Whew... it's been a whirlwind of weddings, meetings, and work the last SEVERAL weeks that I have been seriously slacking on sharing my heart with you guys. You can go ahead and call me a slacker- I'm okay with it. :)
God's been doing a lot of amazing things that I wish I could have a million pages to share with you because even that would not be enough to show the way He's been working center stage and behind the scenes. But in true fashion, God has His perfect timing, I'm not where I want to be yet, but I can definitely see things playing out in way that I had never expected.
Recently, I've been praying a lot about surrendering and asking God to give me all of Him. I've been telling Him I want more of Him, to know more deeply how He loves me, how special I am to Him, to bring me the challenging stuff, I just want more. Sometimes I feel that we all feel like that we move closer to God then backwards a bit, it's perfectly natural. There's no shame in that, however, sometimes we get to a point where we know that we want more.
For me it's been about not just wanting more of Him, but wanting less of me. To have His truths so deeply planted in my heart that I could hear and know who He is and what He says about me and what He has done for me.
Last night, I was at Bible Study and we were discussing surrender. One of the questions was, how much do we trust God and have we surrendered ourselves to the story He is writing for us. I really thought I had surrendered myself to the life God was writing for me, about the fact that my story was going to look and be different than what 'normal' was. You know, marriage, family, etc. on a certain time table... but I got really emotional about it. I don't know where it came from, but there I was, crying my ugly cry in front of my sweet small group girls. I really have been content with the way my life is for quite some time, but God was calling something much deeper out of me that I realized I hadn't surrendered. That my sweet spirit was still quite hurt and sad and sort of in mourning for a life that I had planned, but I hadn't let myself be any of those things.
Then in a way I have never really experienced before, God spoke to my spirit about those feelings. In my car, on my way to a job that I was praying to make glorious from mundane, my spirit heard,
You are too special to live an 'ordinary' life
and in nearly the same breath,
You don't have to be enough because I am enough
I've always wanted to just be a part of things, not the center of them, but those words spoken so deeply into my heart took such root and gave me such peace about the life I have and that God is writing. I'm not kidding you when I say that I have rarely felt a truth drop into my heart so strongly as I did in that moment (besides when Jesus' Truth dropped into my heart) and believed it so fully. I truly believe that it was because I was willing and open to hear it, surrendering takes all of you and it has to be something you do daily. I am not the best at it, I still am selfish and learning the value of it.
It is my prayer that you know MORE about the Living God... that if you don't know Him, that you will, when your heart is open and ready to receive it.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
The Art of Lent
For so many years, I misunderstood what the actual purpose of Lent was. I did the traditional things that I was taught because I was taught to do them, not entirely because I knew why. It wasn't until I was at least 30 that I had a grasp of why and I'm really still learning. So this blog post is going to be about what I know and believe to be true about the time of Lent.
Entering into a time of prayer, fasting, or whatever you chose to diminish for the time period of 40 days- has to be done with intent and for the right reason. If you choose to give up something it should be something that is truly hindering your walk with Christ. The season of Lent's purpose of fasting and abstinence is meant to draw you closer to the Lord, not just a way to lose a few pounds.
Now, I have given up things like Facebook and Starbucks in the past. If you know me at all, you know I'm a sucker for scrolling down the News Feed that is the time-suck called Facebook or that I can't refuse a Chai Tea Latte. For me, at the time, these things were prevalent enough to me and were distracting me from honoring God with my time and my money.
Now, in the past few years, I've changed my mentality as not one of what I am taking or sacrificing, but adding something that will replace my old worldly habits and turn them into more Christ like habits. This year, to be honest, Lent snuck up on me. I wasn't quite prepared as I have been to choose what habits I would add during this time. To be honest, I felt like I had been changing my habits and mindset for quite a while, so honing in on one, well, that was tough.
Probably, the greatest thing that I still have a hard time surrendering is my finances. It's hard to not think that about how my dollar is going to last during this lean year. Yet, it has. So, in an attempt to change my view of my finances- I've taken on a attitude of poverty. My focus is simply this: that every time that I wonder or try understand how God is going to provide for me- I remind myself that I have everything that I need. Sure, I'd like that new dress or a new pair of boots- but do I need them? Is having those things going to bring me closer to Christ? I'm not going to lie- it has been difficult, but it is amazing to see what you do have, when you stop focusing on what you don't.
I've also decided to add in a reading of the New Testament during these 46 days and yes, I'm already behind, but I know God honors my efforts and graces me with a new day to begin again.
So, no matter what you have chosen to give up, sacrifice, or add- I pray that it draws you closer to the one who added Himself to this earth to be sacrificed for us all.
Entering into a time of prayer, fasting, or whatever you chose to diminish for the time period of 40 days- has to be done with intent and for the right reason. If you choose to give up something it should be something that is truly hindering your walk with Christ. The season of Lent's purpose of fasting and abstinence is meant to draw you closer to the Lord, not just a way to lose a few pounds.
Now, I have given up things like Facebook and Starbucks in the past. If you know me at all, you know I'm a sucker for scrolling down the News Feed that is the time-suck called Facebook or that I can't refuse a Chai Tea Latte. For me, at the time, these things were prevalent enough to me and were distracting me from honoring God with my time and my money.
Now, in the past few years, I've changed my mentality as not one of what I am taking or sacrificing, but adding something that will replace my old worldly habits and turn them into more Christ like habits. This year, to be honest, Lent snuck up on me. I wasn't quite prepared as I have been to choose what habits I would add during this time. To be honest, I felt like I had been changing my habits and mindset for quite a while, so honing in on one, well, that was tough.
Probably, the greatest thing that I still have a hard time surrendering is my finances. It's hard to not think that about how my dollar is going to last during this lean year. Yet, it has. So, in an attempt to change my view of my finances- I've taken on a attitude of poverty. My focus is simply this: that every time that I wonder or try understand how God is going to provide for me- I remind myself that I have everything that I need. Sure, I'd like that new dress or a new pair of boots- but do I need them? Is having those things going to bring me closer to Christ? I'm not going to lie- it has been difficult, but it is amazing to see what you do have, when you stop focusing on what you don't.
I've also decided to add in a reading of the New Testament during these 46 days and yes, I'm already behind, but I know God honors my efforts and graces me with a new day to begin again.
So, no matter what you have chosen to give up, sacrifice, or add- I pray that it draws you closer to the one who added Himself to this earth to be sacrificed for us all.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Protecting Your Path
Since moving back home last July, I took a break from the church searching- just attending sporadically. God fed me spiritually despite my lack of interest in being spiritually fed. I think that I just spent so much time searching for a place that felt like a church home in Charleston, that my spirit just needed to regroup and refocus on what I really wanted in a church body. After all, I had just completely rip the cord from old life and stepped into a new one. To say that I was overwhelmed, well, that was an understatement.
Last September/October, I began to feel my way back into the church body, by joining a small group of ladies that in which one of my best friends was a part. Re-ignition was taking place, but I still attended church out of when I felt I needed to go, rather than making it a priority.
In January, I decided to make a commitment to attend church on a regular basis. My parents attended church in Suwanee that I began joining them at, along with my brother. While I wasn't sure that I wanted to call this place home just yet, I enjoyed going and reconnecting with my roots.
Attending church with your parents, it is much different as an adult than when you are a child, but as an adult you notice things about your parents and their faith that you may have never noticed. For example, the value of commitment, hard-work, service, investing in your church and its future, and developing relationships, among others. It is these simple things that are at the cornerstone of belief in Christ as our Creator. It is from the belief in Him and sharing Him that all of these things come to fruition.
It used to be that I would think, oh, I wish I had had more boyfriends or I had experienced things that other people experienced. I used to think I was missing out. Lately, I have come to realize that all of these things were kept from me in the light of the protection God has evidently placed on my life. I may experience life in a different way because God knows what I can handle. He is my Protector. So now, when I hear about people experiencing things both good and bad that I haven't, I am completely at peace in the knowledge that my Protector knows better than me about what is right for me. Some people know there path from an early age and others God reveals later and at a more leisurely pace that we can handle. I don't know my path, but I'm certain my Protector has paved a way for me to get there, if I just let Him do it.
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."- Acts 20:24
Today, the pastor was discussing the "Seven Highly Effective Habits of Christians" in Acts Chapter 20, in relation to Paul's final journey to spread the gospel. One that we must know is that we are all ministers of the Gospel, no one is greater than the last, as well as the fact is our job to choose to grow in faith and minister to the groups God has called us to minister. If you have children, nieces/nephews, younger siblings, coach a team, or whatever other group you might lead, the Holy Spirit has called us to lead and minister to them. I feel honored to have a new group of people that God has called me into ministry for- my new sisters in my small group. I can only trust that as I choose to keep watch of my faith, that He will equip me to minister to them, as they will to me.
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood"- Acts 20:28
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Simplicity and Authenticity
If you have been a Christian as long as I have, you long for the simplicity of faith that once accompanied your childhood church days. Where there weren't questions that couldn't be answered with a simple, "pray about it", or "God loves you" and there weren't big words like sanctification that we had to understand. Faith, belief, and the love of God weren't something that you couldn't understand, they just were a part of who God was and who you were.
As you get older you realize that most adults, just need to have the mind of a faithful child. Albeit simple, the truest form of authenticity. Where we aren't afraid to ask big questions or try new things or grow or do anything that might require a new level of being that we just needed to understand. The more I realize the deeper relationship that I want have or achieve is really just about going back to basics. It's about rediscovering your roots, recognizing your flaws or insecurities, and embracing them. Reconnecting with the simplest truth and embracing the deepest part of faith and that is in loving others as Christ did for us.
I often wonder what would happen if we just loved each other, flaws and all. Loved people we didn't like until we actually might like them. How would the world change? I think we can fundamentally change the world that way. Then all the world will know the Christ that we do, we would be the compasses directing people to Him. All the words and concepts that come along with being a true believer would then fall into place: we would forgive easily- because we love the people who have hurt us. We would extend grace- because we love the people who are different from us. We would be sanctified with the saints- because we loved people enough to show them the only way to him. Favor would rest on our shoulder- because we loved others because He first loved us. Truth would be spoken- because even though we might not agree, we still love others enough to speak over the lies that they have been told. Think about how the walls would come down- doors would be opened, if we just get past a stigma of legalism that has tainted the church for centuries.
My faith journey started before I was born- in a rejoicing mother's heart as she shared with other children about miracles. It was grown in the church, rooted in love and a deep seeded loyalty to care about those around me.
Today, I see the great evidence of His hand on my journey- my journey to try to understand a God who just loves me. Loves me enough to pursue me, loves me enough to die for me when He didn't have to. I am thankful that I have always known Him in some form, though I didn't always understand what having a relationship meant- how to actually do it. I've search for redemption in the waters of (multiple baptisms), as if believing in that act alone would make me know Him more, but all the time not understanding that I already knew Him. In His infinite love for me, He dropped His Confident truth into my life last summer, right when I needed Him too. So, when I was twelve years old, I committed my life to Him in a Confirmation Ceremony. All those consequent baptisms, confirming that choice. Satan tried to convince me that I wasn't really saved all those years, but in my quiet times with God He's made me know that His had has always guided me and that simple faith still exists inside.
This all to say, when life gets complicated or you become overwhelmed with the task of being a Christ follower- just remember LOVE. It's at the core of everything. Once that is rooted in our hearts, as simple as it sounds, it overflows to those around us. Change abounds if our hearts know love and share it as freely as we are given it.
1st John 4:7-8
As you get older you realize that most adults, just need to have the mind of a faithful child. Albeit simple, the truest form of authenticity. Where we aren't afraid to ask big questions or try new things or grow or do anything that might require a new level of being that we just needed to understand. The more I realize the deeper relationship that I want have or achieve is really just about going back to basics. It's about rediscovering your roots, recognizing your flaws or insecurities, and embracing them. Reconnecting with the simplest truth and embracing the deepest part of faith and that is in loving others as Christ did for us.
I often wonder what would happen if we just loved each other, flaws and all. Loved people we didn't like until we actually might like them. How would the world change? I think we can fundamentally change the world that way. Then all the world will know the Christ that we do, we would be the compasses directing people to Him. All the words and concepts that come along with being a true believer would then fall into place: we would forgive easily- because we love the people who have hurt us. We would extend grace- because we love the people who are different from us. We would be sanctified with the saints- because we loved people enough to show them the only way to him. Favor would rest on our shoulder- because we loved others because He first loved us. Truth would be spoken- because even though we might not agree, we still love others enough to speak over the lies that they have been told. Think about how the walls would come down- doors would be opened, if we just get past a stigma of legalism that has tainted the church for centuries.
