Constant

This word "constant" keeps repeating itself in my mind and in my heart this afternoon. I'm sitting at a table under an oning at the lake and it is raining. It's not pouring, but it's a constant, steady rain. The lake is peaceful today. Everything here is still and quiet. The sky gray and the air is cool, but with no breeze, just the stillness and quiet trickle of raindrops.

My hear needed to be here this afternoon. I needed this stillness and tranquility. School is wonderful and I truly love it. And for anyone who knows me well, you know I love to go, go, go, and keep going till I drop! But every now and then, I need to stop and just breathe.

Sitting here listening to the rain and my ipod quietly playing a few of my favorite worship songs has been a blessing and encouragement. The song "Constant" by Charlie Hall just finished playing. The lyrics say,

Just like the sunshine, you have been our light

Leading us into beautiful places

And we've walked through fire but You made us brighter
Leading us into beautiful places

Faithful Jesus, healing Savior

Compass center, bread of life

Faithful Jesus, cherished treasure

Our portion, wisdom, God's great light

Just like the starlight You shine in the black night

Leading us into beautiful places

Just like the atmosphere You've come to surround us here

Leading us into beautiful places

Faithful Jesus, healing Savior

Compass center, bread of life
Faithful Jesus, cherished treasure

Our portion, wisdom, God's great light

God, You are here with us, constantly here with us

You are our everything, faithful and true

God, You are here with us, constantly here with us

You are our everything, faithful and true

It was a sweet reminder that Jesus is with us in everything. He is walking through life with me, holding my hand, and carrying me when I fall. He is faithful and true. It was a blessing to be reminded this afternoon that as constant as this rain is that is falling from the sky, so is my God! Thank you Precious Father!

Always Faithful

This morning I opened my devotional book and this is what I read...

"The morning watch is essential. You must not face the day until you have faced God, nor look into the face of others until you have looked into His.

You cannot expect to be victorious if the day begins only in your own strength. Face the work of every day with your heart and God. Do not meet other people, even those of your own home, until you have first met the great Guest and honored Companion of your life--Jesus Christ.

Meet Him alone. Meet Him regularly. Meet Him with His open Book of counsel before you; and face the regular and irregular duties of each day with the influence of His personality definitely controlling your every act."

Wow! Good thing I've been trying to fix every problem and conquer every mountain on my own weak strength! Hmm...kinda explains why I've been FAILING!!! Gosh, God is SO good to smack me in the face and say "Hey! I've been trying to tell you this all along...but you aren't listening so I guess I'll just have to show you!" And yep..He showed me! He knows just what I need and He is always faithful to bring it into my life right when I need it.

I have been reminded this morning of God's faithfulness. That word......FAITHFUL....just keeps being laid on my heart. Even when I am not, He is. He never stops pursuing me even when I stop pursing Him. He never stops loving me, even when I stop loving Him. He is always faithful. I have never left His hand. I may not have remembered it, but He's been holding me all along. Today is a new day. Today is the beginning of a new week. And I will conquer it, not because I am strong, but because He who lives in me is strong!

Just Passing Through...

A few days ago I was driving to the next place on my list of places to go for the day, I was just going through my day doing my list of things to do and floating through life without really thinking...just going...as usual.

Then I came to a stop light....

As I was sitting there watching the cars go through the intersection and pass me by I was overwhelmed with the realization of how big the world is. I am one person. With one agenda. Living one life. But all around me there are other people doing the same. The guy in the red four door Ford F-150 was one person, with one agenda, living one life. The mom with the two kids in the white Honda CR-V was one person, with one (or maybe a few) agenda(s), living one life. The teenage boy in the black Ford Mustang was one boy, with one agenda, living one life.

I'm sure you're thinking, "Wow, Katie....You're a smart one. Glad you caught on to that..." I realize it seems so simple. Duhh...we are all living life. We all have things to do and places to be. But for some reason, as I sat there, God used that still moment to quiet my mind and just give me this awakening that, "Hey Katie...there's more to life than just YOU! I have plans for every person on this earth. I have a purpose for everyone here. Together you are all a part of my world and what I have created. There is such a bigger picture than just you and you're missing it."

Gosh..it seems so simple, but how often do I forget this? I seem to think that life revolves around me. But it doesn't.

I feel the Lord challenging me to search deeper...to seek Him...to look for opportunities to help or encourage others....to look beyond myself...and to pursue life passionately. I'm tired of just passing through. I don't want to leave this earth and not be remembered. I want to make a difference. Not for my name but for His. This has really been on my heart and my prayer is that I God will give me wisdom to know when and where He wants me to be, eyes to see those who I need to come in contact with, ears to hear His voice, words to encourage, and the strength and desires to follow through.

Life is short.

We aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

Your next breath could be your last.

Love deeply and live passionately.

Chacos and Headbands

It's funny that my last post was about "the simple things" in life because that's what I was about to post about this morning! Recently I've been all about dressing up at school...I guess I decided it's my junior year and it's time to start dressing more like a put together adult and less like a sloppy student? lol. Anyway...it's been fun, but this morning I woke up and decided it was a Chaco kinda day! :) So I'm wearing shorts, a t-shirt, Chacos, and a homemade braided headband: perfection. This is what I love. It seems so simple and maybe even stupid that what I'm wearing makes me so happy, and honestly it's kinda weird to me because I'm not really the kind of person that cares about what I look like all the time! But I find so much joy in the little things. Chacos remind me of camp....that means every time I look down at my feet (which happens a lot considering my shoe obsession! lol.) I think of the kids and summer and all the fun times we had and sweet memories we made. I absolutely love it!

This morning I have been reminded that Jesus is faithful. He is good and merciful. This is the day that He has made!!! It's HIS day and I want to choose to live it with a joyful spirit! :) I don't really have any reason for this joy inside of my heart other than the Holy Spirit living inside of me, but I wanted to share it with you all! Hope you're having a great day! :) Smileeeeee!