Quick

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

1. I was not sent into exile. I was carried into exile. I love the change of that word.

2. It was this city for a reason. What reason is that? I'm yet to find out, but I'm pretty sure it's a really great one. Maybe just feeling optimistic today, though?

3. Because I feel as if this really is an exile, I feel connected to this city. I feel connected to the seasons, the sadness of winter and the excitement of the coming spring. I feel like the chaos and the sirens and the people and the wind are close to me.. as Native American peace circle-y as that sounds.

4. The city is hard. It's hard to live here. It's complicated and it takes longer and it's harder to move and harder to be still. But, it's beautiful. It's camaraderie and reality.

5. My shalom will come. Just like spring will come, so will my shalom. My acceptance of who I was, who I'm becoming and who I will be.. it will come.

Do not worry!