Simplify

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify. Simplify. Henry David Thoreau

Read this the other day and found something inside me yelling, “No, don’t fritter away!” But then the more it sunk in the more that same voice was yelling in agreement, “Yes! Simplify, simplify!”

Simplify cannot just mean subtract things from your life that take up lots of time. In this season of my life that would probably seem like pretty much everything!

However I do feel inspired to ask God what kind of simplify can work well in my life, what can be beneficial to the important relationships in my life, my own heart and soul and mind, and what can help give Him more space as well. Is it a simplifying of media I allow into my day? Is it a simplifying of the social interactions I try to fit in during the work week? Is it a simplifying of responsibilities? Is it a simplifying of everything I'm trying to cram into my brain at once?

I'm sure that simplifying also means learning the wisdom of when to say no, even to good things.

Lord, teach me Your way.... 

Photo

Bravery In Letting Go

One especially brave thing a person can do is let go of what isn't meant for them. That can be in a physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual sense. The act requires bravery because we are creatures of comfort. Comfort zones can be our favorite places in the world, but they can also be what hinders us.

Letting go is thrilling sometimes. It's as if when we free ourselves of all that we think we are only today, we can step into who we're really meant to become, the developing of who we want to be.

It gives a different perspective. To realize that the present-me (present life) might be quite wonderful, but it's not where my becoming ends. Knowing and trusting that there is more to my story than what I might see at present.

The act of moving on can be an inspiring thing when one acknowledges that moving from season to season of life is how we become all that God has for us.

Every morning I pray, "Help me get out of today what You created it for."

I am now prompted to widen my scope, "Help me get out of this season what You created it for."

Photos: Done by Yours Truly

Tangled Roots

 

“Write loyalty and kindness deep within your heart.” Proverbs 3:3

The other night we celebrated a friend's birthday, and and I found gratitude welling up as I looked around at the people who have become like family to me during this time of my life. Especially during the last year.

Write loyalty and kindness deep within your heart. There are a handful of women in this season of my life who are just that. They are loyal and they are kind. A true blessing. Inspiring me to be that way wherever I live and wherever I work.

"Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that." Ally Condie

I am finding so much comfort in this quote. Probably because it's a beautiful notion to cling too. A different perspective to goodbyes.

Jesus, hold my heart steady during these next few weeks. I'm bound to be emotional; so much change. The good kind of change, right? The emotion is a testament of my time here, and the great friendships I've made. Praise the Lord. Soon a new day, a new place, new surrounding people.

But... God, hold my heart.

After-Grad Plan, 1.0

The girl in that photo is not me, but I find myself feeling a little bit like her. Granted, that photo looks a little grey, but it wonderfully reflects my insides. Why?

Last week I was offered a job for after I graduate. A great job, a job with cool people and a nice atmosphere, a job where I am going to learn a great deal of valuable information. Yay!

Bottom line: I'm very much excited, and thankful to the Lord for the opportunity.

What my getting a job also means is that my new reality is swiftly approaching. The end of a wonderful chapter, some necessary endings, and a season of change. Don't get me wrong, despite the temporary almost-heartache I am bound to feel when the goodbyes start to happen, and while I absolutely do not want to rush the life I'm currently in, I am thrilled about this next season. 

Bringing us back around to the photo: looking out over a vast ocean.

So many new possibilities await. So many new decisions. So many new thrills and ways to grow as a person. So many fresh elements of life that I have yet to truly experience.

Praise Jesus for life.

My heart is full of gratitude to have a God who is my Rock, no matter where/what/how life looks, He never changes. His love for me never changes. His pursuit of my heart never changes. His desire to give me abundant life in Himself never changes.

It's a beautiful thing.  

Featured Image: Dan Lansley

Love & Tulips

World, I've got me a great man.

Spent the latter half of spring break with J, and I don't think it could've been any better. I met his grandmother for the first time, we celebrated a friend's birthday, we spent time outside, and just enjoyed the unhurried time together.

I have come to truly cherish the days I get to spend with him in his town.

Driving home I realized that every time I leave him I feel whole, truly myself, secure, confident, ready to take on things. I am grateful to God that J is that kind of place for me. It's a real blessing, to be that for each other.

It's quite wonderful to know that there is always someone out there is desires to know about you. Whether it is random stories throughout the day, or quick requests for prayer... it's a blessing I pray I never take for granted. And it's something I am going to strive for: to make sure my man never feels that his being there for me goes unappreciated.

Thanks God, for designing relationships in such a way.

Start of a spring (hopeful) break

This beginning weekend of spring break 2014 (my last spring break of college, I might add) has been characterized by catch up time with the fabulous women of my family, plenty of laughs, and lots of shopping.

I've also spent some time pondering about Jesus. I found a book yesterday at a thrift store and cannot wait to start reading it.

Spring break has been going on for only two full days and I already feel Jesus beckoning my soul to really know him, to truly enjoy Him, to worship Him.

My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalms 84:2

There is a special relationship between me and God, all because of His grace and mercy in giving me Jesus. I forget the possibility of this intimacy, the good gift it is, when so many other things are grabbing for my heart's affections.

And my heart can feel the distance. The feeling of being distracted, of being even a little numb to His presence. But there He remains. Close by, waiting in Love for me to remember.

Tonight I am thankful for a powerful, infinite God who continually desires a relationship with my sinful self.

Tonight I am thankful for restful weekends away.

Tonight I am thankful I have a sister.

Tonight I am thankful for the provision of God -- provision that is always enough, and truly good.

Disney Weekend Recap

Spent the weekend with some family friends in Jacksonville + Orlando and it was fantastic.