My faith journey started before I was born- in a rejoicing mother's heart as she shared with other children about miracles. It was grown in the church, rooted in love and a deep seeded loyalty to care about those around me.
Today, I see the great evidence of His hand on my journey- my journey to try to understand a God who just loves me. Loves me enough to pursue me, loves me enough to die for me when He didn't have to. I am thankful that I have always known Him in some form, though I didn't always understand what having a relationship meant- how to actually do it. I've search for redemption in the waters of (multiple baptisms), as if believing in that act alone would make me know Him more, but all the time not understanding that I already knew Him. In His infinite love for me, He dropped His Confident truth into my life last summer, right when I needed Him too. So, when I was twelve years old, I committed my life to Him in a Confirmation Ceremony. All those consequent baptisms, confirming that choice. Satan tried to convince me that I wasn't really saved all those years, but in my quiet times with God He's made me know that His had has always guided me and that simple faith still exists inside.
This all to say, when life gets complicated or you become overwhelmed with the task of being a Christ follower- just remember LOVE. It's at the core of everything. Once that is rooted in our hearts, as simple as it sounds, it overflows to those around us. Change abounds if our hearts know love and share it as freely as we are given it.
1st John 4:7-8
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Apologies and Peace
First off, I would like to apologize to all of you who are reading this. I have gotten off track with my changed purposeful activities that I made public to you, one of which is two days of blogging a week. One devoted to God's purposes and general items that are going on in the world around me, as well as another chapter about my Grandfather. There are no really good excuses, as I have been at work about as much as I've been working from home the past few weeks. So, I ask your forgiveness and start again.
Sometimes I get so caught up in what I have to do to stay afloat, that I forget about the other purposes God has for me and how to spend time getting to know Him more. I have never been diligent about spending time with Him, so much so, that I often wonder how much closer I could be to Him if I had just devoted the time HE deserved. Then I remember that God always has a way of making His will happen despite our reluctance and lack of due diligence.
We spend our time in relentless state of trying to make things balance, that ultimately things fall off that we don't ever intend to have do so. These things we all try to balance: family, relationships, friends, work, church, service, etc are all critical components of God's purposes in our lives with Him at the head of them of course.
I often get caught up in the big picture, what I need to do to make things happen in my life. It's so hard to take the "I" out of that sentence. The details are often superfluous to me as I work my way to the big picture- there's that "I" again. While I often work in generalities and grandious-ness, God is working in the details, as I have seen evidenced in my life.
Now, I know I speak often of enjoying the journey, well, it gets harder the longer the journey is and the less you know what steps to take. All we can do is lean in, lean in to God. The peace that comes with that, well, it makes the journey a little more bearable. It makes our "trust with out borders", as my favorite Hillsong United song says, the cornerstone of what God is doing in our lives. Doing it day to day, in the details, I only hope that my attempt to do that are evidenced in my words and actions that I share with you. My prayers is that you all know the peace of trusting without borders, which I finally understand, but have to consistently work at doing.
Look for another post next week in my other blog, the one for my grandfather. As always, I am humbled that you chose to read along this journey. If you can be in prayer for each day being a day to have the strength and resolve to trust without borders, it would be greatly appreciated.
Sometimes I get so caught up in what I have to do to stay afloat, that I forget about the other purposes God has for me and how to spend time getting to know Him more. I have never been diligent about spending time with Him, so much so, that I often wonder how much closer I could be to Him if I had just devoted the time HE deserved. Then I remember that God always has a way of making His will happen despite our reluctance and lack of due diligence.
We spend our time in relentless state of trying to make things balance, that ultimately things fall off that we don't ever intend to have do so. These things we all try to balance: family, relationships, friends, work, church, service, etc are all critical components of God's purposes in our lives with Him at the head of them of course.
I often get caught up in the big picture, what I need to do to make things happen in my life. It's so hard to take the "I" out of that sentence. The details are often superfluous to me as I work my way to the big picture- there's that "I" again. While I often work in generalities and grandious-ness, God is working in the details, as I have seen evidenced in my life.
