Under Lock and Key

It’s been pretty crazy lately ’round these parts. Many times I have felt completely out of control, like everything was out of my hands.

I didn’t like that.

I wouldn’t call myself a control freak, but I do like to plan. I enjoy organization, knowing how to best use my time, making things function in the most efficient manner. Those are very tough things to do when you have no idea what’s going on, or everything that does happen is beyond unexpected.

And now, I must remind myself of a common phrase I use: “So goes life.”

I am moved into our brand-spankin’ new campus apartments, in the wave of our busiest weekend on campus. These apartments are so new, however, and I moved in early enough, that right now there are no locks on the doors.

There were locks on the doors this morning – a lock to which I have a key.

But as I made it in the building, up the stairs with my groceries and bags, and pulled that magnificent golden key out of my purse, I soon realized there was no keyhole to put it in. On my door, or any others.

I understand. I’m not even complaining. Especially since it seems I needed to be reminded to slow down, do nothing for awhile, and spend time doing something I love doing.

Gasp! Blogging!

Alas, here I am, sitting on a swinging bench on campus, breathing in the unusually cool air and watching the sunset. I’ve sat here for awhile, gathering the changes that have happened at my school this summer, thinking about the coming semester, pondering the last few weeks I’ve been so stressed through.

I worry too much. I get too stressed out too often. I want to fix too many things I cannot. I never feel like what I do is enough.

Does anyone else feel that way, or is it just me?

Actually, having this “just me” time has been wonderful. I flash back to the “just me” time I had in New York, whether it was sitting in Madison Square Park catching a breather, or eating a burrito that was falling apart in Chipotle. Just me, and my thoughts I shared with God.

Sigh. I feel I can do that – sigh a sigh of relief and smile about it.

I mean, hey, even Jesus needed this time:

“Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:15-16

I can’t begin to compare my daily life to Jesus’, but if the Son of God has to retreat and “often,” how much more so do I?

It’s nice. Not just for my sanity, but more so for my relationship with God.

Sweet somethings about my new apartment:

1. So. Much. Storage space. This makes any organization freak happy.
2. Stove -  I can cook! Whenever I want!
3. MY OWN ROOM
4. Medicine cabinet
5. Huge flat-screen TV
6. Very large desk
7. The view is stellar and sunsetty
8. Lots of lights
9. Four of us live in the suite, but we have two bathrooms
10. The sweet suite girls I’ll be living with

If I had access to batteries for my camera right now, I'd share photos of our campus with you. Until then, stop by and see what's changed!