Performing for an Audience of ONE

At my apartment complex, there's a shuttle bus that picks us up and drops us off at the bus stop. Living in the furthest building away from the bus stop, I have always been grateful for this unique system. However, some days I am even more grateful than others...like today:

Sweat was already forming on my forehead as I waited patiently for the shuttle bus to arrive. When I noticed it rounding the corner, I shot up and began strolling towards it, planning to meet it in the middle as I do every day. However, today was different. As I was approaching the bus doors, inches away from stepping on, Mr. Charlie suddenly yells "PSYCH" at the top of his lungs! He immediately closes the door, laughs his head off, opens it and then, still laughing, lowers his head and says, "I should be ashamed." IT MADE MY DAY!

As we made our way to the bus stop, I couldn't help but think about all the ways Mr. Charlie shines the light of Christ on that shuttle bus. I thought about how there is always Christian music playing on the radio, how he has no problem bringing God and his goodness into the conversation, and how he never fails to encourage us to have a "blessed day" when we get off the shuttle. The love he has for his job is the best representation of Colossians 3:23 which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for man." It is evident who Mr. Charlie is working for, and it's NOT Campus Village! He is living, working and performing for an audience of ONE!

As Christians, the only praise and applause we should seek is that of God alone! It doesn't matter if you are a teacher, bus driver, talk show host, pediatrician, or zookeeper! God needs Christians everywhere, and we are called to "do what [we] can, with what [we] have, where [we] are!" That is exactly what Mr. Charlie does! He is an inspiration, and I am so grateful God allowed our paths to cross.

I encourage you to take Jon Gordan's advice (the author of The Energy Bus - I've written about it before in my post "Rejoicing on the Ride") and "drive with purpose!" Trust that God has you exactly where he wants you, and know that it's your responsibility to make the most of the opportunities he has given you! Shine your light "every day, every day" in any and every way possible!

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of

God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still

trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:10

Mud Stains

As we were cleaning the cabins at our Phi Lamb retreat one weekend, our crew came across a mud stain splattered on the wall. At first there were two stain-removers, but as time went on and as the stain became more difficult to remove, we were having to send in people left and right to continue the strenuous job. As we scrubbed, wiped, washed, and scratched, doing all that we could, and more, to ensure this stain was clean and looking good as new, I couldn't help but think about OUR "mud" stains. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, HE WORKS OVERTIME UNTIL WE ARE MADE NEW. He even sends people in and out of our lives (like those switching out, taking turns cleaning the mud stain) to aid us on our spiritual walks - to encourage us, to teach us valuable lessons, etc. - so that we may continue growing in His likeness. Just as we continued working on the mud stain until we reached the desired cleanliness, Christ will continue working on OUR "mud" stains until He can see His image in us, the desired "cleanliness." 

 "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

"First day of school! First day of school!"

It seems like just yesterday I was taking a giant leap onto the filthy steps of White Oak Primary's "Donald Duck" school bus to head to my first day of kindergarten. Since that day, school has been my passion. I believe this results in part from my eagerness to learn, but also from my enthusiasm for life and my thirst for discovering not only what the world has to offer me, but what I have to offer the world. The enthusiasm I have for education has continued to thrive throughout the past 16yrs, and as hard as it is to believe, I began my LAST year of schooling yesterday! I AM A SENIOR IN COLLEGE, Y'ALL!

Three things came to mind as I rode the bus back to my apartment:
1) I am BLESSED! Everything I have is solely an illustration of God's grace and is NOTHING I deserve! I constantly find myself down on my knees, wiping tears from my eyes, thanking him for the individuals, opportunities, and obstacles he has purposely placed in my life! I am confident in the direction my life is going, and I am grateful for the paths that have led me to where I am today. I know God is writing His story on my heart and I'm just here to turn the pages when He, the Author, tells me to!

2) I am PUMPED! After 4yrs of summer classes and 15hr semesters, I'm ahead of schedule and will be taking 6hrs in the fall. My senior year will (hopefully) be a hop, skip, and a jump! Though I'm only taking two classes, my present circumstances are evidence that God wanted me to wait and graduate in May! Besides, I've got my whole life to work! Yes, it's a delight (I repeat: a DELIGHT) not having classes on MWF! However, I am most excited about discovering God's plan behind all of this and seeing how He'll use my "free" time to make a difference for His Kingdom. Don't worry, I have set aside PLENTY of time to study and write papers!

3) I am ANXIOUS! The closer I get to graduating, the closer I get to the real world. I'll soon be making decisions that will test my faith, challenge my courage, and ultimately change my life! It's scary, nerve-racking, and exciting all at the same time! However, if there's anything I've learned in college, it's that I am called to focus solely on the tasks God has assigned me right now - passing my classes, leading my sisters in Phi Lamb, and reaching out to those placed along my path here at Texas A&M. We aren't guaranteed the future. The only time we're guaranteed is the time we have right now at this very moment! I am reminded of Luke 16:10 that reads, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." If we desire for God to use us in big ways, we must prove we are responsible with the tasks he has assigned us right now! With that being said, I'm letting go of the reins and will simply be enjoying the ride! I'll worry about being a grownup when the time comes!

