Fear vs. Faith

Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something.

Not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it.

When people can’t do something themselves,

they’re gonna tell you that you can’t do it.

You want something, go get it.

Period.

That's what today's post is about - chasing your dreams and going the distance no matter how far you have to travel to get there.

I get it. Life is scary! I have many sleepless nights to show for it. However, we can't live in fear of the future or of the unknown. Where's the fun in sittin' back with our feet propped up (sweet tea in hand, of course) if we're simply going to stare at the line all day long, not doing anything about it? I suppose drinking sweet tea would be nice, but that's beside the point. What I mean is...we have to take a chance! We have to be brave! We have to put one foot in front of the other and CROSS THAT LINE if we wish to fulfill God's purpose for our lives and follow our dreams! After all, life is all about taking risks, having faith, and trusting God.

As you may (or may not) know, I dream of being a talk show host one day! I want to be involved with the public and in a position that allows me to reach out to as many people as possible, encouraging them to "seek the sunshine" as they face the storms of life. However, as much as I long for this, my faith and my fears are constantly at war.
FEAR: I have no idea how (or when) this will happen, IF it's even meant to happen. Ultimately, I want to follow the path God has paved for me so there's a possibility this may change down the road! But unless he tells me otherwise, this is the direction I'm headed! When I graduate, I'm going to have to pack my hot pink suitcase that's sporting a tie-dyed bandana on its handle, grab my Bible, and get out of this town. I'm going to have to move to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people and to be honest, that terrifies me. I have to leave my family? My friends? It costs HOW much!? The thought of all this, in the words of Annie James on The Parent Trap, "gave me a fright!"
FAITH: Despite my fears, I have to do it because I have to find out not only what the world has to offer me, but what I have to offer the world. I believe God placed these desires on my heart for a reason and I refuse to let anything or anyone stand in the way of my dreams. I believe God has a purpose for my life (and all of our lives), and I trust that if it's meant to be, He will bring my dreams (and yours, too) to pass when the time is right. It may take years. Shoot, it may take DECADES! I just don't know! What I DO know, however, is that no matter where I go or how long it takes, I will trust Him the entire way because "faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."

I want to encourage you to do the same because we are first and foremost here to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ...even if that means leaving what's comfortable for what's uncomfortable. It won't be easy. It'll be really hard but you can do it. You HAVE to do it! Don't let anything or anyone dim the fire that's been purposely placed inside your soul. Follow your dreams and "forget all the reasons why it won't work and believe the one reason that it will." Matthew 19:26 says, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." Keep that in mind and take that leap of faith because if you trust that God's walking hand in hand with you, you can conquer anything. Don't be afraid to jump then fall. Either way, God's leanin' in for the catch.

I pray that you roll with the punches and fight the good fight until you fulfill God's plan for your life so that when you see Him face-to-face, you will be able to look at Him with tears in your eyes and proclaim, "I did it. I used everything You gave me. I'm all used up!" Let your faith be bigger than your fears! Follow your dreams. Be a teacher! Be a news broadcaster for Good Morning America! Be a coach, a nurse, a member of Congress. If God placed it on your heart, take it and run. Live the life you've imagined since you were a child. Go the distance no matter how far you have to travel. Never give up. Instead, LOOK up and trust that God will provide a way and again, let your faith be bigger than your fears.

LIFE is our staircase! We can choose to climb it with fear or with faith. Which will you choose?

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1

 

Pass the orange juice, please!

Orange Juice isn't the only Vitamin C that has impacted my life in a healthy way. The popular artist, Vitamin C, released her debut single called "Smile" in the late 90's and it was music to my hears the first time I heard it - both literally and figuratively. This may have partly been due to the upbeat, tambourine-tappin' background singers, but I believe it was the chorus that officially did me in:

"Put a smile on your face, make the world a better place!"

