thoughts: change and two years

[ all images are mine]

US 

 uncertain // unsteady // alternating // changeable // wavering// inconsistent // irresolute // unstable // fluctuating // erratic // variable // changing 

GOD

enduring // eternal // immutable // changelesss // consistent // continuing // fixed // imperishable // invariable // lasting // perpetual   // unfading // unfailing // unfluctuating // unvarying // constant // unchanging 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. // Hebrews 13:8 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation of shadow due to change. // James 1:17

I really don't know where this is going. And I definitely don't want to be depressing, but somehow, contrasting God with us little tiny humans makes me amazed all over again. 

The fact that we, as humans, change is not always a bad thing. However, it's a relief to know that something -Someone- out there does not, will not, and will never change. Change isn't always bad, but sometimes (okay, make that usually) it's hard. And having something solid to cling to, to trust to, to run to, makes all the difference. 

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The two years part of the title? Yes, this little corner of the internet has been around for two years already, and I can't believe it. Blogging started out as something to do "because it was cool". Now, blogging is something to do because it's just a tiny little way that I can share with others about the amazing God who loves me. 

In just two years, A Purpose and A Promise has undergone quite a few changes (speaking of that subject). I hope, though, that the basic message has not: living for God is our ultimate purpose in life, because He's the One who's given us our ultimate promise. My life is not perfect, nor is this blog perfect, but we have a perfect God who sticks with us no matter what, and I hope that's what you've glimpsed through this blog!

Anyway, I want to say a huge thank-you to every one of you who have read, followed, commented, or in any other way supported and encouraged this little blog. You are such a blessing! Getting followers is no longer why I blog, but the fact that 64 people would take the time to click follow is  humbling, inspiring, and encouraging. Seriously- thank you. xx

The Hardest Thing

Okay. This post deserves a little bit of explanation. About a year ago, I came across this post from the blog On the Other Side of Reality. The author's most recent post was titled The Hardest Thing and described a deep, sad, picture of life and its end. As I read it, I realized that indeed, a lot of people believe that and live like that every day... and my heart felt so heavy for those, those who essentially have no hope.
The author has allowed me to write something based of off her original work, which is intended to show another "hardest thing"- in my opinion, the hardest thing that can happen to a believer in Christ.
Please understand- this post is in no way is intended to hold anything against or put down the the author, what she writes, or what she believes. Since she identifies as an agnostic, I would not agree with most of her beliefs, but in this case my point is not to disagree or argue anything- I only wanted to share my take on a heartfelt glimpse of what the future holds for a person. Again, go ahead and read the original post before reading my spinoff, and thanks again to the author for allowing me to share this.

{image mine}

....is when you know you could have done more, done better, done it well. You knew how to sing, to dance, to write, draw, and speak- but you didn't do it for the right reason. You had money and power, influence and skill, but what is left of you? What is there to show in the light of eternity? The only thing that just kept you going on- just barely hanging on, day after day- was that secret hope that one day you might find out the real reason for life. You didn't bother looking into it then, although it would have been the only thing that would have smoothed away the tears and stress and emptiness of life and let you see the world like it is.

And so you learned to live your life that way. You kept it all inside, but finally, nearly at the last minute, you found out. You gave in to what you knew must have existed all along- that gentle voice that tugged at your soul. And when you finally exited this world there was Someone on the other side to comfort you. However, there were no loving arms and gentle reassurances in this one as you slowly exited this life, there were no grave performances or dramatic memorials as you returned to the dust where you came. And you know it's all your own fault. All there is is Him- suddenly the only thing you ever knew was ever enough, as you are swept away for eternity. In that final moment, there is peace. There wasn't what you expected, though- no congratulations on your earthly accomplishments and successes, only Him and that overwhelming wave of remembrance of what you could have done with your life but didn't, and then everything else fading out and a new life beginning forever. 

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If you are a believer in Christ, would you agree that the thought of a wasted life- with nothing left to give Him- is the hardest thing? Of course, we can never come to Christ "too late", as everything is in His timing, and we know that He alone is enough -that we can never do anything to earn heaven- but our love for Him in this life is proved by our actions. How sad to have nothing to show.

I would love to know your thoughts about this. What do you think is the hardest thing? 

Freedom

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America! 

God mend thine every flaw, 

Confirm thy soul in self-control, 

Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America! 

May God thy gold refine, 

Till all success be nobleness, 

And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! 

God shed His grace on thee 

And crown thy good with brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea!