Now, I know I speak often of enjoying the journey, well, it gets harder the longer the journey is and the less you know what steps to take. All we can do is lean in, lean in to God. The peace that comes with that, well, it makes the journey a little more bearable. It makes our "trust with out borders", as my favorite Hillsong United song says, the cornerstone of what God is doing in our lives. Doing it day to day, in the details, I only hope that my attempt to do that are evidenced in my words and actions that I share with you. My prayers is that you all know the peace of trusting without borders, which I finally understand, but have to consistently work at doing.
Look for another post next week in my other blog, the one for my grandfather. As always, I am humbled that you chose to read along this journey. If you can be in prayer for each day being a day to have the strength and resolve to trust without borders, it would be greatly appreciated.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Ignorance Isn't Always Bliss
Finally, I've returned to place where my heart finds rest- the pages where I can create and share. Thank you for waiting for me here. I've been sick and have just gotten back my full strength.
I find that I'm exceptional at ignoring direction, ignoring God. The difference between not knowing what you should be doing and knowing and not doing it is astounding. Especially when it comes to God. I find myself knowing that the key to drawing closer to God is spending time in the Word and in Prayer, yet, I'm often passing over spending that critical time in light of sleep or time or whatever. You probably say, if He's your priority, then you make it a priority. To that end I consider myself an epic fail. I don't always may Him a priority- I speak grandiose ideas of who God is and then put a limit on drawing closer to Him. I find myself often wondering where I would be if I didn't put these limits on myself, limits on God. It's like an endless cycle and like so many other things in my life it seems it never changes.
Then I catch glimpses of small changes- evidence that God has taken me to a new place, understanding. I see the infinite wisdom that flows from His Spirit within me. I realize that all along- the things that I see as faults, weakness, God is using and transforming me. All those broken dreams, plans, promises, ideas- procrastination, ignorance- there is grace and a love that never fails us, no matter how we try, we can never fall out of that. So in not knowing the stuff we're not supposed to know yet- Ignorance is bliss, getting to the Bliss leaves us right where we're supposed to be.
I find that I'm exceptional at ignoring direction, ignoring God. The difference between not knowing what you should be doing and knowing and not doing it is astounding. Especially when it comes to God. I find myself knowing that the key to drawing closer to God is spending time in the Word and in Prayer, yet, I'm often passing over spending that critical time in light of sleep or time or whatever. You probably say, if He's your priority, then you make it a priority. To that end I consider myself an epic fail. I don't always may Him a priority- I speak grandiose ideas of who God is and then put a limit on drawing closer to Him. I find myself often wondering where I would be if I didn't put these limits on myself, limits on God. It's like an endless cycle and like so many other things in my life it seems it never changes.
Then I catch glimpses of small changes- evidence that God has taken me to a new place, understanding. I see the infinite wisdom that flows from His Spirit within me. I realize that all along- the things that I see as faults, weakness, God is using and transforming me. All those broken dreams, plans, promises, ideas- procrastination, ignorance- there is grace and a love that never fails us, no matter how we try, we can never fall out of that. So in not knowing the stuff we're not supposed to know yet- Ignorance is bliss, getting to the Bliss leaves us right where we're supposed to be.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Victorious Living
What does it look like to live victoriously? Last week, I told a story of a clear picture of how deciding to live victoriously can play out. But how do you continue to live victoriously?
Last week, a new task was put in my path, and my natural instinct was the "fight" or "flight" mentality- how I could possibly get out of this? You see one of the devils greatest tools on me is my ability to bully myself- masking itself as cowardice- that plus the deep seeded fear of failure, lack of confidence- well, it can paralyze this girl. I've spent the last few days procrastinating the preparation for this project. When finally, I had a great epiphany.
What happened to my Victory?
My knees had been knocked out from under me, the ulcers that I will no doubt have as a result of my obsessive worrying and fear- Victory- I lost it. It can happen that fast.
Victory is something I have to chose- daily, moment, by moment. Jesus has already won the Victory- I am Victorious! It is such a powerful statement when you believe it in your core. Eventually, I pray that it will become my constant truth, as it will become yours.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Last week, a new task was put in my path, and my natural instinct was the "fight" or "flight" mentality- how I could possibly get out of this? You see one of the devils greatest tools on me is my ability to bully myself- masking itself as cowardice- that plus the deep seeded fear of failure, lack of confidence- well, it can paralyze this girl. I've spent the last few days procrastinating the preparation for this project. When finally, I had a great epiphany.
