Contemplation

I sit here with my dear friend Becca to my left I wonder what homework to even begin. I mean I have a group project, a individual project, two six page papers and a one act scene to successfully direct before school gets out, and yet I decide to blog. A ton has been tugging at my heart, and sometimes I can't even put on paper (or computer screen) all of it, but I think its healthy to put at least some of it on here.

What does it look like to live radically? Marrissa had a good point today in the choir devotion. Am I living radically for Jesus? I don't think I am. Is being on Wellspring radical? Is being a PA radical? Or am I completely sidetracked in thinking that? Am I just living comfortably? I really want to research this.

I had probably the crappiest week of my college career last week. But the weirdest part is last week I've gotten more encouragement from people than ever before. This really isn't contemplation, but simply me constantly being more in awe of Jesus than ever before. Two things specifically really got me down (petty things, of course), but through those, I've gotten even closer to Brad Moss. Someone I didn't think I could get closer to. The ways I appreciate him is definitely something I want to blog about...maybe at the end, but anyways, through the crap of last week, I've been completely encouraged by so many people, and that is why I love this college so much. It is full of staff and professors to encourage me, and full of incredible people to mentor, and support me through everything. Paul Patton is the great ever. 'Nough said.

I am so excited to live in U-Hall next year. I cannot wait to live with the brothers I'm going to live with, and serve with them! I'm so ready to be intentional, and that is something else I have been thinking about lately. Ever since the new PA list went out, I have just been convicted. I feel like the biggest mistake I've made this year is attempting to create the illusion to my students that I am perfect. I feel like it pushed many of them away from me because they felt it impossible for them to create a relationship with me. That is not going to happen next year. I still feel this year went really well, that was just my biggest mistake.

Anyways, I just wanted to take a couple lines to tell you about my best friend. I really want to start to use this blog to encourage others who have made an impact in my life, and I don't think there is any other man I could think of right now who deserves some encouragement. I love Brad Moss, and I know he loves me, and I'm really thankful for that. He has said some of the most encouraging things to me, and I couldn't thank him enough for it. Brad Moss is a man after God's own heart, whether he knows it or not sometimes. His humility baffles even himself sometimes, and I can't quite wrap my head around that. I hope I can be what Brad was to me for my students, and right back to him. I consider our friendship a dual mentorship, and I pray I can be the mentor to him as he is to me. Last week is a great example. I didn't get the housing choice I wanted, and if you don't mind me getting completely honest, I was mad. I was so frustrated because I thought it was because there was something about me that bothered the other people in the house therefore resulting in them not choosing me. I was wrong in that, and Brad helped me realize that it wasn't something about my character, but simply just something. He helped me realize (just like Doug) that I am who I need to be, and the only person that can question my character is the Lord. My character is not something I feel needs to be changed, however, I didn't feel that way last week. Now, Brad didn't just say "You're dumb, stop it." He really dug deep and made me completely vulnerable by answering questions I didn't really know how to answer, and made me really think about how I'm viewing these situations. He helped me through my other frustration that week too, by simply just going out and hanging out with me for a night. It literally made my week.

The relationship I have with Brad is what I want with all my friends. I don't want the same exact friendship with everybody because that would be boring, but the base of our friendship is solid. It is the Solid Rock. Jesus is our base, and that is what I want for everyone, and I pray that it can be like that for even the people I know who may not love Jesus. I love this man, and I am SO excited to see where he goes from here.

I love you all. Thank you for faithfully reading

-Marc