musings on momentum.

I have been pondering lately on momentum and how it affects life in general.*

Momentum Noun The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity. The impetus gained by a moving object.

Synonyms impetus - impulse - moment Momentum. It's a very powerful word, connotating movement, purpose, drive and power. It is the antithesis of being still. We gain momentum, maintain momentum, and fight losing momentum. Deep down, this is our strife in life - to keep driving toward an end. I am chuckling as I sit here writing and sit here "still" because my  actions could be argued as a halt in my daily momentum. As in physics, there are many things in life that affect and alter the course of our momentum. I think the greatest influence had on momentum are other objects or people that are also driving forward towards a goal. Will those people thwart my momentum or encourage it? Will my course stay or change? Will I gain speed or slow down? Just like a pilgrim's journey, it is important for us to be flexible in our constant drive - some places need to be passed by, and others need to be explored, studied and even merely enjoyed. Our momentum must be variable. Enough with the physics. I am learning about marriage, one of the greatest influences on momentum in my life up to this point. I am learning so much what it means to have a partner in life, who is in all the nooks and crannies of my experiences, and sees everything I see with different eyes, feels everything I feel and yet with a different heart. It was easy for me at first to point my momentum towards him - working at becoming closer to him, seeking his nuances and working towards intimacy with him as my end goal. As we all know, however, two bodies in motion, when they collide head on, they halt or move backwards.  I hate moving backwards. I struggled with my relationship with the Lord and how that should look now that I am pursuing a husband, a friend, and essentially a piece of me now that we are one. I still struggle, but the Lord is gracious to provide me with a loving and faithful husband and a challenging community who presses up against us, changing our course and nudging us to increase our velocity towards Him once more.  Jake, as an incredible leader, has taken my hand and instead of facing me and having our momentum directed towards each other, has drawn me to chase him as he chases the Lord. My husband's daily devotion each morning, kind words, and sweet prayers have pointed us in the right direction. This is how we should be! Running, jogging, walking, crawling, kneeling, resting in the direction of our Savior - hand in hand, side by side, pulling each other along as we head closer and closer to the Kingdom, pausing along the way when we catch glimpses of His Kingdom here on earth. The great thing about this is that while Jake may have my left hand, my right hand isn't empty either. My friends and family who are headed in the same direction all grab a hold and pull me along when I'm weary and guide me when I'm lost.  What an incredible journey! I am convinced and overjoyed and saddened and frightened all at the same time, knowing that I will never know all there is to know about this passionate drive towards Christ. Hands clasped, we keep moving forward, into the unknown. I pray that when we feel like the mundane has overtaken our hearts, we would think on the Lord and our momentum towards him, and realize that no small thing is trivial when found on the road to His Kingdom. ....................................... Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Galatians 5:7 "You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." *(Disclaimer: I am not a  physicist, and other than the anatomy of the head and neck, science plays no role in my daily life at this point. This is merely an analogy that I have poorly attempted to create in an effort to make more and more sense of life and our purpose.)

marriage musings (and music)

Graduate. Check.
Get engaged. Check.
Get married. Check.
Buy a house. Check.
Have a baby.....gotcha ;). No check here yet.

Needless to say, sometimes life feels like running through a checklist, and it's all we can do to keep up! Boy, it is fun, though. I am so thankful to have a husband to run through that list with me. I just hope we can camp out on a few of these line items, enjoy the fire, roast some s'mores, and sing a song or two under the stars. Life is too short and God's gifts are too good.

Some things that I have enjoyed while camping out:

Getting to know my wonderful groom - he never fails to amaze me. What's funny is, you think you know someone and love someone on your wedding day, and then suddenly you're a year in with so many surprises and new unknowns. I'm amazed daily at this incredible person that I share my life, my home, my toothpaste, my meals and my couch space with.

Adding one to my family, and becoming a member of another - there's no such thing as too much family. It has been an incredible blessing to see my family love and welcome Jake as if he's always been here, and vice versa, to become a member of his family has been huge! No struggle or conflict is too big that we don't stop thanking the Lord for this support system and their love for us. I have a sister now and Jake has a brother! Dreams come true, and it's been so fun.

Bridging the gap between our differences, but holding onto our identity - this has been the most intriguing part of the whole marriage experience, and I think Jake would agree with me. I'm so thankful Jake isn't exactly like me, but then sometimes I just wish the square peg would fit in the round jar. It's those times that I wish we'd pick up camp and run on to the next pit stop, however, it's in these rough moments that I have fallen in love even more.

A trivial example of this are our tastes in music. I came into this relationship a die-hard Dave Matthews Band fan, following underground artists, the indie scene, and reveling all the more if I was the "first" in my group of friends to discover an unknown artist. Complex notes, even more complex lyrics and off-the beaten path characters. Think of a song that you can brood to. That's my thing. Then here comes Jake - baller, shot-caller - who likes strong beats and down-home small-town truth. Give him a catchy beat and straight-forward lyrics and he's set, singing and dancing his way down an old dirt road in his F-150 pickup truck. And I fell in love.

I'd like to think there's something to my attraction to poetic analogies, and music laced with emotion, all wrapped up in a perfectly crafted album that will send me into a spiral of deep thoughts and spiritual or emotional connectivity. There's a time and a place. But for now, more and more of my days are filled with Texas country, old dirt roads, and windows rolled down on a sunny day, sitting next to a man that cherishes every moment. And I wouldn't trade it for a second.

It's when I've camped out here for a bit that I know marriage is a good thing.