Surrounded by circumstances appearances fade. Lost to the notion of stability, she watches the tide of emotions unravel her heart.   As the tide approaches, she leans forward for a breathe of fresh air. The air is stale with a bleak residue of tomorrow.  With the evidence of uncertainty, she packages the debris of today for a reflection of hope. 

Why? 

Gazes of grandeur and substance drift with the winds of time.  As she inhales the atmosphere, one thing resonates.  "Where do we go from here?"  Assessing the known with the goal on the horizon, the journey is covered in the haze of the uncertain.  Her intuitions and perceptions calculate and predict the unknown with the end in mind.  A slight gaze to "what was" requires a slight adjustment to arrive at "what will come".  Her insights are more than passion.  They are gifts.  Within her, the divine hands that created her formed them.  This touch of divinity illuminates this individual into an essence that surrenders the destination for the moment which is now of most importance.  The next step will effect eternity.  Satisfied in the process, she abandons all doubt with a leap onto trust.  The comfort provided leaves her unscathed.  Now fixed with eyes of certainty not to the end, but in the sanctuary of the moment, she believes.  She not only knows, but she believes.  As tears of adoration swell and cloud her vision, she no longer can focus on the unknown, but she can see Him and with Him she runs… to the horizon.

Christie Albaugh is a teammate that will not be easily forgotten.  This year she has brought many situations into light with her gifts of organization and processing.  She's a delight to be around and genuinely loves life (even in the hard times).   The dependability and endurance she presents go beyond a circumstance and focus on the relationship.  Her insights and compassion bring life to our team in times of transition.

Going far deeper than the surface, she loves God.  In everything, she desires to honor Him.  Sometimes, she's a little zealous.  Maybe proof of this spiritual fire is not easily displayed on the outside, but God sees her heart and sees the flame that He has placed within her.  She's a true friend and her faith, love, and dedication are qualities that are cherished and valued.  Christie you are awesome!  Your light is bright!  Keep shining!

Today, I sat on a bus... While sitting on a fine plush pleather seat, I became a little distraught as the isle began to fill with people.  Now those who have traveled in foreign countries, you can begin to imagine with me the scene that is about to unfold.  Normally, most bus rides require a little discomfort.  Now this may include the random head jolting bumps, the sharp left hand turns (that cause most to enjoy the personal space of their new found neighbor), the lack of availability of space for one's legs, and if one is fortunate enough he or she may hit "the jackpot" by simultaneously experiencing all three.

 So one may ask, "What made today so unique?"  Well… I'm simply delighted that you asked…  In Panama, the humidity lingers between 97% and 3,000%.  I know shocking, yet the latter shows the humidity when stationed on a bus.  Ummm… the sweltering heat…  Not like home (Georgia)… This humidity follows you… It attacks you… If personified, this inhumane humidity would be incarcerated because of multiple attempts of murder.  With this humidity in mind, imagine that it is rush hour traffic and you are traumatically positioned with your legs near your chest (lack of leg room), a well-fitted companion to your right, and filling the isle is a sea of bodies/baggage.  It's rather amusing looking to the left and realizing that at the next turn you must lean a little extra to the right to avoid embarrassment or injury. 

After a minute of a sensory overload, my face morphed with my thoughts.  In my head, the only option was to take a deep breath.  And as I did, I began to smile.  Not just a little smirk, but a full-blown teeth-revealing representation of joy.  When I consumed the remaining oxygen in my vicinity, I realized that it wasn't so terrible.  My mind leaped! (not because of an unexpected encounter with a pothole)  Actually, the air in my atmosphere didn't smell of body odor…sewage…fish…carbon monoxide…garbage…or even babies.  It was rather pleasant. (thanks to the vast array of subtle perfumes and colognes)  I stopped…smiled…and absorbed the moment.

I'm sure this all may sound rather drab, yet my mind will not allow me to forget the lesson learned.  Upon reflection, I've realized that in every circumstance I have a choice.  This is a choice to incline my mind/heart to the simple joys and rejoice with gratitude, or absorb the frustrations with negativity.  I have a slight (maybe an understatement) tendency to look at the negative ("the real side" as I would like to call it) and stay there.  So my thoughts are left soaking in my frustrations.  Also, known as not good for one's attitude.  In reality, I enjoy life.  Yet more often than not, I focus on the negative.  The problems of the world easily entangle my mind and leave me bound to my disdain. 

With the freshness of this lesson still lingering, the aroma reminds me to continue to seek God in ALL THINGS and in ALL THINGS have and abundantly give gratitude.  

So may I come into the full knowledge of Christ and rejoice in the midst of frustrations.  May I have the mind of Christ and see the simple joys around me and rejoice with gratitude.