Moving Forward

Through Heaven's Eyes

I love the Prince of Egypt, but I also love the story of Moses. His life is a testament of how God  always works and weaves his plan through our lives. As cheesy as this song from the Prince of Egypt seems, it rings true to our lives. When life isn't going the way we planned, we have to remind ourselves to look at our lives through heaven's eyes. Perspective is everything! :)

The Sexy Lie

If you have 15 minutes, I urge you to watch this great TEDx talk by Caroline Heldman about the increase in sexual objectification in American society, and the effect it is taking on girls and women today! It's a great call to action for all people.

Adjusting to Post-Grad Life

To all the undergrads out there that may come across this blog, I have a newsflash for you: It's hard to adjust to life after college!! 

I'm a testament to it. These past two years since graduating college have been painful. Reality has given me a swift kick to the gut and I'm still reeling from it. I set out from college optimistically hoping to change the world and instead, the world changed me. I have become disillusioned, sad, and discouraged - words I've never used to describe myself before. 

Even though reality chewed up my dreams and spit them out a few times over, I still have hope for the future.  I recently caught a vision of what my calling looks like in tangible ways - and it's lit a fire within me like the one I had before I graduated college. Right now I am learning how to grab a hold of that calling and allowing it to propel me into the rest of my life. It's going to be a long haul, and things will definitely not go according to plan. However, I am learning that God uses the good and the bad times to mold our character, so I am slowly learning to listen to him in this awkward period of life.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

- Philippians 1:6

Valentines' Day

Valentines' Day.

These two words can spur women into a dreamland filled with chocolate and roses and simultaneously strike fear into the hearts of men everywhere.

To be honest, I've never really been able to figure out Valentines' Day. On one hand, it's a holiday created by card companies, the jewelry industry, and chocolatiers everywhere. The commercialism behind it saddens me. But then on the other hand, Valentines' Day is a day where we are reminded of how much we ache for true love and acceptance. It reminds us of our fragility... And I like that.

For many of us, we seek love in the company of a significant other, or friends, or family... only to realize that they too, are merely human. They will not be able to meet all our ridiculously high expectations (thank you, Disney), nor will they be able to give us what we truly desire. As much as we (I) seek others to fill the hole in our hearts, that desire to be fully known and loved can only come from God. And that's why I'm writing this post.

This is the time of Lent, a time where we take a step back from our hectic lives to focus on Christ's journey to the cross. It is a time of reflection and stillness - generally of which I am incredibly inept. I'm hoping to change that. My challenge for Lent this year is to fill my heart with Christ's love by spending more time with him. I want Lent to be a time spent not worrying about relationships, not seeking approval from friends, nor looking for fulfillment from a career. I want to be fulfilled in Christ alone.

This is a lifelong task that is incredibly hard to accomplish, so I've set up some tangible steps to help me in my journey. My three goals in this time of Lent are this:

1) Journal/blog daily. It will help me process tumultuous post-grad life.

2) Talk to God more. Whenever I start to be consumed with thoughts that are filled with worry, I will replace them with Christ's words of hope. Quiet times will help to soak up the Word. 

3) Actually tithe at least 10% each month. I need to work on developing an attitude of gratitude. Tithing will help me release my fears tied to money and become more focused on being a person of generosity.

I am a work in progress - and I am reminded of that this Valentines' Day. I am thankful for a God who loves me so much that he never gives up on me, even when I am stubborn and turn away from Him.

A Lenten Prayer

The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life.  I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.

-Henri Nouwen

Home

Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road.

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you’re not alone, 

Cause I’m going to make this place your home.

Settle down, it'll all be clear. 

Don't pay no mind to the demons, 

They fill you with fear. 

The trouble it might drag you down. 

If you get lost, you can always be found. 

Just know you’re not alone, 

Cause I’m going to make this place your home.

Home. Finally beginning to feel it here.