Purpose

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

[Ephesians 6:10]

As I sit in our living room surrounded by paperwork and a million things that need to be done, I think to myself;

"There is not enough time to possibly get ALL of this done, before I graduate!"

After having a meeting over my tennis and stage design schedules today, I wanted to come home and say "I quit!" But as I was walking through the empty house, trying to figure out where in the world to begin, I said to myself, "You better suck it up and get used to it!" Which can also translate as;

"Put your big girl panties on and get over it!"

So I sat down and laid everything out in front of me; every project, unit plan, lesson plan, behavior management assignment, tennis match and stage design meeting that needed to be planned and completed. The more I looked through due dates, match days and deadlines for the stage, I could feel my blood pressure rising, just a little. I put all of my hesitation aside and productively organized everything on a full-size calendar. (And I made sure to write everything in pencil, just in case.....)

Now that the calendar is complete, I really wouldn't mind throwing it in the trash and walking away from all of my responsibilities. The number of things I am expected to fit into one day on some days is outrageous. I had convinced myself that there were just not enough hours in a day for me to successfully make it through the semester, with a degree in my hand. The stress level that instantly came over me was slightly overwhelming. Being home alone, I had no one to talk to out loud about the (ugly) emotions I was feeling towards this semester. So I started praying. I prayed for peace and comfort. I prayed for encouragement and strength. And as I was praying, there was a calming peace that came over me. I felt secure in the things that were expected of me, because everything I am doing has a purpose. And every assignment will make me more prepared, more effective and more aware of God's encouragement and strength that he gives daily.

So what is the point of all of my blabbing today? The point is to never be discouraged. Life challenges us everyday. If there isn't a challenge then there is nothing to work for. The challenges are not put there to discourage us or to bring us down, they are there to make everything worth it in the end. Don't take the easy way out and quit on whatever it is that may be overwhelming. Finish the race with the purpose in mind. When you're alone and feel like you're running on empty, remember God is ready to fill you back up. He is always there to encourage us and provide the strength we need to make it through whatever day of the week it is.

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

[Isaiah 41:10]

No Worries

"To worry is human. We worry about job security. We worry about unexpected expenses. We worry when our children ride their bikes around the block for the first time. Worry is a normal and natural part of life. But too much worry can distract and paralyze us--and can even lead to a sinful denial of God's presence and grace in our lives. Scripture teachers that we find rest from inappropriate worry when we admit we can't control the future and entrust ourselves--and our loved ones--to the God who does."

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you."

[1 Peter 5:7]

So lately it seems that I have been blogging about worry, doubt and trust [in God]. It seems pretty repetitive BUT it is obviously something God is dealing with in my heart. So I figured I will continue to blog about what has been placed on my heart until it's time to move on to whatever's next.......

Ok, so back to this worry thing, I started using my brand new 2010 planner that my wonderful mother got for me. It's a planner but it is also filled with devotions. It has a different discussion topic at the beginning of each month, along with a scripture for each day. Guess what the topic for January is? WORRY! Guess what I have been reading about in Captivating? WORRY....DOUBT.....ya think God is trying to say something to me? I would have to say definitely so. The reassuring thing to me is that I am constantly being reminded to not worry, God's got it under control. The moments God is using to speak to me about my current, biggest fear, is pretty comforting. So as I am reminded daily that the will of my life is in the right hands, I will continue to share the words that God has placed in my heart. In hopes that maybe something, ANYTHING I put on this blog will maybe touch/impact your life just as it has done mine.

"When we camp our hearts in self-doubt, condemning thoughts, or even shame because those emotions have become familiar and uncomfortable, we are faithlessly indulging rather than allowing our deep ache to draw us to God" [Captivating]

"But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

[Exodus 14:13-14]