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!

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