Seeing that my first day of school was technically on a Tuesday, it only made sense to post a Transformation Tuesday picture!  In honor of my LAST first day of school EVER, I decided to recreate my FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN picture! Time flies when you're wearing giant bows and posing awkwardly for pictures! I am so grateful for these 16yrs of education, and I can't WAIT to see what God has in store for me this last year!

Negative Nancys

Moms have the best advice, don't they? Here's a little advice my mom shared with me a while back to help me deal with negative people:

When dealing with negative people, imagine a bull being in a china cabinet. Scary, isn't it? The negative person is the angry bull and you are a piece of china sitting daintily on the shelf. When released from the gate, that bull is going to do whatever it takes in hopes of bucking you off and breaking you. NEVER LET THEM BREAK YOU!

Here's the deal:

In Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren refers to these individuals as "EGR" people - "Extra Grace Required." Sound familiar? It should, because "EGR" people are EVERYWHERE! You will encounter them at every school, in every workplace, in every family, and in every church! "EGR" people are those individuals who drain your bucket, start drama, add fuel to the fire and ultimately bring out the worst in you. Simply put, they are bulls in a china cabinet and no matter where you go, there will ALWAYS be bulls! It may be IMPOSSIBLE to get away from them, but it's POSSIBLE to manage them...if we do so with grace! When dealing with these individuals, Warren reminds us: "God put these people in our midst for both their benefit and ours. They are an opportunity for growth and a test of fellowship: Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them with dignity?" Will we "kill them with kindness" and allow Christ's light to shine through us, or will we allow our anger to get the best of us? Just as happiness is a choice, we get to choose how we respond to situations! We choose every single day (or at least five days a week...depending on how often we see them) how we will respond to the negative, "Extra Grace Required" people! We should do our best to view the situation as an opportunity to better ourselves and become more like Christ, as mentioned by Viktor Frankl in his quote, “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Instead of allowing our sinful nature to win, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"

Before you respond, be quick to recognize their intentions! Know that you are dealing with an "EGR" person who is trying to knock you off your shelf. There's nothing they would love more than to see you hurt because that's what bulls do - they charge. Pray about the situation, specifically for that person, and then ask God for the right words to say to ensure you respond out of love rather than anger or self-defense! If that doesn't work, remember Thumper on Bambi who wisely noted, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" *begins tapping foot on ground*

 

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45

God's Signs

I listened to George Strait's song I Saw God Today as I made the trek to town:

I've been to church,

I've read the book
I know He's there,

but I don't look near as often as I should.
His fingerprints are everywhere,
I just look down and stop and stare,
open my eyes and then I swear,
I saw God today.
 

I thought I'd elaborate a little bit on God's existence in our lives! I remember reading a quote that said: "Faith is recognizing the subtle signs of God's presence." I believe God constantly reveals Himself to us, but it's our responsibility to uncover the "clues" and be aware of His presence in our everyday lives!

With that being said, one of the places I see God is on street signs. Yes, you read that correctly. I see God when a rainbow is refracted (No, I didn't know that word on my own...I had to look it up and ask a few people) off of the white, aluminum street signs! I see them weekly, sometimes DAILY! Here's a little background information on rainbows: In the Old Testament, after God flooded the Earth, He set His rainbow in the clouds as a covenant between Him and all of mankind, promising never to flood the Earth again. Therefore, it's safe to say rainbows represent God's promises! When I see "ROY G. BIV" gently resting on a street sign, I don't think about Noah and the ark or animals traveling two-by-two. Instead, I think about everything God promises us (victory over death, He loves us, His grace is sufficient, He is good, etc.) and I am at peace. I know, without a doubt, God is reaching out to me and reminding me that "His fingerprints are everywhere." They may not be as blatant as the rainbows I see on street signs, but they're there! We simply have to scope the premises and be willing to dust our surroundings for them! 

If you look hard enough, you'll find that God's presence is all around you, for he is with us everywhere we go! It may be through the hug of a dear friend, the smile of a stranger, the budding of a flower in the springtime, or on an aluminum street sign! All you have to do is look and have faith that he's softly whispering, "I am with you."

I would like to challenge you, no matter where you are, to simply stop and smell the roses, having faith that God is present at that very moment...because he is!

Love ALSO Does...

As promised, here is a continuation of my Love Does book review. However, as I was reading and re-reading what I highlighted, I stopped myself. There's no way I could cover everything I want to cover in 1-2 blog posts, plus I want you to read the book for yourself! I want to see how God will use this book to change YOUR life, just as He used it to change mine! Odds are, you won't highlight the same things I highlighted because God will speak to you through the book differently than how he spoke to me through it, simply because that's just how God works! He knows what we need and when we need it! With that being said, I have only covered three more chapters:

9. A Word Not to Use

In this chapter, Bob talks about the advice he received from a friend who encouraged Bob to stop using the word that in his writing. His friend didn't go into detail or further explain himself, he simply said Bob "should treat the word that like it's a cuss word." His friend was a great author and Bob trusted him, so Bob began avoiding the use of the word that. As the chapter continues, Bob makes it clear that "faith can be kind of the same because Jesus didn't always explain everything in great detail." Instead, Jesus "just asked people to join the adventure." Simply put, we should "trust God because He's the best author." Bob "[thinks] God doesn't spell out everything for us in life, but He does tell us how we can write our lives better; and trusting Him implicitly is always the right place to start." Bob's friend wanted him "to stretch for a better, clearer way to express [himself] than [he had] done in the past. [Bob thinks] God maybe feels the same way."

