Homeless

In a homily a few weeks ago, our campus minister spoke about "homecoming." The definition of "home" is not always what people think. Although when you search the word many definitions do appear, (some including the building surrounding you) the one that sticks out to me is "the place in which one's domestic affections are held." A house is just something with walls and rooms, but home hits much deeper than that. 

If I'm being honest, I have felt a bit "homeless" the past couple of years. When my mom and brother moved out of the only house I've lived in for more than three years and in with my grandparents, I didn't have a room anymore. My personality type is not one to start confrontation. Although I will stand up and say when something is bothering me, I would rather see those I love happy and healthy. So instead of whining and complaining about not having a room, I was happy to move in with my grandparents and excited to see a new chapter in our lives start unfolding. Aside from that, I knew that it would not be long before I would be back at Louisiana Tech University with friends who have become family.

However, I still could not shake the feeling of homelessness. It has been very difficult to get past the fact that I no longer have a room in a house somewhere that is just mine. When I am at my grandparents, I share a bed with my mom or stay on an air mattress with a TV in the living room. When I am at school, I share a room two beautiful young ladies. When I am at my dad's, I stay in a guest room. I think that's why I have been so eager this year to graduate. I have lost sight of what graduation really means and started focusing on the fact that I can finally have my own place. 

Whenever I talk to my mom about these feelings, she says something along the lines of "But home is wherever I am." Although this is true, I have lost sight of that as well. I have been too focused on my self-pity and wallowing that I forgot what home really means. I have forgotten that change of scenery does not have to mean change of heart.

After hearing the homily a couple of weeks ago, I realized how crazy I have been. I'm the furthest thing from homeless. I don't have a bedroom with my name on it; so what? There are people who have much less than I do in regards to shelter. I am beyond blessed. It doesn't matter where I am, I still have a roof over me and a warm place to rest my head. On top of that, I have so many people who love me. My home extends across many miles and many smiling faces.

Home is where my best friend and her newborn son are.

Home is where my church and church family are.

Home is where I can bake cookies and make someone smile.

Home is somewhere in Arkansas with a girl who holds me accountable.

Home is where people make me laugh so hard my stomach aches.

Home is where ten people pile on top of a couch because one person had a bad day.

Home is where my Doctor Who loving, always encouraging, and beautiful roommate is.

Home is where my dad's homemade baked ziti is. 

Home is where there are pictures hanging on the wall of family.

Home is where the homemade biscuits and tomato gravy are.

Home is where my brother's sketches line the walls.

Home is where I can't think straight because the family is too loud. 

Home is where my mom is.

Being home doesn't mean a place. Being home means forgetting all of the things that worry me; all of the things that have given me grief or pain over the past few months. Being home means I am surrounded by people who love me. Sometimes it means being driven insane when my baby brother can't stop tapping the table. Sometimes it means spending the day watching TV. Sometimes home is sitting in my mom's office catching up with old friends. Home does not mean a house. Call me cliche, but home really is where the heart is.

This is my home:

What a Difference a Day Makes

Some days are harder than others. Some days, when it rains, it pours. And the electricity goes out. And you bump into the counter trying to get a candle. And when you find the candle, the wick is gone. So you sit alone in the dark. And a week later you've still got a bruise. All you want to do is stay in bed.

But one day you wake up and the sun is shining. You realize that the bruise is finally gone. Your new candle smells an awful lot like Christmas. And your best friend is laughing across the room so hard she can't breathe. She's trying to hold the drink she just swallowed down. It has been a long time since you laughed so hard it made your stomach hurt.

----------

There is a phenomenal difference between the rainy days and the sunny ones. Sometimes, we have to stop and realize that just because it's raining doesn't mean something beautiful can't come of it. A good friend told me recently that if I continue to let the little things become big things, I won't ever be able to move on with my life. I won't ever be able to pick myself up out of the rain and make it to the days where the sun is shining. He told me I can continue to let the little things fester and bother me, I can let them go, or I can make something beautiful out of them. 

