Purposeful Pain

Recently, I've been getting some nasty knots in my back due to work. Usually they're in my shoulders, so after a few days of stiffness, and if I remember, I'll ask John to rub them out for me. Sometimes it just needs a little rubbing, and other times it needs quite a bit more. After all is said and done, my shoulders are relaxed, my back feels better, & my neck as well. I'm very thankful for John removing the knots. The pain from rubbing out the knots can be nothing, or rather intense. Occasionally I will squeeze his other hand to death so he can keep going. I know deep down that if I just wait until he is all done, I know that I'll feel right as rain again.

Now, keeping that in mind, why do I forget that important truth when God does the same thing? 1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) says "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." The painful trials we may face in our life, whether it's a paper cut or a deep wound, God will work it out the rest of the way. Sometimes we just need to have patience and wait it out. Sometimes we just need to squeeze his hand and cast our cares* upon Him. I encourage you today to remember this as you go about the rest of your day and into your week. You may be going through something painful, but it's for a time, and God will work out those knots the rest of the way for your good!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (ESV)

*Isaiah 41:13 and Psalm 55:22

Write Them On Your Doorposts

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

~ Deuteronomy 6:5-9

A Reflection in Latin

After 12 years of school, I've graduated! In the past 12 years, I've learned many things in which I'll go into detail below in Latin.

Dancing: As of now, I've been dancing for 15 years! Dancing has become an important part of me as I use it for ministry. I'm thankful for a talent I can use to glorify God! On my email signature, I have the saying:

Semper Saltantem! Always Dancing!

Perseverance: I've learned to keep working at things, and to not give up. Countless times, I gave up on math or some other hard assignment. But when I picked it up again, if I kept at it, I was able to conquer it!

Vene vidi vici! I came; I saw; I conquered!

Thinking: I learned how to think outside the box. Whether with schoolwork, dancing, or teaching, I've learned that there isn't just one way to do things. So why not be creative?! 

Creativum cogitandi magnam habet remunerationem! Creative thinking has a great reward!

Life: It will have many roads, many choices, and many opportunities. God's way, is obviously the best one to take, but quite often it isn't the most popular or a well-worn route. Nevertheless, it's the way to go!

Ambulate in via iter minus! Walk on the road less traveled!

And finally:

Non scholae sed vitae discimus! We learn not for school but for life!

Even though I'm done, I won't stop learning! There are still adventures, and things to learn in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead!

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Join me in this adventure ahead!!!

Guess who graduated??

Phew! I have graduated!! 

12 years in our house and 12 years of school!! I started this blog at the beginning of my high-school "career". It seems impossible that it was 4 years ago this August. I digress....

So now what?? Well, I plan on working for at least the next year! After that we will see where God takes me. No plans for college for now, which is alright with me. :~) I also plan to continue my letter ministry now that I have more time. I'm really excited about that!

All in all, God is good! The fact that school is behind me took a cloud off my head. Now I am finding time that was there before that I am now aware of for spending time growing closer to God, reading again, and anything else that comes my way!

*parties* ;~)

Dandelion Christianity

A Dandelion:

A flower pesky, hard to remove, and constantly spreading it's seeds. It is not a pretty flower, like a rose is. Yet compared to a rose, a dandelion is much hardier. A dandelion can be found anywhere, from gardens, to palaces, to a meadow, or a sidewalk crack in a city. Anywhere and everywhere their seeds can grow, they do so.

Dandelion Christianity?

Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20a, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

Dandelions do the finest job in my opinion. They are firmly planted, whether in areas of fertile land or literally between a rock & a hard place. They just need the sun (or Son as the case may be) to grow. They spread their seeds the same way we are called to spread the gospel.

Today I want to challenge you to be a dandelion.

Stand firm where you are right now (1 Corinthians 16:13)! Be a light to those around you, even if you're not the best at sharing the gospel, because your actions will speak louder than your words (Matthew 5:13-16). Don't let the trials of life crumple you just because you're a rose that can't take the stress of life, but let God use you to spread love and grace to those around you.

Show others that you're not afraid of the life on this world, for Jesus says in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Dandelions aren't the prettiest, the fanciest, or the greatest flowers on this earth. But they are practical in the fact they know their job and do it well. Lastly, I ask you to remember this: some flowers last after they have been picked, and they keep the appearance of being alive inside, but on the inside they are dead. If you pick a dandelion, they wither within the hour. If you leave God, or give up when times get tough, you will wither just like the dandelion.

Be a dandelion in a world of roses.

Find someone...

...with an ability of unashamed goofiness...

...who can be partner in crime...

...you laugh with...

...who has a shoulder to cry into...

...with hands that fit perfectly together...

...who doesn't mind being pushed into the creek...

...or have a tree fall on him...

...but in the end, if he is willing to guide and protect you...

...not to mention, pray for you...

... then keep him!

Guest-posted!

I guest-posted over at Literally My Life: Eden's Evaluations, for her Fashion Friday! Go check it out, as I tell you about my birthday outfit from a few weeks ago! :~)

Galatians 6:2

Bear one

another's burdens,

and so

fulfill the

law of Christ.

The Sunset

The sunlight laced the trees, 

so I ran down the stairs and out the door

so that I could snap a picture of the trees that seemed to be etched into the sky.

It was breathtaking!

When I came back in, I stood at the kitchen window, and all I could see was depressingly grey clouds. "If the clouds weren't in the way," I grumbled, "it would be a stunning sunset! Psalm 19:1 came to mind, but I kinda pushed the thought aside. A few minutes passed, and I glanced out the window to this:

It was breathtaking!

On my way back in from taking the pictures, I whispered to God, "I guess you proved me wrong!" As soon as I came in and made it back to the window, the sunset had disappeared entirely.

Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  

Work Heartily

Life has seemed to have sped up now that I am 18! 

Work has started,

school is getting finished up so I can graduate,

and it just generally seems busier!

I've also been getting to bed earlier due to want and need,

and I've been getting up earlier as well!

You know I've become an adult when sleeping in, means sleeping till 9:30!

Other things have changed as well. Who I talk to, and on what level, seems different even if it's people I usually talk to!

I've found that I really am as flexible as I thought I was while working. 

Sunday, we had an open house at work, to get a feel for things, and to get feedback from customers before our big opening!

In Sunday School that morning, one of our elders who teaches the class I help in, prayed for me and my new job, quoting Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ"

So, as I head off to work today, with this in my head, I pray you will all do the same! Whether it be work, or leisure, remember to give glory to God through your actions!