Giving Up Control

So I have a type-a  personality. Organized, ducks in a row, figure it out kind of a girl. I find myself constantly trying to do things according to the way I think they should be done. And then usually, it takes a small knock upside the head to remember I'm not in control. 

Actually, I was washing dishes tonight when it came to me. If God wants something in my life to work out in a certain way, it will! I don't have to worry about making things happen. And if it isn't meant to be, he'll take care of that to. It's a matter of me letting go of the control and giving it to God. He know the plan for my life, and He will work it out in His timing.

Proverbs 3:5-6 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."

He is Still Good

I was scouting Pinterest today ( as I often do). Sadly enough I have over 11,000 pins these days. Can you say someones got a problem? Yet what I love is that even in the midst of my materialistic little ventures, God manages to show me something profoundly simple. Sometimes I stumble across the occasional bible verse or quote about God that really inspires me. I'm not talking about the kitschy, footsteps in the sand kind of inspiration- lol.

I found this photograph of a phrase someone wrote. It said, "and if not, He is still good." It was taken as an indirect interpretation of Daniel 3:18, where Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego are about five minutes away from being toast. Basically they are saying to the King, God can save us from this furnace. But even if he doesn't, we would still never worship your false idols. So then look back at that phrase, "and if not, He is still good." It's almost like you can read it and take in a deep breath. It will be okay. You can really fill it in with anything. And still, no matter the trials, pains and hurts of this life, He is still good.

I know that was short today, but if that can be of any inspiration to you, I know it was worth sharing!

Happy Wednesday <3

Alex

Reflection on Identity

I must admit, I recently discovered GOMI for the first time this week. It's one of those things you wish you would have never done. It was so easy to get lost in all of the criticism, hate and grouchiness of these internet trolls. The funniest thing is that they put down bloggers all day long for spending so much time blogging and not in the "real" world, when in fact they sit wasting their hours away, making unkind comments about other people.

It's sad because the blogosphere has always been a place of support  (at least in my opinion) and when you have sites like that, it really just starts to ruin a good thing. I think perhaps blogging is hard because it is one of those fine line things. It's a pretty new hobby so we can't look back on the mistakes of those before us. We're still experimenting and figuring things out, if you will.

I remembered something last night. After all of this online forum craziness, it really hit me. It doesn't matter. There, I said it- haha! I can't worry about what they have to say- they're sad people who spend their time hurting others. It's like anything else in life- you just can't worry about what other people think. Haters gonna' hate. But above all, I am SO grateful that I know my identity in Jesus Christ. I am not defined by my blog, or by what people say. I am a daughter of the king. No matter what happens, he will always love me. And he will always love you.

So that's my encouragement for all of you. Just don't worry! Blog what makes you happy, what's fun and what's inspiring! Ignore the nasty comments, and be yourself! You are a perfect, beautiful creation in Christ. And that, is all the matters.

Ephesians 2:10 
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The New Normal

A few weeks ago I heard someone bring up a simple, but incredible point. I was at a bible study and a girl said something about trying to get back to "normal" after a trial. And this one woman said something so poignant. She said, " Perhaps we aren't supposed to get back to normal."

Wow. I know that sounds simple, but really... that's pretty amazing! When we go through trials in life we are always trying to return to the way things were, longing for the things that we used to have and the people we used to be. But when troubles come our way, maybe we should spend less time trying to return to the norm and more time embracing the new people that Christ has aided us in becoming.

I know that was short today, but I hope that is at least a little encouraging if you are going through a storm in your life right now. I know it helped me.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

More Than Anything

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted on here! Sometimes life just gets so crazy. But I haven't neglected this blog in my thought life. Hopefully that counts for something- haha!

You know, I've been thinking a lot lately about idolizing things. Especially living in the 21st century, everything is all about the stuff. It used to not bother me as much, but I think it all goes hand in hand with being a fashion blogger. As funny as it seems, it can be so easy to lose focus and think about the material things instead of living for Christ. Balance is so hard sometimes! And it's not always things either. Sometimes for me it can be memories or people.

We were singing a song in church today- the lyrics were like this

"I need you more, more than yesterday

I need you more, more than words can say

More than the air I breathe

More than the song I sing

More than the next heart beat

More than anything"

The word that really stood out to me was, anything. Just think about it for a minute. Fill in anything with whatever you idolize- a thing, a memory, a job, a person. Crazy right? It reminds me that even though we stress over things in life, God is all we need, more than anything.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

Haha, got ya'! That's right, this post isn't about peter pan. I just couldn't resist a little rhyme. You know, lately I've been thinking a lot. I am one of those people that just needs control, all of the time. When things are going crazy all around you it's hard to maintain the proper focus. I even can get a little stressed about the future sometimes. The other day I just felt like the Lord was telling me to trust in him.

Word picture time: Imagine being a kid again. You are playing that game where you close your eyes and your friend leads you around blindly. (Tell me I'm not the only one who has ever done this? Haha) The entire time you continue to ask your friend, " Am I going to run into a wall? Am I going to step on something?" And your friend continues to reassure that while you can't see where you are being led, he/she knows how to lead you in a way that will keep you safe. It's the same way with God. He's leading us, and though we are blind he sees the whole picture. So he gives us His word, repeating over and over again to simply trust in Him.

I am one to despise cliches, and overly used verses are something I often, unintentionally overlook. But for some reason one verse has come to mind and I have to keep repeating it to myself.

Psalm 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will dirrect your path."

Purpose

Someone asked me this week, "How do you cope with life?" Well, that was basically the question in a nutshell. I immediately began racking my brain for a suitable answer and all I could come up with was, " I don't." It's been on my mind for a few days now. I suppose I ought to explain what I mean. Amid all of the happy moments in life, sometimes it seems like they are often outweighed by the bad. We are constantly looking to the past, and never living in the present. We are unsatisfied creatures... human beings.

Sometimes it feels like I'm just trudging along- reminding myself to face each week as it's own set of challenges. So that's why my answer was "I don't."

Well, low and behold I was talking to another friend of mine and we came upon the subject of purpose. Christian's especially tend to look to the future with excitement. And of course, usually a bit of fear. But how many of have heard a fellow believer say, " I can't wait for the Lord's return." It seems like we are typically the first ones to scoff at our time here on earth. But think about who put us here in the first place. Does God ever do anything that doesn't fit within his plan? Of course not! God put us on this earth for a reason, and that is where purpose comes in. Life here isn't to be wasted. We are supposed to be seeking the Lord's will and carrying it out. We are here for a reason.

The phrase, "I don't" should be replaced with, "God does." It's important for our focus to always be directed onto Him. We within our own strength cannot make it through life on our own, if we are to do His work.

Mark 16:15 

"And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."