It may not seem like much, but when you really sit back and let the meaning of these words sink in, you realize the depth behind them! This song changed the way I lived my life, and it poses as a constant reminder of how I should live in case I ever forget! For those of you that know me/have visited my blog before, you know that my all-time favorite quote encourages us to "give a stranger a smile. It may be the only sunshine he sees all day!" We have no idea what one simple smile can do to a person's life, for "everyone [we] meet is fighting a hard battle [we] know nothing about." That waiter at Chili's that dropped a tray of food on his way out of the kitchen? He's battling cancer and is getting weaker by the minute. That cashier at Walmart that could barely look you in the eye? She just lost a child that was about the same age as you. My point is, we have no idea who needs our smile today, and we don't realize the difference we can make if we simply put a grin on our chin and welcome those around us with open arms. Go out, smile, and let others know they are worthy and they are loved...and maybe, just maybe, they will find hope in your smile and will pay it forward! After all, smiles are contagious, for "they cost nothing and are beyond the price!" 

This, my friends, is what I dream of doing with my life. I dream of going out in the world, smiling, and making the world a better place! Join me, would you?

"A cheerful heart is good medicine." Proverbs 17:22

The Joys of Junior Year

I'M A SENIOR IN COLLEGE, Y'ALL!

God closed doors and opened windows (while ensuring I had plenty of ventilation) as we walked through this year hand-in-hand. I turned 21 and learned how to roller skate, got my Fightin' Texas Aggie Ring, was (by God's grace) elected as the 2014-2015 President of Sigma Phi Lambda, wore my Hump Day t-shirt every Wednesday, and fell EVEN MORE in love with Texas A&M University and my Lord and Savior! TO GOD BE THE GLORY, FOR HE IS GOOD!

Here are a FEW of my favorite memories from my junior year at Texas A&M!

Sigma Phi Lambda's Big/Little Reveal where my friendship with these two began! They are my best friends and were the answer to my prayers! I am so blessed to have them in my life!

For our Halloween Date Party at the Corn Maze, we went as the cast of F•R•I•E•N•D•S and did our best to reenact their famous 90's white tee pose! Close enough, hahaha!



Seeing that I was going as Phoebe to the Halloween Date Party, it only made sense to ask David if he'd be my "BOO" through a "Smelly Cat" remix!

This was for Phi Lamb's Barn Dance! I had a BLAST rating the other dancers that actually knew what they were doing, eating Luby's Cafeteria in our farmer outfits, and dancing the night away beneath God's blanket of stars with this gentlemen!



Songfest 2013 - "Let's Get Gatsby"

Seeing that my favorite song is and always has been "Brand New Key" by Melanie (AKA - The Roller Skate Song) I decided it was time for me to conquer my fears and start skating along with the lyrics rather than simply singing them! What better day to do this on than my 21st birthday!? I got a few bumps and bruises, but you can bet your bottom dollar I left West Campus Garage (our personalized skating rink) with a grin on my chin! 

My rootin' and tootin' (more tootin' than rootin') nephew, Tyson, from the Wild Wild West...err...East...turned a year old! He'll be greeting us with "HOWDY" before we know it! He is such a blessing and he has changed my life in more ways I could have ever imagined! He makes it so easy for me to be that crazy aunt everybody warns you about! I wish I could take him with me to College Station! 

I got my Fightin' Texas Aggie Ring! WHOOP!

Dilly Dally Allie and I dressed as Blue and Magenta from Blue's Clues for Rev Night! We will be counselors at T-Camp 2014!

Well WADDLE ya know! I am "HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY" to announce that Tom-Tom agreed to go with me to Phi Lamb's Duck Dynasty-themed Formal! "That's quacktastic!" We had a blast!



2014-2015 Sigma Phi Lambda Officers

God has taught me so much, both about myself and His plan for my life! He has shown me what it means to live a life of joy and happiness, despite my failings and shortcomings, for there is always something to be grateful for. He has shown me how important it is to surround myself with people that lift me higher, encouraging me to follow my dreams and live the life I have always imagined - people who urge me to challenge my faith and further my walk with the Lord. He has revealed to me the importance of digging into His word daily as I lean on His promises, and He reminds me every single day to seek and glorify Him above all else! Loving Him is fun and though I have done nothing to deserve anything, I am forever grateful for all He has done in my life! God is so good!

God Bless, GRIN, and Gig 'Em, Aggies!