Love has been on my mind a lot lately, not because I am IN love or anything but just because I am 20 years old and according to society, you know, I should probably start thinking about getting married. Not to mention everyone and their mom (literally, that's not just an expression) has been trying to set me and this guy up for a couple of weeks now. And I would be fine with the match, if everyone would just mind butting out of the situation. We are both adults and we both need to be ready for a relationship. We can handle it ourselves. And by that I mean, God knows what is going to happen with us, and He will make it happen if it is meant to be. He is in control.
Patience. Patience is the hardest thing right now because of all the change coming up. I am flipping my life completely around, transferring school and having an internship in a different state this summer. Now that I have made all of these decisions I just want to get to the new parts of my life. But I have to remember that God knows what he is doing and there are things for me to still do before I get to the new parts. He has a reason for everything that He does, and I often forget that that is the case. I find myself complaining and looking for a way out more often than I should.
"Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work." - Peter Marshall
Have patience for love, have patience for God's plans to be revealed, have patience for the best to work out because God will make good out of every situation. Trials, tribulations, yes we will have them, but pray and trust that God will work it out as He always does.Through Patience you will find the joy in life.
Also, as just a side note, keep out of other peoples lives, they can handle it or they will come to you.
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Monday, April 21, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Post Scriptum
This is just a little piece of satire I wrote a while ago and I felt like putting it out there. Mostly due to my recent letter writing to old friends. Enjoy, or don't. :)
Dear PS,
We have a love/ hate relationship, you and I. I think we drive each other insane, honestly. I use you, but you are always just floating there in the back of my mind. I know that I can use you if I forget anything. You are always there for me, but you do not always want to be used. After all, I pull you out of your life, away from your friends and family, Just so you can carry my secrets away. Of course, that is the only place I would leave them, in your capable hands. But sometimes, I hate that you are there. You are always a way out; a way to fix, or attempt to fix, whatever I just did. I do not need, or always want, a safety net; something there to pull me out of whatever mess I have gotten myself into. Sometimes, I try not to think of you, so that I can take the consequences of my actions by myself, on my own. So I guess that is all I wanted to say. But hey, PS, even though it sounds like I really dislike you, deep down, I will always love you.
Love,
Kara
Dear PS,
We have a love/ hate relationship, you and I. I think we drive each other insane, honestly. I use you, but you are always just floating there in the back of my mind. I know that I can use you if I forget anything. You are always there for me, but you do not always want to be used. After all, I pull you out of your life, away from your friends and family, Just so you can carry my secrets away. Of course, that is the only place I would leave them, in your capable hands. But sometimes, I hate that you are there. You are always a way out; a way to fix, or attempt to fix, whatever I just did. I do not need, or always want, a safety net; something there to pull me out of whatever mess I have gotten myself into. Sometimes, I try not to think of you, so that I can take the consequences of my actions by myself, on my own. So I guess that is all I wanted to say. But hey, PS, even though it sounds like I really dislike you, deep down, I will always love you.
Love,
Kara
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Please take the Time to Locate the Exit Nearest You
People are strange. If we know that there is a simple way out, we tend to inch our way toward it more and more when the going gets tough. Especially when we know that the easier thing may be just to quit.
My boyfriend and I disagree on something, time to break up.
This job is too difficult, time to give up.
My life is too difficult, time to get out.
Relationships have issues, jobs take some learning, and life... well, life is hard. It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. But you see, this is how we all tend to think. The thought crosses all of our minds at least once. Wouldn't it be easier to just "cop out"? Walk away? Give up?
Contrary to the Google translation of Frozen's "Let it Go", Letting something go and giving up are not the same thing.
As I am sitting here writing this on the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord, I cannot help but think of how Jesus wanted a way out. He prayed to God for any other way to save us.
"And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" Matthew 26:39
But we know that if there was any other way, God would have chosen it. Therefore, Jesus could not and would not just give up because he did not want to do it anymore. God loves us so much that He sent his son to suffer the most brutal punishment, being beaten almost to death and then hung on a cross to die, all to save us from our sin. And then, he rose from the dead in three days! No one gave up on us, no one decided to just leave us in our sin without any hope of forgiveness.