I have always hated the rain and usually everyone close to me is made well aware of this. It's just wet and cold. It doesn't bring the joy that the sunshine does. It doesn't even compare to the white powdery snow that falls in the mountains where we used to live. It floods the streets and makes things dangerous. It ruins good hair days. It messes up clothes. It's just plain gross. And thunder and lightning terrify me most times. 

This past summer, I worked at a camp in Arkansas and it rained every day straight for almost two weeks. Growing up in the mountains we never had much use for rainboots. We never really got to play in the rain because the snow was so much better and came so much more consistently; so I never learned to splash in puddles. But this summer I did. I spent a solid half hour running through puddles. I got my jeans soaking wet and my socks were squishy. But I was so relieved. I was so happy. I felt like a child. I let go of control and enjoyed myself.

Since this past quarter started, I have allowed myself to get more consumed with the things that I have no control over. I have come to realize that this coming year will bring with it a lot of change that I have not been able to mentally ready myself for. Between my graduation, my brother's graduation, applications to grad school, family moving; I haven't exactly had a good grip on how to handle things. Instead of looking for the beauty in the midst of these changes, I have allowed myself to get overwhelmed. I have allowed myself months to sulk and complain. Whenever I try to fill out an application to grad school or look for a job, I get anxiety like I've never felt before. I have cried more and drank more coffee this quarter than I have in my entire life. 

But yesterday I woke up and the sun was shining. Finals were over. Quarter break had begun. Yesterday, I realized that not all change is bad. I looked out at the fields and saw how beautiful and green everything was. All because of a little bit of rain.

Change, like rain, doesn't have to be a bad thing. Sometimes, change is good. Change is necessary to mature and grow. Yes, change is hard. No, life won't always be sunshine and rainbows. But with God on your side, change is always possible. With God on your side, you can always turn the rainy days into something beautiful. You can take the change and run with it. Allow God to fulfill His plan and His purpose for your life. That will never happen if you do not allow the change to happen as well.

I'm slowly learning that it's okay to be upset about the rain some days. On those days when it really does mess up your beautiful, new hairstyle. On the days the game you've been looking forward to all week gets canceled. It's acceptable to be a little upset. But it is not okay to let that frustration boil over and ruin a perfectly good day. Don't allow the rain to keep you from doing the things that make you happy. Instead of staying in bed all day to sulk and watch Netflix, put on your boots and take advantage of the puddles. Instead of being upset about a sunless day, paint a picture and include the things that make you happy. Crank up your favorite music. Bake some cookies. Read a good book. 

Rain is inevitable. So is change. These lessons I am trying so hard to teach myself will not come easily. It is not easy to get out of my comfort zone. It is not easy to know that big changes are coming very soon. It is difficult to cling to the one God who can make the change possible. The one who can give me strength. The one with the plan. But I'm learning. Slowly, but surely I am learning. I am learning to splash in the puddles. I am learning to smile through the change. I am learning that God's plan for my life is just that. His plan; not mine. And His plan includes change. One day I will look back on this period of my life and understand. It may not all make sense right now, but one day it will. One day I will look around at the green fields of my life and realize that the rain of these days was necessary. Difficult, but necessary.

I want to leave you with these two verses:

The first, most people who know me will recognize. It is my favorite verse; the one I live by. The verse that I sometimes let slide to the back burner. This verse says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper and not harm you; plans of a hope and future." Jeremiah 29:11 God has a plan. Sit back and allow it to unfold.

The second verse, a friend recently reminded me of. It is a reminder of where our strength should come from. A reminder that no matter what, Christ is our shield in those times we are at war with ourselves. Isaiah 40:29-31 says He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. On those days when you can't seem to find it in yourself, find your strength in Him. Put on your rainboots and dance in the rain.

love.

A poem written by my 14-year-old self that showed up on my Facebook memories.

