11.25.07
My Story…
Someone once said, I should write my story. My only argument is, it is not finished yet, in fact, it is only just begun. I am barely beginning this adventure, this journey called my life. I have a story, but it barely scratches the surface of who I really am. There is so much in store, so many challenges and joys, how could I begin to write everything that has happened to me so far.
It all began the day I was born, but in reality, how much of my story could I really know the first ten years of what would turn out to be a beautiful life, a life that would be lived in constant submission and seeking after the one who created me and gave me this life. I would love to start that far back, but indeed, I dare not. I cannot.
The real adventure did not even start until well after my college days. It was then, that I only began to discover who I really am, and who I really am rests solely in Christ. Who I really am is being shaped every day, as I lean on Him for my strength, and cling to Him who holds my heart and knows me more deeply than any other. It was well after my college years when I began to understand the depth of His love. His love has and will continue to shape my story.
My story, I cannot write it. I would begin with the day I decided to bravely venture out of the comfort zone that I was truly afraid to leave due to my own insecurity and lack of confidence I had yet to overcome. Beginning my career, would be where my story would begin, as I ventured out of what I had known for so long into the land of the unknown in so many ways. I guess you could say I was scared of many things before, but I have learned through this, that life is too short to live in fear of anything. Life is too short to live in fear and so regret the choices that I make. Life is too short to not live with the abundance He has given me. He has given much, so the least I can do is give it back to Him. In order to realize my dream, I had to get out of the boat and walk on water with my eyes on Jesus. This meant leaving without knowing if and when I would ever return. I had to trust Him with my whole heart as I allowed Him to increase all the more in my life.
I know this adventure is only the beginning. Although I do not intend to live my life in the place where I am at right now, I will live this day forward where He has placed me so that I can reach out for Him. For this reason, I praise Him for my single years that last for only a season and will be over before I know it. He will give me the grace and strength because He knows my life so much better. I know I am there for His reasons. In the place where I am at He will prepare me for the next thing and I have no reason to doubt His hand.
What will be the next thing? Will I fall deeply in love with the man who I will spend the rest of my life with? Where will my career take me next will it be in my hometown? What will the next challenge be? Is this for me to worry or stress about? No, absolutely not!!! It is for God to do as He sees best. I will patiently endure as I eagerly wait in expectation while keeping a quiet heart doing what He has set me out to do for the time being.
To sum up my life thus far, I think I would say that it is a life that is constantly yearning for more of God’s presence to fill me. It is a daily praising for and surrendering of my desires to Him. If He placed them there, He will fulfill them when He wants, the way He wants. When will the next chapter in my story be written, this I cannot predict, however, I can tell you that the next chapter will be better than this one because with God life only becomes all the more extravagant and exciting.
11.22.07
Thank You Just Doesn’t Seem like enough!!!
How do I adequately say thank you and reflect on all of the blessings in my life? I feel like I barely scratch the surface when I reflect on these things. I am so thankful that this is not the only day of the year to do this. Thanksgiving should in reality be my life, my life of worship and service to the God who created me and blessed me with every spiritual blessing in Christ that come in many many forms. No, thank you just does not seem like enough. It is the very least I can do, or is that giving him my whole heart, my whole life for His use, letting him take the reigns and resting in His love and His ways. He deserves so much more than I even know how to give Him.
Similarly, how do I effectively tell the people in my life I appreciate them because even then, thank you still does not seem to be enough. Thank you for your inspiration, for always seeing the best in me, for your help, for your encouragement. The list continues. These people have all showed me an extension of God’s love by supporting me and a mere thank you seems so casual, but then again, is it? How often do I say thank you? By saying those simple words, isn’t that really thanking God, since He put them in my life? So, even if Thank you does not seem like a lot, it really is, because God puts people in your life for the express purpose of fulfilling what He wants to fulfill in you, so yes, thank you needs to be said.
In parting, thank you to everyone who has been there for me, for your encouragement and support. Thank you for never ceasing to show me a part of God’s character so that I can be more like Him in my own life. I hope that I can be the same to others as you have been for me. I Love you so much!!!
Although thank you may not seem like enough, it may be what someone needs to hear today. So, say it!!!
Reflections on Myself…
Me.
Challenged.
Stretched.
Stepping out of the boat.
Risking.
Emotions.
Loving.
Serving.
Learning.
Patiently Enduring.
Deeply loved.
Dreams with Faith.
Believes the Seemingly Impossible is Possible.
Lover of God.
Feels deeply and vulnerable at times.
Cares about others.
Sees the best in others.
Cries when they cry.
Laughs when they laugh.
Smiles when they smile.
Shares in joys and suffering alike.
Optimistic.
110%
Determined.
Perseveres.
Dedicated to Excellence in Everything.
Encouraging.
Inspiring.
Close Relationships with others.
Easily in touch.
At times, needs affection.
Needs a hug.
Needs someone to share that they love and care.
Holds on to God.
Longing.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Trusting.
Relying.
Straining.
Learning to be still.
