We all have those things that happen in life that when we think about them, we think that it couldn't get more random. People popping into your life from the past, meeting new people, realizing small connections between friends that you thought would never know each other, finding something in a place that you would never expect it to be; the list could go on and on. Really though, nothing is ever that random. I have been struggling with some things in my life right now that are constantly in the front of my mind. At the same time, I haven't really been laying int o the Word nearly as much as I ought to. Well, this morning the Lord was really tugging on my heart to do so. I could have just sat in my room and listened to music or watched some TV in the extra hour I had before work. Instead, after much tugging from the Lord, I finally decided to pick up my book and read. I love this book but haven't read it in some time. I couldn't remember what part of the book I was on so picking it up again and starting to read made the chapter seem so random. I wasn't even in the beginning of a chapter making it even more random. I started to read and a few minutes later hit this paragraph:
"Nothing is random with our heavenly Father. He is working everything together in our stories to conform to the ultimate purpose of his story (Ephesians 1:11). God is both author and editor. Our lives are not spontaneously thrown together as collections of unrelated short stories. A large story continues to unfold, written before the world began (Psalm 139:16; Ephesians 1:3-6). God is making each of us a living epistle to be read by the watching world-a testimony to his goodness and grace. What is his final purpose? What is his goal? On an individual level, to make us more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-30). And we are never more like Jesus than when we love like Jesus.
Though his ways are not our ways (thankfully), God's plan is perfect and his timing is Swiss."
-Objects of His Affection by: Scotty Smith pg. 130
I don't know if this meant to you as much as it did for me but WOW! I really needed to be reminded that everything happens for a reason. Life isn't as random as we make think it is. The things that I am going through now, are all meant to make me more like Christ and to bring glory to the Lord. They make me stronger and help me to grow in so many ways. Not only do they help me grow, but t hey help me to see how amazing the God that I serve really is. One of the things that I am dealing with deals a whole lot with God's timing. I strongly, strongly dislike waiting on God. It is one of the hardest things to do! I want everything to happen in my time. I so frequently forget Ecclesiastes 3:11-"Everything is made beautiful in his timing". So all of these things that seem to be pulling me in so many different directions in life aren't so random. They fit into my life so well that it blows my mind. This is just one small piece of the puzzle that God uses to make me who I am and to ultimately show His love through my story. He is an amazing God that can and will use every little detail for his story. Timing and all plays a role.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
I love my job!
One of the biggest blessings in my life right now is my job. I get to work for several different families watching there kids. For the past year I have been working with kids more and more, and I don't mean kids as in five plus years but two and under. Throughout the school year I worked for a Mom's Day out program in the one year old room. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about being in that room because I didn't really get to play or talk with the kids much. How boring would that be?!? I was use to being able to play sports with the kids that I watched and carry on conversations with them. Well, it wasn't long until I realized that I got to be with the best age group. I may not have been able to talk with them or intense games with them but that wasn't for long. Throughout the year the kids became more and more independent and started learning new words. Before I knew it they were putting words together and asking me questions that actually made sense and fit into the situation! To some reading this, that might not be a big deal, but to be around a child that doesn't really make much sense because they don't know what words to use and how to put them together and then have them start making sense, it's amazing! To watch them learn and discover things and develop in different areas of life is a such a blessing to be able to take part in. I am only 20 and have no kids of my own so for me to be bale to take part in this in somebody else's child makes it all the more special. The parents were awesome in letting me watch there precious child for hours at a time a couple days a week.
About half-way through the year I started watching one of the kids before and after MDO and got to know her even more. Sweet little Mallaney. Mallaney always keeps you on your toes and is so much fun to be around. With dance parties, reading, sidewalk chalk and more, there is never a dull moment. I was just reading her mom's blog (which is all about Mallaney of course) and thinking back on all of my time with her; I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am so proud of Mallaney for so many things but most recently becoming a "big girl". She is now potty trained!!!! This is pretty big for me, I can't imagine how her parents feel. No more diapers!!! Well, for another couple of months until their next one is here.
Another little girl that I watch is such a big girl because she has been helping out with her new baby brother. Ava Grace is so sweet and can always bring a smile to my face. A couple of days ago I got to bring her to the pool for the first time. It was so much fun to watch her splash around in the baby pool and be so brave to go to the big kid pool. In fact, most of her time was in the big kid pool. She even put her face in the water! Of course, this scared me at first because I wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not, but when she pulled her head up with a huge smile on it, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
Towards the end of the year is when I picked up another amazing job. Little Naomi is the youngest of the three girls I watch and is almost two. She has been so much fun to watch run around and her love for dogs always makes me laugh inside. She could see the biggest most ferocious dog and still, with a big smile and arms in the air, yell out "puppy!!!!!!". When we are walking and somebody says "hi" to her, she might ignore them. Even when she just gives the person a blank stare, when she sees their dog next to them, she lights up and yells out "puppy!! keeses!!!" (which of course means kisses).