--------------------------------------

love. 

it's a strong word. 
a powerful word. 
a poetic word. 
a confusing word. 
sometimes: 
it's more than a word. 
it's a statement.
a feeling.
a way of life.
we use it too often.
we don't share it often enough.
it's a fight.
a wonder.
an amazement.
an awkward situation.
we can't understand it.
can't comprehend it.
can't wait for it.
can't want it.
but that's only the beginning.

what about God's love?
it's a love we don't know.
a love we cannot see.
a love we can't live without.
it's more than a word:
it's a lifestyle.
a work of art.
a wonderment.
an amazement.
it is:
incomprehensible.
not understandable.
it is a love we will never:
reproduce.
remake.
reinvent.
to send His child.
to open our eyes.
to create the world.
it is:
more than a spouses love.
more than a friends love.
more than a mother's love.
we do not know.
we never will know.
God loves the world:
the whole world.
not just the good people.
bad people too.
not just the forgiven.
the unforgivable.
He loves:
the unborn baby.
the oldest man.
the president.
the enemies.
He loves:
you.

He loves us even though:
we are crazy.
we are mental.
we are dysfunctional.
we are evil.
we are sinners.
we are unlovable.

then why?
why does He love us?
why does He choose us?
why does He forgive us?
how can he understand us?

because.
because He created us.
He can do anything.
He heals us.
He wants us.
though we continue to live:
live in sin.
live in doubt.
live in wonder.
live in craziness.
He will continue to love us.
all of us.

so reach.
reach across the nation.
reach next door.
reach your friends.
reach your enemies.
make sure they know.
make sure they understand.
share yourself.
share your story.
share your life.
share our God.
help your enemies.
help your neighbors.
be sure you know.
be sure you understand.

He LOVES you.

"for God so LOVED the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." john 3:16

An Open Letter to the Boy Whose Heart I Broke

If we're being honest, I'm not even really sure where to begin. I would start with an apology, but you've heard that from me before and I'm sure it doesn't mean anything to you anymore. So I'll start with this instead.

You are an amazing man. There is nothing you ever did to harm me. Nothing you ever did to show me anything but love. And at the time, that is all I needed. I needed your love.

The problem is that I loved you. I loved you too much. I thought after my heart was broken for the first time nearly eight years ago that I would never again love like that. But I was wrong.

I would love like that again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again...

And with each new love, I knew you were the one. I was ready to give up every dream I'd ever had in the name of love. I would have stepped onto an alter with you in a heartbeat and promised promises I never would have been able to keep.

Because how can you promise to love someone forever when you can't even love yourself? How can you truly love someone if you don't first love God? If you don't first accept His love for you?

I know you've heard this excuse one too many times. I've told you over and over again that I have to find myself. Or that I have changed since being with you. I told you that I felt God tugging at my heart to let you go.

You might not have believed me, but it was all true. Everything I said was true. Every word about my faith falling apart was true.

But it wasn't your fault. Please don't think it was your fault. It was mine. Always mine. It was my fault for allowing myself to love you the way I did. I gave you literally everything I had. I thought maybe that would mean you would meet my unrealistic expectations.

You see, ever since I was young and began to understand the world of love, I set expectations on my future. I told myself He has to be a prince. He has to read my mind. He has to know my love language. He has to take care of me. He should want children. He should have a great family. He should let go of his mom for me. He should maintain his focus on me while somehow juggling focus on God too. He should open doors. He should hold my hand. He should kiss me in front of his friends. He should sing. He should dance. He should be perfect.

But there has only ever been one perfect man. And He is where my focus always should have been. I should not have focused on these expectations. Because with each expectation you didn't seem to reach, I began to realize I was being stupid. I realized that perfection was not possible. And that was when God would whisper in my ear.

He would say "I can meet those expectations. But I'm the only one. I'm the one who sent a perfect sacrifice for you. I gave you the perfect example of true love. You must stop getting distracted. You must let him go. He will never meet those expectations and by continuing to drag him along in your journey, you will hurt him so much more in the long run."

And words have never been so true. Had we kept going the direction we were headed, we would have pulled apart eventually. I would have fallen into a den of self-pity. I would have started blaming you. We would have been miserable in the long run. With each love, each kiss, each possible vow, I saw hate, regret, and divorce.

I know I hurt you. And you have no idea how many times I've tried to apologize for that hurt. For each blow I've thrown, I've blamed myself time and time again. I've blamed myself for hurting you day in and day out.

With each broken heart I've created, my heart has shattered. I have tried time and time again to give someone else the pieces. I have tried over and over to let someone else mend it. It's been stitched back, stapled back, bandaged, bonded, but I keep giving it to the wrong person.

Until I can completely hand it over to God, this process will continue to happen. Instead of letting someone try to fix it, I have to let Him replace it. He is the only man who can do that.

So now I'm going to apologize. This is the last time though. The last time I say I'm sorry for falling in love. The last time I apologize for another broken heart. The last time I let myself feel so low.

I am sorry. I am so very sorry. I am sorry for all of the pain I have caused you. I am sorry for bringing you on a journey neither of us were ready for. I am sorry for holding you to unrealistic expectations. I am sorry for breaking your heart.

I pray for you daily. I want you to know that each time I see or hear you are having a bad day, I pray for you. I pray that you are happy. I pray that you find the right woman. The woman who loves God and loves herself before ever loving you. I pray that you have beautiful children one day. I pray that you realize you are so amazing and you are worth so much more than any woman could ever tell you. You are worth the love of a God who would send His son to sacrifice His life for you. You are a beautiful human being and you are worth so much.

Please know that I regret nothing. You were all a part of this plan. You were what I needed. And I truly did love you. I never lied about that. But I did not love myself, so I never loved you the way you deserved and I never could have.

So I'd like to make a promise in this letter. I would like to promise the man reading this whose heart I have not yet broken that I will not break your heart. I will not allow myself to get attached. I promise to be your friend first. I promise to wait. I promise to not give you everything, because you honestly don't need your everything to come from me.

It is time I promised myself something. I promise to love myself. I promise to allow God to truly show Himself to me. I promise to be patient. I know it will not be easy, but I know it is His plan. The Devil will try to make me break this promise, but with God on my side, I know I can stay strong.

So to the man whose heart I broke, you are amazing. I am sorry. I pray you will allow God to mend your heart and that you don't ever regret loving me.

Powerful

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1:18-20

Faith is hard. It is near impossible sometimes to trust that God's power is so mighty He can raise the dead. It's even harder sometimes to remember He is so humble and loving that He sent His only son to take the blame for all of our screw ups.

So many people today struggle with the fact that someone could love them that much. People struggle knowing that there is a God who is willing to do literally anything to be with them.

The really crazy part? When you accept that love and have faith... have faith that He did it all for you.. have faith that He created this beautiful earth.. have faith that He will continue to keep His promises.. His power comes to live in you.

Stop for a second and think about this.

His power....

The power that created the universe.. the seas.. the skies.. the stars.. the sun.. the moon..

The power that created life.. plants.. animals.. birds.. fish.. you..

The power that commands dead to rise.. commands dry bones to fight battles.. commands seas to part and armies to be defeated only by the hands of a raised man..

The power that sent a perfect Son.. did numerous miracles through that Son.. told that Son to die on a cross.. endure the most grueling of punishments.. lay dead in a grave for three days.. and raise Him back to life!

That is the power you accept when you accept the love of God our Father.

How cool is it to know that the power God used to raise Christ to life is the same power that enters our soul when we accept Him as our Lord and savior?! Just think about that for a second. With the slightest bit of faith, you can move a mountain. With the slightest bit of faith, you can stop an army. With the slightest bit of faith, you can change the world.

So today, I want to challenge you. I challenge you to consider all of the things you can do with the power of Christ in you. I challenge you to not only think of what you can do, but go out and do it! Take that one step. Because it only takes one person to change the world and you could be that one.

