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Glad To Be Alive

You know, I've caught myself thinking many times recently that my life sucks. I didn't chase dreams I wish I had when I was younger. I wasted valuable years on a pipe dream. I let insecurities hinder me. I didn't fulfill my independence before settling down. But after a recent incident, I find myself feeling foolish. I have so much to be grateful for. Namely, I'm not in the back of a police car having nearly put so many innocent lives in danger.  I've never been so close to a police versus criminal altercation like I was this particular night at our church. I hesitate to offer too many details without all the facts. But for a few minutes there I actually was in a high adrenaline moment of uncertainty. The danger was quickly quelled. Thank God for our law enforcement! And then all the pieces started to come together with what we actually heard happen so quickly.  It could have been much worse. But it wasn't. I could be on the wrong side of the law like that crimi...

Well Hello There, Life!

It's happening. In a few short weeks I will be moving out of my parents' home. It's been my childhood home. The place I became an adult in. Felt loved in. Felt lonely in. Had fun in. Grew in. Found myself in. Disobeyed God in. Obey God in. Felt God's presence in. Experienced heartbreak. And yet realized just how blessed I am.  Most kids scurry off to college the minute the clocks strikes year eighteen. And they experience the ups and downs of solo living much quicker in life. I never followed that norm. I did however decide to spend three weeks of my life in Bulgaria with one of my best friends there. I lived the local life and experienced so many interesting memories! But boy...I never knew how hard homesickness could hit a person until I was sitting in a Sofia hotel room balling my eyes out over a hamburger and fries I struggled to order from room service completely realizing I was stuck in Europe for the foreseeable future. So as the clock has started beating faster ...

The People Jeered

Today as I spent time in God's presence with a preface of absorbing in His Word, I read in the book of Matthew about several of Jesus' incredible miracles. One miracle of which was when he healed Jairus' little girl. To every outward evidence they were given, this young lady was dead and gone from her parents' arms and the life she lived here on this earth. Yet when Jesus came on the scene with great faith, he said something so weird to the rest of the grieving crowd there. He said she was simply sleeping. Now be honest. If you have been a Christian for a length of time and have read this story before, I'm sure you may have turned a questioned expression up to this statement at least once in innocent ignorance. It's understandable. I'm sure the people weren't dumb. They knew a dead person when they saw one. But here comes this crazy person saying the girl was just asleep. If you were there, you probably would have questioned Jesus' words. Admit i...

Finding Home

I searched for a long time, wishing and hoping and grasping to find that place where I belonged. Somewhere far away from the familiar. Somewhere beyond what had supposedly held my true heart captive for the duration of my life. And I did wander. I traveled to Europe once only to feel the heaviest most new and frightening version of homesickness plague my heart and soul. It was while I sat alone yet with friends that God's spirit embraced mine, implanting within the deepest part of my heart a love for my home and my church community that could have made me move mountains itself just to be back home. Home became a different thing entirely for me. It was no longer a place that held me back but a place full of identity where I could thrive if only I would give it a chance. But did I? Yes...and no. I may have been ready to kiss the ground when I returned home. But still in my heart I kept chasing dreams that weren't entirely God's dreams for me. I let depression and emotions c...