Being an adult. ?

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

I cannot believe it is (almost) August. It's crazy the way this summer went by so fast. Actually, it's crazy the way this year went by so fast! I think of this time last year. I can almost remember the exact day where I was, what I was doing, and where I thought I would be right now. Oh, the way plans change!

I am thankful for this past year, and all the things I've come to know. I feel like I have grown more this past year, than in many of my few years combined. It's funny to me- the way we like to call ourselves adults, and then the way it feels when you actually start making adult-like decisions.

When I was younger, sometimes I would feel this enormous weight to figure out exactly what I was going to be and do when I finished school. I felt like I needed to have this plan, to have it all figured out, and I felt like that's what made me an "adult." I felt like having a plan is what made the difference in an adult and a child. That's not true though.

Over the past year, I've been through a lot, and needless to say, a lot of my plans have fallen through. No wait, all of my plans have fallen through. So, I have dealt with losing sight of what I was going to do or  be, but I am much closer now to being an "adult" than I've ever been before, and for the first time, I have no plans, no ideas, about what I am going to do or be. I, for the first time, have no clue about my future, but also for the first time, I have no worries.

So, this is what I've come to realize- being an adult has nothing to do with your plans or knowing what you are going to do or be. Being an adult is not an age or certain time or year in life.

 Being an adult is a point in your life when you are able to let go of your own plans and worries. It's a point when you realize what's important, where your priorities should be, and where they really are.  Being an adult is a point when you can be content with who you are, what God has given you, and what he's chosen to keep from you. Being an adult is when you can finally be okay with not having all the answers, and not being able to figure everything out. It's when you don't have it all together, and that's okay. It's when you realize there's really not much you have to complain about, a lot you have to be grateful for, and a lot you have left to learn.

I hope you realize...

I hope you realize that we must first face ourselves before we can change. We have to admit to pain before we can heal, and we have to feel weakness before we can grow strong. I hope you realize that even Spiderman needed help, and even Jesus let a man carry the cross for Him. I hope you realize that sometimes, knowing you don’t have it together means you have it a lot more together than most people. 

I hope you realize there is a lot more you can make with lemons than just lemonade, and you’ll never be able to appreciate people if you’re always comparing them to others. I hope you realize sometimes it’s going to rain, but the sun is always just behind the clouds. I hope you realize your parents are smarter than you think, and sometimes your friends know you better than you know yourself. I hope you realize it’s hard to be happy while you are complaining, and it’s hard to cry if you’re smiling.

I hope you realize that air- conditioning is a blessing and homework is necessary. I hope you realize a good thing when you see it and a bad thing, too. I hope you realize what you spend your time talking about is what holds your heart, and contrary to what Miranda Lambert sings, Jesus does not understand when we settle for this world. I hope you realize it’s more important to show how you care than to show what you know, and little kids learn to treat people by watching how you treat them.

 I hope you realize Santa Claus is not real, but it’s still a good concept. I hope you realize Memphis is a dangerous city, but we do have the best water and Barbeque. I hope you realize life is not easy, and grace makes life unfair, but thankfully so. I hope you realize that sometimes faith is blind, but really, it is much more evident than we choose to see.  I hope you realize that most of the time, people aren’t worried about getting the right answers, they are just looking for any answers at all.

I hope you realize that there is always more to realize .

Sister Somalia. A Thousand Sisters. A glimmer of Hope.

A Thousand Sisters

The passion and desire to change the world is not just a child's dream. It is a real and attainable desire. Here's how:

Somalia is listed as one of the worst places in the world for women. Daily, the women of Somalia face rape, murder, torture, repression. Daily, the fight for their lives and the lives of their children, and daily, they wonder if there is anything more out there. The worst part is, Somalia is also a place that most aid relief groups won't dare to go. The militia and radical groups of Somalia have not only taken the hope of their people, they've taken the interest and desire of support groups around the world and replaced it with fear and abandonment.

A Thousand Sisters and Sister Somalia want the women of Somalia to know that there is more out there. They want them to know that their sisters around the world are fighting for them, and that no militia or radical group can take away their desire and fight. Now, we can be a part of that fight, too.

Sister Somalia is an incredible opportunity of ministry, hope, and change. It is giving hope to women who have never known such a thing, and telling them there is a better life. 

Ten dollars will buy you a movie ticket, a meal at an average restaurant, or it will change the life of women who need you. Join the fight for women who can't fight for themselves.

Never Forget...

Never Forget...

Never forget….

You can never own too many colors of nail polish.

The summer heat is definitely a legitimate excuse to not work out.

Waiters only make 2.13 an hour.

Pizza and grilled chicken are equally as delicious right out of the fridge.

You do not have to have it all together, or even mostly together. Sometimes, you just gotta get by.

As a girl, you might not ever think any boy equals up to your dad or brother. This is okay.

You should never be embarrassed over someone else’s actions.

Sometimes people will stare at you. Smile back.

It’s okay to laugh a little too loud.

Never forget...

Summer break is for sleeping. That’s why it’s called a break.

The Notebook is true, and it can happen.

Channing Tatum is married.

Your plans will never be as good as God’s.

Tim Tebow is still single.

Black is very slimming, and always an appropriate color of dress. (Except on Easter.)

Linen shorts stretch. Most shoes do not.

Frozen yogurt is (mostly) health(ier anyway.) Eat up!

Life is too short to be worried.

Sometimes, a little rain is a good thing.

And never forget, no matter how hard today was, it will be over tomorrow. : )