Quote for the Day

"We rise by lifting others." - Robert Ingersoll

Forever Reign and Being Anxious About Anxieties

Even when we fail, He still loves us and gives us another chance.
Unconditional love and unending grace.

I love this song and all that it stands for, because it's so easy to relate to and true.
"You are good when there's nothing good in me."

I've been anxious about the future lately. Especially at night, I run through all the possibilities and all the things I have yet to do before I go to college. I'm living with only my mom now and it kind of puts things in perspective- things are changing. That makes me feel uneasy and I just have to remember to not worry about the future (because God is there already!). However, I catch myself thinking about my ever present to do list all the time.
To help me to feel more confident, I've been drilling the verse from Proverbs 31 in my head that says "she is clothed in strength and dignity and can laugh without fear of the future." I love everything about that verse, from the image it portrays of a woman "clothed in strength" to her laughing "without fear of the future." I want to be that way, so it fills me with reassurance that everything will turn out alright, and that as long as God is first, the rest will fall into place. I wrote the verse on my mirror so I'd see it every time I walk into my bathroom, because since I'm usually home most of the day keeping myself busy with little things, I keep thinking about my future plans even without realizing it. That may not sound like a bad thing, but I inadvertently begin to stress about it as soon as the train of thought begins. It's hard sometimes to keep focused on the present when the future seems to be approaching so quickly- I feel like the past few years have flown by and I haven't (in reference to Ferris Bueller's day off) taken the time to stop and look around once in a while, so I've missed them.
That's silly, of course, because I've enjoyed the past few years. Maybe I feel like I can't remember them because I don't ever take enough time to just sit and reminisce in solitude. I've fallen into the "busy trap"- I keep myself busy with things like cleaning, writing summer reading responses, planning, exercising and all the while listening to music to keep my mind busy so I don't have to focus on my thoughts. I need some quiet time, which I guess I am sort of getting now (though not completely, I have a computer in front of me and that doesn't make for very good alone time:). It is quiet though, and I'm spending it coming to the realization that I need to just breathe sometimes and let Jesus "take the wheel" instead of trying to steer so precisely and have my whole life go according to MY plan, when it needs to be aligned to His will.
So there's two things to work on this week:
1) Selfless acts
2) Not stressing, taking some quiet time to reassure myself that everything will be okay

I'm sure I'll think of even more to add to the list by tomorrow. :)

Masks

I love this little poem. :)

A Little Consideration...

So many times we get wrapped up in figuring everything out in our lives for the benefit of ourselves. We may be nice people, but secretly we don't spend near enough time thinking about, praying for or serving others. I came across this realization tonight when scrolling through quotes in my photo album, and thought to myself "Eeyore was on to something" when reading the quote "a little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference." I myself am guilty of being self centered. Quietly self centered, but self centered all the same. I don't make a big deal out of talking about everything I want to do, but I know that, in my mind, I am constantly scrolling through my anxieties about how I'm going to accomplish everything I dream to do. It is good to have goals, but sometimes I get so passionate and focused on one thing that I lose sight of what I need to be doing to honor God. I'm writing this trusting that I surely can't be the only person who does this...right?

Do you ever come across people who just seem so selfless? Like they really don't appear to put themselves first. I think, well props to them but how do they do it! For a while I might be paying close attention to people and helping them out, but when it comes down to it, the majority of my time is spent benefiting me. Even when praying, I notice a lot of "please help mes" in my talks with God. Although we need to acknowledge that we need help from God, we also have to remember that it is not only us in this world. That is so hard sometimes. It truly is. CS Lewis was right when he said Christianity is not a religion meant for feeling comfortable. It isn't naturally comfortable to go out of your way for others, but once you do it, don't you feel good? Even when it seems tough to make time for others, it pays off in it's own ways- by glorifying God through service and there's something in there for us as well- that good feeling. There's a reason we feel good when we do things because they are the right things to do. Integrity comes with a more positive outlook and even strengthens your relationship with God, and, if done right, strengthens those who you are serving's relationship with Him. Being selfless is definitely something I need to work on, and read about what God has to say regarding service and try to put it in to action. We may not be perfect, but just "a little consideration, a little thought for others" really does make a big difference, one we may not be able to see yet but will someday understand why.

Quote of the...Night

"Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you." -Henri F. Amiel

I like that. (:

Autistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence

This is incredible. What an eye opening testimony. To think- we could never even imagine what it is like for her and others like her. Wow.

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus