This bible verse has always been a favorite of mine. Whenever I am in a tough spot in life or feel like giving up, it gives me such strength. As I think about the timeline of my life thus far, I see this verse show up again and again through obstacles I have overcome.
I have moved a lot in my life. When I was in third grade my family moved to Florida. I was completely devastated. I had to leave my best friend in the world and make all new friends. It was a very difficult experience. However, when I did move to Florida I ended up making some wonderful friends. I grew up there and when I was in 10th grade my family moved to Alpharetta, Georgia. Now this was the hardest move of all. Beginning 11th grade was extremely difficult in a brand new city. I remember the first day of school feeling so nostalgic for my old life in Florida. I called my boyfriend that afternoon that lived in Florida and cried on the phone with him. I felt so lonely.
After a while I finally began to make some amazing friends in Georgia. I joined the Cheerleading squad and we found a wonderful church. It was through this move that I actually was able to become closer to God. I went on a couple church retreats and started to nurture and grow my relationship with Him. Since then I have drifted away from Him again and again, but every time that happens I realize that I can't do life without Him.
As I have been writing and rereading my story, it really stands out that God was with me every step of the way. I can do all things through Him. He gave me the courage and strength to make new friends and actually learn who I was meant to be through His eyes. I am so thankful for everything He has done for me. He has always been able to give me the extra push I need in life. Moving a lot has not only shown me this but has also helped me become extremely adaptable in unknown situations. I have so much more confidence and my relationship with Christ has grown tremendously through my previous experiences. This is another way in my life that God has pointed out to me that I can trust Him and can do all things through Him.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
God is in Control.
First off, I am a huge Auburn Football fan and some of you may know they won the National Championship! So I have to start with a huge WAR EAGLE! Just had to do it! : )
So the past couple of days, in Huntsville Alabama, we got quite a bit of snow! Around 9 inches! I can't believe it! My husband and I were watching it out the window and were amazed (We've lived in the South our whole lives.) It is so beautiful. All of the families have been outside building snowmen and taking pictures of their children having snowball fights. It has also been great because my husband's office has been closed so I've been able to spend a couple days with him, which is always the best! : )
As I was watching neighbors clean off their cars and shovel their driveways, I realized that this also illustrates that God is always in control. This time last week people were planning doctors appointments or meetings with work or outings with their families. Little did they know Huntsville would be taken over by snow and all of their plans would be cancelled.
God speaks to everyone in different ways. For me personally, He speaks through nature quite a bit. Any time I am sitting on the beach, or driving through gorgeous mountains, or even when I just see the leaves falling off the trees, it really touches me. It helps me see that God not only made all of this beauty for us to enjoy, but He is in control of everything on this earth. He takes care of the birds in the sky and He can hold the ocean in the palm of His hand. I'll never forget one time at church the pastor pointed that out--that God can hold the ocean in the palm of His hands. It blew me away and has stuck with me ever since. If you actually think about it, He's probably even bigger than that! Can you imagine? Anyway, I think God spoke to me through this recent precipitation--He said to me that He is in control and I'm not. He controls my life and He wants to hold the reigns. It doesn't matter how much I plan or how much I try to pave the way, He will always make the final decision. Personally, I love knowing that! I don't have to stress and worry about the future because He will take care of it and He is in control always.
"Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name, lead and guide me."
Psalm 31:3
So the past couple of days, in Huntsville Alabama, we got quite a bit of snow! Around 9 inches! I can't believe it! My husband and I were watching it out the window and were amazed (We've lived in the South our whole lives.) It is so beautiful. All of the families have been outside building snowmen and taking pictures of their children having snowball fights. It has also been great because my husband's office has been closed so I've been able to spend a couple days with him, which is always the best! : )
As I was watching neighbors clean off their cars and shovel their driveways, I realized that this also illustrates that God is always in control. This time last week people were planning doctors appointments or meetings with work or outings with their families. Little did they know Huntsville would be taken over by snow and all of their plans would be cancelled.