Action: I need to remind myself that "a relationship with [Jesus] isn't supposed to make complete sense or provide security." I simply need to know that Jesus has my best interest in mind and a relationship with Him is all I need.

10. Corner Store Economics

When Bob was a child, he went to the corner store to buy a piece of candy he had been saving up for. Unfortunately, he was a penny short. However, instead of sending candy-less Bob on his way, the old man at the cash register "grabbed one of the pennies" along with some vinegar and salt and gently began shining it. When he finished, he laid the coin on the table and told Bob, "In my store, shiny pennies are worth double." He refused to let one penny keep him from showing Bob the love that God shows us every day. He taught Bob "that we have more power than we think to make our own rules about life to live out the economy that Jesus put in place." Bob concludes the chapter with this: "We each get to be the storekeeper, at least figuratively, and we decide who gets what and what things are worth. We get to decide that people, including ourselves, are worth more than others might figure and that following Jesus means doing math differently sometimes. Because actually we're all on the same side of the counter when it comes to needing a little help and grace and a shiny penny now and then. We're the kid and we're the storekeeper."

Action: I need to be mindful of others and be willing to "do the math differently" by showing them a LOT of grace and a LOT of love because even when the numbers don't add up, Jesus will ALWAYS be enough!

11. Ten-Year-Old Adventures

When asked what my plan is after graduation, a lot of times I answer, "I'm just trying to get to where I'm going...wherever that may be!" I don't know what God has in store for my life. I know the dreams and desires on my heart, as well as the things that fire me up, but I don't know when or how things will happen. All I know is wherever it is that I'm headed, I'll be traveling hand-in-hand with my loving Savior. You see, "Jesus doesn't invite us on a business trip. He says let's go after those things that inspire and challenge you and let's experience them together. You don't need a lot of details or luggage or equipment, just a willingness to go into a storm with a Father who's kicking footholds into the steep sides of our problems while we kick a couple in ourselves too."

Action: God is my travel guide and I will take the path He sees best fit. I will seek to trust Him at all times and, as my "About Me" section reads, go through life with BIG dreams and my BIG God!

Conclusion: In the rollercoaster of life, Jesus promises to make the ride worth it in the end if we're willing to hop into the seat next to Him! It will be bumpy. It will make our stomachs drop. We'll experience twists, turns, and loopdeloops...and if you've ever been to Six Flags/ridden Runaway Mountain, you know what I'm talking about when I say we will experience the thrill of a lifetime in PITCH-BLACKNESS without knowing where we're going or what lies ahead of us. However, when we step out of the car at the end of the ride (Heaven), we'll see an aerial view of the rollercoaster (life) and we will be able to see how those 540 degree spirals were necessary in the making process for all passengers (followers of Jesus) if they wanted the ride (Heaven) to be worth the wait! God will continue working in and through us until one day, His work will be completed! We don't have to have a map of the park. We don't need to know the physics behind every rollercoaster ride (although Physics Day at Six Flags is quite the adventure). All we need is a relationship with Jesus and a heart that's willing to jump for Him with our hands in the air as we make like The Three Little Pigs and wail "WEEEEEEEE" all the way home!

I could go on FOR-EH-VER (say it like Squints does on The Sandlot) but as I mentioned before, I want you to read this book on your own! God has specific things he wants to reveal to you that He can only do if you've got the book in YOUR hands! It's an easy read - the chapters are short, funny, and they are all personal stories/accounts that Bob Goff has experienced. Feel free to borrow mine if you'd like! In the meantime, let's show grace, love and mercy to all who cross our paths!

 

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Let us "paws" for a moment of silence...

In Loving Memory

Rosie "Rosebud" Koonce

April 20, 2003 - July 22, 2014

 

I remember the day Rosie became a member of the Koonce Klan like it was yesterday. Bless her heart! I was in my parent's bathroom when Mom strolled in holding an off-blue Easter basket with both hands, grinning from ear to ear. I put my hairbrush and squirt bottle down (the bumps could wait) and stared into the basket at what I thought was a bobble head sitting amongst the lime green Easter grass. As I got closer, I realized it wasn't a bobble head at all! It was a little bitty pug puppy tilting her head side-to-side, patiently waiting to be held.

