Hold Fast January 23, 2011

These past couple of weeks I’ve found myself feeling really, well, sad. This last year in general has definitely been interesting and I’ve had times in my life this year where I’ve been overwhelmed with joy and other times where I just want to cry. Recently as I’ve found myself feeling a bit disconnected I’ve hesitated writing a blog. I really want to be an encouragement to people and someone that others can relate to but I guess I’ve felt that if I’m not happy I can’t be an encouragement…

But here’s what I’ve realized. I am happy. Here’s why…

One thing that I’ve kept going back to when I find myself feeling sad or lonely is that I know God is with me. Sure, we hear that a lot but  just pause and think about it…right now. He’s here. Just waiting for us to call out to Him; waiting for me to call out to Him. The song “Hold Fast” by MercyMe has been on my heart lately. Some of the lyrics say this: “what I’ve learned in my life, one thing greater than my strife is your grasp, so hold fast”. I absolutely love that line. To know that my God loves me, and pursues me, and is holding me tight is something I can find comfort in.

I spend a lot of time with God in my car. I drive a lot so when I’m in my car I know that I have time to just be quiet and listen to God and talk with Him; it’s good. In the time I’ve spent with Him recently, I’ve expressed my feelings of sadness and loneliness and each time I find myself being comforted. When we reach out to Him we are not turned away or ignored, and this is something I’ve found encouragement in. In this last year there have been definite times where I’ve felt ignored, forgotten, lonely, etc. But, there have also been times where I’m praying and a feeling of peace just pours over me and those times are the ones that I’m trying to focus on in this time of difficulty.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is this: When we cry out to God, we’re heard and we’re held. His grasp is strong and so is His love. The song, “When the Waters Rise” says this, “You are holding me together, with hands that hold forever, God you are strong”. I don’t let these times of darkness take over my life and consume me because I know that there is someone so much stronger than myself that takes care of me and holds me with the hands that hold forever…and that’s a hand that I always want to hold.

Women are Emotional January 14, 2011

I’m getting a little farther into the book “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul” and this last chapter that I’ve been reading is about Eve and women in general. Now, I don’t know about all of you out there but I know that I made a few judgements about our friend Eve. However, as I continued reading I realized just what God had in mind when He created Eve. Here is a passage from this particular chapter that is talking about creation: “Truly the masterpiece seems complete. And yet, the Master says that something is not good, not right. Something is missing…and that something is Eve.” First of all, lets just re-read that and think about what it meant. Creation comes to a finish not with animals, water, land, trees, birds, Adam, etc. Creation was finished after God created Eve. She was the Master’s “finishing touch”.

There are two things I thought I knew a lot about. Me (a woman) and God. Wrong. I have always thought “of course I know I’m made in His image and of course I know that God is awesome and amazing and wonderful and so much more” but I never made God and I one. I’ll explain what I mean by this. When God made Eve, He wanted to show us something about Himself. Break that down. When God made woman, it was so He could reveal Himself in a way so that we (people in general) could draw closer to Him; He gave that special gift to women. We are so important! Now, here is how the book explains what God wanted to reveal about Himself: God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone. This sounds simple and it sounds like something we have heard growing up knowing who God is. But, do you think that it also sounds a bit familiar to us as women? Don’t we want to be loved? Don’t we want to be a priority to someone? (I’ll raise my hand!) Wouldn’t it make sense that if we as women yearn for a loving relationship and long to be loved and persued, then we run to the person who is asking for the same thing? Jeremiah 31:3 says this: “I have loved you with an everlasting love”.

Most women are emotional and relational, and it’s okay–God is too. The longing in the heart of women to want to share a life with someone and not merely be a “tag along” is straight from God; and He feels the same way. He wants us to need Him desperately. God placed the responsibility of being an example of who God is on Women because He knew we could handle being a little emotional. The next time you find yourself feeling emotional, remember that its okay…you’ve got something in common with God our Father.

In the last few months, I have been finding comfort in knowing that God loves me in such a way that I will never be able to fully comprehend. Remember, He loves us with an everlasting love. And as women, we are able to show others God’s love in a way that only we can. God has trusted us with a great responsibility and I know that as emotional women we will get the job done. Love ‘em like Jesus y’all

jesus time on a snow day January 12, 2011

Today was supposed to be the second day of classes, but because of the weather we had a snow day. Too bad, I totally wish I could have been in classes all day (please take note of my sarcasm).

Because of the glorious snow day, I slept in and became a complete couch potato. I watched the complete first season of Glee and don’t regret a single minute of it. After I was done with mindlessly watching television I decided to read a little bit of the book called “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul“. At the end of the day I love reading and spending time with God. I’ve just started this book but so far it is awesome and I totally recommend it. My God moment of the day came when I was reading this book tonight. The beginning of one of the chapters had this verse: “The King is enthralled by your beauty” Psalm 45:11. Wow. I mean, what else is there to say?

I have gotten in the habit of writing bible verses on my bathroom mirror so I can remind myself of God’s love everyday and to bring me a little encouragement. After I read the verse from Psalm I decided to write it on my mirror. After I wrote it, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and just started laughing. Because its a snow day and I’ve just been sitting in my apartment with my roommates not trying to impress anyone, I didn’t shower today….don’t be grossed out. I know at least 1 of you who read this did the same thing. Anyways, I started laughing because I was thinking to myself…”God is enthralled, awestruck, amazed by my beauty right now. I haven’t showered or brushed my hair all day, I have no makeup on and I’m still in my p.j’s…and he is enthralled by my beauty?!” This was such an amazing thing for me to realize. Girls, never lose sight of how beautiful each one of you are. We are made in the image of God…how could we not be beautiful? I hope each one of you remembers this verse; maybe you’ll even write it on your bathroom mirror! Look at it every morning when you first wake up and know that even then, when you’re first waking up and your hair is a mess and you’ve got no makeup on that God thinks you are so gorgeous and so amazingly beautiful.

I will be the first to tell someone that I don’t always think I’m beautiful…a lot of times I haven’t even thought I was “cute”, but every now and then God gives you a little reminder. Even on snow days.

-enthralled: mesmerized, fascinated, enchanted, riveted, intrigued