So how can we even think about running away from a situation without even trying. Just because you know where the exits are does not mean you need to use them. Let go of things in the past or present making you second guess your decisions, but do not simply give up because things get too hard or you are afraid of what may come of it. Life is going to throw you some hard balls sometimes, but you can't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. (Thank you Babe Ruth) We should know that God is with us every step of the way. He has plans for us and He is not going to let anything harm us.
So, yes, when on an airplane make sure you take the time to locate the exit nearest you. But in regular every day life try not to take it so literally and follow what God has in store for you.
"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Ephesians 4: 12-13
My boyfriend and I disagree on something, time to break up.
This job is too difficult, time to give up.
My life is too difficult, time to get out.
Relationships have issues, jobs take some learning, and life... well, life is hard. It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. But you see, this is how we all tend to think. The thought crosses all of our minds at least once. Wouldn't it be easier to just "cop out"? Walk away? Give up?
Contrary to the Google translation of Frozen's "Let it Go", Letting something go and giving up are not the same thing.
As I am sitting here writing this on the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord, I cannot help but think of how Jesus wanted a way out. He prayed to God for any other way to save us.
"And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" Matthew 26:39
But we know that if there was any other way, God would have chosen it. Therefore, Jesus could not and would not just give up because he did not want to do it anymore. God loves us so much that He sent his son to suffer the most brutal punishment, being beaten almost to death and then hung on a cross to die, all to save us from our sin. And then, he rose from the dead in three days! No one gave up on us, no one decided to just leave us in our sin without any hope of forgiveness.
So how can we even think about running away from a situation without even trying. Just because you know where the exits are does not mean you need to use them. Let go of things in the past or present making you second guess your decisions, but do not simply give up because things get too hard or you are afraid of what may come of it. Life is going to throw you some hard balls sometimes, but you can't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. (Thank you Babe Ruth) We should know that God is with us every step of the way. He has plans for us and He is not going to let anything harm us.
So, yes, when on an airplane make sure you take the time to locate the exit nearest you. But in regular every day life try not to take it so literally and follow what God has in store for you.
"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Ephesians 4: 12-13
Thursday, February 13, 2014
I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss... and a prince I'm hoping comes with it...
This time of year, especially, it seems that is all everyone is talking about. We hear stories, know beloved fairy tales, and listen to music that portrays love. And what is that one thing that seems to conquer everything? True love.
True love's kiss is said to be the most powerful thing in the universe. Belle and the beast; Ariel and prince Eric; Prince charming and snow white; Aurora and Prince Philip. Or even Princess Mia's theory of the "foot popping" kiss. Now, maybe I watch too many fairy tale movies and read too many books on this sort of stuff but it seems pretty convincing. There is always someone doing something terrible, and once the protagonist and the hero find each other and share this special kiss, you just know. Magic covers the land and fixes everything. Every one is happy, just like that....
Yeah, news flash, I do not believe in magic and true love's kiss does not exist, at least not in the way it is portrayed by Hollywood and famous authors. But wouldn't it be nice if it did work like that? Then you would know, without a doubt in your mind, that this person you are with is the person God has made for you. Alas, it does not work like that. I understand that we all want to find our true love, get married, and ride off into the sunset together making everything perfect. (Although some people seem to skip that whole marriage part nowadays, but that is a whole other can of worms I will open another time). But, we search for it so much sometimes that we forget that God has a plan for our lives and He knows exactly who He has picked out for us to spend the rest of our lives with in marital bliss. It may not come easy and it may not come soon, but we have to remember that love is around us all of the time because God is love; and God's love is true.
"Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
God is love. He is all of those things listed in that Corinthians verse. He loves us so much that He has planned great things for our lives and they will lead us to the love we desire here on earth.
But also, every day, as you go about your relationships in your life, remember that we should not be sitting around waiting for true love to come to us like in the fairy tales, waiting for true love's kiss to come make our foot pop and send some magical spell over all of the land making everyone happy. It is just not going to happen, people. People think that they should be in love this time of year or Valentine's day will be ruined. I'm not in love. I'm still skimming the surface of what being in love even means. What if I fall in love with the wrong person? What if I think I'm in love with someone and God has a completely different person planned for me? We do not know the answers, but we just have to trust in God and His plans.
So maybe this Valentine's day, and every day, you can help bring joy to others, and yourself, with love for your neighbor, and not focus so much on making sure everything is "perfect" just for this hallmark holiday.