~America the Beautiful, words by Katherine L. Bates 

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And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. // John 8:32

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself // Galatians 5:13-14

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. // Romans 8:1-4

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To those of you who are Americans- Happy Independence Day! God has blessed us with remarkable freedom for nearly two and a half decades in America, and we should never forget what He has given us.

To all believers- no matter what country you live in- we are all blessed with the true freedom found in God's Word, though Jesus! He gives us the ultimate freedom, and may we never forget that as we strive to tell others about this true Freedom found in Christ.

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O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heaven rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,” 

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

-The Star-Spangled Banner (fifth verse), words by Francis Scott Key

More Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. // I Corinthians 13

Love is a word so misused in today's culture. We seem to have a lot of it, yet I really think that we don't have enough of it. Enough of the right kind of love, anyway. We have plenty of the wrong, mixed up kind!

The right kind of love is the kind that the Bible instructs us about- the kind of sacrificial love that Jesus displayed. Of course, we can't ever come close to having that kind of love for someone else, but God has given us some guidelines to follow regarding the kind of love we can have with His help. The Bible talks a lot about love in many places, but one of the verses that struck me recently was John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” How convicting!

I'm convinced that what the world needs is more genuine love. More love for others, and more love for Jesus. If we have love for Him, we should have love for others, so perhaps starting with loving Him more is the way we need to go. This post is a fantastic look at what loving Jesus more should look like.

None of us can love perfectly, but all of us can love more. That's most important thing. We don't have to- and can never- love perfectly, but we can- and should be- striving to love more as we learn and grow in Christ. That's a huge goal to have, but it's an important one! (Besides, I love having big goals and seeing what comes of them- especially when they're something that can only be done with Jesus' help, such as having more love for Him!) I have a long way to go with this goal, but I know it's vital for the future. And of course, with God, nothing is impossible. ♥

What do you think about this idea of having more love- more love for God, more love for others, more love for the world? Do you have any ideas on how we can love more like Jesus? Comment and join the conversation!

The Vinedresser

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15: 1-8 

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John chapter 15 starts off by talking about fruit, vines, and branches. It can get a little confusing unless you understand a little bit behind the analogy that Jesus is using, and why He would choose to use such an analogy to describe Himself. 

Do you know what a vinedresser is? At first, I assumed that it was just a another name for a farmer. When I looked into the meaning of the word, I found out that a vinedresser was much more than just an ordinary farmer. The vinedresser was the one who cared for the fruit-bearing vines specifically. Caring for vines like that- such as grape vines- is no easy task. Even though they only produce fruit during certain seasons, they require much care and upkeep all year round. Pruning, fertilizing, watering, etc. takes a lot of time, and the vinedresser was the one that would take the time to do all that, in order to nurture the vines so they could grow better. Then he had to turn around and do it all over again. Most fruit-bearing vines, like grapes, are not just annual plants. They last years and years if properly cared for- but years and years of hard work are required to make sure that the desired effect of fruit is produced.

This analogy is a wonderful example of how God works in our lives. He is our Vinedresser, constantly taking care of us and guiding us so we can produce the desired effect of belonging to Him- the fruit of the Spirit. Sometimes, that requires things that we might not like so much. One thing that comes to mind is "spiritual pruning"- the things that God uses in our lives to prune us back so that eventually, we become more like Him. Often, God uses difficult times and experiences in our lives to do this. It's easy to become doubtful and wonder why God would allow us to go through tough times, and I have wondered about that myself. However, it becomes easier when we remember that God is working through those times, pruning us so we are transformed more into the likeness of His son, the true Vine.

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 

Leading the Way

Leadership. There's a lot that's encompassed in that one word! There's so much that we could evaluate about leadership that I wasn't sure where to start. In fact, I'm still not sure. I'm not an expert on it- not anywhere near it! I simply want to share a couple of things I've learned about leadership, especially within my American Heritage Girls troop.
(One reader had mentioned in a blog survey comment several months ago that she wanted to hear more about my experiences in AHG. Well, here you go-I hope you're reading this today! ;)

With five younger siblings, I'm used to being the oldest at home. In fact, I usually find that I'm the oldest one in whatever group I'm in. That goes for my American Heritage Girls troop as well.
My troop is pretty small, with only about fifteen girls in it (most troops are a lot bigger- I think the average size is around 35- 40 girls per troop). I'm the only one in my unit (Patriot), and there is no one in the unit just below. However, there are plenty of girls in the other three age levels. This means, though, that the next-youngest girl is still almost five years younger than me.