I could go on and on about these precious kids and tell story after story about them, but I won't keep you reading too much longer. I love my job and I love these kids. They are a handful and ware me out, but I love them non-the-less! I love being a part of their lives and I am so blessed to be. Anytime they come up in my conversations, I light up and usually end up talking about them for quite some time. I can't help, they are great kids and I am so proud of them. They may be little, but they are BIG blessings from above.
About half-way through the year I started watching one of the kids before and after MDO and got to know her even more. Sweet little Mallaney. Mallaney always keeps you on your toes and is so much fun to be around. With dance parties, reading, sidewalk chalk and more, there is never a dull moment. I was just reading her mom's blog (which is all about Mallaney of course) and thinking back on all of my time with her; I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am so proud of Mallaney for so many things but most recently becoming a "big girl". She is now potty trained!!!! This is pretty big for me, I can't imagine how her parents feel. No more diapers!!! Well, for another couple of months until their next one is here.
Another little girl that I watch is such a big girl because she has been helping out with her new baby brother. Ava Grace is so sweet and can always bring a smile to my face. A couple of days ago I got to bring her to the pool for the first time. It was so much fun to watch her splash around in the baby pool and be so brave to go to the big kid pool. In fact, most of her time was in the big kid pool. She even put her face in the water! Of course, this scared me at first because I wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not, but when she pulled her head up with a huge smile on it, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
Towards the end of the year is when I picked up another amazing job. Little Naomi is the youngest of the three girls I watch and is almost two. She has been so much fun to watch run around and her love for dogs always makes me laugh inside. She could see the biggest most ferocious dog and still, with a big smile and arms in the air, yell out "puppy!!!!!!". When we are walking and somebody says "hi" to her, she might ignore them. Even when she just gives the person a blank stare, when she sees their dog next to them, she lights up and yells out "puppy!! keeses!!!" (which of course means kisses).
I could go on and on about these precious kids and tell story after story about them, but I won't keep you reading too much longer. I love my job and I love these kids. They are a handful and ware me out, but I love them non-the-less! I love being a part of their lives and I am so blessed to be. Anytime they come up in my conversations, I light up and usually end up talking about them for quite some time. I can't help, they are great kids and I am so proud of them. They may be little, but they are BIG blessings from above.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Serving an Amazing God
Wow! It has been quite some time since I last blogged! So much has been going on in my life. My best friend that came to live with me last semester has moved back to Alabama. She needs much prayer! She is an amazingly blessed girl who is loved by so many. She wasn't planning on going back to Alabama for quite sometime, but she was blessed with the opportunity to raise a child of her own. Now, most people wouldn't exactly call this a blessing; being 19 and single isn't the best situation to be in when pregnant for the first time. However, she serves an amazing God and He is in control of all things. As most people who have been reading my blog know, I look at every situation "good" or "bad" as a blessing because they all teach us and force us to grow. At about four and a half months, she lost the baby. Not only was her life turned upside down once, it was flipped back around only four and half months later. Though it is so hard to say, this too happened for a reason and is a blessing. She is such a strong woman, but still needs prayers daily. Not only has the Lord been working in her life, but mine as well.
I took last semester off of school because of an elbow surgery and since then I have decided to take this semester off of school as well. I have been working at a couple of places and one of them is a physical therapy place. Last time that I wrote anything on here, I was passionate about physical therapy and I was Pre- Physical Therapy. Towards the beginning of the semester, my hours were cut back quite a bit at the PT place. Initially, I was infuriated because there really was no reason for my boss to do so. We had just hired somebody else that wasn't needed at the time, and then they started cutting everybody's hours. I know I know, people only get there hours cut for a reason-like them doing something wrong. But after talking to everybody else that works there, they all agreed that I was not the one that should have gotten so many hours cut. It wasn't until a month or so later wen I began to realize that this was happening for a reason. I was so mad before that I couldn't see that the Lord was working in this situation. I slowly began to lose more and more interest in Physical Therapy and I began to grow a stronger and stronger passion for my other job, childcare. I work at my church three days a week with kids that are under the age of three and then the rest of my free time I babysit. All of the kids that I watch are mainly around the age of one and just turning two. I have always said that I never want to be a teacher or do anything except for Physical Therapy. Ha, it is never a good idea to let God know what your plans in life are! He most certainly changed my heart and what I am passionate about. I still don't really want to teach, but to work with kids that are young and are very impressionable is an amazing experience. I have watched kids grow inside and out and have been with them throughout several weeks when they start talking more and more. There is something amazing about when two kids learn the important but hard task of sharing. When they develop into little people that care for others and understand when they do something that is either good or bad. So, after all that the Lord has been showing me, I have decided to go into Early Childhood Development. Kids are an amazing blessing and I am I am forever grateful that I am able to work with them daily.
