cliche you say?

I just got a great email. One of the emails that is forwarded to a million people and you read the title and think "ohh i am so deleting this" (if you are like me) or "AH! another one- i cant wait to read it!". I decided to open it contrary to my usual behaviors and was delighted with what I found.

A list of "cliche" statements about being grateful and taking in each day. The kinds of things that most people here and think "yeah yeah, thats what they all say" or "who has time to do things like that" or "who on earth is that optimistic". I must not be most people because I absolutely loved reading it and was very encouraged by many of the statements.

Hopefully they will rub you the same way:

*Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
*When in doubt, just take the next small step.
*Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
*Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
*Cry with someone. It' s more healing than crying alone.
*It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
*Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
*Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
*If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
*Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
*Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
*Over prepare, then go with the flow.
*Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
*Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
*Always choose life.
*Forgive everyone everything.
*What other people think of you is none of your business.
*Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
*However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
*Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
*All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
*Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
*If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Enjoy. Take what you like, leave what you don't :)

lookin for a slow down

rush rush rush rush

are you tired? this was the question vince asked to begin last night's sermon.

am i tired?! boy-- am i! physically, mentally, and definitely spiritually. and to think that it is normal. to think that all i need to do is "get through" another day. what way is that to live? i want to go through each day in constant dialogue with my God. with the One who watches over and is in control of my day. the One who is waiting, wishing and hoping that with each moment i will turn to Him for His guidance, love and wisdom.

vince went on to talk about next steps pertaining to slowing down our lives so that we stop experiencing soul fatigue. the first was "just say no".

this is not something that i have ever been great at, but i am getting better. since last year there are several things that i have cut out of my schedule and stepped down from because it just kept me too busy. and just when i thought i had a good schedule figured out with a lot of down time, i was wrong again. somehow, this semester has started off and is just as busy and rushed as the previous one. so, i am forced to practice saying no and although a lot of times i may feel guilty, it feels good to be in control of the things i am a part of, to be able to contribute my heart and my energy to them.

but even as i write this blog, (as im sure you can tell) im feeling rushed. i have a whole list of things to do tonight before i lay my head on my pillow and close my eyes. so i rush through typing this. but, i am a firm believer that saying things out loud and readmitting them to myself helps me to move forward and learn and grow.

so, my next step that goes along with just saying no is prayerfully considering those things that i say yes to. and furthermore, no matter how busy or rushed my days gets, to slow down and remember God. to reflect on His promises and all that He has done for me. and most of all- to bask in each moment and be thankful that He stands there right beside me.

my next tattoo?!

Hey guys!! I have been thinking about my next tattoo for quite awhile. I have to wait for a few more months, but this gives me more time to get the design down.

"Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:8 has been my favorite verse for quite some time. I just think that it is so beautiful and the cry of my heart quite often. I am just having trouble coming up with what the tattoo would actually look like!!

Any suggestions? Nothing too big and maybe to fit on the back of my neck reaching down my back.. maybe?

Let me know kids! I could certainly use your help.

The ABCs of God's Goodness: U

Unwavering.

God doesn't wake up one morning and decide that He wants to be extra nice or that He is going to try his best to do His best. God is the same each day. He is always good. He is always sure. He is always mighty, loving, caring, righteous. God never changes.. He simply is who He is.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

I just opened up an email with this in it and boy did it brighten my spirits :) When it is difficult for me to see God in a certain situation or an entire day, He uses small things like this to remind me of His peace, certainty and goodness.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be..
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God..
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.