I typically think of myself as someone who is not easily shaken. By the age of 21 I have had my fair share of struggles and extremely difficult situations (as have many other people). As a student who is going to be working in the nonprofit field, I am often confronted with various images and stories that would break anyone's heart. I often think that I know way too much about the world than I would like to. It's not exactly the kindest of places.
Even still, there are the occasional times when something comes along and you stop and ask "Why?" Why are some things allowed to happen? As a scientific and inquisitive species, we are always looking for answers, and sometimes there are none. We don't always understand. I don't always understand. These things just don't make sense. Sometimes you are confronted with something that brings back a flood of memories that you had worked so hard to suppress. You don't want to think about those things, but now you can't get them out of your head. Since I never had the privilege of counseling or therapy, this might be God's way of counseling me. Making me deal with things. Past things, but pretty-big-deal things. Thanks a lot God.
Even while my brain tries to make things work and make sense, my heart tells me that they never will this side of heaven. All I have is the promise that God is sovereign and that He works all things to be for our ultimate good. My idea of my "ultimate good" may differ from God's, but I trust Him. He has never failed me, and I know that He never will. My comfort and peace rests in that.
March 29, 2011
March 6, 2011
Twenty One
I recently celebrated my 21st birthday, and thought that I would commemorate it by listing 21 things that I am thankful for. I am also including some pictures from the festivities. :)
1. I am thankful for a God who loves me and cares about me personally and has blessed me with 21 years of life.
2. I am thankful for an amazing, handsome husband who loves me and cares for me.
3. I am thankful for my wonderful friends who support me and help me grow.
4. I am thankful for a loving family who, although they are not perfect, are a very important and wonderful part of my life.
5. I am thankful for my health and my well-being that I often take for granted.
6. I am thankful for God's provision with our first apartment that had a very low rent.
7. I am thankful for getting to move to another apartment soon that has a real kitchen. :)
8. I am thankful that I have never truly been in need, nor have I ever wanted for anything.
9. I am thankful for being born in America where I can get a college degree without even a huge strain on my family or my finances.
10. I am thankful that God led me to HPU where I love my degree program, my professors, and my friends.
11. I am thankful for the desire that God has placed in my heart to work with nonprofit organizations to meet people's needs around the world (both physically and spiritually).
12. I am thankful for the little things that bring me joy: crafting, organizing, scrapbooking, etc.
13. I am thankful for laughter and for tears, because they both bring us closer to understanding the God that loves us.
14. I am thankful for the warmth and light of the sun that never ceases to lift my spirits and make me smile.
15. I am thankful for music that speaks to me and comes out of me with something more powerful than words.
16. I am thankful for God's beautiful creation that is always changing, always beautiful, and always inspiring.
17. I am thankful for relaxation and the word "no" that reminds me that I do not always have to be running, I do not always have to please everyone, and that God does not require me to do everything.
18. I am thankful for organization, because it de-stresses me and makes me happy and content with the world.
19. I am thankful for imperfections (although I'll admit that some days I am less thankful than others), because they are God's markings on us that let us know that we are special and unique.
20. I am thankful for pictures that capture moments to be savored for years and passed down for generations.
21. I am thankful for the perspective where I can be thankful for 21 things (and many more) without even having to think about it.
Thank you God for 21 years of Your presence and 21 years of Your blessings. I look forward to all the years I will spend with You from now through eternity. :)
1. I am thankful for a God who loves me and cares about me personally and has blessed me with 21 years of life.
2. I am thankful for an amazing, handsome husband who loves me and cares for me.
3. I am thankful for my wonderful friends who support me and help me grow.
4. I am thankful for a loving family who, although they are not perfect, are a very important and wonderful part of my life.
5. I am thankful for my health and my well-being that I often take for granted.
6. I am thankful for God's provision with our first apartment that had a very low rent.
7. I am thankful for getting to move to another apartment soon that has a real kitchen. :)
8. I am thankful that I have never truly been in need, nor have I ever wanted for anything.
9. I am thankful for being born in America where I can get a college degree without even a huge strain on my family or my finances.
10. I am thankful that God led me to HPU where I love my degree program, my professors, and my friends.
11. I am thankful for the desire that God has placed in my heart to work with nonprofit organizations to meet people's needs around the world (both physically and spiritually).
12. I am thankful for the little things that bring me joy: crafting, organizing, scrapbooking, etc.
13. I am thankful for laughter and for tears, because they both bring us closer to understanding the God that loves us.
14. I am thankful for the warmth and light of the sun that never ceases to lift my spirits and make me smile.
15. I am thankful for music that speaks to me and comes out of me with something more powerful than words.
16. I am thankful for God's beautiful creation that is always changing, always beautiful, and always inspiring.
17. I am thankful for relaxation and the word "no" that reminds me that I do not always have to be running, I do not always have to please everyone, and that God does not require me to do everything.
18. I am thankful for organization, because it de-stresses me and makes me happy and content with the world.
19. I am thankful for imperfections (although I'll admit that some days I am less thankful than others), because they are God's markings on us that let us know that we are special and unique.
20. I am thankful for pictures that capture moments to be savored for years and passed down for generations.
21. I am thankful for the perspective where I can be thankful for 21 things (and many more) without even having to think about it.
Thank you God for 21 years of Your presence and 21 years of Your blessings. I look forward to all the years I will spend with You from now through eternity. :)
March 1, 2011
Perspective
My human relations professor told our class today that in order to reorganize your life (or business) you have to take a step back - gain a better perspective. Well, this week is midterm week and I get to look forward to an entire spring break spent in the library, so perspective is a little hard for me to come by these days. This song, however, gives me the perspective that I need. Christ is alive, and nothing else can do anything to me - not even exams, papers, presentations or stress!
Listen to this song sometime!! If it doesn't bring you joy, I don't know what will.
Christ is Risen Matt Maher
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!
Listen to this song sometime!! If it doesn't bring you joy, I don't know what will.
Christ is Risen Matt Maher
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!
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