It's always been this way, ever since I started AHG three years ago. At times, there have been girls in the level right under me, but I've never had anyone else in my unit with me. It's been hard for me at times. I've seen the other units having fun together, working on badges and special projects with each other, and I wished that I could have that same experience. The AHG program is definitely not for the undedicated- especially when you get into the upper two age levels. The badges require much diligence and perseverance to earn, and I just knew that if I had even one girl to share it with, it would be so much more fun!

As much as I love being in AHG, one day, I just got frustrated. I wondered why I was the oldest, why there wasn't (and had never been) anyone in my unit with me, why I was always the oldest and the leader in so many different situations.

As I was thinking, it struck me that God had actually given me a huge gift- and a huge responsibility. Being the only older girl means that you are the one they look up to. Being the only older girl means that you are the one that they imitate. Being the only older girl means that you are responsible for making sure your actions are worth imitating.

That really made me see things in a different light- and it really humbled me as well! I still don't know why God has allowed me to be in a position of leadership in so many different situations. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be my own first choice of a leader, since I'm typically really quiet and don't talk much around people I don't know (and even with some people I do know! xD) But I can see know that God is using some of these situations in my life to help me get out of my comfort zone and help others. I never would have volunteered to lead a devotion for the Explorer unit on my own- but I did, and it helped me practice being less nervous doing things in front of a group like that. I never would have planned and put on a big project like the one I completed last month for a level award project on my own- but I did, and it really showed me how much work is involved in putting together something like that, and made me thankful for the wonderful people that helped me!

Even though I still wish that there were more older girls in my troop, I've come to realize what a blessing it really is to be the oldest. Yes, I have to experience it all first, on my own, but I hope that by the time some of the other girls get to Patriots, they'll be inspired to step out and do what God is calling them to do- no matter if they have eight fellow unit member or none. It's brought to life what Galatians 6;9 says in a whole new way: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

We all know that we can never live up to Jesus's perfect example of leading. He was the ultimate leader by being the ultimate servant. Matthew 20;28 tells us "...even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Having a servant's heart is one of the best qualities of a leader- in my opinion- and it's my prayer to continue to develop a servant's heart more like Christ each day. When we have a humbled and serving attitude, we're truly leading the way for something bigger to happen.

This is as much of a reminder to me as it is a post that you're reading. It's a reminder to keep on doing good and to never give up. Being a leader is not an easy job. But it's a special job- and keep in mind that if God gives you a task, He'll also give you the means to accomplish it! I'm pretty sure that includes learning to be a leader like Him.

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Well, there was just some of my (slightly) scattered thoughts about leadership!  I'd love to know what you think. Do you like being a leader, or do you tend to follow? What do you think are essential qualities in a leader? What are some areas that you are leading the way in? Any tips?

what we can't see

I'll be the first to admit it- life is hard sometimes.  

Oh, sure- it's not like that all the time. A lot of the time life feels great, and it's going well. You know the feeling. Everything's under control, and we feel like we've got this down.  

But what do we do when it's not? When we don't have it all down?

when it's confusing?

when it's painful?

 when it's just too much to handle on your own?

We can run to Jesus, who is the ultimate source of unfailing comfort and love. He is always there for us, and He will never let you down. And one thing He's shown me in times like that is something very important, something that we'll need to remember for the rest of our lives:

>> what we can't see is sometimes greater than what we can see <<

when we don't understand why it doesn't make sense, He still has a plan. 

when we don't understand why it hurts, He still has a plan.

when we don't understand why it feels like too much to handle, He still has a plan.

Isaiah 55:9 says

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

His ways are better than ours. His ways are higher than ours. His ways are  always the best, no matter what we think. 

Through the tough situations in life, we can rest assured that it's okay, becuase He's preparing us for something bigger- something that we can't see yet. 

We may never fully understand why things happen to us the way they do, but we don't have to understand everything. We only have to trust. Trust God that the difficult things that happen to us right now- what we can't see- are preparing us for something better that will be unveiled to us one day. 

 I think we'll be surprised to realize that sometimes, the things that we can't see here on earth is what is preparing us for something bigger than this earth (and therefore, bigger than what we can comprehend right now). 

So don't worry. Just trust, Trust that no matter what happens, God has a plan, and what we can't see is preparing us for what we one day will be able to see clearly in the Light of eternity. ♥

Thoughts on Serving

Serving others is an essential part of being a Christian, and a servant's heart is a must-have quality for those who are striving to be more like Jesus. However, serving others isn't always easy. Wait, let's rephrase that. Serving others is almost always not that easy! 