Great conversation. Fun memories made. Good food eaten. Relaxed state of mind.

At Epcot it was the second weekend of the Garden Festival, which was lovely and creative as always.

This Florida sister of mine. Our time together is always something I enjoy. We are equally silly and serious when we are in the same state.

And we got to eat lunch at a traditional favorite for both our families. Mint chocolate chip scoop, naturally.

Big Disney World fan, here. Always and forever.

Thankful for such a great weekend away.

Pause and Treasure

God's words revive the soul, grant wisdom, rejoices the heart, enlighten the eyes, and endure forever (Psalm 19:7-9).

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).

I've recently been made aware of the dangers of reading God's Word for knowledge only. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). Paul is clear that knowledge without love leaves us with "nothing" (13:2).

Once this dawned on me, it became even more clear how the past few weeks I have fallen into this place. I recalled a past truth learned: reading the Bible should do more than create a standard for godly living -- although that is one of its purposes, I believe -- it should be something that transform your heart. During the past few weeks I confess I have been very self-absorbed, tense, and stressed... but I prayed, and I studied. But I always felt the practices were missing the intimacy that has always been characteristic of my relationship with Jesus. Because I was only reading it for head knowledge, not for heart change. If I was allowing the Bible to do the latter, if my soul was in a place to receive that, it would have transformed my stress to peace, my tension to rest.

So, I stumbled upon an article that was more than applicable. Thanks, God.

It points out three encouragements for studying God's Word.

Stay amazed at grace. I never want to be dulled to the Bible. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in information. Not just with media, but even in the realm of the Christian world. Sermons, articles, blogs, more social media. It's so much that it has the potential to dull my sensitivity if I'm not careful. Jonathan Parnell said this,

"All this information, all the effortless access to truth about God, freezes over our sense of miracle."

Stay dependent on God. "Prayer is our participation in the fellowship God has accomplished." God gave us the Bible so that we might have him, and we meet him when we offer his truth and our heart to him in prayer. I sometimes forget about the power of prayer, and what it means. Prayer is the closest I can come to my Heavenly Father. The danger in lacking a solid prayer life is that the doctrines and truth we study will cause some pride buildup in us. Parnell also states,

"You must pause and pray, for only prayer can transform information into intimacy."

Stay focused on Jesus. Persistently look for Jesus. Every time I read my Bible, I desire eyes to see someone to enjoy in a new or fresh way. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Parnell, again,

"The anchor that can keep our hearts steady amid all the studying is the resolve that Jesus must be tasted and treasured by us and through us."

Miracle, pause, treasure. Yes. 

Photo

Cheers to Random Thoughts

Earlier I was thinking about this space and this little blog and realized that I don't want it to be a placed excluded of silliness. This space can absolutely be a place of deep thoughts and processing but I don't think it should leave out the silly in between the stories. I have fallen victim to the "does anyone really care if..." and realized today what a loss that is. What a loss it would be for this blog. Because the seemingly little moments, the silly inbetweens are good. I mean, I started this space for me... and whether anyone wants to read them or not, ya know.... I want to be able to reach back and find them here. It's one of the many cool things about a blog, being able to easily look back on past days. I want to see the silly as well as the serious.

Hence the photo of sweet tea in macro fashion. I texted my boyfriend after I took it and I said, "You should know you are dating a girl who takes a picture of her drink because she knows it would look cool up close." What can I say, my eyes are corrupted. To the fault of studying graphic design.

I want to look back and read about how happy I was when I opened my mail box to find a letter from my little sister!

How big I was smiling when I dropped off something to be mailed to my man... just because.

How utterly ridiculous it was that a fuse blew in my room this morning, causing all of my lights to go out... JUST after I'd finished my makeup. Thank you, Jesus. 

How after doing some homework for a class I discovered that the gondola business is slowly going extinct... therefore J and I should go to Venice sometime in our future. Random, yes. Am I serious? Only about 30%.

Cheers to random thoughts. 

Where are you free?

Read a great article about body image and freedom. Interesting perspective, one I find life-giving and refreshing.

She wrote,

Your body is a lot more about freedom, than size.

Each of us is different. We all have different genes, body makeups and heights. You can't compare yourself to other people. You have to find out where you are happy...where YOU have freedom.

Am I free when I am counting calories and limiting myself to not enjoying foods that I love? No. Am I free when I am so overweight that I have no energy to play with my future kids or I'm too out of breath to hike with my husband? No.

So great! It took me a good amount of introspection and thinking to answer the question: where do I have freedom?

I think I landed here: I feel free when I am exercising for pure enjoyment, and not being so rigid with my diet. I feel free when I don't feel bad for taking a rest day, and spontaneously eating something I like. On the other hand, I feel free when I believe I am exhibiting self control in my life. A fruit of the Holy Spirit.

A lot of ways to fee free. Snap.

I then read another word relating to body image, and I feel it would serve me well to cling to this truth. Write it on every surface I see.

We were created in the image of one paradigm of perfection: our Creator. Our heart, weight, and skin color may indicate our human origins, but our soul and spirit reflect our Sovereign God.

God created us to convey the distinctive imprint of his divine nature to the world often blinded to his existence.

Like I mentioned above, there is freedom in exercising self control, and there is freedom in enjoying the good things God has created. Walking in this truth may not change my behavior, but it does put physical appearance in its rightful position. It reminds me that I was created in the image of God, and the characteristics that represent that entirely are my heart, soul, and spirit. 

This spurs me to put more energy into growing in Christlikeness, than worrying about reaching some caliber of worldly "perfection."

The paradigm of perfection I should be striving for is likeness to God.

How freeing, and convicting, and challenging, and inspiring!