Choose Joy

In the past 3 months, I have graduated college, ended my softball journey, and started a new career. It is a new and exciting time in life! That being said, I felt like it was the perfect time to dive into the world of blogging and writing again.

With any new phase in life their comes new opportunities, new challenges, and new adventures. I can honestly say that the past few months have been a whirl wind. Exciting, scary, challenging, fun, and confusing all at the same time. After having a busy college schedule being a student athlete, the reality of becoming an accountant and sitting at a desk all day wasn’t too appealing. I felt caged in and cut off from the outside world. Learning to find joy in my new role and create a balance between work, relaxation, fitness, social activities etc. was quite difficult at first. I’m sure many of you can relate to the crazy balance of things that make up our life.

If you are like me and going through a transition time in your life or just striving towards a goal, I can promise you that you aren't alone. Transition times are hard- for everyone. At this moment, you may feel like you are never going to reach your goal or get used to that new pace of life, but don't let yourself believe that lie. I can tell you from experience that it does get better. God has shown me how to truly embrace my role as an accountant and how to find joy throughout every moment of life. I know He will do the same for you!

Wherever you are right now God has you perfectly there. Choose to trust Him and to find joy even when it may be difficult. He knows exactly what's going on, He has a plan, and He is in control. Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Be encouraged today because even when we can’t see it God is making a way!

The Gift of Love

As summer wedding season comes to a close, I enjoy thinking back to all the beautiful weddings that I have been able to be apart of this summer. Pure, young love is truly a beautiful thing in the midst of a broken world. I may be a romantic at heart, but there is something truly special about two people committing to love each other for the rest of their lives.

Although beautiful, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the idea of the dress, the venue, the flowers etc.  As important as those elements are, they are just two small pieces to an ever-larger puzzle. I have to remind myself that true love isn’t shown in the number of bridesmaids you have or how expensive your dress is. It is shown by the way you share God’s love with others. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34-35)

Love can come in many ways, but it isn’t easy to find. If you’re like me, don’t get lost in the beauty of the wedding. Remember the love behind it. A love adorned under God flowing directly from Him. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4-5)  We are able to love others because God loved us first. We are saved by grace today and every day! Join me in thanking Him for the gift of love and the beauty that comes with it!

Dream Big

Dreams. We all have them. Some may be big and some may be small, but nevertheless they all mean something special to us. And no, I’m not talking about dreams you have at night when you are sleeping. I am talking about something you have always wanted to do but never thought it would be possible. Disney calls dreams “a wish your heart makes”. Some call dreams “a bucket list”. Others may call them a life goal. But no matter what you call dreams; they all come from a deep-rooted passion that burns inside our soul to fulfill a certain purpose.  This past weekend I got to hear Chris Hodges the pastor of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL. He started a new series called “Dream Again” which inspired this post. (If this topic interests you, I highly recommend watching it online!)

Hodges discussed the importance of dreams in our spiritual lives and made it clear that dreams have the ability to be the language of God. I have always had dreams, but I never thought about writing them down or giving them a second thought because I immediately wrote them off as never being possible. The sermon today made me realize that God is a God with no limits who can do the impossible. “Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) His power knows no end. “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27) Who am I to put a limit on what God can do with my life and with my dreams?

If you get anything out of this, I want to encourage you to dream. Even if it seems silly and never attainable, let God use your dream to show you all the things He can do. Let Him speak to you through your dreams. Trust Him, Seek Him, and Dream Big. You never know what could happen ;)

10 Relaxations Tips

With only 9 days left of the semester and finals coming up, the term ‘busy’ is an understatement. The demands of life become overwhelming and stress is the only emotional state we can remember. That being said, I thought it was only appropriate to put together a list of ideas to help you relax and free your mind. Enjoy! :)  