 

Whether you were playing Nintendo, grading papers, or eating dinner at the kitchen table, Rosie was right by your side. She just HAD to be near a human. It didn't matter if she had just been scolded for having an accident (or four) in the house or yelled at for causing you to trip. Dear ol' Rosebud loved you no matter what and she was going to stand (err...sleep) by your side through anything and everything. She snored worse than any man I know and my friends hated that about her. Not once did we get through a movie without one of my friends (you know who you are...but I'll call you out anyway Tara, Rachel, Whitney, Mo, Jessica, JD, Dulce, Trent, and Faith) chunking a pillow at her because they couldn't hear the movie over her snoring or complaining because she got a little "eye juice" (their words, not mine) on their shoes. However, despite what my friends said, it was Rosie's snoring that brought me comfort more than anything else growing up. I knew if I could hear that curly-tailed pup wheezing and snorting, everything would be okay...and it always was!

 

Here are a few pictures of our sweet pug:

 

 

Here is Rosie's baby picture! You can't tell me this isn't the sweetest and cutest puppy you've ever seen.

 

 

I put the computer down for 5in and this is what I came back to!

 

 

 It didn't matter what she laid on...if she didn't have to sleep directly on the carpet, she wouldn't!

 

 

It wasn't Christmas morning unless A Christmas Story was playing on tv and Rosie had wiggled her way into the pile of tissue paper.

 

 

I remember my brothers and I were playing Nintendo one day when Rosie started to walk by in front of us. We were all three sitting in chairs, so each of our cords were lifted off the ground. Rosie walked right through the cords and unplugged every single one of our controllers. We just looked at each other and then began viciously yelling at Rosie for interrupting an intense game of Mario Kart.

 

 

SOMEBODY had to do my math homework, right?

 

 

 

She even helped Mom sort her music.

 

I know Rosie would've wanted me to post this picture on here as a reminder to everyone (my friends especially) that she didn't choose the pug life, the pug life chose her!

 

 

She loved me, I promise.

 

Rosie wasn't the brightest dog in the world, and she definitely wasn't the most talented. In fact, after nearly 12yrs, Rosie still wasn't potty trained. She didn't know how to play dead or how to speak on command. She snored, accidentally tooted when she sneezed (but don't we all), and got "eye juice" on you when you tried to pet her. But if you ask me, it was her silly quirks that made her a Koonce and I wouldn't have traded her for the world. She wasn't the perfect dog, but she was the perfect dog for our family!

 

I miss you already, Rosie! Life will be "ruff" without you and your snorts, but I know you're now able to see, hear, breathe, use the bathroom in the proper place, and do tricks like never before! Now "Go Dog. Go!" The house will be quiet without you. 

We will always love you, Rosie! Thank you for the many years of laughter and comfort! 

Love Does

If you've visited my blog before, you may recall a recent post called "Perfectly Placed" in which I explain how the book Love Does by Bob Goff was "perfectly placed" into my hands. I may or may not have read ahead *cue laughter as I try to lie and say I didn't* and finished the book before I was "supposed" to! Oops! But we can just keep that between the two of us...kapish? *knucks*

Here's a little bit of what I learned:

1. Love Does

Basically, our life "has all the potential [we] bring to it - nothing more, nothing less." We don't need an extravagant plan or a strict day-to-day schedule before making our next move. According to Bob Goff, "[we] just need to be present." We have to "[get] to the 'do' part of faith" because "love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn't just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does."

Action: I need to throw away the timetable and quit trying to figure out the arrival and departure times as I seek to follow my dreams and become a talk show host. Instead, I simply need to show up, side-ponytail and all, and "be present."

2. Ryan in Love

In this chapter, Bob encourages us to live a life of love that's contagious "because that's the way love rolls; it multiplies." We should "live in such a way that those who don't know God but know us, may come to know God because they know us."

Action: I need to demonstrate love so zealously, those around me are encouraged to hop on board and sail through life the same way!

3. The Reach

It's okay to fail. In fact, "it's not just okay; it's better than okay." We will experience defeat more often than not but luckily, "God didn't make it a three-strikes-and-you're-out sort of thing. It's more about how God helps us dust ourselves off so that we can swing for the fences again." Don't let a few hard blows knock you out. Refuse to throw in the towel. You may be down for the count, but you're not down and out. Put your fists up and fight on!

Action: I need to expect failure and accept it with my arms open wide!

4. "Go buy your books!"

According to Bob, "when we want to do something that we know is right and good, God places that desire deep in our hearts because He wants it for us and it honors Him. Maybe there are times when we think a door has been closed and, instead of misinterpreting the circumstances, God wants us to kick it down. Or perhaps just sit outside of it long enough until somebody tells us we can come in."

Action: I won't let a few closed doors stop me from pursuing my dreams.

5. Wedding Cake

God uses us "not just when we're broken, but especially because we're broken."

6. Just Say Yes

Like Moses, "each of us gets to decide every time whether to lean in or step back - to say yes, ignore it, or tell God why He has the wrong person." God uses people every single day to make a difference for His kingdom. We don't have to be 6ft tall or, like Cinderella, have a shoe that fits. We just have to "say yes."

Action: I need to be willing to be used, even if I feel ill-equipped because "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the call."

7. "Wow, what a hit!"

