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. : )

In the bitter-sweetness of life...

In the bitter-sweetness of life...

Be thankful for friends, but be your own biggest motivator.
Find peace in hardships and blessings in happiness.
See the world for what it is, but be optimistic in life.
Guard your heart, but don't be afraid to love.

Believe the boy when he says you are too good, and make sure he always remembers that.
Remember that, sometimes, pride will be the most important thing you have.
And other times, humility will be the most virtuous attribute.
Be a fearless leader, and know that the best leaders are also great followers.

Know what your own beliefs are, and stand firm in them.
Don't let others look down on you, and make sure you are not looking down on them.
Learn to laugh at yourself and correct your mistakes. Take time to breathe, think, and relax.
Remind yourselves that people are only mean because they are trying to cover hurt.

Take time to pray for those who bring you down, and try your best to lift them up.
Always eat dessert, and treat yourself every now and then.
Splurge on something expensive, but know the importance of saving.
Tell the people you love how you feel, and keep it to yourself when you feel the opposite.

Know that, in order to make someone else happy, you have to first be happy yourself.
Understand that true forgiveness doesn't require an apology, but realize the impact of a sincere apology.
Surround yourself with people you love, and spend plenty of time alone.
Be aware that loss is inevitable, and how you grieve is what will make the difference.

Be grateful for a God who is bigger than us, who loves us, who likes us.
Do what you love, and don't settle for what you can live with.
Take time to be a part of something that is different than you are. Let your mind wander and grow.
Smile. Eat cake. Appreciate the little things, but remember it's the big things that count.

Life and the ocean.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve become unavoidably aware of how much my life has changed, I’ve changed, over the past year, and how, for the first time, I don’t have any idea what to expect for my future. As I stood on the beach, staring out into the ocean and thinking about how much I have ahead of me, I let the tide wash over me and realized something.

The ocean, in all its vastness, can be lonesome and depressing, or it can be encouraging and promising. Life is just the same.

Life, just like the ocean, is always changing. It’s always moving on; no second the same as the last.

Life, just like the ocean, is often scary and dangerous; widely unpredictable, and sometimes it’s easier to just stand back and admire it from a distance than to jump in and brave the waters.

Life, just like the ocean, is often missed and taken for granted- often because we are too scared to jump in and enjoy it.

Life, just like the ocean, can be refreshing. Maybe sometimes you don’t want to take part in what it offers, but sometimes, there’s nothing more you want than to be a part of what it’s giving you. 

Life, just like the ocean, can hurt you. You can get lost in it. It seems impossible to see through to the other side, but just as often as you get lost in it, it will carry you back to where you are supposed to be.

Life, just like the ocean, should be taken as it is. It won’t ever be perfect. It will be too harsh or too calm, but we have to appreciate it for what it is in this moment.

Life, just like the ocean, will knock you over if you’re not standing firm, and sometimes, even if you are standing firm. You just have to find your feet and stand up again.

Life, just like the ocean, is much more enjoyable when you allow others to take part with you.

Life, just like the ocean, is full of ups and downs. Find a way to stay afloat, and try not to get in too deep. 

Knowing and Believing.

So this is my struggle- Taking what I know in my head to be right and true and believing it in my heart to be what’s real. Knowing and believing have never been so different- It’s like a fact that I know and can share a hundred times, but I’ve yet to convince my heart to believe anything but lies. I know the facts, and I never question them, but when I look at my life I wonder if I’m an exception?

There are no exceptions to the Truth, you just have to be patient. God always proves Himself faithful, but can you say the same thing? It’s like I can give him everything BUT… There should be no BUT in what I bring to the King.

I want to believe, really I do, but I find myself struggling, dealing with this truth. And it’s not about faith, or what I know to be True, it’s about having strength to seek You- to seek You above all else and all this world offers.

You see, the thing is, your voice is the still small one- always in my head, but this world can be so loud, and when loneliness is yelling, the world seems like the only way out. It’s offers are so tempting, and appetizing they seem, but tempting is only a few letters short of temporary, and I’m searching for the real thing.

So God, take my heart off this string; don’t let me be tempted by what the world brings.

I’m a smart girl, and more importantly, I know the Truth of You and what that means. Convince my heart, Oh God, and let me see, the power of love brought from the King.

I’m over this world and all it’s misleading- make my heart Yours with the rest of me. Put this world to shame, and shine your light on my destiny.