Happy Monday, Friends!

Today…this day that holds so much beauty and possibility and potential for great things… for ordinary things to become extraordinary. It all depends on our perspective. Will you see today as a gift, as a chance to see the goodness of God all around you? Will you push past the monotony, push past the fast-paced cycle of this world and choose to see the beauty in everyday situations?

Let’s do it together…let’s choose to see God’s goodness and His cultivation of beauty within our lives today- not tomorrow or in 5 years or when you just get through this work project or this degree or this busy season in life- but today. Today, let’s brave it together and choose to see the extraordinary amidst the mundane.

Academics:

*And week 7 is underway! Every week feels like a lifetime of learning…I can’t keep up, ha! Learning about the beauty of medicine and what this nursing role really looks like…learning about the depth of my soul, by brokenness, my need for His hand of healing, my longing for more of Him in my life…learning about stages and seasons of life and this spiritual journey that I’m on of discovering God’s goodness in every season and being humbled by His constant hand of grace and love in my life.

*This week I had my first perinatal clinical rotation where I was placed in the NICU. This kind of nursing, I had never experienced, and it opened my eyes to see…to see a whole new level of grace amidst the struggle. These tiny humans, born into the world so frail and broken, yet so beautiful and without blemish. They didn’t choose the struggle; they didn’t even choose the life…but they fought. These tiny warriors all lined up, facing the world with such vulnerability and full acceptance of the grace given to them. As I cradled that sweet baby’s head in my hands…as he looked up at me with such wonder and strength…as I gently stroked his soft hand…he gripped my hand– and then I felt it. This gift of touch…of human connection…of this shared experience of strength and grace. It struck me then- when was the last time that I held a hand, extended a hug, received a hug, stroked the face of a child, or simply engaged in this shared experience of grace and strength with a friend- I can’t remember when. This little life reminded me of the importance of touch…of having a hand to hold when things are tough…of having a friend to hug when you’ve lost hope…of experiencing the touch of God in your life when you need to know He sees you. And this babe…this one who stopped me in my tracks…who looked into my soul…who clutched my hand… he touched my life in an extraordinary way. Such beauty is found when we can learn the greatest of lessons from the most vulnerable of people.

And then I remembered….ah, this babe…this is how Jesus came into the world. A vulnerable babe, one born to a woman of no extraordinary background, born into a world of brokenness. And there He was, gripping on to the hand that held Him, the Son of God able to be touched and experienced in human form! His touch had the power to heal, to perform miracles, to restore, and to embrace….and it still does. His touch.

I put up walls…I enslave myself to fear…I give out, but rarely let anyone it…it took this little life- this unassuming, broken life that was my patient- to remind me…

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.'” Matthew 17:7

Must-Haves:

*My friend recently got me interested in Silk Pillowcases…no more waking up with static hair!

*Friends, this lotion is AMAZING! My friend just got me some of this and I am amazed at the results…silky smooth skin for summer! (Costco has a great deal if you are buying bulk in this lotion!)

Goals for the Week:

*Continue to practice patience with some stretching relationships in my life….

*Embrace and acknowledge His tender touch within my life….

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Love to you friends!
Blessings,
Lindsey