Make altars.

From a little reunion over break

“I like those scenes in the Bible where God stops people and asks them to build an altar. You’d think he was making them do that for himself, but I don’t think God gets much from looking at a pile of rocks. Instead, I think God wanted his people to build altars for their sake, something that would help them remember, something they could look back on and remember the time when they were rescued, or they were given grace.

But it’s like I said before, about writers not really wanting to write. We have to force ourselves to create these scenes. We have to get up off the couch and turn the television off, we have to blow up the inner-tubes and head to the river. We have to write the poem and deliver it in person. We have to pull the car off the road and hike to the top of the hill. We have to put on our suits, we have to dance at weddings. We have to make altars” - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

In 2014 I want to build altars. Altar upon altar. I want to get out of my bed and do what is God is just waiting for me to experience, the things that He knows I will see His face in. We day-dream about things we want to do, we “pin” pictures of them or read about how other people did them or watch our friends do them. This year I will be the one to go, to make, to see… for myself and for God.

There is a reason I have these desires to do things that don’t go away, God planted them there. He knows that doing them will be good for me, probably really good for me. He knows that doing them will bless others, not because I am anything special, but because He uses His servants. He will love people through me. It is harder for the Lord to bless others through us when we just sit on the couch or stay inside all day long. So, I am walking out the door to see Him more. To create scenes in my life that will only reek of the Lord when I remember them. To be able to have moments to look back on and remember how full of laughter and grace and light this world is.

I made a list of the things I want to do this year. Some that are extremely doable, some that are a little out there, some that my mom freaked out about when she saw them, but all in all things that get me excited to live this precious life. I might not get them all done in 2014 necessarily, but I do not think that’s of the Lord’s concern.

I have a tangible copy of them above my desk but I want to write them here.
   
    Go on an overnight camping trip

Do something with Lazarus Ministry

Visit a new city

Take mom & dad out to dinner, on me

Buy someone’s groceries

Throw a couple of dinner parties

Have a picnic with friends

Write a letter to my brother

Serve somewhere in Athens

Write letters to Alexis & Laban

Pray for North Oconee

Become a member of Trinity Anglican Mission

Adventure in Athens with Abby

Buy stuff at an antique store for our house

Give blood

Donate my old books

Read 7 books

Send care packages to friends

Go on a day hike

Have dinner with Whitney & Calder

Have dinner with Christin & Sandor

Hang out with Mary Sims

See Emily Griesbeck

Memorize a scripture each month

Send granola to someone

Get a message

Blog at least 2x a month

See Cat Ryden

Make recipes from my cookbooks

Love on your Young Life teammates

Write anonymous notes for Chi O girls

Go skydiving

Rock climb outside

Make candles

Babysit for free

Go apple picking

See Bessie

Go on a day hike with Sarah Azain

Go someplace I’ve never been to around Athens

Be a JOE leader