God speaks to everyone in different ways. For me personally, He speaks through nature quite a bit. Any time I am sitting on the beach, or driving through gorgeous mountains, or even when I just see the leaves falling off the trees, it really touches me. It helps me see that God not only made all of this beauty for us to enjoy, but He is in control of everything on this earth. He takes care of the birds in the sky and He can hold the ocean in the palm of His hand. I'll never forget one time at church the pastor pointed that out--that God can hold the ocean in the palm of His hands. It blew me away and has stuck with me ever since. If you actually think about it, He's probably even bigger than that! Can you imagine? Anyway, I think God spoke to me through this recent precipitation--He said to me that He is in control and I'm not. He controls my life and He wants to hold the reigns. It doesn't matter how much I plan or how much I try to pave the way, He will always make the final decision. Personally, I love knowing that! I don't have to stress and worry about the future because He will take care of it and He is in control always.
"Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name, lead and guide me."
Psalm 31:3
Monday, January 3, 2011
His love is Infinite.
I have heard many people say that religion is something one feels they must participate in to get to heaven; that maybe if I do this list of commandments, God will be pleased with me and reward me. So a lot of people do that. They go through life trying to do good things for people. They go to church or volunteer. In fact, this isn't even just a God thing. It is like this with many other religions as well. Most religions say "If you do this..." or "If you do that....." However, what most people don't realize is that God is not like that at all....
His love is unconditional. In fact, He wants a personal relationship with you. Isn't that crazy?! The Creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with every person in this world. But why would He want that? Because He loves you! And He wants you to choose that relationship. Isaiah 30:18 says, "So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help." He wants to feel like you want and need Him in your life. Don't you want to feel needed and wanted by people you love? It's the same way for God.
I am sure some of you may have heard of Andy Stanley. He is an unbelievable pastor at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. My family and I used to go to his church and absolutely fell in love with it. He is such a godly man and you can just feel His passion and excitement for the Lord every time he speaks. I am reading his most recent book, The Grace of God. I highly recommend this book to everyone. If you have been a Christian for years or are a complete skeptic, it is so helpful and clearly shows the grace and amazing love of our Savior. In this book Andy goes through the Old and New Testament and shows what God could and should have done, but chose not to do because He loves us so much. After people have betrayed, hurt, and disrespected God so much throughout the Old Testament, He sends His son to take on the sin of mankind and forgive us. That is love. And as much love as you may feel from your family, spouse, or friends, their love will never even be close to the love that God has for you. God will never let you down or hurt you. He will grieve with you and listen better than anyone could ever listen. He can even heal you and make your pain disappear. All you have to do is choose a personal relationship with Him. Now I think that's someone to trust!
His love is unconditional. In fact, He wants a personal relationship with you. Isn't that crazy?! The Creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with every person in this world. But why would He want that? Because He loves you! And He wants you to choose that relationship. Isaiah 30:18 says, "So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help." He wants to feel like you want and need Him in your life. Don't you want to feel needed and wanted by people you love? It's the same way for God.
I am sure some of you may have heard of Andy Stanley. He is an unbelievable pastor at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. My family and I used to go to his church and absolutely fell in love with it. He is such a godly man and you can just feel His passion and excitement for the Lord every time he speaks. I am reading his most recent book, The Grace of God. I highly recommend this book to everyone. If you have been a Christian for years or are a complete skeptic, it is so helpful and clearly shows the grace and amazing love of our Savior. In this book Andy goes through the Old and New Testament and shows what God could and should have done, but chose not to do because He loves us so much. After people have betrayed, hurt, and disrespected God so much throughout the Old Testament, He sends His son to take on the sin of mankind and forgive us. That is love. And as much love as you may feel from your family, spouse, or friends, their love will never even be close to the love that God has for you. God will never let you down or hurt you. He will grieve with you and listen better than anyone could ever listen. He can even heal you and make your pain disappear. All you have to do is choose a personal relationship with Him. Now I think that's someone to trust!
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