Not only has the Lord been showing me knew things as far as what I am going to do in my life, but He has also been showing me things about myself that aren't necessarily good. It isn't fun to be shown your sin and see how it effects every aspect of your life. It isn't fun at all, in fact it hurts, a lot. However, it is so good that I am able to see it. If I weren't able to see my sin, how then would I be able to change it? How then would I be able to see that I serve such a forgiving and amazing God? I am reading this book with some other girls that I know called "Perfecting Ourselves to Death". It is such a good book, but wow is it hard to read! I never really thought of myself as that much of a perfectionist, but I sure am. I recommend this book to anybody. There is most probably a little bit of perfectionist inside all of us. I have been able to see how much it effects relationships and so much more. I have also realized how much I want to be God. I know it sounds so stupid to say, but it's the truth. That is so sinful of me! How could I possibly want to be God? Easy, all of us want to. We want to control everything and have things the way that we want it whether we realize it or not. Sin is a daily struggle that I have to face, but thankfully I serve a forgiving, merciful, just, gracious, and unchanging God that calls me His own. I am so glad that I am serving such and amazing God!
I took last semester off of school because of an elbow surgery and since then I have decided to take this semester off of school as well. I have been working at a couple of places and one of them is a physical therapy place. Last time that I wrote anything on here, I was passionate about physical therapy and I was Pre- Physical Therapy. Towards the beginning of the semester, my hours were cut back quite a bit at the PT place. Initially, I was infuriated because there really was no reason for my boss to do so. We had just hired somebody else that wasn't needed at the time, and then they started cutting everybody's hours. I know I know, people only get there hours cut for a reason-like them doing something wrong. But after talking to everybody else that works there, they all agreed that I was not the one that should have gotten so many hours cut. It wasn't until a month or so later wen I began to realize that this was happening for a reason. I was so mad before that I couldn't see that the Lord was working in this situation. I slowly began to lose more and more interest in Physical Therapy and I began to grow a stronger and stronger passion for my other job, childcare. I work at my church three days a week with kids that are under the age of three and then the rest of my free time I babysit. All of the kids that I watch are mainly around the age of one and just turning two. I have always said that I never want to be a teacher or do anything except for Physical Therapy. Ha, it is never a good idea to let God know what your plans in life are! He most certainly changed my heart and what I am passionate about. I still don't really want to teach, but to work with kids that are young and are very impressionable is an amazing experience. I have watched kids grow inside and out and have been with them throughout several weeks when they start talking more and more. There is something amazing about when two kids learn the important but hard task of sharing. When they develop into little people that care for others and understand when they do something that is either good or bad. So, after all that the Lord has been showing me, I have decided to go into Early Childhood Development. Kids are an amazing blessing and I am I am forever grateful that I am able to work with them daily.
Not only has the Lord been showing me knew things as far as what I am going to do in my life, but He has also been showing me things about myself that aren't necessarily good. It isn't fun to be shown your sin and see how it effects every aspect of your life. It isn't fun at all, in fact it hurts, a lot. However, it is so good that I am able to see it. If I weren't able to see my sin, how then would I be able to change it? How then would I be able to see that I serve such a forgiving and amazing God? I am reading this book with some other girls that I know called "Perfecting Ourselves to Death". It is such a good book, but wow is it hard to read! I never really thought of myself as that much of a perfectionist, but I sure am. I recommend this book to anybody. There is most probably a little bit of perfectionist inside all of us. I have been able to see how much it effects relationships and so much more. I have also realized how much I want to be God. I know it sounds so stupid to say, but it's the truth. That is so sinful of me! How could I possibly want to be God? Easy, all of us want to. We want to control everything and have things the way that we want it whether we realize it or not. Sin is a daily struggle that I have to face, but thankfully I serve a forgiving, merciful, just, gracious, and unchanging God that calls me His own. I am so glad that I am serving such and amazing God!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
They will know we are Christians by our love...
