Learning to Trust Him

Learning to trust Him when you don't know the reasons, when you don't understand why.

Learning to trust Him when something seems inconvenient, when it doesn't seem necessary.

Learning to trust Him when your earthly life seems short, and you cannot grasp eternity.

Learning to trust Him when life is so sweet, and you want to depend on Him through the easy times, too.

Learning to trust Him when He is pruning you, and even though it's difficult, you know that He is doing it for your good.

Living by Grace

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; 

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

Then said I:

"Ah, Lord GOD!

Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."

But the LORD said to me:

"Do not say, 'I am a youth,'

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.

 Jeremiah 1:4-8

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers 

in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

We are called to obedience and commanded not to fear. Our youth is not something to be despised or looked down upon. We are to be an example: speaking wisely, living purely, loving sincerely. Our attitudes, actions, and dependence on Christ should be an encouragement to the believers in our lives and spur them on to pursue God more passionately themselves.

I want to live this way. And my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Honestly, it is by God's grace alone that I grow closer to Him and become a little more like Him. May all the glory be given to Him for the work He does in and through us!

Tasty, Shocking, Beautiful, Exciting, & Unexpected

Tasty: eating homemade peach pie for breakfast.

Shocking: when you're talking with an elderly lady and as you visit, she refers to your younger brother as your son. And you find yourself a little distracted throughout the rest of the conversation thinking, "Did that just happen? I thought I looked young!"

Beautiful: watching a gorgeous bride beam on her wedding day.

Exciting: receiving a long, hand-written letter in the mail from your dear friend who lives halfway across the country.

Unexpected: when the nine-year-old boy you babysit asks you out of the blue, "So, do you have any plans? Are you gonna get married?"

On Prayer

I want to pray about everything. I want to bring every desire, every choice, every part of my day to Jesus' feet in prayer. I could never pray too much. And He doesn't grow weary, even if I should pray one thousand prayers a day. I want to be in continual fellowship with Him--both in a time of quiet stillness set apart for just us, and also during the chaotic and noisy moments of the day.

What a privilege it is to pray! We can pray at any time and any place. It is so encouraging to see God use prayer to strengthen our dependence on Him and draw us nearer to Him. There is nothing sweeter than having a close relationship with the Lord.

Because He Is Trustworthy

Trusting the Lord is a constant theme in my life. Sometimes it's difficult to trust Him, but what is more important?

And I wonder why it is so hard, when He has never failed me? Why would I doubt His goodness? He has been faithful from eternity past, and that faithfulness is not about to end.

His plans are much better than my own. His pruning in my life is for my good. His timing is flawless. His grace is measureless.

I need to remember that I don't see the whole picture, but my Heavenly Father does. I may not understand everything that is going on right now, but God is completely in control. The same One who is the Author of history loves me far more than anyone on earth does. And so I must cling to that love, and just trust Him.

A Wedding

Last weekend, I helped video the wedding of a sweet couple from church. Although taking video was my focus, I just had to take some pictures, too. [And the official photographer encouraged it. =)] Here are a few of them.

I was so blessed to be a part of their day! It was very encouraging to see their focus on the gospel and their desire to honor the Lord. I'm praying that God will bless them immensely and give them a strong marriage as they now live for Him as husband and wife.