Thinking Out Loud

I was thinking about waiting and how difficult it can be. It never seems to get easier even the more you wait. This thought lead me to reflect on the season I currently find myself in. It feels as if I am waiting and waiting and waiting. I thought to myself, "This isn't the first time you've waited and it certainly won't be the last." In every season I feel as if I am constantly waiting for answers, direction, the right person to come along, and I continue to wait and wait and wait--you get it by now, right? So why is it so difficult to wait? Perhaps it is because it feels like we are lacking or missing out on something. Maybe our human nature's struggle to be still. Or maybe we are simply just bored. We are constantly looking to move forward; never content right where we are in the present. The truth is that we are an impatient people. Psalm 46 says, "Be still and know." Why can't we be still and know? The key is to be still, cease striving and

Almost six years ago I was given a prophecy, a word from the Lord. The prophecy stated that I would write a book entitled, "Through My Father's Eyes." It was also said that through the writing of the book I would find healing. I always believed that the title referred to my earthly father's passing and the healing that would take place would be healing of loss and grief. For years I have held onto this word from God. At times I have questioned when it would come to pass or if ever. I believe that God's word is not void and that He keeps His promises, but I have felt so far from this prophecy for such a long time. In fact, I have doubted if any of His promises will be fulfilled despite what I know to be true. I recently read a few chapters of my dad's book, "Living Largely." Throughout the book my dad discusses what it means and what it takes to live a large life. One of his points that stood out to me the most is not only how to live largely but al

It's been close to a year since I last published a blog post. I have been struggling to write for a while now. I find it difficult to write because it seems easier to believe the lies I tell myself than to believe the truth. Every time I sit down to write, I begin critiquing my writing and comparing myself to others. I convince myself that what I have to say isn't worth reading. People often say that comparison is the thief of joy and I have found this to be true. Comparison has kept me from doing the one thing I am certain that I am called to do. Writing has meant a lot to me for several years and it's about time I stop letting the enemy steal my joy. I started my blog seven years ago, shortly after my father passed away. I wanted an outlet to express myself. When people discover that I have a blog they usually ask what I write about, in which I respond, "Whatever God tells me to." My blog (or writing in general) became more than an outlet for me; it became

Here's what happened... This semester I struggled. I lost the strength and boldness that I know resides within me. I lost my confidence about who God says I am and about who God says He is. I lost the control I so desperately “needed” in my life. However,  what I found was much greater than what I had lost. I found that even in the midst of my uncertainty, God was working. He was teaching me and speaking to me in ways I did not even recognize was Him. I found joy in the laughter of new friends. I found comfort in the multitude of encouragers that surrounded me. I found new qualities and traits about myself. I found out how to be okay with not knowing what the future holds (or at least trying to be okay with not knowing). I found that two of the most vital things that I need to do in this season of my life is to trust and believe .  Trust and believe that God, the Writer of my story, is in control. That He will come through, not in my timing or in the way I think that He should

Have you ever had something absolutely tragic happen to you or something incredibly amazing and thought to yourself, "Wow, I cannot believe this is my life." Life is full of unexpected twists and turns that usually leave us feeling either hopeless and confused, or joyful and excited. Throughout my life I've had this same reoccurring thought. After my father passed away, I was in complete shock and denial. I couldn't believe that I had become a child who lost a parent. I remember thinking to myself, "I cannot believe this is my life." Then I had the thought again when my family joined with another, and again after struggling with anxiety, insecurity, and grief. Yet after every season of my life, whether full of pain or joy, I am reminded of the goodness of the Lord. There are those sweet moments in our life when our greatest burdens become our greatest blessings. Sometimes our disbelief of reality comes from a place of hurt, but the knowledge of God's

A few weeks ago in church, we had an incredible service full of worship and breakthrough. God's sweet, sweet presence was so evident in that service. Through a servant's obedience a testimony was shared, and then another one from a different member of the church. Both testimonies touched my heart deeply, but one thing was said in one of the testimonies that has stuck with me and encouraged me to publish this blog. The statement is as follows: "God brought me through it!" As soon as I heard that statement, it started ringing through my ears. I could not help but to feel so overjoyed by everything that God has brought me through. It really made me start to think of everything I have gone through in the past five years of my life. I began to ponder every setback, every trial, every challenge, and how God was there with me through it all. "God brought me through it," those words are extremely powerful because they shift your focus from your circumstance to y