“I’m gonna live where the green grass grows. Watch my corn pop up in rows…Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows, where the green grass grows.”
I’ve rediscovered (and rediscovered and rediscovered) how good the open rural country is for my soul.
Oh good gracious.
I know that, at some point, I’ll probably need to live in a city and make a living. BUT. I pray that I get to spend a majority of my life in God’s greenery. It refreshes my heart!
One day.
As I was resting on my bed this afternoon, window open on this beautiful sunny day, I couldn’t help but think…
I have an abnormal dislike for birds.
There was one bird who was particularly excited about the noises it could make. I’m pretty sure the creator of the car alarm borrowed this bird for inspiration.
Hopefully, one day, I can enjoy the music of birds.
Until then, I’m crossing “Ornithologist” off the list of possible career choices.
Senior year has been full of surprises and joys and some of them are just too good not to share.
I have a Masterpieces of Literature essay due tomorrow and hadn’t gotten very far on it when I got this email:
A mob of angry students from section A showed up at my house last night with torches, screaming about wanting an extension on their papers until Friday. I decided to grant it. I have a family, after all.
Needless to say, I laughed pretty hard and am elated that my paper isn’t due until Friday now.
Guys. I love my school. Praise the Lord for professors who consider where their students are at.
Let’s just get to the meat and potatoes of it:
Today is a wonderful amazing beautiful INCREDIBLE day.
Why?
Well, there’s many reasons. The physical, tangible ones?
–I got my Passion: White Flag album in the mail today. I now have access to the incredible worship experience that I lived out at the Passion 2012 conference in ATL.
–I got a book I ordered a week ago. I’m pumped to read it on the BEACH in one week. I’m stoked to learn what this professor has to say about relationships. New perspective is always swell.
–It is sunny after a weekend of rain. The rain washed away all the nasty allergy-inducing stuff and it’s a beautiful day.
–I got to spend a weekend with high schoolers, playing ridiculous games and learning more about what it means to imitate Christ.
That’s all well and good. BUT. Something was reiterated several times to me this weekend: all of this will fade away. Relationships will struggle. My CD will break. The weather will change. My flesh will fail. BUT I have a treasure and joy far better than any of that. My Father in heaven loves me more than I will ever comprehend—through my whining, disobedience, frustrations, celebrations, victories, through it all. My joy is in HIS presence. You can’t take that away. I recognize the awesome blessings around me that come from Him BUT nothing will ever compare to the blessing of a relationship with Him.
Also.
I came to this realization while not paying attention in my Cognitive Psych class (sorry Frommie): In the end…when push comes to shove, none of this matters if it’s not for the glory of God and if He’s not the center of it. I don’t need to worry about what I’m going to do, where I’m going to go, because ultimately my biggest heart focus should be glorifying God and loving Him and becoming more like Him and OH MY WORD I’m so excited to live for God, smack dab in the middle of where He wants me and what He has for me.
Guys. This Monday rocks.
Psalm 16:11: You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
1. I get to help lead a DNOW weekend at Calvary Baptist Church for the second time. I’m so pumped to see my high school girls again, hang out with TCBY (THE Calvary Baptist Youth), and learn through the “Imitator” series. Pray for us this weekend!
2. This week has been 34719374973481734712347 times better than last week. Thanks, God, for refreshing my soul!
3. Did I mention I get to hang out with high schoolers all weekend? OHMYWORD.
4. I have this strong desire to climb a water tower.
5. I got really excited for New Life Ranch today. It might be a mixture of the sunshine, prospect of high school fun this weekend, or wearing my New Life Ranch leadership t-shirt. Regardless, I’m excited for summer. [be present, be present]
I’ve mentioned them before: you should check out Today’s Letters. The couple that posts this blog are an awesome picture of how marriage is hard work (but worth it), life is bumpy (but worth it), and how seeking the Lord can bring awesome adventures your way (so worth it). Plus, they’re hilarious. Today is definitely a Today’s Letters type of day.
Dear Jambalaya House, thank you for reminding me that sometimes all you need to do is sit in the living room, watch Friends, and laugh about nothing. Dear Best Friends, thank you for bringing me ice cream, hugs, and a copy of the Awkward Family Photos book to cheer me up on a lamesauce day. Dear Treadmill, thanks for letting me run out my emotions on your conveyor belt of athleticism. Last but not least, Dear God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in the Gathering this Sunday and letting me firsthand experience everything I’m talking about in a week’s time. I think.
Like a fo real, though. Check Today’s Letters out!
{picture via Google Images/Pinterest}
This week has been one of reminding myself of one thing more than others: comparison is the thief of joy. I wrote about it last fall but have been reminded of it lately (and, as women, it comes up more than I think we’d care to admit).
I read a blog post this morning that touched on the subject:
Paul warns us that those who “measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12, NIV) Comparison will always leave us feeling like we don’t measure up. We can try to do more and be more, yet it’s never enough.
If only Eve had focused on who she was and what she had as a child of God. If only we could, too.
Yet, Satan wants us to focus on our flaws and feelings of inadequacy, then exhaust our energy figuring out how to hide them. But we don’t have to go along with his schemes. Instead we can recognize his lies, refute his temptations with truth, and focus our heart and our thoughts on God’s acceptance, security and significance. Then we can thank God for His provision and His promises that remind us of who we are in Him…(click on the link to read more)
It’s a good (but hard) thing to be reminded of and sharpened in. Remembering that what I do is to glorify God, not myself or appease others. That my affirmation has to come from Him and if I look for it in other places then I’ll only end up disappointed and lacking. And that I’m covered in the blood of Christ daily and am sought after by the Creator. Man.
“Words of love and affirmation are like bread. We need them each day, over and over. They keep us alive inside.”
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thess. 5:11
{via}
1. I get to go to Secret Church, celebrate a best friend’s birthday, go to coffee, bridesmaid dress shop, and everything else in between this weekend (thanks, God, for opportunities).
2. I’m learning that I “can do anything but can’t do everything” (David Allen). This means saying ‘no’. And this is difficult for me.
3. My love for overcast days is vast. Give me a book, a dimly lit room, and some warm socks. Mmmm bliss.
4. Anxiety, fear, judgement, etc is not a part of God’s character and, thus, is not a part of mine. I need to reflect and glorify Him in everything I do.
5. This has been a week of encouragement to find who I am in the Lord. I’m thankful that God uses jagged saws to cut straight lines.
{click picture for source}
If you’re a camper reading this (or anyone who knows my music taste) you know that “All My Fountains” by Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite songs. I even had a Nehi this summer ask me if “Miss Sadie, do you know any other songs?”
No. {pahaha sarcasm}
A friend posted Psalm 87:7 this morning: As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”
He is our source. Our supply. Draw from Him.
