So I don't know about you, but I've definitely heard the story of Mary and Martha a billion times (Luke 10:38 - 42 ), and always heard how Mary made the better choice in just sitting with Jesus instead of running around trying to do everything like Martha was. However, it never really resonated with me (or at least I didn't realize that it did) until just now.
It hit me...how often am I running around frantically trying to accomplish my 1000 things on my to-do list, when really, I just need to do the "one thing that is necessary," (Luke 10:41), and that is to just to sit? Sometimes it's hard to remember just how important it is to take time out to rest and just listen to whatever God is trying to tell me. Cynthia Heald wrote "I've discovered over the years that the best thing I can do for myself,
my family, my friends, my church, and my world is to abide in Him." This couldn't be more true.
I need to continue to remind myself that, "When first things are put first (sitting at the feet of Christ), second things are not suppressed but increased." -C.S. Lewis
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Vision
I'll never forget what one of my pastors said...
People want to follow someone with vision.
Once we have that vision, we need to remember it and stay the course, even when it's tough. It is persevering through our discouragement. It is remembering our vision. It is remembering what we were created for, whom we were created for, and who we were created to be.
It is this perseverance that makes a true leader.
Shauna Niequist put it perfectly when she said,
"I feel, in my best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision. I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. It has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."
Now, what is your vision? And are you doing everything you know you can to be the leader that you want to be?
People want to follow someone with vision.
Once we have that vision, we need to remember it and stay the course, even when it's tough. It is persevering through our discouragement. It is remembering our vision. It is remembering what we were created for, whom we were created for, and who we were created to be.
It is this perseverance that makes a true leader.
Shauna Niequist put it perfectly when she said,
"I feel, in my best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision. I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. It has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."
Now, what is your vision? And are you doing everything you know you can to be the leader that you want to be?
Monday, September 3, 2012
True Joy
Below is my new favorite definition of joy.
What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness...the joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father - the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do- "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2). "I delight to do Your will, O my God..." (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His.
Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irratability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, "...the cares of this world,...choke the word and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:19) And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in the cares.
-Oswald Chambers
"My Utmost for His Highest"
Friday, August 31, 2012
Cold Tangerines
I think we all have those days when we think 'is this it?' Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my life and all that it entails, all the adventures I've had, the mistakes I've made, the friends I have, and the way that Christ so patiently loves and guides me.
However, I'm going to be honest in saying that there are still those days when the mundane seems so mundane, the bills still need to get paid, and the every dayness of life seems to just blend together at times. I know you know what I mean.
In reading this book though, I view every moment differently. Every day seems a little more full of life, more color, more fun, more contentment, more joy, and I've realized that the memories of the day are worth remembering. I've begun to journal at the end of each day every favorite moment of the day, and I keep getting surprised at just how much I loved of each day that I probably wouldn't have thought twice about if I hadn't of made myself write it down and remember it. Even if the memory is painful, I want to focus on the growth that is or will take place and be hopeful in that. I realized through this book just how much I love all that I've gone through, both good and bad, and that I do have a story worth telling, because it's brought me to who I am today, and I know that it has made me wiser, stronger, and brought me to a greater place of empathy.
These are some quotes that really impacted me the most... I don't want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another. That's the drama of life, swirling all around us, and generally I don't even see it because I'm too busy waiting to become whatever it is I think I am about to become. The big moments are in every hour, every conversation, every meal, every meeting. The Heisman Trophy winner knows this. He knows that his big moment was not when they gave him the trophy. It was the thousand times he went to practice instead of going back to bed. It was the miles run on rainy days, the healthy meals when a burger sounded like heaven. That big moment represented and rested on a foundation of moments that had come before it.
You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
MFT!!
So just recently, I decided to take the plunge and begin graduate school. Not gonna lie, it was scary to think of having to study for endless hours and write papers again, but once I finally decided to actually do it, I realized how much I had been missing out by putting it off! It's always been a lifelong dream of mine to go back to school and get my Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, but it's a big commitment so I didn't want to just rush into anything. However...I really couldn't be happier!
I never realized how, dare I say, 'fun' graduate school could be! I'm no longer having to take a ton of general education courses that I could care less about; I get to read and study about everything that's always fascinated me more than anything!! Who would have thought that I would actually look forward to studying, or feel that going to class is one of the highlights of my week? I have never been a talker in class, but now I actually like the group discussions. And I love the people that I'm in classes with. It's pretty awesome to all have similar passions and goals and be able to grow together in this. I still wonder if it's really me who's taking these courses, because it's brought out a whole new side of me that I've never really seen before. And I love it.