"As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15: 9-13
True love's kiss is said to be the most powerful thing in the universe. Belle and the beast; Ariel and prince Eric; Prince charming and snow white; Aurora and Prince Philip. Or even Princess Mia's theory of the "foot popping" kiss. Now, maybe I watch too many fairy tale movies and read too many books on this sort of stuff but it seems pretty convincing. There is always someone doing something terrible, and once the protagonist and the hero find each other and share this special kiss, you just know. Magic covers the land and fixes everything. Every one is happy, just like that....
Yeah, news flash, I do not believe in magic and true love's kiss does not exist, at least not in the way it is portrayed by Hollywood and famous authors. But wouldn't it be nice if it did work like that? Then you would know, without a doubt in your mind, that this person you are with is the person God has made for you. Alas, it does not work like that. I understand that we all want to find our true love, get married, and ride off into the sunset together making everything perfect. (Although some people seem to skip that whole marriage part nowadays, but that is a whole other can of worms I will open another time). But, we search for it so much sometimes that we forget that God has a plan for our lives and He knows exactly who He has picked out for us to spend the rest of our lives with in marital bliss. It may not come easy and it may not come soon, but we have to remember that love is around us all of the time because God is love; and God's love is true.
"Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
God is love. He is all of those things listed in that Corinthians verse. He loves us so much that He has planned great things for our lives and they will lead us to the love we desire here on earth.
But also, every day, as you go about your relationships in your life, remember that we should not be sitting around waiting for true love to come to us like in the fairy tales, waiting for true love's kiss to come make our foot pop and send some magical spell over all of the land making everyone happy. It is just not going to happen, people. People think that they should be in love this time of year or Valentine's day will be ruined. I'm not in love. I'm still skimming the surface of what being in love even means. What if I fall in love with the wrong person? What if I think I'm in love with someone and God has a completely different person planned for me? We do not know the answers, but we just have to trust in God and His plans.
So maybe this Valentine's day, and every day, you can help bring joy to others, and yourself, with love for your neighbor, and not focus so much on making sure everything is "perfect" just for this hallmark holiday.
"As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15: 9-13
Sunday, February 9, 2014
The Fear of Ridicule?... or The Ridicule of Fear?
You would think that after a few years of this blog, putting my words out there and my opinions, I would not be afraid of what people think anymore. Truth is, I am still completely terrified. I cannot even count how many pieces I have in my drafts that I have written and not posted because I am too afraid that they sound ridiculous, or unintelligent. Given that this is all behind a computer screen, I cannot see how people react to it, so that should make it easier, right? Wrong. I do not know what is the matter with me. When I started this blog I wanted a place where I could put my thoughts and words out there for others to see, and I would not have to explain myself individually to every person who asks. Some days, I want to be sad. Some days, I want some time to myself. And some days, I take those times and write out my feelings here. But as I stare at the black words on the white page, everything starts to sound stupid. My mind races, second guessing itself left and right. My fear builds up inside me, and before I know it I am nitpicking every little thing, but my selfish self is still not happy with the product. This "great" idea I had for a post crumbled and disintegrated before my eyes. All because my fear took over. I have become more prone to caring what other people think about my writings, my thoughts. And it is not even just with my blog. My relationships, my decisions, my judgments; all are clouded by this fear of ridicule, when really it is the ridicule that fear gives off which is the problem. I have become more meticulous with every aspects of my life, careful to note how it will make others feel, or how it will effect their view on me. Recently, I've stopped to ask myself... why should I care? People are going to have their opinion of me whether I like it or not. It may be good and it may be bad, but the only thing I can do is be myself, the best 'me' that I can be. Talking about certain issues, proclaiming my opinion, but not forcing it on anyone, is who I am. I am starting to realize that it is not so important what others think as long as I am standing to my moral and ethical grounds and proclaiming my faith. Some people just will not like me, and I have come to accept that. That is okay because the only person whose love I want and need is my heavenly Father's, and I know that He loves me because He has showed it by sending His son to die for my sin's. He has defeated sin, death, and the devil and kicks my fears right in the face, away from me. His is the only acceptance I need. And that thought right there is what gives me my joy in life, and the push to move forward and put my thoughts out there.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18
"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
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18
"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
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