Eight weeks is a a standard summer break in the states, but in my new job in China it's also how long I get for my winter break! After a semester full of a steep learning curve, these eight weeks are absolutely wonderful and very helpful for my mental well being.
The main thing that keeps sticking out during this time is the excessive goodness of the Father. My time off is just swollen with blessings--travels, people I want to see, amazing food every day, new and old friends, and so many extra opportunities to worship corporately and privately, so many things I haven't had for a few months.
Moral of the story that I'm learning: you just can't outgive Him. You give Him this life, and He turns around and fills it with more blessings than you would ever have had on your own. You move away to serve Him, and He shows up there too, providing every step and going above and beyond at times with special blessings to refresh and encourage, just when you needed it. It really is the abundant life, following Him. Then when this life is over, He takes us to be with Himself, drinking from the river of life, forever. Pleasures evermore.
This is just a temporal season of course. Trials and dark days will return. But for now as I bask in the pleasures of the unexpected blessings He lavishes, I remember and remind you what a faithful loving Friend He is.