Why? Well, for one, it requires giving of ourselves, and often it also means doing something that we'd honestly rather not be doing if we had the choice. I usually tend to think that I am pretty good at serving others- until I start to evaluate my true feelings. Yes, there's certain things that I don't mind doing as much to help others out. We all have things like that!  

But then I started to ask myself some questions: Would I honestly pick babysitting my younger siblings -again- over reading my new library book? Would I honestly rather choose to clean up trash at the park on a hot day instead of sitting at home scrolling through blog posts? Most of the time, the answer would be no. Of my own accord, I truly don't have the desire to do those things for others instead of things for myself.

The Bible has a lot to say about serving. One of the first verses that came to mind was Mark 10:45- 

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."   Wow.... that will really get you thinking! Jesus, who was the perfect Son of God, came to earth to serve and to give His life for others- literally. 

If Jesus did that for us, shouldn't we be willing to do that for Him? For others? Remember, when we do something for someone else as unto the Lord, it's as if we're actually doing it for Him.

The world's views on serving are- as they are in a lot of other things- totally backwards to Jesus' instructions. Jesus said in Mark 9:35 ...“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  The world says that whoever wants to be great should go after it and get it- no matter what the cost to others. The Bible says that whoever is the servant of all will be the greatest of all. Our point shouldn't be to serve to get something back or be recognized for it- it should be to simply serve where God calls us to be based on our own unique gifts and talents, like the verse below says.

I'm making it a goal this month ask God to give me a willing and selfless servant's heart, and to look for ways to serve others, no matter if they're big or small, I think it goes along well with the verse about doing everything for the glory of God. (Col. 3:23). As I explore more about serving and what the Bible says about it, I'd love to hear what you think! I'm thinking that a follow-up post on serving will appear sometime in the near future, so please feel free to share your thoughts on the subject! 

New Year- Old Failures?

Firecrackers popped loudly just outside the window as Kathryn glanced from the blank piece of paper in her hand to the clock on the nightstand. 11:38 PM. Good, she thought, I still have time to figure out my New Year's resolutions before midnight. I can't believe I forgot all about it until now! She grabbed a pen from her desk, sat down on her bed, and began to write. Fifteen minutes later, she was reading over her list of eight resolutions, neatly penned in black ink. No erasing any this year, she thought, turning to put the paper away in a drawer for safekeeping. I won't have to anyway. I'm so glad I read that article the last week about making better New Year's resolutions. I've never been able to keep any of mine from any year so far. It's nice to know that this year will be a breeze in keeping my resolutions, since I made them so easy and attainable. She glanced down at the clock and realized it was now two minutes to midnight. As she started a countdown, Kathryn was filled with a sense of hope for the coming year. It was going to be great! The fireworks outside reached a grand finale of noise, and the clock showed the bold red letters of 12:00 as Kathryn ripped the old calendar off the wall and replaced it with her brand new one, with January 1 circled in red . It was going to be a great year!

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Rrriiiipp. Rriiiipp. Clang! A ball of wadded up paper bounced off the side of the metal trash can as Kathryn angrily threw yet another paper wad at it. With a sigh of frustration, she bent down to gather up the paper balls scattered across the floor and deposit them in the trash can. Why does it have to be this hard?, she fumed inwardly as she worked. Why? My resolutions were the easiest ones ever- so why ave I failed yet again? And so soon! I haven't even done one of them yet, and it's just too late to start now. The last of the paper wads landed safely in the trash can, and Kathryn turned to survey her tear-stained face in the mirror. Swiping a damp cloth over her eyes, she walked over to her desk and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper. I'm going to make a new list, she mused. This time, it'll be different. It simply has to - it would be so embarrassing to say I have up on my resolutions so soon! She scanned her desktop for a pencil, and, failing to locate one, turned to go downstairs to find one. The door caught the breeze from the wide-open window and slammed shut behind her, making the calendar tacked to the wall flutter in the breeze. The date circled was January 9.