It was incredible how God orchestrated me going to this particular graduate school. Time and time again He kept opening the door for me to go there at this time, and He kept reassuring me that there was no need to doubt, but I kept second guessing myself and even so, God still had patience with me and allowed me to still start up in January even though it should really not have been possible. So I know that this is where He wants me, and I absolutely love it.
I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me with this education in MFT, whether that be leading me back overseas to Haiti or elsewhere in order to counsel the orphans that I care so much for, allowing me to counsel families here in the U.S. who are hurting so much, or working on a disaster relief team and counseling those who have undergone traumatic experiences all around the world. Until then, I will rest assured knowing that I am doing exactly what He wants for me right now. I continue to be inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 that says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I never realized how, dare I say, 'fun' graduate school could be! I'm no longer having to take a ton of general education courses that I could care less about; I get to read and study about everything that's always fascinated me more than anything!! Who would have thought that I would actually look forward to studying, or feel that going to class is one of the highlights of my week? I have never been a talker in class, but now I actually like the group discussions. And I love the people that I'm in classes with. It's pretty awesome to all have similar passions and goals and be able to grow together in this. I still wonder if it's really me who's taking these courses, because it's brought out a whole new side of me that I've never really seen before. And I love it.It was incredible how God orchestrated me going to this particular graduate school. Time and time again He kept opening the door for me to go there at this time, and He kept reassuring me that there was no need to doubt, but I kept second guessing myself and even so, God still had patience with me and allowed me to still start up in January even though it should really not have been possible. So I know that this is where He wants me, and I absolutely love it.
I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me with this education in MFT, whether that be leading me back overseas to Haiti or elsewhere in order to counsel the orphans that I care so much for, allowing me to counsel families here in the U.S. who are hurting so much, or working on a disaster relief team and counseling those who have undergone traumatic experiences all around the world. Until then, I will rest assured knowing that I am doing exactly what He wants for me right now. I continue to be inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 that says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Learning to just sit.
So I don't know about you, but I've definitely heard the story of Mary and Martha a billion times (Luke 10:38 - 42 ), and always heard how Mary made the better choice in just sitting with Jesus instead of running around trying to do everything like Martha was. However, it never really resonated with me (or at least I didn't realize that it did) until just now.
It hit me...how often am I running around frantically trying to accomplish my 1000 things on my to-do list, when really, I just need to do the "one thing that is necessary," (Luke 10:41), and that is to just to sit? Sometimes it's hard to remember just how important it is to take time out to rest and just listen to whatever God is trying to tell me. Cynthia Heald wrote "I've discovered over the years that the best thing I can do for myself, my family, my friends, my church, and my world is to abide in Him." This couldn't be more true.
I need to continue to remind myself that, "When first things are put first (sitting at the feet of Christ), second things are not suppressed but increased." -C.S. Lewis
It hit me...how often am I running around frantically trying to accomplish my 1000 things on my to-do list, when really, I just need to do the "one thing that is necessary," (Luke 10:41), and that is to just to sit? Sometimes it's hard to remember just how important it is to take time out to rest and just listen to whatever God is trying to tell me. Cynthia Heald wrote "I've discovered over the years that the best thing I can do for myself, my family, my friends, my church, and my world is to abide in Him." This couldn't be more true.
I need to continue to remind myself that, "When first things are put first (sitting at the feet of Christ), second things are not suppressed but increased." -C.S. Lewis
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Vision
I'll never forget what one of my pastors said...
People want to follow someone with vision.
Once we have that vision, we need to remember it and stay the course, even when it's tough. It is persevering through our discouragement. It is remembering our vision. It is remembering what we were created for, whom we were created for, and who we were created to be.
It is this perseverance that makes a true leader.
Shauna Niequist put it perfectly when she said,
"I feel, in my best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision. I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. It has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."
Now, what is your vision? And are you doing everything you know you can to be the leader that you want to be?
People want to follow someone with vision.
Once we have that vision, we need to remember it and stay the course, even when it's tough. It is persevering through our discouragement. It is remembering our vision. It is remembering what we were created for, whom we were created for, and who we were created to be.
It is this perseverance that makes a true leader.
Shauna Niequist put it perfectly when she said,
"I feel, in my best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision. I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. It has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."
Now, what is your vision? And are you doing everything you know you can to be the leader that you want to be?
Monday, September 3, 2012
True Joy
Below is my new favorite definition of joy.
What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness...the joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father - the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do- "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2). "I delight to do Your will, O my God..." (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His.
Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irratability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, "...the cares of this world,...choke the word and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:19) And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in the cares.
-Oswald Chambers
"My Utmost for His Highest"
Friday, August 31, 2012
Cold Tangerines
I think we all have those days when we think 'is this it?' Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my life and all that it entails, all the adventures I've had, the mistakes I've made, the friends I have, and the way that Christ so patiently loves and guides me.
However, I'm going to be honest in saying that there are still those days when the mundane seems so mundane, the bills still need to get paid, and the every dayness of life seems to just blend together at times. I know you know what I mean.
In reading this book though, I view every moment differently. Every day seems a little more full of life, more color, more fun, more contentment, more joy, and I've realized that the memories of the day are worth remembering. I've begun to journal at the end of each day every favorite moment of the day, and I keep getting surprised at just how much I loved of each day that I probably wouldn't have thought twice about if I hadn't of made myself write it down and remember it. Even if the memory is painful, I want to focus on the growth that is or will take place and be hopeful in that. I realized through this book just how much I love all that I've gone through, both good and bad, and that I do have a story worth telling, because it's brought me to who I am today, and I know that it has made me wiser, stronger, and brought me to a greater place of empathy.
These are some quotes that really impacted me the most... I don't want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another. That's the drama of life, swirling all around us, and generally I don't even see it because I'm too busy waiting to become whatever it is I think I am about to become. The big moments are in every hour, every conversation, every meal, every meeting. The Heisman Trophy winner knows this. He knows that his big moment was not when they gave him the trophy. It was the thousand times he went to practice instead of going back to bed. It was the miles run on rainy days, the healthy meals when a burger sounded like heaven. That big moment represented and rested on a foundation of moments that had come before it.
You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
MFT!!
So just recently, I decided to take the plunge and begin graduate school. Not gonna lie, it was scary to think of having to study for endless hours and write papers again, but once I finally decided to actually do it, I realized how much I had been missing out by putting it off! It's always been a lifelong dream of mine to go back to school and get my Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, but it's a big commitment so I didn't want to just rush into anything. However...I really couldn't be happier!
I never realized how, dare I say, 'fun' graduate school could be! I'm no longer having to take a ton of general education courses that I could care less about; I get to read and study about everything that's always fascinated me more than anything!! Who would have thought that I would actually look forward to studying, or feel that going to class is one of the highlights of my week? I have never been a talker in class, but now I actually like the group discussions. And I love the people that I'm in classes with. It's pretty awesome to all have similar passions and goals and be able to grow together in this. I still wonder if it's really me who's taking these courses, because it's brought out a whole new side of me that I've never really seen before. And I love it.
It was incredible how God orchestrated me going to this particular graduate school. Time and time again He kept opening the door for me to go there at this time, and He kept reassuring me that there was no need to doubt, but I kept second guessing myself and even so, God still had patience with me and allowed me to still start up in January even though it should really not have been possible. So I know that this is where He wants me, and I absolutely love it.
I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me with this education in MFT, whether that be leading me back overseas to Haiti or elsewhere in order to counsel the orphans that I care so much for, allowing me to counsel families here in the U.S. who are hurting so much, or working on a disaster relief team and counseling those who have undergone traumatic experiences all around the world. Until then, I will rest assured knowing that I am doing exactly what He wants for me right now. I continue to be inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 that says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I never realized how, dare I say, 'fun' graduate school could be! I'm no longer having to take a ton of general education courses that I could care less about; I get to read and study about everything that's always fascinated me more than anything!! Who would have thought that I would actually look forward to studying, or feel that going to class is one of the highlights of my week? I have never been a talker in class, but now I actually like the group discussions. And I love the people that I'm in classes with. It's pretty awesome to all have similar passions and goals and be able to grow together in this. I still wonder if it's really me who's taking these courses, because it's brought out a whole new side of me that I've never really seen before. And I love it.It was incredible how God orchestrated me going to this particular graduate school. Time and time again He kept opening the door for me to go there at this time, and He kept reassuring me that there was no need to doubt, but I kept second guessing myself and even so, God still had patience with me and allowed me to still start up in January even though it should really not have been possible. So I know that this is where He wants me, and I absolutely love it.
I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me with this education in MFT, whether that be leading me back overseas to Haiti or elsewhere in order to counsel the orphans that I care so much for, allowing me to counsel families here in the U.S. who are hurting so much, or working on a disaster relief team and counseling those who have undergone traumatic experiences all around the world. Until then, I will rest assured knowing that I am doing exactly what He wants for me right now. I continue to be inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 that says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
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