Bob declares he "[knows something] that works every time - it's having somebody else say something good about you." When we see potential in those around us, it is our responsibility to reach out to them because otherwise, they may have no idea. Personally, words of encouragement from the people I love and respect most fire me up and make me feel as if I can go anywhere or do anything. Bob tells us we can be that person for other people!

Action: I need to use encouraging words to fire others up!

8. A New Kind of Diet

We have to stand firm in our faith and stop walking with one foot in God's word and one in the world. "God doesn't like it when people fake it" and it's time for us to "give them a taste of the real thing."

Action: I need to "show them real love from a real God."

Believe it or not, that's only half of it! But due to an episode of Gilmore Girls that needs to be watched and an ASL assignment that needs to be completed, I'll have to save the rest for later! In the meantime, let's be available, love zealously, accept defeat, bust through some doors, let God use us our brokenness to help others, agree to a task, encourage those around us, and stop faking our faith!

 

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9

"Keep Your Fork"

Someone shared this story with me years ago and it has stuck with me ever since! It reminds us that "at death [we] won't LEAVE home - [we'll] GO home" and the best is yet to come! I hope you're encouraged!

Keep Your Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!"

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork...the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She knew that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

-------

Remember, at the dinner table of life you won't have gourmet food at every meal! In fact, many of the entrees served will not "tickle your taste buds" and you'll want to send the plate right back to the kitchen where it came from! You'll play hockey with your English peas (yuck) and you'll make foxholes in your mashed potatoes. But as Rick Warren says in Purpose Driven Life, “We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.” When you accept Christ as your Savior, the best is ALWAYS yet to come (no matter how good/bad your "dinner" turned out) and "at death [we] won't LEAVE home - [we'll] GO home" so "KEEP YOUR FORK!"

 

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

Mercy and Manicures

MERCY - not getting what we deserve

I'm not one to get manicures and pedicures on a regular basis. In fact, I go to the Nail Salon about as often as I wear my hair down in public. For those of you that know me, you know there must be a special occasion coming up if a) my nails/toes are done and b) my hair isn't in a side ponytail and I don't look like I'm about to go play a few rounds of Putt-Putt Golf...which I would never do because I loathe golf (no offense to you golfers out there - it's just not my cup of tea)! I'm just trying to give you a mental picture of my life in a nutshell. Here's what happened:

I decided to go get my nails done today.

I already had to explain to the nail technician that those were bruises under my big toenails and try as he might, no amount of scrubbing would rid my toenails of that luscious plum color I was sporting. To make matters worse, he had to call in reinforcements to help manage my pinky toenails that have been falling off the past few months. My face turned beet red as three nail technicians hovered over my feet and everyone in the pedicure chairs began staring in unison as we awaited the prognosis. It couldn't get much worse than that, right? WRONG.

I then scurried over to the manicure table where my forearms were massaged and my fingernails were painted "highlighter" yellow. Afterward, he sat me down at the drying table where, due to their lack of a clear table top (they should really invest in those things, ya know), I scuffed one nail against the other like always because there's just something about not being able to see my hands that makes me need to see my hands even more. Anyway, I finished drying and approached the check-out table where I discovered they don't take my specific credit card type. I then whipped out my EXPIRED debit card (not knowing it was expired at the time) only to have him shake his head and hand the card back to me. I looked to see how much cash I had and, you guessed it...I didn't have enough! I immediately began laughing (because that's just what I do in any and all situations) and reluctantly asked the man if he could give me 15-20min to run by my apartment to grab more money. Much to my surprise, he agreed to it! Still in shock, I wrote down my name and number and told him I would be back in a jiffy!

It wasn't until I was leaving Pretty Nails the second time that I realized how fortunate I was that the nail technicians trusted me enough to let me leave and go get more money! Driving away, I became emotional as everything that just happened registered in my brain - they didn't have to show mercy and compassion to a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed college student that was missing two toenails...but they did! They could have just as easily gotten mad, embarrassed me in front of the other customers, or worse...taken my nail polish off...but they didn't! They trusted me even though I did nothing to deserve that trust! To them I was a stranger with a deep, East Texas accent! Yet they smiled, told me it was okay, and they gave me another chance.

This, of course, reminded me of the mercy and compassion our gracious God shows us despite our shortcomings and failures. He smiles, tells us it's okay, and gives us another chance...not because we deserve it, but because he loves us! I am so grateful for the compassion I received today! Who knows...maybe I'll start getting my nails done more often! Even if I don't, every time I look down at my hands and feet or pass a Nail Salon, I'll be reminded of the manicure and mercy I received today.

My Favorite Word

Backstory:
This past semester in one of my Communication classes, we were told to walk up to the front and write our favorite word on the chalkboard. I scrunched my eyebrows and stared into the distance as my mind aimlessly searched for a word that was worthy of my favor. Finally, it hit me: SUNSHINE! That was (and is), hands down, my favorite word...as you can probably tell by the title of my blog! So, with a deep breath of confidence, I turned my back to the class and scribbled the 8-letter word in white chalk for all to see.