New Year's always brings with it a whole bunch of things- new dreams, new goals, new plans- and sometimes, old failures.
For a lot of people, New Year's is a time to virtually "start over" in certain areas of their life. They make plans, goals, and resolutions for what they'll do and when in order to "reset" this area they want to change. Then they get two months- or a week- into the New Year, and just quit, like Kathryn in the story above. Why?
It could be for any number of reasons. They could have failed to plan properly to accomplish what they wanted. They could have failed to set realistic goals for themselves. They could have just been lazy. But failing New Year's resolutions isn't the point of this post. Not as all.
Rather, it's about why we -as Christians- should set goals, and why we can succeed with them, no matter what they are. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 explains:

 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;  for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)

Interesting, isn't it? I think this verse is very applicable to setting goals in a Christian's life.  It's essentially saying that while bodily (earthly) goals and ambitions aren't bad (in fact, they are of some good value in our lives), training for godliness (aiming our goals for higher things) is even better- becuase they help us both in this temporal life and in our eternal life!
When we're at the end of our life, it really isn't going to matter if we were able to keep 1 or 4 or 10 of our 2017 resolutions to exercise every day, or lose 10 pounds, or read more books, or take more vitamins. Of course, those things are all good and important. But it will matter much more if we were able to study God's Word every day, or pray more often, or develop another spiritual discipline, Those will have eternal value!
I'm not knocking setting "earthly" goals for ourselves Not at all! I think it's a wonderful thing to do, and we should be wanting to make good changes in our lives. But it's so much more important to remember why we're even bothering to achieve these goals.
I think that this verse from 1 Corinthians sums it up perfectly:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31, ESV) 

 If we're doing everything for the glory of God, guess what?  Whatever we're doing will be honoring to Him. And since our purpose in life is to bring honor and glory to God, that's definitely not a failure. That's the best success ever! Whether we're aiming to eating healthier, or pray more often, or or read more books, or serve others more, if we're doing for the glory of God, we're succeeding in fulfilling the best goal we can ever set- to honor our Lord in everything we do. 

What are your thoughts on New Year's resolutions?   What do you think of 1 Timothy 4:7-8 in relation to setting goals?

16 Things I Learned in 2016

There's only one day left in 2016. One. And that's kind of hard for me to comprehend. So much has happened this year that it's sad to think that it's nearly over. But you know what? A new year is also on the horizon. A new year, with new hopes and new dreams and new excitement and adventures. But before the old year is gone, I'd like to share a few of the most important things that, by God's grace,  I've learned in 2016.

1.  Jesus' love is the only perfect love- it never fails, it never gives up, and it never ends. No other kind of love is as perfect, as agape, as amazing, as Jesus' love. It's forever.


2. It's okay to make mistakes. Those of us who tend to be perfectionists have a hard time accepting this one- me included. I've been in a few circumstances where I haven't tried something simply becuase I was afraid to fail. God's given me a  new perspective on this- one that says it's okay to make honest mistakes. Failures are how we grow.


3. God's plans don't always match yours. That's okay, becuase His plans are infinitely better than ours. 2016 has been full of examples of this one, both in the world and in my personal life. I tend to be the type that tries to plan everything in life out perfectly, then get disappointed when my "perfect plans" come crashing down around me. Realizing that God's plans are always better than ours was a big realization for me this year.


4. People can (and will) let you down. God never will. *sigh* What do you really say about this one? We've all experienced it. I've learned that it's best to not to depend on other people without first depending on God. If they leave you, who will you depend on?

5. You don't have to be good at everything. You also don't have to be everything, either. I truly think that's why God blesses different people with different abilities- so we can all serve Him in the areas that He's called us to. And it's not going to be the same for everyone.


6. Comparison really is one of the biggest thieves of joy. It's an old saying with a lasting importance. Comparing yourself to others is also one of the biggest time wasters ever. We're all different for a reason, and you're beautiful and amazing to God just how you are.


7.  It's really hard to be yourself sometimes. It really is. When I wrote this post a couple of months ago, it was something that I was really thinking about it a lot. God has shown me a lot more since then, and I'm glad, but I've come to realize that it's always going to to be hard to be yourself sometimes. And that's okay, since God's grace is sufficient.


8.  It takes a lot of strength and courage to go against the flow. God never promised that it would be easy. In fact, He said that it would be hard to live differently than the world and go against the flow. But He's also promised us that He'll never leave us, and that His strength can be our victory.

9. Courage doesn't always mean that you're not afraid- it means doing what's right, even if you are afraid. It always bothered me to hear that courage was "doing something unafraid". Actually, that's not courage at all. Courage is doing what's right, no matter what you feel like.


10. Leaning to balance and prioritize are two of the best lessons you'll ever learn. I feel like I really learned (sometimes the hard way) this one in a whole new light this year. I've had a lot more going on with school and life and extracurricular activities this year then I can ever remember having before. Instead of having a million and one different things just to do,  I've had to really prioritize which activities I'm going to throw myself into and be serious about and committed to, and stick to those. And of course, there's so much more to balance and prioritize later on in life, so I'm glad that it's something I can practice ahead of time!


