Discipline and Love

What has God been doing in my life as of recent... hmm. Let's see here.
"Waiting" and having "patience" has been a recurring theme for several weeks now. The more I struggle in life, the more I realize much about who I am; character flaws that were once unknowingly pushed under the rug are now screaming at me. I am very impatient (not a surprise to many of you). I don't know how to enjoy life without making it a task. I am extremely task-orientated, but also reliant on emotions (which is in essence a contradictory trait to being task-orientated). I am very unforgiving of myself when I fail, and don't know how to be okay in doing nothing. I've realized I picked up these character habits from those who were once close to me, or is close to me, and made them my own. I realized I'm always fighting against God when it comes to my calling-- teaching. I know, at least for this season in my life, I am to eat breathe live to teach. I know being a fashion designer will be exciting in it's initial beginnings, but will inevitably grind me into nothingness as I recognize the machine that controls it. I know once I see the eyes of impoverished youth sparkle with opportunities they've never known, I will say "This is worth it".

Why is God so simple and complex? Why am I so complex? Why does He continuously pursue me and "discipline those He loves". I hate to be disciplined. Who likes it right? I was reading the other day, "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11

So, all these character flaws... being uprooted... through discipline.
A painful process indeed, but I feel so much more free! and happy!
His cup is starting to overflow, or maybe it always has been overflowing and I was just unaware of it.

Man, 2009 is going to be great. I know it!

Paradigm

Everybody loves a rose
Will you be thankful for the thorns?
Love is easy when you're loved
Do you curse another when you're alone?

Oh, I give my life to You so I can gain it back again
Oh, I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting

You say live and let live
But people are dying everyday
You say what I don't know wont hurt me
But if what I do not know
Is the very thing I need
Then I say....

Oh, I give my life to You so I can gain it back again
Oh, I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting

Humanity sees truth through shattered window panes
That blocks the view, and plants the seed
So we draw the curtains to a close but I say
That the sun can still shine
behind a closed mind
And sticks and stones do hurt
When tossed from the tongue of mankind

Oh, I give my life to You so I can gain it back again
Oh, I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting

Oh, I give my life to You so I can gain it back again

Oh, I give my life to You so I can gain it back again
Oh, I stand solid while the paradigm is shifting

Paradigm...
Paradigm is shifting, is shifting... away, away...