"Same Power" by Jeremy Camp

Tigers, Cowboys and Raindrops

It was the most awaited game of the season. Two Louisiana universities were to go head to head in an exciting game in Death Valley. We've had our tickets for months and were beyond excited (mostly to watch the band at halftime). We sweat our butts off for hours before getting comfortable in our amazing seats. I missed my own school's season opener (in which they whooped some Southern booty; go Dawgs!) We had the full experience of seeing the band before the game. We heard the cheers of thousands of Tiger fans. Tiger Stadium became the fifth largest city in Louisiana.

Everything changed in one minute as the players cleared the field and the announcer told us there was lightning in the vicinity. Oh joy. That means at least a thirty minute delay. So we waited for thirty minutes.

And we waited for an hour.

One hour became two hours.

Somewhere in the first two hours, it began it rain. Not just rain. There was a torrential downpour. In which I chose to dance.

That's right. I danced in the rain.

For another hour.

Three hours passed. Coaches and referees entered the field again. People got their hopes up. The game might start. But they left. And after half an hour again we heard "There has been a lightning strike in the area and we have to delay the game."

Fans are furious. The few that had stuck it out through nearly four hours of rain gave up. The remnants of resilient fans left Death Valley. In just four hours, the stadium was empty. But not for the reason a football stadium is usually empty. People went away upset. Cursing the sky with words that can't change anything.

But you know what? I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, it was hot. Then it was cold. Yes, we were disappointed. But that's okay.

Before this game started, I was told multiple times "It doesn't rain in Death Valley." Well, I'm here to tell you that it DOES rain in Death Valley. And when it rains, it pours.

God opened up the flood gates and reminded fans that He is in charge of the weather, not us. It was a beautiful rain. The kind of rain people pray for in a drought.

I'm so glad it rained. No, we didn't see more than five minutes of football. But that's okay. Because for probably the first time in my life, I danced in the rain God blessed us with. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

We aren't in control of life. Things don't always go according to our plans. Sometimes we end up disappointed. But you must make a choice. Will you leave when things get bad, or will you learn to dance in the rain?

Gratitude Defines Attitude

100.

The Bible mentions the word "thanks," be it thanksgiving or give thanks, 100 times. But how many times a day do you remember this? How many times do you thank God for the things He consistently does in your life? What about the things He doesn't do?

It's no secret that we are commanded to give thanks. We should be consistent in giving Him the thanks He is due in the same way He is consistent in giving us everything we could possibly need and more.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "I thank Him when I get what I want, but why should I thank Him when I don't?" Paul was writing to the church of Colosse about how they should continue to live their new lives in Christ when he wrote this.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17

Whatever you do. WHATEVER .YOU. DO.

This morning on the way to school and work we got caught by a train. Instead of complaining about the fact that we had to wait, I began to thank God for the lights that tell us to stop so we can avoid wrecks. I thanked Him for the advances in industries that have allowed us to have trains. I thanked Him for the chance to stop and look around at the beauty He created.

The small act of thanking versus complaining literally changed my whole attitude. It gave me an opportunity to have a fresh mindset on the day. This is something small I have started implementing into my every day life. It is so easy to complain and whine about things that don't go the right way. It is so much easier to forget what we have been given and remember what we have lost. But think of how much more joy God would give you if you were to thank Him for those things we remember instead of complaining about them.

So instead of groaning when you see that red light, be thankful we live in a country with traffic laws. Instead of turning your nose up to the tap water you have to drink because you ran out of bottles, be thankful that you have running water. When your children throw a fit in the middle of Walmart, be grateful you have healthy kids with a full lung capacity.

Think of how much your attitude will change when your gratitude increases.

God Smiles

Always be joyful.Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

It's the little things. The gentle reminders God is there. He is holding you tighter than ever.

You have to wake up early to make it to a job interview and get caught in traffic. You're afraid you'll be late and you realize you left the house without your good luck charm. But God sends you the most beautiful sunrise you've ever seen and immediately you perk up and have a newfound confidence. He is smiling on you. 

