You changed me without even knowing

You came into my life at a time I wasn’t expecting it. But the funny thing is, the timing was perfect.

From the moment you swept in, you began shaping me, molding me, and changing me into someone new, someone better. You were changing me from the very beginning, and you didn’t even know it. That’s because you didn’t have to try to help me become better, you just had the ability to do it from the get-go.

You taught me things I could only learn from you. You showed me places I didn’t even know existed, places I didn’t even know we could travel to.

Without you, this blog may not exist, since you were the one who inspired me to start it. You have encouraged me to take up new hobbies such as painting and cooking, and to continue to dig deep into writing, to become a writer. You showed me that doing the hobbies I love don’t only benefit myself, but also those around me.

I find myself taking on new challenges, laughing like crazy, and feeling pure joy when I am with you.

Around you, I am the me I want to be. 

Surprises

I celebrated my birthday last week; and as we all know, with birthday celebrations come lots and lots of surprises.

“Life is full of surprises” is a common phrase, and isn’t it the truth! If you think about it, there is one mini surprise after another each and every day. Bumping into a friend at the grocery store, getting off of work 30 mins early…But what about those big surprises that really throw us off guard?

God puts things in our lives we aren’t expecting, things that aren’t in our plan. Sometimes we feel called to do something that we feel a little uncomfortable with, something new. So what do we do? We pray, take God’s hand, and walk the path He has put in front of us. Our life, our journey with God, is full of surprises.

And here’s the thing about surprises: Although they may make you feel confused, anxious and uncomfortable at first, they are always good. Has anyone ever walked into a surprise birthday party and after taking in the sight of a room filled with family and friends felt lousy and sad? I would hope not. In most cases, the person being surprised feels loved and happy! And that is how God surprises us and that is how He wants us to feel. Because in the end, ultimately, it is always going to be good.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29::11

So what we need to do is embrace God’s surprises, and trust and truly believe in the fact that His plans are good.

With that, I would like to encourage you to go outside your comfort zone today. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into situations where you might feel slightly uncomfortable, and see what surprises God has in store for you along the way.

Everything is going to be ok

My heart hurts, for both the good and the bad.

It could be a friend going through a rough time, or even the opposite – witnessing a loved one go through a really proud moment. Either way, my heart feels it.

And it always seems like I turn to others for comfort or to celebrate before I turn to God. Sometimes, it seems I don’t put my trust in God until the very end of the day. I grow tired during the day, and the end of the day is when I am ready to fully surrender it all to God. But what would happen if I put my trust in God at the beginning of the day and then sustained that trust throughout the day? Isaiah 40:31 reveals the answer: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will sour on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

But do you know what the cool thing is about having the Holy Spirit inside of you?

Every night as I lay down to sleep, no matter what I am feeling, no matter how much I talked to God that day, no matter how much I surrendered -  I know for a fact that everything is going to be ok.

As I lay my head on the pillow, I can hear Him whisper – “everything is going to be ok.”