What happened to my Victory?
My knees had been knocked out from under me, the ulcers that I will no doubt have as a result of my obsessive worrying and fear- Victory- I lost it. It can happen that fast.
Victory is something I have to chose- daily, moment, by moment. Jesus has already won the Victory- I am Victorious! It is such a powerful statement when you believe it in your core. Eventually, I pray that it will become my constant truth, as it will become yours.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
The Guiding Hand of God
The Guiding Hand of God. That's a phrase I've heard often, but loosely understood and knew to be true in my own life. That was until yesterday.
Now, let me preface this entry with a little back story. I've been blessed by an amazing group of women whom have welcomed me into their small group. We are currently studying the story of Gideon, using Priscilla Shrier's study. We have been alternating talking about the weekly work and watching the videos. This past week's video was about approaching the battle, where she talked about the steps Gideon took as a model to how to face our own battles. There were seven steps, but one the Holy Spirit highlighted to me was to take a "Stance of Victory" when you are facing a battle. We are already victorious- but often enough we don't stand in the knowledge of Victory when facing a battle.
Later that night, as I lay in bed- I prayed probably the most honest and heartfelt prayer that I had in a long time about my next job and standing in Victory that He is already Victorious in the plan for this next step.
Yesterday morning, I had the privilege to substitute at a school near my home that one of my dear friends and sorority sisters works at as a math teacher. I went to the office and they told me that the teacher I was subbing for wouldn't be needing me until 1, so I could go to the library to help out. Easy enough, I thought.
When I went in and started talking to the Media Center Staff, then I told them I was a Media Specialist too. Well, then the Media Specialist took me under her wing. We had a long conversation about the ins and outs of librarianship, toured the library, and got the down low on how everything worked at her school. It was so nice to talk to someone to understood the trials and tribulations of being a Media Specialist in this day and age.
At the end of the day, she told me that we needed to get my name out there to the other Media Specialists. She added me to her "love" column on the substitute site, plus emailed all the Media Specialist in Gwinnett County to let them know about me! Before school let out on Friday, I had phone number request and even a call to substitute from another school. Words could not express my gratitude.
The thing is I felt God's hand on the day like I never had before. He made me totally aware of His presence and that this was a step in standing in Victory. I don't know what the future holds, but I know He's already Victorious, therefore, I am Victorious. Joy is not words enough to describe it.
Now, let me preface this entry with a little back story. I've been blessed by an amazing group of women whom have welcomed me into their small group. We are currently studying the story of Gideon, using Priscilla Shrier's study. We have been alternating talking about the weekly work and watching the videos. This past week's video was about approaching the battle, where she talked about the steps Gideon took as a model to how to face our own battles. There were seven steps, but one the Holy Spirit highlighted to me was to take a "Stance of Victory" when you are facing a battle. We are already victorious- but often enough we don't stand in the knowledge of Victory when facing a battle.
Later that night, as I lay in bed- I prayed probably the most honest and heartfelt prayer that I had in a long time about my next job and standing in Victory that He is already Victorious in the plan for this next step.
Yesterday morning, I had the privilege to substitute at a school near my home that one of my dear friends and sorority sisters works at as a math teacher. I went to the office and they told me that the teacher I was subbing for wouldn't be needing me until 1, so I could go to the library to help out. Easy enough, I thought.
When I went in and started talking to the Media Center Staff, then I told them I was a Media Specialist too. Well, then the Media Specialist took me under her wing. We had a long conversation about the ins and outs of librarianship, toured the library, and got the down low on how everything worked at her school. It was so nice to talk to someone to understood the trials and tribulations of being a Media Specialist in this day and age.
At the end of the day, she told me that we needed to get my name out there to the other Media Specialists. She added me to her "love" column on the substitute site, plus emailed all the Media Specialist in Gwinnett County to let them know about me! Before school let out on Friday, I had phone number request and even a call to substitute from another school. Words could not express my gratitude.