Now that you're caught up:
Rachel and I were running ahead of schedule, so we decided to kill some time and browse through Mardel, our local Christian bookstore. As we strolled through the doors, a worker politely offered us a flyer that contained that day's sales and discounts. My eyes scanned the page until my attention landed in the top right corner where the words "BOOKS for $1.00" danced into my heart. We darted to the bookshelves and it was there on the bottom shelf that God revealed to me a book after my own heart (it's a passion of mine), Be the Sunshine by Angela Thomas. It's a small, square book doused in a soft, golden yellow that encourages us to "share the light and spread the joy" everywhere we go! 
For obvious reasons, I had to share Angela's inspirational words with you! I'll try to elaborate a little under each of her points:

1) Be the Sunshine
"We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine."

God calls us to be a light in the darkness. People should be able to take one look at us and know we are His because the sunshine we bring is too bright to overlook! Basically, God wants us to take the joy we have in Jesus and spread it into every nook and cranny!

2) I Am Not the Light That Shines
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us. Just as the roof of a sunhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it."

We weren't born with a radiant, effervescent light inside of us. When we ask Jesus into our heart so that He may reign as the King of our life, we receive Christ's light! It is through Christ and Christ alone that we are able to "shine for God's glory!" Simply put, "Jesus was then - and still is - the only light."

3) Learning to Shine
"You and I are not manufacturers of light. We are only mirrors, little, tiny reflectors that send the light of Jesus out into darkness. Each one of us is learning what it really means to shine. Each light becomes ever brighter as we learn to love God more."

I think the quote says it all! Christ's light in us continues to get brighter as we become more like Him!

4) Hide It Under a Bushel?
"The people we live with and encounter every single day are supposed to see the light of Christ in us."

*cue This Little Light of Mine chorus*

(Side Note: We used to sing This Little Light of Mine in Youth Choir and it quickly became one of my favorite songs; I may or may not have sang it quietly to myself in the middle of the waiting room when I found it quoted it in Angela's book)

There should be no question as to whether or not we are disciples of Jesus Christ! Others should look at us and immediately take notice that there's something different about the way we live and show love! That being said, God doesn't want us flipping the light switch off and on when it's convenient or easy. We are called to "let [our] light shine before others, so that they may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] God in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Don't "hide it under a bushel" and "don't let Satan *blows air* it out!" In the words of The Trammps, let it "burn, baby, burn!"

I'll stop there because I want you to read the book for yourself! If you're in the Longview area, grab a handful of change and swing by Mardel. It will be worth every penny...100 to be exact!

Conclusion:
You know on Miss Congeniality when Victor pushes Gracie Lou Freebush onto stage last minute and says "WEAR the crown, BE the crown, You ARE the crown" as he places his hands upright above his ears to represent...well, a crown? Say the following sentence like Victor says it: SEEK the sunshine, BE the sunshine, Christ IS the sunshine!

FLIP THE SWITCH AND "LET [YOUR] LITTLE LIGHT SHINE" BEFORE MEN!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Practice Makes Permanent

Aside from the horrifying "slicked-to-my-scalp" ponytail (I went through a few squirt bottles in my day...I still can't believe my friends let me go out into public looking like that) and a cheesy grin, there is one thing in particular that I remember about basketball camp the summer before 5th grade - our shirts. We received light gray t-shirts that had "Ladyneck Hoops" written in maroon across the front and if I'm not mistaken, a pair of basketball shoes dangled from one of the letters. However, it's the words printed down the back of the shirt that have stuck with me for nearly 12yrs: "Practice makes permanent. Be careful what you practice." Obviously this applied to basketball, but it wasn't until a few days ago that I realized it applies to life as well, which is yet another reason I am grateful for basketball, and my coach. I vaguely remember how the quote was explained to us. I'm sure it was somewhere along the lines of: "If you practice shooting incorrectly, you will always shoot incorrectly. But if you practice shooting with the correct form when you're young, you'll always shoot with the correct form. Nobody is perfect, but you form habits by the things you do and those habits can be good or bad. That's why it's important to be careful what you practice...because what you do now will effect your performance and determine what you do in the long run."

May I remind you, I have known this quote for 12yrs and it wasn't until two days ago that I realized the depth behind it. Funny how that works, huh? Just as I began practicing the correct way to shoot a basketball the minute I was taught how, as Christians, we should begin practicing the correct way to LIVE AND LOVE LIKE CHRIST as soon as we are taught how! 

As Rick Warren says in Purpose Driven Life, "Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather! He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you're polite toward a clerk or waitress." 

I would never be a successful shooter if I was shooting the wrong way! In the same way, I will not become more like Christ if I am not practicing responses and actions that reflect the love of Christ! Every action, every word, every thought is shaping the person I am becoming...the question is, are the things I'm practicing going to aid me into becoming the person I WANT to be? Is the form I'm shooting with now (my actions, responses, etc.) going to help me reach my end goal as a successful shooter (to become like Christ)? 

CHALLENGE: 

I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to start practicing the correct "shooting form" right now! For example, to name a few: 

Practice being patient.

Practice showing kindness to those around you.

