Where I Am

One of my dearest friends pointed out something to me this week.

She told me...I should just enjoy where I am.  

I should enjoy where I am.  

That's tough.  To be honest.  I think that's one of the biggest obstacles I've been facing.  I haven't been enjoying where I am at all. I've been wanting to be somewhere else.  A different time.  A different place.

Don't get me wrong, I love being at JMU.  If there's anything I've learned working for Orientation so far is how much I love James Madison University. I couldn't be happier or more blessed to be here. But even being at JMU, I want it to be summer already so Orientation can begin.

I want to serve the incoming freshmen and transfer students at JMU.

I want to study abroad in Australia. 

I want to work the night shifts in the emergency room.

I want to explore the world.   

I want to be immersed in other cultures.

I want to do mission work in Africa.  

I want to travel with gypsies.   

Befriend prostitutes. 

Hold the hands of orphans.

Support women who are abused by men - physically, mentally, emotionally. 

Care for people with HIV/AIDS.  

Rescue the 27 million slaves worldwide.    

I want to do the World Race.  11 countries.  11 months. 

I want to love those who have never been shown love before.

If anyone was ever told they were nothing and not good enough, I want to tell them that was a lie.    

...But I should enjoy where I am...

I want what I can't have right at this moment. Isn't that always the case?   

I'm supposed to enjoy long days and short nights.  Constantly writing papers, reading textbooks, and keeping up with classes.  Stressing out about how much nursing school is going to cost.  Going. Going. Going. Always.  How do I enjoy that?  There's so many other things I would rather be doing. 

I am restless in my desire to be someplace else, doing something else.  I understand I need a degree.  According to the world, you need a college degree to get anywhere in life.  But what if I don't want to be successful according to the world's standards? 

Did Jesus ever feel this way here on earth?
Would Jesus even go to college if He came to earth in this day and age?  Would He like it? Or would He be wanting to get out into the world? Was He content staying in the same place for 4 years? 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to drop out of college or anything.  It's just frustrating sometimes and I wonder what's the point of it all.  And I don't want to wish my college years away at all.  It's a difficult emotion to convey. I do want to be here, I do. I'm just restless about it. 

I feel like my time is incredibly limited and short here on earth. It makes my heart hurt thinking about it.  

I know I am where I am supposed to be at this moment.  
For a reason.  
For a purpose.  
Even though I don't see it.
I should enjoy where I am.

Grow where you're planted, right? Or however that saying goes. 
Sometimes it's hard to grow under a foot of snow in the mountains burdened by 20 lbs textbooks.