Knowing He holds my hand and my heart.
11.19.07
It’s Up to Me….
It’s up to me!!!
So much of life depends upon my perspective of it.
Will I look up or will I look around?
When I look around, I get worried, I get discouraged, I think the world is passing me by and I feel overlooked, I am the lonliest of creatures, but when I look up I know that He is in control and He will work all things out according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will. When I look up I am no longer worried or discouraged because I can rest secure in His everlasting arms. I can have peace knowing that I am forever in His grasp.
So much of life,
depends upon
my perspective of it
Will I look around and be discouraged or will I look up and see His face???
It’s up to me
What will it be?
How will I choose to live?
LORD, I choose to look up and live for you this day. I claim your peace in my life as I choose to walk in it. I Love you, Amen!!!
11.18.07
Life is TOO SHORT….
Life is TOO SHORT not to TAKE RISKS!!!
Life is TOO SHORT to live life with regrets!!!
Life is TOO SHORT not to clothe yourself with the LORD Jesus Christ. Life is TOO SHORT to think about gratifying the desires of the sinful nature.
I do not support the root, the root supports me as it enables me to flourish like the trees of Lebanon. I stand by FAITH because your call on my life is irrevocable. In view of your mercy I offer myself as a living sacrifice to you holy and pleasing to do your will. I choose not to conform to the pattern of this world and its desires but to be transformed as you renew my mind day by day.
Once you finally know, or think you know, what you want, you must learn the grace of release-release to the one who knows and it requires FAITH and TRUST as He increases in your life as you draw near and submit yourself totally and entirely to Him for His use.
LORD, I draw near to you, for you alone are my GOD. Thank you for the desires you have placed inside my heart. I set my mind on you and desire what you desire for me my LORD. I thank you and I praise you, O LORD my strength. I Love you, Amen!
11.17.07
I want my life to be….
I want my life to be one of all out WORSHIP and THANKSGIVING!!!!
One where I…RELY on you my LORD…One where I….
Really
Embrace the
Love of
Your (my) God!!!
“For I know and rely on the love you have for me, my LORD (I John 4:16)!!!”
I want to TRUST you so much more than I do by FAITH as I DRAW NEAR to you and you INCREASE in my life.
I want to…
Truly
Rely on the
Understanding
Sovereign LORD with the
Totality of my heart
by…
Freely
Acknowledging
In Christ
Through
His Love!!!
“TRUST in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).” “And without FAITH it is impossible to please Him because He who comes to GOD must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who EARNESTLY/DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM (Hebrews 11:6).”
Through WAITING I develop FAITH and TRUST as I RELY on GOD who knows me so much better and His plan is GREATER. Through WAITING I develop PATIENCE!!!
Through…
Worth
Alot
In
Time
Increases the
Need for
God
I develop more…
Peacefully
Awaiting
Totally
Inspired and
Encouraged for the
Next thing
Christ in you will
Encounter!!!
The longer I have to WAIT the more GOD prepares me and develops my PATIENCE and the more I will appreciate that which I have been WAITING.
“But they that WAIT upon 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 faint (Isaiah 40:31).” “WAIT for the LORD, BE STRONG and TAKE HEART and WAIT for the LORD (Psalm 27:14).” “But the FRUIT of the SPIRIT is Love, Joy, Peace, PATIENCE, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).”
The more I make my life a WORSHIP OFFERING to Him, the more I realize the SECURITY I have in CHRIST!!!
The…
Safely
Embracing
Christ’s
Understanding
Relying
In
Total
Yearning for Him
I have in Christ gives me all the more CONFIDENCE to be the person He has created me to be for Him and His purposes!!!
“The LORD is the STRENGTH of my heart and my PORTION (my SECURITY) forever (Psalm 73:26).” With Him I am enabled to live my life and take risks knowing that He holds my hand and He will always be there as my stronghold who I can run to who remains constant throughout all of the changes I may face in my life. He is able and He will never leave me neither will He forsake me.
He is my…
Striving
Trusting
Relying
Enduring
Never without
God
To
Help
“I can do all things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me (Philippians 4;13).” With GOD all things are POSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26).”
Not only is He my STRENGTH, He makes me BEAUTIFUL from the Inside out. My BEAUTY is unique as it comes from Him!!!
His…
Beautifully
Enlightening
Amazing
Understanding
Totally
Yearning for God
in me makes me BEAUTIFUL. This is the kind of woman I want to be because “Charm is deceptive and BEAUTY is fading, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).” This type of woman is one who is truly clothed with strength and dignity who can laugh at the days to come and is attractive to all those who cross her path without even trying. She loves the LORD her GOD with all her heart, mind, body, and soul. LORD GOD, make me this type of woman. Let it be You through me all day every day! Forgive me for the times like today when I let my humanness over power your Spirit at work in me. Renew me, thank you for the desires you have placed deep down inside of me. Thank you that you will fulfill the desires of my heart how and when you want. I want my life to be a TRUE WORSHIP OFFERING afresh and new today for you my LORD and my GOD! I Love You, Amen!!!
11.14.07
Live Life…
Live your life with NO REGRETS!!!
Wake up and start each day as if it were on PURPOSE because you were created for a PURPOSE, and that PURPOSE is to GLORIFY GOD in whatever you do every single millisecond of the day.
Don’t you think that He would have you to live life with NO REGRETS since He gave you life???
He’s given you gifts, talents, and abilities to use for Him, all He requires is that we be faithfully obedient with what He gave us, so at the end we face Him and He says, “Well Done,” as we fall at His feet.
No, salvation is not about works, but it is about love. God loves us so much. He will never demand our love in return, although He commands it. We show Him that we love Him when we obey Him and do what pleases Him and in this way not regretting the way we live out lives—we will not if we are living for Him.
BOTTOM LINE—LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH NO REGRETS EVER!!! PLEASE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART MIND BODY AND SOUL!!! Why not live to please and love the God who created you and sent His one and only son to die for you so that you would be saved??? Why not love and please this God who makes your life complete because He knows you more intimately than you know yourself???
NO REGRETS EVER—that’s my motto, I hope it will be yours too!!!
11.11.07
People Come….
People come into your life for a reason. Especially those who have literally and utterly inspired you to be the best you could be. Easily my seventh grade math teacher comes to mind. Yeah, seventh grade was a long time ago, but I remember her as if I have known her my whole life. She has always had time for me if I had questions, and I had a lot, and to this day she always has time for important people in her life. I still know her, and she still to this day encourages me to be a better teacher. She is one of the most awe-inspiring people I know and played a major role in helping me acquire my first teaching job. She draws people to her because she always sees the best in them. She has always seen me for all that I could be and never ceases to encourage me. I hope to be for my students what she has been to me. I hope to be the type of person in life that I see in her.
I also admire my dear, sweet and devoted sister in law. Once you meet her, it is not hard to know why. She is the most genuine and radiant person I know. She is beautiful both inside and out and draws people to her by who she is. She is amazing and I am so glad that she is a part of our family.
I admire people who are able to let things go that are in the past. I want to be able to do this more easily. I admire and enjoy seeing kids I have taught in the past who are finding out who they are in the present. They, as well, are amazing!!!
There are others. Those who have believed in me and not just told me how to do better but have shown me how to be the most effective at what I do. My dad has always done this. He has shown us what it means to love unconditionally and how to make the most wise decisions. He has never ceased to be an example of patience and self-control in my life. I am so thankful for him because he has always had time for me. My mom has also been one who loves those around her through it all. I am so thankful for that example she has shown me.
People come into your life for a reason. They are sent into your life by the greatest inspirational person known through out time. I am so glad that I can turn to HIM. He is my refuge and strength. Without Him I can do nothing because He makes everything possible. By Faith I trust Him and look to Him for His leading and guidance. He is the one I can turn to when everything seems to fall apart. He inspires me and sends people into my life for the sheer purpose of showing me more of His immense character. Wow, yeah, I want to be more like Him!!! He must increase, I must decrease. This happens when I draw near to Him.
11.04.07
My Soul Finds REST!!!
I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. My soul finds REST in you alone. You are my fortress. I will NEVER be shaken because I trust in you. You are my mighty rock, my refuge. I will trust in you at ALL times. You are strong, you are my God. You are loving O God, I long for you, earnestly I seek you. My soul will be satisfied in you as with the richest of foods. My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me.
LORD, I love you and I thank you that I can cling to you. Thank you that you satisfy my desires with good things because you know them so much better. As I embark on my adventure back to Fresno, strengthen me and help me. I choose to live my life as you intend and make a difference in people’s lives that will last forever. Thank you for your SWEET, PRECIOUS and altogether GOOD time that you do all things!!! Thank you for the desires of my heart that keep me living, keep me reaching for you!!! I Love you, Amen!!!
11.03.07
It all started…
It all started in high school, I think. My little baby brother had just turned 8. I think that would be ten years ago. He was at the age where he could get away with anything because he was soooo cute. Yeah right!!! So he thought. It wasn’t so cute when he found out who my latest crush was. Fortunately none of these crushes ever went beyond that. I soon learned that that was not a bad thing. Well, fast forward ten years….I am not 30 yet, I am in my I guess you could say late 20s, although I feel like I am 25. I hope this continues forever. I have the energy of an 18 year old fresh out of high school who just wants to have fun and hang out and never study again. Yet, I am discovering things about myself that I never really knew through the challenges with which are currently before me that include more studying and writing papers but at the Graduate level while undertaking a group of sixth graders and making a difference in their lives one day at a time. It all started in high school, my Senior year, but I am glad I am not in high school any more. I wouldn’t say I am infected with the 10-20-30 virus seeing that I feel like I am 25 and I am 27 which is technically closer to 30, but who’s counting anyway. Age ain’t nothin but a number for real because it is never toooo late for anything.
Thanks for tagging me in your blog Deanne!!! I love you so much. It was great talking with you and catching up today. I will say it again, I love you!!!!