10 Relaxation Tips

1.    Read a scripture. The Word ALWAYS lifts me up! Remember God is in control and His plan is perfect :)
2. Say a prayer. Reach out to God if you feel overwhelmed. He is ready and willing to hear our concerns. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
3. Sleep. You may think you can make it with 2 hours of sleep, but our bodies are simply not made to work that way. You need your rest, so go ahead & take that powernap :)
4. Call a friend. Friends always help when you feel overloaded and they probably can relate to your stress.
5.  Exercise.  Exercise produces natural endorphins that make you feel more calm and energized. Plus, it’s good for you :)
6. Just breathe. Take a minute, take some deep breaths, and remember the end is near!
7. Take a hot bath.  Use your favorite scented bubble bath, lean back, and forget your worries.
8. Bake cookies. Red velvet, snicker doodle, and gingerbread are great holiday flavors to try.
9.  Drink green/herbal tea. Green tea not only is soothing and
   relaxing, but is also packed with healthy antioxidants.
10. Fake it till you make it. Attitude is key! If you think you are going to fail then you probably will. Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep the faith. You got this!

The Seasons of Life

I'm almost finished with my 5th semester of college and the time continues to fly. It can't possibly be close to Thanksgiving. Where has the time gone? I apologize to my readers for the lack of blogs recently. Juggling school, softball, and extracurricular activities has left little time for writing. 

One thing, God has continued to share with me this fall is that He is so faithful. ("But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." - Thessalonians 3:3) Seriously y'all, He continually amazes me. 

Before coming to Union 3 years ago, I declared my major as accounting. After changing my major 5 times, frantically meeting with the Vocatio Center, enduring a month long internship, and taking a multitude of different classes… my major is now officially accounting again. Going into my final years of college, not knowing when I would graduate, when my classes would be, or even if I could get into the classes that I would need. I was definitely #stressed. But the one thing that's for sure, God has been so faithful. My classes lined up, I love what I am studying, I can graduate on time, and I have made plans to attend grad school. It still amazes me how everything worked out. I cannot thank Him enough. His mighty hand has been placing me exactly where I need to be.

My freshman year I wasn't ready to commit to God's plan and accept that I was growing up. It’s taken me two years of college to realize I'm about to dive head first into the real world, but with God’s love and grace I'm now ready for what the future holds.

Just as the seasons must change, life must change. New roots must take place and new life must grow. If a season of your life is changing, don't run from it like I did. God is faithful and He will be faithful through it all. Trust Him. (He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:3)

Ignite Your Fire

Well, I'm back at Union University for my junior year and I'm excited to see what God has in store. Looking back at the summer, it was definitely one for the books. I'm thankful for all that I learned and the opportunities God provided me.

One of my favorite things to do this past summer was to go to our family farm and build a campfire. There is something about sitting around a campfire and looking at the stars that calms me like nothing else. Every time we built a fire, the cutest little frogs came out of nowhere and sat along the rocks.  They would sit just close enough to the fire to feel the heat, but never actually jumped in the fire or touched it. It fascinates me how they all came out of nowhere as soon as the fire was built in order to bask in the heat.

I couldn’t help but see an interesting analogy between the frogs, the fire, and a relationship with the Lord.

Sometimes I feel just like the frogs. I talk to God long enough to know that he’s there and feel his presence, but I never really ignite my fire for God. “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matthew 15:8-9) I don’t know about you, but I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian. Now is not the time for me or you to be halfhearted in our faith. Let’s ignite like a burning piece of wood! Let’s set the Kingdom on fire! GOD IS NOT DEAD.

That being said, I leave you with a question that I have been frequently asking myself: Are you like the frogs sitting just close enough to the fire to feel the heat or are you a piece of firewood burning bright for all to see?

“…This is what the Lord God says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you.  The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it.” (Ezekiel 20:47b)

For tips on how to keep your faith on fire for God, check out the links below:

http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/18697-6-ways-to-keep-the-fire-of-god-burning-in-your-life

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-ignite-a-fire-in-your-soul-11608346.html