Ru-May-Nations 6

Lesson-a period of learning or teaching.
I always like to reflect whenever I finish a new series since it (reflection) is not really one of my skills. I sit now in the heart of Isla Vista, in a small crepe cafe watching the passer-bys as I drink my coffee, and I do not think that I will find a more appropriate time to reflect than this one. This month has been if nothing else, robust; the two halves seem almost incongruent, and it is remarkable to me that I am not at the very end of it all. This month featured nothing less than my birthday, an illness bout, a wedding, an 8-day in a row work stretch, both the moving-in and the moving-out of housemates, speeding my way through a book on philosophy, much reflection (obviously), and some timely encounters. I have learned several small lessons.
The housemate situation taught me to be much stricter about who I let stay in my house. I am not interested in living with children and that includes people of age who are as immature as children.
Many people commenting on my attitude toward women or on my ability to be patiently single taught me that I need to be even more patient about finding a woman. Similarly to housemates, I am very very strict about who I let into my life, especially in a romantic or relational context, and despite what my flesh may want, I know that difficult patience is the most appropriate action to take at the present time.
Going to another wedding and seeing old friends taught me that I need to keep pursuing people no matter what. It is acceptable for my 'target area' to shrink but not my effort level.
Finding the right book to read has taught me that it is not that I do not like reading, it is that I need to find the right, intellectually or emotionally stimulating material.
Having a bout with illness and feeling pretty out of it for about 5 days taught me that I am actually better than most at operating when somehow impaired (like when sick or tired).
I am sinful and need the grace of an unbelievably generous Savior-King in order to function and lead an effective and purposeful life. He gives me grace in droves, and it astounds me daily. This is not a lesson that is per-say new, but one that I can never afford to lose sight of.
I learned this month (or rather confirmed a long-held suspicion that) my mood, productivity, and desires are partially based on the weather. An interesting phenomenon.
A couple of instances that require more explanation that I feel compelled to currently supply taught me that I really really dislike when I double book myself and thus have to let someone down. A conflicting pair of good things to do at the same time can still be emotionally detrimental.
It is permissible to not smile if you can excel at making people laugh.

I would say that what I dwelt on most this month is the idea of hope. In about a year's time, I know that my life will change I seek a job and location that I feel fulfill me and give me purpose and I am fully aware that that will fundamentally change my life. That is terrifying, but because of the grace of God in my life and throughout my existence, I am filled with hope. A theme throughout my life is that God will take a nerve-wrecking or partially frightening prospect in my life and flip it around, giving me excitement for it. This is no exception and despite the seeming obstacles, I have confidence and peace that my God is so much bigger than obstacles. He gives and takes away and will no doubt continue to do so according to His will and purpose in my life. A continual reminder that my will is imperfect and fundamentally flawed, as is my thinking, is entirely important, as is reminding myself that the will of God for me is perfect and exciting. He has got my back and has proved that over and over again; He is faithful. This is the the hope I cling to about my future and the belief that I hang my hat on. This is the most important lesson (again, more of reconfirmed, which you can claim is cheating, but that is splitting hairs, brother) that I have learned this month.

On the lighter side:
I have very much enjoyed the book Would you Kill the Fat Man because it is essentially a nice refresher on the things that I learned in school but never took the time to delve into. In college if I was assigned it I would have blown it off. Now, I cannot put it down. It is not that I believe that I have gotten smarter, but that I am much more intentional about my intelligence.