An Unexpected Journey

Date - November 19, 2017

I recently returned home from a six week adventure back to some old familiar places ... some I used to call home. I decided I should go with no expectations, and just allow activities, impressions, feelings, decisions to unfold. Now that I have returned to “the Shire”, I am trying to sort through the experiences and conversations and to wait on further direction for the next step. Is it to remain as it has been for a very long time? Are there minor adjustments to be made? Or are bigger changes coming? 

You may remember in An Unexpected Journey, Gandalf comes to Bilbo Baggins’ home and says, “I am looking for someone to go on an adventure.” Bilbo was very resistant to Gandalf’s nudging and said in response, “I am a Baggins of Bag-End.” To that, Gandalf replied, “You are also a Took.”

Gandalf wanted Bilbo to see that he was more than he thought he was. He had more in him ... he was more capable than he thought. 

Certainly God calls us to more than we think we are or think we can do or be. When we are his ... his child with the seal of his Spirit on our hearts ... when he calls us to go beyond where we may feel comfortable ... or stuck ... or trapped ... he says, “You may be Connie, but you are also mine. You don’t have to stay stuck in your own perceptions and (often) self-imposed limitations.” 

Well, as you know, Bilbo went on the adventure of his life. He grew, he gave, he received, and he returned to the Shire a changed Hobbit. I went on a wonderful adventure. I believe I grew, I hope I gave, and I know I received. Now I am working toward changed habits ... in a number of areas of my life. God tells me it is possible, because I am not just Connie. I am also his.

Copyright 2024 Connie McMasters