Practice forgiveness - forgiving yourself and forgiving others. 

Practice controlling your anger.

Practice honor, love, respect.

Practice showing loyalty to those God has graciously placed in your life.

Practice showing gratitude, for there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for!

Practice reading God's word every morning!

Lastly, practice becoming more like Christ!

Remember, "practice makes permanent" so you must "be careful what you practice!" Develop habits that will help you to become a "successful shooter" as you seek to become more like Christ with every "shot" you take!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Purpose Driven Life

There are four words I find myself repeating more often than others, and those four words rotate around God's clock because "God's timing is perfect." The most recent experience I had with this involved Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life. Long story (not so) short, I first began reading this book my senior year of high school because, well, it only made sense. Though I would be living at home and attending a community college my freshman year, I was entering a new chapter of my life that I knew nothing about. Heck, I've got 3yrs under my belt and I still know nothing about it but I suppose that's beside the point! Anyway, I was never able to get into it because unlike a shovel, I wasn't diggin' it, and I put it back on the shelf to gather dust for another year. Well, I finished my freshman year of college and was accepted to Texas A&M University (WHOOP) so I decided I would try reading it the summer before I transferred. I got a little further the second time but found myself closing it once again! This time, however, instead of placing it back on my closet shelf, I tossed it in a box and took it with me to Aggieland, trusting that God would bring Purpose Driven Life to my attention when the time was right...and He did! I picked it up this past semester (third time's a charm) and found myself blubbering with each completed chapter because, as mentioned earlier, God's timing is perfect!

If you've read this book, I hope and pray that it influenced and changed your life as much as it did mine! If you haven't read this book, I hope and pray you get this book into your hands ASAP and begin a journey that will change your outlook on the circumstances you face and help you to discover God's purpose for your life! Don't get discouraged if you're not able to continue reading it at first! Remember, God's timing is perfect, and it may take a few tries before the time is finally right! It sure did for me!

SUMMARY:

1) It's not about us.
2) We are not an accident.
3) Living on purpose is the path to peace.
4) There is more to life than just here and now.
5) Life is a test and a trust.
6) This world is not our home.
7) It's all for Him.
8) We were planned for God's pleasure.
9) God smiles when we trust Him.
10) The heart of worship is surrender.
11) God wants to be our best friend.
12) We are as close to God as we choose to be.
13) God wants all of us.
14) God is real, no matter how we feel.
15) We were formed for God's family.
16) Life is all about love.
17) We are called to belong, not just believe.
18) We need others in our life.
19) Community requires commitment.
20) Relationships are always worth restoring.
21) It is our responsibility to protect the unity of our church.
22) We were created to become like Christ.
23) It's never too late to start growing.
24) The truth transforms us.
25) There is a purpose behind every problem.
26) Every temptation is the opportunity to do good.
27) There is always a way out.
28) There are no shortcuts to maturity.
29) Service is not optional.
30) We were shaped for serving God.
31) Nobody else can be us.
32) God deserves our best.
33) We serve God by serving others.
34) To be a servant, we must think like a servant.
35) God works best when we admit our weaknesses.
36) We were made for a mission.
37) God wants to say something to the world through us.
38) The Great Commission is OUR Commission.
39) Blessed are the balanced.
40) Living with purpose is the only way to really live.

I'll go into detail later on, but I wanted to go ahead and share the 40pts Purpose Driven Life covers in case you are like me and, as Rascal Flatts sings in My Wish, are simply "out there gettin' where you're gettin' to" without the slightest clue as to where exactly it is that you're going. I hope these 40pts sparked your interest if you haven't read it yet! I promise, it's worth the read!

The Optimist Creed

This is such an inspiring poem! I came across it a few months ago and I believe it's something we should all strive for with each passing day. How wonderful it will be to have kept these promises to the best of our ability when our time here on earth is completed!

PROMISE YOURSELF

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

By: Christian D. Larson

The Mission Field

My church in Aggieland (Christ United Methodist Church) has this sign by every exit, reminding us that we're on the mission field 24/7! We don't always have to go to another state or foreign country to do mission work (though it is encouraged); God has plenty of work for us to do right where we are - we just have to be on the lookout and be willing to be used!

Wake up every day and ask God to USE you and SHOW you who needs to be reached! Use the gifts He has given you to make a difference in the lives of others where you are. On a side note, it's pretty cool how the telephone pole makes a cross behind the sign, so as we're being reminded of the Great Commission, we're also being reminded of the cross!

 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

 

A List on Life

I've had difficulty sleeping the past few weeks and thought I would post a few of the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head! This list is only a handful of the lessons I have learned/am still learning and, as always, I wanted to share it with you!

1. Rise, shine, and give God the glory!
Wake up every morning and give God the thanks and praise He deserves. 

2. Eat breakfast/drink coffee (or both) with God.
Walking with God is the best exercise, and an early morning workout with Him is the best (and the only) way to start your day off right!

3. Love God and love others.
*singing* "We love (clap, clap) because God first loved us!" It's as simple as that!

4. Choose to stand in the longest line when checking out at the grocery store.
Use that extra time wisely to simply rest in God's presence by talking to Him and talking to those around you.