You are missing worship because you have to stay late at work on Wednesday night. You're frustrated as you grade papers or read documents. You turn on the radio and hear your worship favorite song. The one you've had stuck in your head all day even though you haven't heard it in weeks. He is smiling in you. 

Your mother is sick and the doctors are unsure how much longer she will make it. You can't sleep or eat. Being at the hospital makes you sick. A nurse offers to pray with you one day. To help put your heart at ease. She offers you a cup of coffee and a donut. He is smiling on you. 

Life likes to throw us curveballs. The Devil loves to attack God's righteous people. Sometimes he is even given permission to torture us so we can fall back on our hope and strength in Christ. But it's in these moments we must be thankful. We must not allow the Devil to steal our joy. We must be on the lookout for what my mom taught me to call "God smiles." 

These moments are completely unexplainable. You can't figure out how the neighbor next door knew that your favorite candy bar is a Milky Way. You can't explain why the praise team chose to sing the song you've been weeping to the past week. There is no explanation as to why your favorite dinner is served at the banquet you would rather not be at. These are the moments you should be beyond grateful. Because He is smiling on you. He is gently picking you up, dusting you off, and reminding you whose you are. 

Look for the God smiles in your life today. Be thankful for the opportunities that might not bring you happiness. As I sit in the courthouse for jury duty today, I'm reminded that I am blessed to have an opportunity to give back to the country which allows me freedom to vote. I'm blessed with the money to get a new drivers license. Though this is not how I hoped to spend my last week before school starts back, I'm so glad that He is constantly smiling on me.

Power in Prayer

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12

Okay, let's face it. Praying is hard. It's not always easy to just turn off everything around you and focus on the voice inside your mind talking to the Big Man. It becomes an even more daunting task when we are asked to pray in front of others. We are consistently worried about how others might judge the way we talk to God.

Here's the thing, God doesn't care. He doesn't care about how many times you say His name. He doesn't care about how loudly you are speaking. He doesn't care about whether your hands are folded waffle style, pancake style or even folded at all. None of that matters to Him. What matters to God is the fact that you are talking to Him.

The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray continually," or as some have stated, "pray without ceasing." This means there should be an open line of communication with God all day, every day. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 52 weeks a year. He isn't concerned about how you come to Him, but the fact that you consistently do. 

Let me tell you a little secret about myself. Are you ready? I'm not good at remembering this either. Did you hear that? No? Okay. Here we go. I am not a good prayer-er. There. I said it. Prayer is HARD! But you know what? God knows that. He knows the struggles we face daily and the problems we have with confidence In Him. He knows everything in our hearts. But He still loves us and wants to hear from us. 

Here's a little help. Don't focus on perfection or dejection, focus on projection. What do I mean by that? Well every time something comes to mind, pray about it. Not just sometimes. Not just when it's convenient. Every. Single. Time. 

Say for instance you are scrolling through your Facebook page and notice someone is sick or hurting or even blatantly asks for prayer, stop what you are doing right then and pray for that person. You might be the only one who notices that little status amongst the presidential candidates and Dog Day posts. What if you're at a restaurant and the waitress mentions her newborn at home keeps her up all night and that's why she took a little longer bringing you your pancake? Ask if you can pray for her. Do it right there. In the restaurant. You have no idea the impact you might have for Christ by doing that. 

Let me tell you a story or two about some recent activities that have taken place since I started praying more often. 

First story. I worked at a camp this summer and we had a worship service every night for the campers. One night I was in the prayer room during the service and the man speaking had an alter call at the beginning of service instead of the end like normal. I felt an urgent need to start praying for "just one more." I wasn't even in the service but I could hear the uproar as people flooded the stage. I just prayed over and over for "just one more, God." As I stepped outside still praying, the speaker called one last time and almost immediately someone in the back stood up. It was amazing. After that all I could say was "Thank you! You are amazing God! You are so awesome!" Prayer is powerful. 

