Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough

Since my last post I have returned to Cedarville after a long and relaxing break at home. It's sooooo nice to be back with all of my friends here and to get a fresh start with all new classes. But, the second my dad left after dropping me off I already missed everything about being at home. Each day that I'm here something always happens, or something someone says reminds me of home and how badly I wish I were there. Don't get me wrong I LOVE school and almost everything about it, but when you've been blessed with a family like I have, and a group of some of the best friends a girl could ask for it's hard not to miss it.

 Something I have been working on lately is just reminding myself that even though I miss home there are soooooo many beautiful things to be thankful for while I am away at school. I've been challenging myself throughout the day to take a few moments and just thank God for the countless ways in which He has blessed me here at Cedarville.  And also, for the specific things and people I am thankful for back home. I never gave it much thought till lately, but I’m sure there are numerous people here on campus that hate going home whether for family issues or for some other reason and would just prefer to stay on campus. So actually, the fact that I miss home IS something to be thankful for. Why should I be sad when God has blessed me with a family at home, but has also created a family for me here at school?

One of my new favorite quotes that I recently came across is "Gratitude turns what we have into enough". This is becoming more and more real to me recently. It is easy to think about all the things we wish we had, all the things we wish we were doing, all the people we wish we could be with and so on. And when we think about such things it’s easy to feel depressed and often times lonely. But when we actually take time to thank God for what we do have and for the people he has blessed us with it really does turn what we do have into ENOUGH. As cliché as it sounds it’s true. I will continue to thank God every day of my life, for everything I have is a blessing from Him.  And even if every “good” thing I have were taken away, God is ENOUGH and that is enough of a reason to be continually thankful.

“Therefore let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:28-29

Embracing Emotions

Over the past couple of months I’ve been contemplating whether or not I would enjoy blogging, and I figure the only way to find out is to give it a try!

 Since starting college this fall God has been challenging me more than ever. The transition to college has been a phase of great change, but also a phase of much growth.

Throughout this recent learning process I’ve kept a lot of what I’ve been going through to myself. Journaling has been a great way for me to release my emotions, thoughts, and frustrations. But something I struggle with is admitting that I CANNOT go through life alone. Sure, I can write about my issues all I want and although it provides temporary relief it won’t solve anything. Its a pride issue buried in my heart that tricks me into thinking that I can conquer struggles and sin on my own. With out help from others and sometimes even without help from God. As if I am some how strong enough to STAND up to the devil when I’m constantly BOWING to his lies.

 Hopefully this blogging thing will teach me to be vulnerable and will continually challenge me to be open and let people know the truth about what I’m feeling. Lots of people, myself included, think that in order to be strong we have to mask our emotions, act like they don't exist, and put on a front like we have everything together. When in reality there is no strength in that at all. It is not hard to run away. Any one can hide from their emotions, but the real strength and courage is in admitting weakness, embracing our emotions, and admitting we need help. We are broken, weak people whose actions are often dictated but our ever-changing emotions. But we have a god who is a rock and is always firm in his ways. Even though we tend to avoid the messes we create for ourselves, God loves our mess, he wants to be involved in our mess, and he is there to help us clean it up. If only we’d stop hoarding pride and bitterness and hand over the broom and let Him use it to sweep away the old and reveal the new and beautiful buried underneath. Beauty is everywhere; commonly lost under piles of clutter just waiting to be found. But when it is found, what hope and joy it provides!

“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up speedily;

your righteousness shall go before you;

the glory of the LORD shall be your guard.”

Isaiah 58:8


- Liv