Things Change

If the past year has taught me anything, it's that - more often than not - things don't go as I plan. Sometimes it's because life happens and sometimes it's because I change my mind. Whatever the reason, things change.

I'm sure you've seen this happen in your own life. You're heading down one road but all of a sudden there's a lane closure and you're forced to take a detour. I'm not talking about your latest road trip (though I'm sure we can all agree that literal detours are no fun either) but rather your most recent life plan. Maybe you were taking classes for a degree but finances ran out. Or you were working a job you love but you were let go. Life happens and things change.

Now I realize that I've written about this before, but it's been three years and I have a different story for my motivation. You see, in the last year I've headed a few different directions (not all at the same time, but one after the other) and either it didn't work out or I just changed my mind. And today was no different. Today, a dream I thought I wanted and would be really good at turned out not to be right for me. When I realized that, I was discouraged and frustrated but not as badly as I thought I should be. I was texting my old roommate about this and she said, "Who are you really trusting in? God is giving you His peaces with a closed door. Don't be scared. Be excited! Enjoy the ride!" What an awesome response! I'm so appreciative of her for bringing that into focus because it's so easy to get brought down by unfulfilled expectations. 

What about you? When life doesn't go as you plan or you find you have to change your dreams to adapt, what is your response? Because I can tell you this: Changes are scary but changes can be really exciting at the same time. Remember that next time you face an unexpected detour in your journey.

In the meantime you may be asking what my new plans are. Well I can say with a great deal of certainty that for the first time in a while, I'm going to try to enjoy where I'm at. But every day I want to make a choice that will me get where I want to be.

So tell me about your plans. What are your life goals? If you could do anything, what would it be?

Or how about a time in your life when things changed. How did you respond? What happened as a result of that response?

Everything Takes Time

Wow. It's been awhile, friends. And don't think for a moment that I forgot about this blog because I never did. But you know how it goes. You have good intentions and then life happens. That's one thing I can say with certainty: In the past six months, life has definitely happened.

It's been crazy - and I don't remember a lot of it - but as I've been reflecting on my months of silence, it occurs to me that there are many reasons I never wrote. Sometimes I didn't think I had anything to say that was worth reading. Other times I didn't feel like it. But for the most part it was because I didn't want to take the time.

This summer, though, I'm realizing that everything takes time. Whether it's accomplishing a goal, encouraging a friend, or processing grief, nothing happens in a split second. You have to allow time in order to see any sort of fruit.

And that's why I'm finally here. Because I realize that this blog is something I like to take time for. Maybe everyone won't read everything I post. But if I think something is worth sharing, why not take the chance? 

So here's to the next season of life, the next steps on my Journey. I'm excited - and scared - by the unknowns but I'm finally ready to take the time to pursue some long-standing dreams.

What do you wish you could make time for in your life? 

Share in the comments and then go out and DO IT!

When There's Nothing Left

Everyone has dreams. Everyone has goals. Everyone has plans.

Travel. Education. Marriage.

And everyone will eventually experience disappointment.

Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough interest.

The disappointments can leave us hurt, broken, devastated. Feeling like we have nothing left. Nothing left to dream about, aspire to or plan for.

And yet the show must go on and we have to continue to play our part. But we don't feel like we can do it because we have nothing left.

Enter the main character: The Creator.

He knows His creations well. Their dreams, their goals, their plans. He knows their desires and He understands their disappointments.

He's never promised all the facts, but He's always encouraged trust.

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, 

for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in Him at all times. 

Pour out your heart to Him for God is our refuge."

Psalm 62:5-8

After the bills are paid, leaving nothing extra for the dreams: God alone.

After the energy-draining work day leaves next-to-nothing extra for school: God alone.

After the broken heart and unrequited interest: God alone.

When life lets us down, God is there.

In fact, He's always there. On the mountaintops, in the valleys. Always watching, always listening, always working.

He simply asks that we trust.

When things are going well and we know the next step: Trust.

When things are going less-than-well and we can't see: Trust.

When we feel satisfied: Trust.

When we feel discontent: Trust.

In all times: Trust.

"You are good and what You do is good."
Psalm 119:68a

My Good. His Glory.

HAPPY 2016!

It's that time of year again. The holidays are over, the old year is over and it's time to make promises to yourself that you don't plan to keep. Sorry. I mean promises that you plan to keep, even though life will do its best to break them. 

Why make these promises, these "resolutions?"

No, seriously. What is your motive for the changes you desire to make? Is it so you look better? Is it so you feel better? Is it so you feel like you look better? What's the force driving you to say, "I vow to change?"

Don't get me wrong. We could all stand to make some positive changes in our lives. Maybe lose a little weight, definitely be kinder to those around us and I guarantee we could all use a little more Jesus time. But why we decide to make those changes is what will determine our success or our failure.


FOR MY GOOD

Sometimes it's okay to think about yourself. Sometimes it's necessary to make decisions that will help you to be a better person. But always, it should be so that you can be the most godly version of yourself.

Perhaps you do need to lose weight. Start by cutting back on the bad stuff - soda, desserts, chips - and introducing new and good things into your diet. Fruits, vegetables, water. Then take a walk. (Seriously, a daily walk - maybe just a mile a day - will do amazing things for your body) These changes will help you feel so much better; they will be for your good.

Perhaps you need to start treating those around you with more love and kindness and humility and less...everything not those things. This change has to start in the heart and the mind. How you think and feel about those people will definitely affect how you interact with them. What you need to know is that the only way to a changed heart is through prayer and a right relationship with God. Spend time daily reading His Word and seeking His help in prayer, and there'll be changes. And those changes will not only be good for your family, friends and coworkers. They will also be for your good.

Perhaps your relationship with God itself could use a little TLC. Your focus should be less on the Dos and Don'ts and more on the fact that you have this awesome privilege to be on a personal, first-name basis with the Creator of the universe. That's pretty fantastic. And I guarantee that if you approach His Word and time spent with Him with childlike wonder and humility, He will show you good things. As you read His Word and practice His Word, you will notice changes. Changes in your heart. Changes in your desires. Changes in your actions. All for your good.


FOR HIS GLORY

It's always okay and quite necessary to think about God. It's always a good idea to make decisions based on what will please Him.

So you need to lose weight? Guess where you can find the energy and strength to accomplish your goals? God.

You need to love and serve people? The willingness for that also comes from God.

You need to spend a lottle (like a "little" but "a lot") more time with God and a lottle less on Netflix? He can give you the desire to turn off the TV and open the Bible.

But the biggest thing you need to realize is this: These are good things - whatever positive change you want to make this year is a good thing - and they can be a tool for God's glory.

Say WHAT?! Oh yes. 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

See that? It's not only a good idea to live in a way that glorifies and honors God, it's a command. Whatever you do, whatever changes you make and goals you set, do it all with the intention to bring God glory.

So make those resolutions. Lose that weight. Love those coworkers. Get to know our Jesus.

Do it for your good.

But do it especially for His glory.

HAPPY 2016!