5. Leave for class (or work, whichever) at least 15min early.
You never know who God will place in your path that day, and "the greatest gift you can give someone is your time."

6. "Give a stranger a smile. It may be the only sunshine he sees all day!"

7. Be in conversation with God 24/7.
You don't have to be on your knees with your hands folded "waffle-style" to talk to God. You can (and should) talk to Him all throughout the day! Talk to Him on your way to class, while you mow the yard, as you play basketball - bring God into every part of your life!

8. Always look for ways to better yourself.
Never be content with the person you are right now. Strive to become more like Christ with each passing day!

9. Remain true to yourself.
Decide now the type of person you want to be and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Be able to look in the mirror and like the person looking back at you.

10. Laugh...a lot!
"You aren't old unless you have wrinkles on your heart."

11. Look on the bright side of every situation...and there's ALWAYS a bright side!

12. Hug each other!
Did you know you can "hug away" stress?

13. "Walk a little slower and open up your eyes...sometimes it's so hard to see the good things passing by!"
Slow down, take the scenic route, and simply enjoy the detail of God's creation.

14. When God places somebody on your heart randomly, contact them.
You'll soon realize it wasn't so random after all.

15. BELIEVE!
Believe in God, believe in yourself, believe in those around you, believe in your dreams, and believe everything happens for a reason.

Perfectly Placed

IT'S STORY TIME, Y'ALL!

I received an e-mail yesterday from Mrs. Becky, our College Ministry Pastor, informing us that our summer Bible study would be kicking off this evening! Beaming with joy, I bolted towards my phone and typed it into my calendar as fast as I could, all the while making sure it showed up in the soft orange color that represents "Bible Study" and has the "praying hands" emoji trailing behind, of course.

In the words of Genesis, "evening passed and morning came" - Wednesday. I woke up the same way I usually do...by opening my eyes (not to worry, I took note of this rare occasion). However, today was different because my "Hump Day Duties" no longer ended after class. Instead, they would continue until evening as the not-so-long awaited Bible study was launching tonight! I was ECSTATIC! THRILLED! EXHILARATED! I couldn't wait to hear more about this new series we were starting. Little did I know, the study I THOUGHT I'd be starting and the study God KNEW I'd be starting were two different studies! Here's what happened:

After worship, Mrs. Becky and I headed to the classroom. Seeing that most of the college students were either out of town or home for the summer (I jokingly refer to them as "The Chosen Ones" because they're not taking summer classes), it didn't take us long to realize Bible study would be "set for two" tonight. We began weighing our options, and I listened intently as Mrs. Becky rattled off the other Bible studies I could attend. I lit up like a Christmas tree when she mentioned a Bible study that'd be reading a book that motivates us to "do the love of God" and "put it into creative practice." I'm not sure, but I think...I *THINK* my excitement was obvious (I'm kidding, of course...my facial expressions are about as subtle as an earthquake), for she immediately grabbed her things and said, "Let's go!" We marched one-by-one (hoorah, hoorah) to the room where Love Does was perfectly placed in my hands. I say "perfectly placed" because as I began skimming through the pages, God began poking and prodding at me. I skimmed some more. He prodded some more. It was evident God wanted my attention and my side would continue to be poked until I listened. 

You see, Love Does is a book about people wanting to follow their dreams, and even planning on going, but ultimately...not going. It encourages us to have faith and simply "show up" because "you don't need a plan; you just need to be present." We have to "land the plane on our plans to make a difference by getting to the 'do' part of faith" because "love is never stationary" and "simply put: love does." This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear because it is EXACTLY what I'm going through! Coincidence? Nope, not one bit! God has our best interest in mind. He knows WHAT we need and WHEN we need it! HIS TIMING IS PERFECT!

The point of this story is: I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe there was a reason I was the only person that showed up tonight...because that led Mrs. Becky to telling me about the other Bible studies...which led me to having Love Does "perfectly placed" in my hands because God knew THIS was the lesson I needed to learn right now! We may make the plans, but God will rearrange them until they match HIS agenda...just as He rearranged my Bible study plans!

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Accompanying Acquaintances

My mom shared this poem with me a few years back and I wanted to pass it along to you! This poem has played a vital role in my life (especially in college) as I have sought the friendships I wanted to MAKE and the friendships I wanted to MAINTAIN. It reiterates the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive influences and it encourages us to be that positive influence to others!

 

The Front Row Poem

      

Life is a theater so invite your audiences carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a FRONT ROW seat in our lives.
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships and family!
Everyone can't be in your FRONT ROW.

Observe the relationships around you.
Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are just going downhill?

When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?
Everyone can't be in your FRONT ROW.

The more you seek God and the things of God, the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God, the more you seek things honorable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Everyone can't be in your FRONT ROW.

You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people you are around! Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the FRONT ROW of your life.

Remember that FRONT ROW seats are for special and deserving people and those who sit in your FRONT ROW should be chosen carefully.
Everyone can't be in your FRONT ROW!

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33