This next story is a little more self involved but it goes to show how truly mighty our God is. How He can do whatever He wants for us. Last week was rough. I was sick and stresses from school have started to attack me and it felt like everything was against me. To top it all off my computer broke and that made life very difficult. Instead of consistently complaining like I usually would, I decided to pray. I posted a request on Facebook for friends to lift me up in prayer and went about my day in continual prayer. I was just asking God for a miracle. "Please give me a miracle God. I just need my computer to magically get fixed." Enter in a text from my dad. It was almost immediate that he asked what was up. After a quick explanation, he told me to mail him my computer and he would get it fixed. "Thank you, God! You truly are a God of miracles! You are so glorious! Thank you thank you thank you!" Prayer is powerful. 

These are just small examples. I could tell you about the fire that recently went around a church camp that had been threatened for a week. It literally went around both sides of the camp with no explanation. I know the reason. Prayer is powerful. I could tell you the many stories of people who have been healed or brough to Christ all because someone was on his or her knees. All because someone dialed in to the Big Man. Prayer is powerful.

It's so crazy how He answers our prayers. But don't take this message to mean that if you pray for things on your terms God will answer them. He doesn't work that way. He works on His watch. In prayer we should be thankful first. I keep a prayer journal and the first thing I do is thank Him for His wonderful creation. He deserves so much more than any word we could possibly say. But He loves hearing from us. Even when we don't have the words to say, His name is enough.  

Take just a minute now to say a prayer. Pray for whatever God is laying on your heart right now. Don't worry. He's listening. 

Waiting On Furniture

Air mattresses do not make good living room furniture.

For the past week my family has been using just that. It has been about as fun as one would assume. My grandparents recently bought new furniture but before it came we got rid of the old stuff. Hence the air mattresses. Our new furniture was not set to come in until sometime this morning. So when we got a call last night that they could deliver early, well you can only imagine how happy we all were. However, no one was as happy as my grandmother. She was ecstatic. Beyond that even. She was jubilant.

Imagine for a second a child on Christmas Eve waiting on Santa Claus. You know the kid. The one with his little sticky fingers on the door handle and his nose pressed against door. He takes on a face like a little piggy and can't stop squirming with excitement. That was my grandmother last night. She waited at the door for ten minutes and watched.

 

This morning after reading the verse of the day from K-LOVE, I began to think "Now why don't we act like that with God?" The verse says:

 

"Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!" Proverbs 8:34

 

Can you picture that? I can just imagine myself sitting at those pearly gates. I can see myself sitting before His throne. Joyful. Ecstatic. Jubilant. What if we got that excited about His word? What if, instead of being excited for the next big thing, what if we were excited for His second coming? What if we were joyful each time we got an opportunity to see someone get close to God? What if we became ecstatic when we were waiting in lines instead of feeling slowed down?

 

God places us in positions to test and try us. He allows the Devil to bring us down so He can bring us back up. Life gets so hard sometimes. Being in college and feeling the consistent pressures from this world, I know just how hard it can get. I know that there are times when I want to give in to temptation and allow the things of this world to satisfy me. Heck, there have been plenty of times in the past three years that I have done just that. There are so many things in my past I'm not proud of. 

 

But those are the things God has used to show me just how much He truly loves me. Those are the times when He just wants me to wait and listen to His word. The times when it feels like no one could understand the pain and strife I'm dealing with. The times when I don't think I can leave my bed. The times when I want to cry for hours on the front porch and blame God for allowing me to face such difficult struggles. Those are the moments He longs for us to just watch and wait. Slow down.

 

In those moments, allow yourself to be excited. Allow yourself to look at your life through fresh eyes. Allow yourself to sit outside His home and be joyful. Give Him glory instead of blame. He deserves nothing but your all. So today while you are reading His word or taking a moment to enjoy some worship music, picture yourself at the door waiting for your Father to come home. Because one day He will return and I only hope I can daily exude the joy that my grandmother did last night. When the furniture FINALLY came.