Life.
It's funny how things never turn out as you plan. For instance, I would have never dreamed that I would be going to the University of Florida. Even more, I would have never dreamed that I would have found a place that I feel like I belong. For this season of my life God has placed me with such great people that I could not imagine my life without.
Now, though, I'm realizing how much I am growing up and, ready or not, I am going to have to leave the parental confines that I am comfortable in and learn to breathe on my own.
I'm scared. Full blown scared but I also know that it is time to embrace all that I've learned at this wonderful university and do what I know God has called me to do. Love Him and love others in whatever way or career that I can.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Dominoes
A game of Dominoes changed my life. Seriously.
I have been blessed to be able to meet some fantastic people that have literally been used by God to give so much joy to my heart. They have shown me what true contentment is like when Paul speaks in Philippians 4:12-13 ("I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.") I have been fortunate enough to have friends that just so happen to be homeless. When I go to hang out with them, we play Dominoes. Sometimes they win, sometimes I do and sometimes I think they let me win. Through a game that I used to play by just matching the pretty colors, God has opened my eyes and heart.
Before meeting them, I was okay with going about living the American dream. Sure, I wanted to be a missionary but that was for when I got to Africa. That was for a couple years down the road after I had completed seminary and had all the answers... This may come as a shock but I will never have all the answers. I may not even go to seminary. I may never go to Africa. These are all things that I have accepted and you know what? I am okay with it. Missions isn't for ten years down the road or that one week in the summer. Missions is my life. It is my life whether I am in Gainesville, Florida at Bo Diddley Plaza or Zambia, Africa.
These friends that I mentioned changed my life did so with a simple smile and a few kind words. They did so by caring about me. They did so by asking about my day and how life was going. They did so by cracking a few jokes after I had a rough day. They did so by love.
I have been blessed to be able to meet some fantastic people that have literally been used by God to give so much joy to my heart. They have shown me what true contentment is like when Paul speaks in Philippians 4:12-13 ("I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.") I have been fortunate enough to have friends that just so happen to be homeless. When I go to hang out with them, we play Dominoes. Sometimes they win, sometimes I do and sometimes I think they let me win. Through a game that I used to play by just matching the pretty colors, God has opened my eyes and heart.
Before meeting them, I was okay with going about living the American dream. Sure, I wanted to be a missionary but that was for when I got to Africa. That was for a couple years down the road after I had completed seminary and had all the answers... This may come as a shock but I will never have all the answers. I may not even go to seminary. I may never go to Africa. These are all things that I have accepted and you know what? I am okay with it. Missions isn't for ten years down the road or that one week in the summer. Missions is my life. It is my life whether I am in Gainesville, Florida at Bo Diddley Plaza or Zambia, Africa.
These friends that I mentioned changed my life did so with a simple smile and a few kind words. They did so by caring about me. They did so by asking about my day and how life was going. They did so by cracking a few jokes after I had a rough day. They did so by love.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Change of Heart
"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
I had to give a speech in my speech class...go figure. It was an impromptu speech and I was given the topic of "What is your dream job?" and then given a minute to prepare. Within five seconds, I had my two main points, helping people and going to a foreign country such as Africa. Piece. of. cake. I was going to ace this.
Wrong.
During the entire speech, I failed to mention the ultimate reason why I even wanted to do missions. Why dedicate my life to this occupation? Looking back I can see this sadly a picture of my life. What you put into your life, comes out. I want to dedicate my life to missions yet fail to even follow God's "easy" commands of "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength." I have been relying on the lessons that I have learned as a child to fulfill the substance that I need as a college student.
I have had the amazing opportunity to co-lead a high-school Bible study at my church in Gainesville. The girls that I have had the ability to get to know have challenged me in so many unforgettable ways. They have motivated me to know why I believe the things I do and have been used by God to give me an undeniable conviction that I need to read and memorize God's truth more than I already do. This experience has made me seek God's plan even further than just loving others. What specific group am I most able to minister to?
God has begun to open my eyes to the many humanitarian issues in my city that aren't okay, specifically homelessness. Through different churches in the area, BCM, and Godly friends seeking after God's heart, I have felt my own heart being called to this ministry. I don't know if that just means for a season of my life or spending my entire life devoted to it. I don't know. I don't have all the answers. But I know who does.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - James 1:27
I had to give a speech in my speech class...go figure. It was an impromptu speech and I was given the topic of "What is your dream job?" and then given a minute to prepare. Within five seconds, I had my two main points, helping people and going to a foreign country such as Africa. Piece. of. cake. I was going to ace this.
Wrong.
During the entire speech, I failed to mention the ultimate reason why I even wanted to do missions. Why dedicate my life to this occupation? Looking back I can see this sadly a picture of my life. What you put into your life, comes out. I want to dedicate my life to missions yet fail to even follow God's "easy" commands of "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength." I have been relying on the lessons that I have learned as a child to fulfill the substance that I need as a college student.
I have had the amazing opportunity to co-lead a high-school Bible study at my church in Gainesville. The girls that I have had the ability to get to know have challenged me in so many unforgettable ways. They have motivated me to know why I believe the things I do and have been used by God to give me an undeniable conviction that I need to read and memorize God's truth more than I already do. This experience has made me seek God's plan even further than just loving others. What specific group am I most able to minister to?
God has begun to open my eyes to the many humanitarian issues in my city that aren't okay, specifically homelessness. Through different churches in the area, BCM, and Godly friends seeking after God's heart, I have felt my own heart being called to this ministry. I don't know if that just means for a season of my life or spending my entire life devoted to it. I don't know. I don't have all the answers. But I know who does.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. - James 1:27
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)