingdom. 

Much more can be said, but enough for the night. 

Oh, the Croque Monsieur.

They're legit. 

Cooking 101

Recently, I hope you’ve enjoyed walking into a kitchen and admiring the various assortments of food, probably which you experienced at Thanksgiving. The sweet and pleasant aromas fill your senses and then you begin thinking about the taste. This continues, and maybe becomes even more so, until the first bite into the meal. Then an exceptional feasting and conversation follows, all the while creating fond memories.

The preparation of meal, I would say, was quite the undertaking. It required me to be fully focused and dedicated to the operation. Even the mere choice of what to make seemed, in some sense, challenging. The time it took to cook the food was essential for a quality meal. Selection of specific spices, cheese and bread were vital to mission success. However, these are just some of the things I learned.

Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to serve my sister in making a meal for her. The previous paragraph describes some of my first experience cooking a meal. During which, I became more thankful for people who do prepare food, whatever the occasion. Even so, it was fun, especially with my sister adding tidbits of coaching and guiding along the way. The dish was alfredo with steamed broccoli, chicken and baguette bread with spices and Italian cheese, along with some peach tea. And thankfully, it turned out quite well for a first-timer.

Through the experience, this is what I found to be true: the taste and flavor of the food seemed to be more satisfying by preparing it, rather than not having done so. Was it more enjoyable and flavorful since I had to cook it? I believe so. This led me to wonder…

Do we enjoy Christ and heaven as much since we are prepared through life with Him? A complete answer may not be given, but quite possibly we do. The preparation through life may make the end product, heaven, taste better. The enjoyment of a relationship with Christ grows as we do. So, just as food was more enjoyable through making it, I treasure the relationship with Christ more through the journey of life.  

Time with the sis and finding God in the little things.

That’s legit.