Finding Less of Me

Today I had an epiphany while walking to class. Simply stated: I hate paths... which is weird, because I love structure . But actual sidewalks that tell you where to walk... I hate them. If there's a way to cut through and take a short cut through the grass, I do. And I'm constantly making my own paths. Now, when I realized today that I was straying away from every sidewalk I encountered, I started to think about it as a metaphor for my life because I don't always stay on the straight and narrow path.. sometimes I do stray. And I'm not afraid to admit this because this blog is not to show how great and wonderful my life is... its to show you that my life is real and I encounter struggles every day just like the average person.  And not only does it talk about struggles I face, but it shows how I deal with the things I face, and it's supposed to help you see that there's good in everything.. even  crumby situations. But back to my sidewalk dile...

So, I’ve been talking for weeks about starting a workout routine. The days are getting longer, the wedding is getting closer, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt me to tone up a fudge. However, working out is the LAST thing I want to do when I get off work or get home from school. I’m usually on my feet for part of the day and sitting down working for the rest of the day. If I’m not physically exhausted when I get home, then I am, most certainly, mentally exhausted. But God put me to the test today. After a long day at school and a mentally stressful exam I was on my way to my car (happy as a clam). As I was walking my normal route back to my car I noticed a bunch of orange netting blocking off the short cut I usually take. “Are you kidding me?” I said to myself as I shruggishly stopped in my steps and sighed heavily. As I stood there, I was instantly overwhelmed with irritation and annoyance. I, then, redirected my path to the “long way home”… (or back to my car). But as I bega...

Today was not the best day for me. But everybody has bad days, right? Everybody, at some point or another, gets yelled at, screamed at, or had someone really upset with them for reasons beyond their control. Or maybe something happens in your family that just devastates you. Maybe your personal relationships aren't working out the way you want them to, or maybe there is so much stress floating around you that you can barely come up for air. I'm there. Stressed out, ready to cry, feeling as though I might break at any moment... I'm there. Is there anything that can make this day better, is there anything that can turn it all around? Of course there is. First, I think it's important to remember that you don't know what's going on in other people's lives. If someone is taking their anger out on you, try to remember that it might have nothing to do with you. God tells us in James 1:19 "My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Ever...

Marriage, marriage, marriage.... Who isn't getting married? It seems like every time I sign into my facebook account, someone else is engaged, someone else has set a date, someone else has a beautiful ring on their left hand, and not that it's a bad thing - but is it the right thing? For me, marriage is something very sacred and I pray every day for God to prepare me and guide me into my marriage. But I was finding that through all my wedding plans, I was forgetting the most important part - God. How could I forget someone so sovereign, gracious, loving, and the one person that has led me up to this point in my life? Frantically, I hit my favorite calming location - Barnes and Noble. I began searching the shelves for answers, something to help me figure out why my perfect wedding plans weren't working out the way I felt they should. And if you haven't been to Barnes and Noble to look at their wedding section - it's unreal. There are books about wedding etiquet...

A few days ago, I found myself at school walking beside the side walk in the grass. I felt as if my human body did not fit on the side walk where my peers were. I saw people strutting, biking, talking on their cell phones, and then, there I was, walking in the grass alone. I felt as if I did not belong. I felt out of place. My body was not where theirs was, nor was my mind. My thoughts and feelings were different and I felt as though I was not of this world. Why is that? The same day, later on, I found myself passing a Bible, that had sat in my glove compartment for years, through my half-cracked window to a man holding a sign that said "homeless, need work, God bless." He had to have known who God was, but maybe there were stories inside that book that he was not familiar with - the book of perfect love, the book of poems, the book of heart-ache, hard times and pain, the book of ultimate sacrifice. A book that might help him get through each day a little easier. And as I...

With everything changing in my life, I am constantly thinking of ways to better the life I have and the life I am going to have. I've talked with several of my friends about the different problems I encounter along the way and appreciate their advice when they give it. I try to be open with the things I am struggling/dealing with, because when it comes down to it - it's better to just be flat out HONEST! One thing that has been laid heavy on my heart is marriage. I feel that it is approaching fast and while I love Justin with every ounce of my being and am completely ready to jump into this adventure, I want to make sure that I am prepared to be his wife the way that God intended me to be. In my process of thinking, I decided there would be no better advice than God's advice, so I turned to the Bible for answers. Of course the first and foremost verse I turned to was Proverbs 31. Specifically verses 10-31. I'll make sure to post the verse below, but for now, I won...

In entering this new year, I thought it would be good to start on a good note. So, I flipped my radio to K Love and immediately, I heard them talking about a 30 day challenge. The 30 day challenge consists of just listening to K Love for 30 days. Sounds simple enough! So I decided to try it. I've been listening to K Love now for close to 10 days (I don't drive EVERY day and when I'm home I don't listen to the radio) but it really has helped me to have a positive outlook on life. It's very uplifting and it seems like theres always a song on the radio that hits me right when I need it. When I was listening today they had a verse of the day. It was Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In entering this new year, I know personally a lot of things in my life are changing and at times it can be overwhelming. But it's so amazing to get re...