11. There's a lot to be thankful for in life. There really is .Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 


12. God is preparing you for something bigger. This one is one of the biggest things that I've learned this year. It seems basic, but it's what really gives me hope that the upcoming year will be something big. Because He's preparing us for something bigger.

13. Staying close to Jesus is the only way to find true joy, fulfillment, and peace. There's a lot of things in life that I find joy from. There's certain things that give me a sense of fulfillment and peace, but they're not always going to last. Jesus will.


14. Goals and ambitions are a good thing. This may seem kind of silly, but for a while, I kind of avoided having big goals and ambitions for things, mainly becuase of #2. I was afraid to fail. However, I've since learned to accept that to succeed, you have to try. If you don't try, it's true you can't fail (but it's also true that you can't  succeed, either).


15. Both the big things and the little things are important in life- don't overlook one for the other. There's so much emphasis on "enjoying the little things", right? And I understand that- people have become to totally wrapped up in their "big" stuff that they fail to appreciate the "little" blessings in life, and that's not good. But some people live wholly for the little things of life, and that's not good either. It all comes back to balance- live to enjoy what God sends your way, big or little or in between.


16. God is King over all, and He's in control, no matter what happens. So much has happened in 2016, including lots of anxious moments about the future and what it might hold. But it's also included a lot of truly beautiful moments that I wouldn't trade for anything. And above it all, there's the hope that God holds it all.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank you so much, dear readers! Thank you for reading and commenting and following and encouraging throughout this year. I appreciate you all so much! I hope that your 2017 will be one of your best years ever. ♥  What's something special that you learned in 2016?


//Emily

The Gift of Christmas

Every year, it's kind of the same, isn't it? Christmastime comes around. We see the same sights, watch the same movies, hear the same songs, and listen to the same story. It's all so familiar. 

  the jingle bells

         the red and green lights

                   the piles of presents 

                               the waiting 

                                         and the little baby in the manger 

{via}

Honestly, I don't really think that's the way it's supposed to be. Christmas is the time of year that we've set aside to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus! It's supposed to be a time of joy and hope and peace- not of stress and chaos and trouble. It's rather ironic, isn't it? With all the crazy rushing around that this time of the year tends to bring, I forget, too. I get worried and stressed about the presents to buy and wrap and the packages to mail and the parties to go to and the cookies to make...

All of those things are great and wonderful in their place! I love buying and giving gifts, and going to parties, and making cookies, and decorating. But that's not the point of the Christmas season. The point of the Christmas season is that God cared about us so much that He sent His perfect Son to be born as a baby and take on human form and live on earth as a man- all so He could grow up and be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. When I think about it that way, I'm suddenly not as concerned about that gift I  haven't bought yet and that party that I missed.

{via}

The first Christmas was nothing like what we usually imagine it as. It wasn't a perfect little scene in a clean stable with a few sheep standing around while Mary gazes at a baby with a halo around his head. In reality, it was a time of wondering and waiting and unfamiliarity. 

  the dusty and crowded roads

           the noise and chaos 

                     the unfamiliarity of it all 

                                the waiting 

                                          and the little baby in the manger 

Remember, this was Mary's first child, and she was most likely quite young- a teenager- when she was chosen to bear God's Son. I honestly can't imagine what she felt like during that time! But she did know that God had chosen her, and that His plans were infinitely the best.

{my pic}

With these thoughts in mind, I was thinking them over and feeling a bit ashamed of how many times I have heard or read the Christmas story this season, and how I've gotten so familiar with it that it didn't really effect me in the way that it should. I think all of us that have grown up hearing it every year can get like that sometimes. So I was trying to get back on track with remembering the real reason for this season and how unfamiliar and exciting and awe-striking it should be- and feeling rather guilty and un-joyful because of my previous mindset.

Then another thought came to mind. God sent the angels to tell the shepherds the good news, and they rejoiced! It was most certainly a time of rejoicing and celebration for those who knew and believed what had happened! It should be like that for Christians, too. With that in mind, it was much easier to get in the spirit of the holiday and be joyful again.

 So it's perfectly okay- and a blessing- to celebrate the season in the many different ways that we do. And I really think that when we do it with the right heart behind it, it truly honors Him. He gave the best gift of all to us, so we should be sharing that gift with others, especially this time of the year!

Even with only two days left until Christmas, it's not too late. We can still spread the love and joy and hope of this special season with others, and do it for the right reason. After all, the angels did say: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

Merry Christmas!

//Emily