Day Four: Now you see me

This week, on my campus, we have had a theme of self-image. My favorite part was on Wednesday when a group of people put sticky notes with encouraging sayings on them all over the school, and then big posters on the bathroom mirrors encouraging people to love the way that they are. This really hit home for me. As some of you may remember from an earlier blog, Mirror, mirror on the wall, I'm too skinny, I'm too tall, I touched on this subject then. It is so crazy to see how people view themselves. Do not get me wrong, I struggle just as much as the next guy. But the message that I am trying to convey is that we should not struggle, because God has a reason for giving you everything in life. You probably see your flaws as a bigger deal than everyone else does, but they are like the rocks in the sand. You can choose to let your flaws and problems consume you, or you can show people that you are not going to let those flaws dictate who you are.
In all reality, though, it is all in how you look at yourself. But remember, how you see yourself is not how God sees you. You can be your own harshest critic. God sees you as perfect. We are all perfect in God's eyes. So stop worrying so much about the way you look to others, because the only opinion that matters is God's, and He created us in His own image. How awesome is that?? We have such a loving God! So, I hope you all walk around today with a better, more upbeat attitude and way of carrying yourself, because you are all beautiful people, no matter the shape or size or what society says. God created us and loves us the way that we are. He would not have it any other way, and you know what? Neither would I!
God's blessings on your weekend, everyone. I hope joy finds you on this wonderful weekend. It sure will find me! I am getting some visitors from Texas tonight :). I'll report back tomorrow!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved--.... For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2: 4-5, 10

Day Three: Get down, and get funky

Do you ever have those days where you just hate everything? Yes, I know, this post does not have much to do with joy, but do not worry, I'll try to turn it around somehow! So, yesterday I was in a pretty good mood most of the day. I had work but got to leave for a little to take my choir picture, and then at night we played an intramural volleyball. Sounds like a pretty nice day, right? But, little things started to get to me. Sometimes people get really competitive when it is just a game for fun. I was trying to have a positive attitude throughout the games, but toward the end I just kind of gave up. And from that point on I was just in this weird "funk" (that is what I call it anyway). It is like everything bothers you, you realize all the situations going on in your life are just stupid, and you are just done. But do not worry, everybody, I am so much better today! This morning in class we watched the "What does the fox say?" video, just starting out the day on a great note. If you have not seen that video yet, I will warn you that it is ridiculous, but I think everyone should watch it at least once. I would put it up with this post, but I do not want that associated with my blog necessarily. Anyway, sorry that this is such a scatterbrained post. This is how my mind works some days. The point is that we all get in those moods, I am pretty sure. If you say that you do not, you are lying. Sometimes the littlest thing will set you off. All I can tell you is sometimes you just need to take a step back, maybe take some time just for yourself, and work through the mood. (Hint- God is a pretty great problem solver, talk to Him) Afterward, surround yourself with a few good friends and just get your mind off of other situations. I have found, for myself, that other people bring the most joy.
So, if you get into one of those moods, just separate yourself from situations, friends, homework, and just go somewhere peaceful and think and talk with God. Reading the bible really helps me, especially the Psalms or Ephesians. And if any of you ever need someone to talk about it with, I have been told I am a good listener. So on that note, I will leave you with this:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Happy third day of Joy(e)!

Day Two: Grains of Sand

" How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139:17-18

I encountered a lot of sand yesterday, first, on the beach, and then we played sand volleyball later that night, and so I was thinking about how interesting grains of sand are, if you really look at them. Imagine how many grains of sand are on the beach, and all of them together make that beautiful scene. Although, there can be rocks in the sand, and when you first see them you think that it looks bad, it just throws off the whole scene, but after a while you realize that the rock only adds to the picture, it does not take away from it. As is our lives. When you look at the details, our lives have so many "grains of sand" that God makes up our lives with.  Those would be the events, the people, the instances, the experiences in our lives. When you look at the "big picture" you can see the man or woman that God has made out of all of those things. Some people, though, are always looking out for the "rocks" in our lives, the mistakes that we've made or the flaws that we have. They want to point them out to bring you down. But, you learn from your mistakes, you accept your flaws, and you move on. And when someone looks at your big picture again, they will see what a beautiful person you've become, possibly because of your mistakes or flaws and how you have pushed past them. It comes down to this, you can choose to let those rocks clutter up your beach, making it disorganized and ugly, or you can clean them up and construct them in a certain way so that people see how they've changed you for the better. Point being, take your mistakes, your flaws, and use them for the better, push past them and show people how strong you are.That not only brings joy to you, but will show people the joy that you have with your life, and that could possibly bleed over into their lives.
And you know the greatest part about all of this? Jesus is walking down this beach with you, and when you get to these rocks in life, He is going to help you over them. He will not let you fall. So, just a little thought for the day. Blessings on your second day of Joy(e) :).

Day one: The little things

Welcome to day one of 31 days of Joy(e) :)!  Although I enjoy the little things every day, today I will actually write about it. God's creation is beautiful all of the time, even in storms, but today was an exceptionally lovely day here in Wisconsin! Being right next to Lake Michigan, we have a nice little beach to go to. My friend and I went down to do some studying/ relaxing today between classes. It was glorious! God has seriously made a beautiful earth and sometimes you just have to stop and look around to really remember that. I know it is easy to forget bout sometimes. So, today it was not hard to find Joy. We have beautiful weather (especially for October in Wisconsin), and classes were actually pretty good today! But really, my favorite part had to be laying on the beach just to think and write. The view was great, I was with an awesome friend, I could not ask for more today. I hope you all had a wonderful day as well! On that note, though, I will bid you farewell for the day. I hope you all enjoyed the first day of Joy!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

31 days of Joy(e)

It's kind of like 25 days of Christmas, but not as cool. (sorry, I do not think I can beat Christmas). I have decided to challenge myself for the next month. I hope to write every day about something that brought me joy, or something that brought joy to others or maybe just about my day. Bear with me, it may be harder than I think, but I hope you all continue reading them throughout the month. Unlike the 25 days of Christmas, there is not some grand holiday at the end of it, like the birth of Christ, but I hope that by the end of it I at least have the posts to look back on and it will help me to remember what brings joy to my life, or on the contrary, what may have brought me down. There may be some ups and downs this month, but I invite you all to go on that ride with me. And who knows, I may continue it throughout the year, a little less frequently.

Philippians 2:1-2 "So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

31 days of Joy(e), commencing in 3... 2... 1...