I wrote this a few days ago but still wanted to post it :)
Well, the summer has been kick started for me and is off to
a great, but extremely fast paced, start. Just two days after school ended I
left on a week and half long chorus tour to New York, New York, then got home
for less than 12 hours, did laundry, then left for a family vacation in North
Carolina for a week (where I currently am). Straight from NC my family is
dropping me off in New York (the state, not the city) again so I can spend
Thursday through Sunday there to be in and celebrate the wedding of two of my
close friends. Then finally on Sunday I will be home. For five days. I will
have five days to recover, be busy, work, see people, and pack for a two-week
trip out west. After all of that I will be home for a day and a half, then I’ll
be off to a youth camp for my summer job. Oh my. Sound busy enough?
I love traveling. I have never traveled this much in a row
before though, and especially since my boyfriend is back home I am beginning to
be a tiny bit homesick, which never happens. Don’t get me wrong, I’m having a
wonderful time with all my crazy traveling, but I must say I am ready for some
peace and quiet, some rest, and some time with Clay. In the midst of all this craziness I think my lack of rest and
my homesickness has put me in a bit of an odd mood. Less energetic and more snappy,
though I try to hide it.
Tonight I led a devotional for my whole-big Brackney family.
Each of us older cousins have been put in charge of doing a devotional one of
the days we’re at the cabin, and today was my day. I decided to talk about
being children of light for Christ. I played the song “We Are” by Kari Jobe
(one of my favorites) and talked about the different ways we can be lights to
the people around us. I even asked a couple questions for the younger kids to
get involved with. Pat on the back for the Ministry major, right?...but then as
I sat down later in the evening I realized how much I need to listen to my own
message. In the midst of all the busyness of my summer I have begun to forget
the importance of being a light, even when I’m in the midst of my not so
energetic moments. In addition, I’m not only supposed to be a light to
strangers, but also to my family. I set an example for the younger siblings and
cousins. As the oldest cousin and as a Christian it is important for me to
shine God’s light, and I had forgotten that in the midst of my tiredness.
So here I am, just starting off my summer and already with a
dim light. But, I am thankful because God used my situation and a devo I
planned to teach me and remind me to be a light. Hopefully I will be able to
remember throughout the rest of the summer, even when it gets hard.
If you get a chance, listen to “We Are” by Kari Jobe. I can
almost guarantee it will get stuck in your head, but it’s a good thing. It may help remind you to be what God has called us to be – children of light (Ephesians.
4).
“Let's part the clouds and show the world the Son.” – Jimmy Needham
Matthew 5:13 – 16
Ephesians 4:20 – 5:1