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
This song is on the Jars of Clay CD Redemption Songs. I love this song because it is so true. Often times people will notice how we treat each other and they want to be a part of it. One thing that I have come to realize recently is that it truly is much harder to love fellow believers and forgive them. I know for me if a non-believer does something, I am quicker to forgive them because they may not know better. When a fellow believer does something, it is much harder for me to forgive. I heard this sermon recently that really shook me up and made me realize that I do this. Yes, they may know better, but they still make mistakes. I know when I am sinning, and I still mess up and do it. If I were to look at them the same way that God looks at them, then I would see perfection through Christ. If God can look at them and see this even though they have sinned, I ought to be able to look at them in the same way. Recently I was put in a situation where I dealt with this same thing. I was very upset with this person and I should have been able to forgive him, but simply because they never said that they were sorry, I held it against them and I was holding onto this hurt. I realized that I am now in the wrong. I can't justify my actions just because he hurt me. I still have to be able to forgive him or I am in turn hurting him. I am not only hurting him, but I am not showing my love for a believer in the way that I should and I know that doesn't look good to non-believers watching. We all are supposed to be working towards the same goal; glorifying the Lord. If I am not able to forgive and work with them in this same goal, how do I expect to accomplish it? It is so important to love our sisters and brothers in Christ and treat them the way that God sees them. We too mess up and still want people to treat us with love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
This song is on the Jars of Clay CD Redemption Songs. I love this song because it is so true. Often times people will notice how we treat each other and they want to be a part of it. One thing that I have come to realize recently is that it truly is much harder to love fellow believers and forgive them. I know for me if a non-believer does something, I am quicker to forgive them because they may not know better. When a fellow believer does something, it is much harder for me to forgive. I heard this sermon recently that really shook me up and made me realize that I do this. Yes, they may know better, but they still make mistakes. I know when I am sinning, and I still mess up and do it. If I were to look at them the same way that God looks at them, then I would see perfection through Christ. If God can look at them and see this even though they have sinned, I ought to be able to look at them in the same way. Recently I was put in a situation where I dealt with this same thing. I was very upset with this person and I should have been able to forgive him, but simply because they never said that they were sorry, I held it against them and I was holding onto this hurt. I realized that I am now in the wrong. I can't justify my actions just because he hurt me. I still have to be able to forgive him or I am in turn hurting him. I am not only hurting him, but I am not showing my love for a believer in the way that I should and I know that doesn't look good to non-believers watching. We all are supposed to be working towards the same goal; glorifying the Lord. If I am not able to forgive and work with them in this same goal, how do I expect to accomplish it? It is so important to love our sisters and brothers in Christ and treat them the way that God sees them. We too mess up and still want people to treat us with love.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Amazing Grace!
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Yet another amazing song! I listened to a three year old sing the first verse of this song and I couldn't help but tear up for a couple of reasons. The words are so true and so strong! If we really thought about this song on a daily basis, we would probably struggle with insecurities a lot less. Another thing that I thought was really cool was when I heard a three year old sing it. We are to train up children in Christ and it is so sweet to hear a child of God at such a young age worship the God of everything. Instilling these values at such a young age is not a waste of time for even when she is old, she will not depart from them.
In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
I am pretty sure that I have already posted this song on my blog somewhere, but the lyrics are so good that I had to do it again! I encourage you to really meditate ont hese words and what they really mean.
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
I am pretty sure that I have already posted this song on my blog somewhere, but the lyrics are so good that I had to do it again! I encourage you to really meditate ont hese words and what they really mean.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Finally Satisfied!
All my life long, I had thirsted
For a drink from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! He has found me
The One my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies all my long - ings
Through His blood I now am saved.
Feeding on the filth around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
(Chorus)
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry.
(chorus)
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
(chorus)
*I love this song because it goes along with one of the songs in a previous post "All I Need". It is so true, all that I really need is Christ. Apart from Him, I am nothing and I have nothing. I know this seems drastic, but it's true; this is what I strongly believe. I still continue to search daily for things of this world that bring me no true satisfaction. I wish I could say that I base my life fully on words such as these, but, unfortunately, I am sinful and I mess up day after day. You'd think that I would have learned a long time ago that people and things of this world will always fail me at one time or another, but I haven't. Thankfully He gives me more time each day to try to take my eyes off of wordly things and focus on Him and bringing Him glory.
For a drink from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! He has found me
The One my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies all my long - ings
Through His blood I now am saved.
Feeding on the filth around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
(Chorus)
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry.
(chorus)
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
(chorus)
*I love this song because it goes along with one of the songs in a previous post "All I Need". It is so true, all that I really need is Christ. Apart from Him, I am nothing and I have nothing. I know this seems drastic, but it's true; this is what I strongly believe. I still continue to search daily for things of this world that bring me no true satisfaction. I wish I could say that I base my life fully on words such as these, but, unfortunately, I am sinful and I mess up day after day. You'd think that I would have learned a long time ago that people and things of this world will always fail me at one time or another, but I haven't. Thankfully He gives me more time each day to try to take my eyes off of wordly things and focus on Him and bringing Him glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