The thing is I felt God's hand on the day like I never had before. He made me totally aware of His presence and that this was a step in standing in Victory. I don't know what the future holds, but I know He's already Victorious, therefore, I am Victorious. Joy is not words enough to describe it.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Transforming the Ways of Life and Other A Sundry Details...
At the beginning of this year, I set forth to change the way that I do the things to accomplish my goals- instead of just focusing on the goals themselves. I'm narrowing in on journey- instead of the end result. I'm often too ambitious in setting goals- ergo, I set myself up for tremendous failure.
If any of your know me well, you know that failure is the at the cornerstone of where Satan tries to work his lies into my life. He says things like, "If you had done this, you would have this" or "You didn't do this, so that's why things are this way", etc. You get the picture. He also knows that once he gets started with me on these, it's very easy to derail me. From failure it draws to comparison of others, what I should have at this point in my life or what I should have accomplished thus far. He points out the things I'm not doing way too often. I become overwhelmed with all I should be doing and shutdown. If I'm being completely real, I fall prey to these lies and this trap more often than I would like to admit and boy, does that taint my view of how God sees me.
So, I'm done making promises to myself, trying to plan out how things should be, and what goals I need to meet. That's not what motivates me. Does that mean I won't make promises to myself or try to plan things out? Absolutely not, old habits die hard, but I'm going to make every effort to embrace the way God created me. To love all the quirks, even the "failures" that other see, and be content in my Creator and where He has me.
This is where I need your help though, My love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch. So if you sense I might need some encouragement, please encourage me. If you see me and think I need a hug- give me a hug. In this virtual age that we are living in, we need to do life together "virtually" too. In the same way, I am an encourager, so I hope that I can encourage you along this journey of life as well, reminding you that you are beautifully and wonderfully made- created with His loving-kindness.
You can also keep me accountable with my overzealous list of activities that I'm implementing to put me on a path of realizing my goals. So here they are:
Thank you for reading and supporting me. You will never know how grateful I am that you take time out of your busy schedule to read my ramblings.
If any of your know me well, you know that failure is the at the cornerstone of where Satan tries to work his lies into my life. He says things like, "If you had done this, you would have this" or "You didn't do this, so that's why things are this way", etc. You get the picture. He also knows that once he gets started with me on these, it's very easy to derail me. From failure it draws to comparison of others, what I should have at this point in my life or what I should have accomplished thus far. He points out the things I'm not doing way too often. I become overwhelmed with all I should be doing and shutdown. If I'm being completely real, I fall prey to these lies and this trap more often than I would like to admit and boy, does that taint my view of how God sees me.
So, I'm done making promises to myself, trying to plan out how things should be, and what goals I need to meet. That's not what motivates me. Does that mean I won't make promises to myself or try to plan things out? Absolutely not, old habits die hard, but I'm going to make every effort to embrace the way God created me. To love all the quirks, even the "failures" that other see, and be content in my Creator and where He has me.
This is where I need your help though, My love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch. So if you sense I might need some encouragement, please encourage me. If you see me and think I need a hug- give me a hug. In this virtual age that we are living in, we need to do life together "virtually" too. In the same way, I am an encourager, so I hope that I can encourage you along this journey of life as well, reminding you that you are beautifully and wonderfully made- created with His loving-kindness.
You can also keep me accountable with my overzealous list of activities that I'm implementing to put me on a path of realizing my goals. So here they are:
- Mondays and Wednesdays, I will write for half an hour in a blog or article.
- I will put money in my 360 Account for Tithe, Savings, Trips, Mad Money every paycheck.
- I will apply to one job a week.
- I will run on two weekdays and Sat/Sun- alternating 2 and 3.5+ runs.
- Once a month, I will volunteer in an organization of choice.
- Three days a week, I will spend time before work in the Word- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Also, shout out to my newest niece Addie Grace and her proud parents, Brent and Kat, and big brother Will! God is Good All the Time Indeed!
Lastly, several years ago, I sat down with my grandfather to write His memoirs. Sadly, I have not put the time I would like into his story, so I'm going to open another blog- Wednesday to share pieces of His story. It is definitely one the world needs to hear, so I hope you'll follow that one as well.
Thank you for reading and supporting me. You will never know how grateful I am that you take time out of your busy schedule to read my ramblings.
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