Flip a Switch

I was reading a magazine from my church and there was one paragraph that completely caught my eye. It read:

"I am constantly reminded that as much as I wish otherwise...I can never flip a switch and have everything be made different. Life is not changed by good intentions or right decisions alone- it is changed by a long-suffering, inexorable, wise, relentless commitment to God. That commitment is not a silver bullet to right a fallen world in an instant, it is a promise to let that one relationship alter all others- and change me in time, over time, and sometimes with time." - Isaac Hunter, pastor

Wow... these are some strong words. I was touched and transformed by that paragraph. So often in my life I tend to think I can change everything. There are days that I enjoy planning my life, where I will live, who I will marry, where I will travel when I grow older, etc. I am oh so often reminded how none of this is what God wants. God does not want me to flip a switch and have everything be just as I would like. Instead, my commitment with Him IS a promise and IS a relationship I treasure more than any other in my life. I do have one choice. I have the choice to allow him to change me in time, over time, and sometimes with time.

Lord, allow me to give the decision making up and let you take control. Grant me the strength and patience to be changed in, over, and sometimes with time. Amen.

Across the Universe

My bible study girls and I watched a movie last night called "Across the Universe." It was a really good movie, kinda trippy, but good. For all of those who like interesting, original movies I would highly suggest watching it. Life lately has been going well. I was able to go home to Tennessee to visit my family for Easter. I am such a kid at heart. I love going home to see my mom and dad at the house I grew up in and visiting my hometown friends. Throughout my childhood, my parents made a huge effort to celebrate every single holiday or birthday imaginable. I was definitely treated like a kid with my mom doing my laundry, making my food, and basically letting me enjoy my time off. It was awesome. I watched some good movies and hung out around the house with my parents. I never used to realize how precious that time was until I moved away from home. There are some days that I wish I could go back and actually appreciate all of the things I took for granted before I moved out on my own. When I was home I also got an Easter basket. Yes, I am an adult who still gets an Easter basket. And you better believe that when I have kids that are my age, I will do the same thing for them. It is a part of my past that I never want to end...the holidays, the present giving and receiving, etc.

Orlando has been very hot and sunny lately. It has been around 85 for the high and 65 for the night lows. If anyone is planning on coming down this way for a Spring Break, come on down because it is BEAUTIFUL weather March- May. It becomes semi-unbearable end of May- end of August. I always thought that I would be totally fine since I lived in Texas for 4 years and experienced some of the most incredible temperatures (104 on move in day my freshman year). Florida weather is quite different. It doesn't get as high on the temperature list, but it definitely is just as miserable...if not more. Texas has a dry heat where all you feel is heat. Florida has a humid, sick out nasty heat. This kind of heat is the kind when you walk outside after you have showered and gotten ready for the day, you begin to feel as if you just stepped out of the shower again. It is not enjoyable unless you are either A. at the beach or B. in the pool. Luckily, we have several of these around so they are never too far out of reach. Well, speaking of this beautiful weather...I believe I am going to go outside and enjoy the rest of my day.

Wastelands

I really love when God answers a prayer and then confirms it through His word. A couple of days ago I wrote about my journey here in Orlando, my struggles, and now the upward crawl. I was doing my quiet time this morning and I found myself smiling at how God gives us confirmations when we least expect it. Here is what I read:

Wastelands- from Elisabeth Elliot's "A Lamp Unto My Feet"

There are dry, lonely places in each of our lives, where we seem to travel alone, sometimes feeling as though we must surely have lost the way. What am I doing here? How did this happen? Lord, get me out of this!

He does not get us out. Not when we ask for it, at any rate, because it was He all along who brought us to this place. He has been here before-it is no wilderness to Him, and He walks with us. There are things to be seen and learned in these apparent wastelands that cannot be seen and learned in the city- in places of comfort, convenience, and company.

God does not intend to make it no wasteland. He intends, rather, to keep us- to hold us with His strength, to sustain us with His sure words- in a place where there is nothing else we can count on.

"God did not guide them by the road towards the Philistines, although that was the shortest; God made them go by way of the wilderness towards the Red Sea (Exodus 13: 17-18)."

Imagine what Israel, and all of us who worship Israel's God, would have missed if they had gone by the shortest route- the thrilling story of the deliverance from Egypt's chariots when the sea was rolled back. Let's not ask for shortcuts. Let's keep alert for the wonders our Guide will show us in the wilderness.

Today

So, yes...I have been quite a slacker in the blog world. I started this blog with the intention of being able to help my friends keep up with what is truly going on in my life rather than the typical "It's going well. Everything is pretty much the same." Unfortunately, that statement holds pretty true today. I have nothing to complain about. However, I do have some news that might make some of you smile. As most of you know (well those closest to me) I have had an extremely difficult time adjusting to life outside of college in a town where I knew no one. Orlando, might I add, is not exactly the easiest city to come by yourself to conquer. It is a very liberal city and is so drastically different than anything I had ever experienced. It has taken me about a year and a half to truly enjoy it. I can now say with all the confidence in the world that I feel like this is my home for the time being. I have experienced extreme brokenness in the process of moving here and becoming adjusted, but I also feel that God changed me through it. He made me a better person. He has made me a stronger person. Isn't it crazy how God uses life's most difficult times to make you stronger? I can appreciate those times now that they are easier. I absolutely trust God and His will for my life, but I often wonder why we are never able to truly stop worrying and planning. I try, honestly I do. I look back at those hard times when I first moved to Orlando and now I wish I would have truly trusted Him the whole time. He delivered. He promised me happiness and delivered. For some odd reason, I questioned that. Thank goodness for grace, right? Thank you God for holding true to your promises. I pray that through the hard times and through the happy times that we can appreciate every second without being worrisome. I hope today God has showed you His blessings.

Isn't LIFE just beautiful?

I can only start this blog out by sharing the most amazing, inspiring story I have heard in a long time. I was emailed this link at work and was encouraged to take the time to watch the video. I was so impacted by this couple's life that it really brought me to a place of praise . After you watch this video you may wonder why I was brought to a place of praise. No, I do not have children. No, I have never lost a child. Thankfully I have not experienced anything even remotely tragic in my life. But somehow in the midst of a very busy day, this story touched me. It put life into perspective. It allowed me to see a couple who was faced with the most daunting task, but rose above to celebrate the love and grace of a Heavenly Father. It reminded me to thank Jesus for every moment I breathe, every step I take, and every experience I am given.

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

For those of you who know me well, you know how passionate I am about my job. I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have been given a unique opportunity to share my life and my heart with those who are experiencing life's most difficult times. I go to work every single day, okay just five days a week, with plans of helping those who are hurting and putting smiles on those who are sick. I spend hours holding babies whose parents are unable to be with them. I spend hours playing with the sweetest, most adorable kids in the entire world. I spend hours talking and listening to those parents who have been given the "news" that their child may not make it to tomorrow. I spend hours pouring my heart out to those who are sick and hurting. And then I go home.

I go home with lots of stuff jumbled in my brain. My emotions are completely out of whack some days. But then I am reminded of God's most beautiful plan. His plan is full of hope, grace, and most importantly love. He IS the creator and He understands everything. He knows why today was a good day and why tomorrow will be even better. He knows that some days we might get knocked down to our knees long enough to be reminded exactly what the word trust really means. And this is where the praise part comes into play. I watched this video and praised God for the hard times because it is in the hard times that we see Him in a different light. We are more open to His help. Our arms are open because we have no other choice.

I was reminded through this video how beautiful life really is. Life can be so extremely difficult, but overall, isn't it just beautiful?