Sometimes I think that our most vulnerable moments in life are the ones where the need of love and belonging kicks in the most. Like a newborn baby who can’t do anything on their own, they need someone to take care of them, during hard moments in life we need to be taken care of too. We need to be picked up when we are too weak to get up on our own. We need someone to kiss us on the forehead and let us know that we will be ok. We need someone to accept us as we are, where we are in life, and walk with us as we grow.
Panama City, FL is beginning to feel like a sort of safe haven, a resting place, a home away from home. I write often and well when I am here. The smell of the air refreshes my lungs. People who I love that encourage my young soul, they are here.
The beach is here.
{I love looking at where the water and sky meet, being in the water, and walking on sand}
Some of my chapters are beginning to be written here.
When we talk about fighting for relationships and making an effort I see this as a prime example. I don’t come to PCB for crazy spring breaks or the breath taking beaches, I come for the people. I come to build upon foundations that already have been laid, I come to continue the story, to write the next chapter. That’s what makes me feel like I am truly alive, connecting with people. Meeting my goddaughter for the first time and feeling tears well up behind my eye lids. Hugging people who have made impacts on my life. Speaking the same thought, at the same time, as my sweet friend. Sharing laughs that make my stomach hurt. Resting in a place where I feel like I am truly allowed to show up as I am, my mess and all. I have no one to try and impress, I am known. Those are moments that make me feel like my life is worth living, not the moments that are temporary satisfaction. I’m not interested in the unnecessary baggage, even if it means being a little more patient for what is to come in life. I’m interested in the memorable moments, bursts of adventure, late night conversations sharing life and tucking away all these treasures in my heart wherever they are supposed to be formed and found.
Because of love, we are never abandoned and never alone. Because of faith, we can walk forward even when we can’t see but a few feet ahead. Because of trust, we can know whose arms we can fall into and who will walk alongside us even when we aren’t sure we can walk ourselves. We want to be able to show up, exactly as we are, and be loved for what we encompass, to be loved despite all of our struggles and shortcomings.
In our new year, despite our shortcomings and our differences I hope that we all walk in love and in trust that everything may not be easy but it will all be worth it. I hope that we work hard and take necessary rest. I hope that we can trust those around us who are willing to be there in times of difficulty or uncertainty and I hope we comfort and encourage those who need us too. Remember that love overcomes and letting go is healthy, but always stay true to yourself…
Cheers!
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are never destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
The Celeste Elizabeth 