The Roosters Crow

Today I was in the mood for a walk and a good phone convo (and it's rare that I'm ever in the mood to talk on the phone), so after finishing up an Indian homecooked meal I left the house with my phone and a decent speed walk. Five years ago my dad built our house in a nice community of houses out in the country, where each house sets back in 5 acres of pine trees and each house must follow the regulations set by the homeowners association. Near the end of my first phone conversation I heard a rooster crow, apparently the homeowners association says nothing about roosters. On hearing the crow of the rooster I couldn't help but let my mind plunge into the memories of my first month in India, when the roosters woke me up to my homesick misery every morning. I suddenly remembered the pain of loneliness that haunted me while I was there, and no pain cuts quite like that. The painful memories of India flashed me back to a similar time (maybe a little worse). The first quarter of my second year of college. And after several minutes I had relived some pretty painful stuff from the past two years all brought about by some stupid little rooster. After I got off the phone, I looked around. Look at me, I just finished my sixth summer at summer camp, I'm moving into my little house this week, starting school in two, I have the best friends anyone could ask for, my family is understanding and supportive, and I feel so blessed. God has taken care of me. Without that pain from the last two years, I wouldn't know the feeling of "better than awesome" and I wouldn't be ecstatic about life. God gives and gives and gives. When peole who we love, give to us, we give back. I want to give to God, because I love Him and have seen all that He has done for me and those around me. Thanks for giving God! I don't want to spoil my gift for you, but it's in progress :)