Pursuing God's Plan

This is always the time of year that I begin to look forward to another school year with 8th grade ladies and taking them through what it mean to become God's best while we wait for our hopes and dreams. This year, I'm working towards making it a little more practical and applicable by talking about what it looks like to pursue God like we would an achievement, or a goal, or a job, or a guy...
My inspirations have come from the book "Lady in Waiting" by Jackie Kendall & Debby Jones over the last several years of presenting these concepts to our ladies. This book changed my entire perspective on what it means to actively pursue God before anything else. That, along with some experiences that changed my views on this world and who I am.

As I look forward to another year and another awesome crew of 8th grade ladies, I want to make that question real to you. Whether you are in 8th grade or still sitting around, waiting for happiness to find you. What would it seriously look like if you pursued God like you would a man? Or what would it look like if you seriously pursued God like you would a dream career? Or an achievement that you have been working so hard for?

The book covers 10 characters of being a "Lady in Waiting". I recently found a parent's edition of this book that outlines how to take your gal through the Lady in Waiting book, and one of the quotes that hit me hardest and made me realize just how vital this process is is this:

"The safest place for your girl to be is the place where she is more concerned about what God thinks than what anybody else things - possibly including even her parents who may have dreams for her that God never dreamed."

I think that we battle what our daughters think so much, that we forget that our plans for them may not completely align with what God's plans are. This can be hard...especially if He is sending them overseas to dangerous places to proclaim His good news! What if she moved there?

If you don't have daughters, think about you. What if what you are trying to plan for your life isn't what God is? You'll be left beating your head on a wall until you finally pursue Him and His way for you. I can guarantee that His plan is greater, safer, better, and much more satisfying.

So pursue God with all out heart and mind. We'll be talking about what this looks like throughout the weeks. For now, just look at what you are trying to plan for your life and ask if it is really working out for what God wants for your life. Are you asking God "What are YOUR plans for me?" or are you telling God "Hey God, I have this plan that I would love that You got on board with." Make sure it is His plan you are pursuing.

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Worry-Free Valentine's

Valentine's Day. Love it. Hate it. Indifferent to it. Whatever your feelings are on it, one thing is for sure - it can raise a lot of stress for people, whether they are single, dating or married. Let me offer a perspective for you ladies.

Check out the verse above. Have you heard it? Read it? Ok, read it again, like you mean it.

Got it? Good.

This is a verse that was presented to me and had that "aha!" moment when I was facing a very dark time in my life. I didn't know what the future would bring, and yes, ladies, I was already married. Even after Mr. Right enters your life, it is still filled with unknowns and challenges. Sometimes even tougher challenges than when you were single.
It is quite incredible how many ladies think they need a man in their life to "complete" them. I used to be in this boat. I would mourn every Valentine's Day and mope and whine with my other single friends. It wasn't until probably the year I met my husband that I just looked at Valentine's as another day, and stopped worrying about the "other half" I may or may not have had wondering around out there. Once I gained this attitude (and REALLY gained it), God provided me with what I needed. He needed me to just LET GO. When I let go of what I want, it allows Him to show me what I truly need. Why did I gain this attitude? Well, the verse above was a lot of it.

I am stronger than a circumstance, and so are you. Whether your circumstance be the possibility of a single future (which is NOT bad - whole other discussion), or it be facing the unknowns in health.

I am strong because I have Christ, not because I have a man. I have dignity and will NOT mope about my circumstance, but laugh because God has amazing plans for me! (Jeremiah 29:11)

I will not worry about the future because God tells me to only worry about TODAY and to take it one day at a time. (Matthew 6:34)

I love Proverbs 31:5 because it is part of a Proverbs 31 woman. It is the woman God wants me to be, but it is a choice I must make every day. Though I have the days of moping and whining about circumstances, this verse is a hearty reminder that I am more than a circumstance, and a circumstance does not define me. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Enjoy your life, no matter your circumstance. Nothing on this earth matters as much as He. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 24 - My Husband

 

Today I'm thankful for my husband.

This post could go on and on because that's just how amazing my husband is. Such a hard-worker, and such a wonderful leader to me. It is so hard to only see him like 2 hours a day, but I know he is working hard and that we'll cherish times together more.  He picks me up when I'm feeling defeated and reminds me to keep relying on the Lord.
So today, I dedicate to the love of my life. <3 Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 23 - My Faith

 

Today I'm thankful for my faith.

In a world full of scary twists and turns, and people...I know I can always rely on God to carry me through those overwhelming times in my life. I don't know where I'd be without my faith and without the power of prayer. He is amazing. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 22 - The Word "NO"

Today I'm thankful for the word "no". 

Sounds like a funny thing to be thankful for, but yes, I am thankful for it today. As we enter a season of non-stop dances, musicals, parties, shopping trips, programs, church events, and other random life activities, I'm so happy for my ability to just say "no". This is a secretary's magic word. If only I could exercise it a little more... Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 21 - Hot Showers

Today I am thankful for hot showers.

After spending time in the Dominican Republic, I've come to find a new appreciation for hot showers. Though taking a cold shower after working in 90+ degree heat all day (usually +), a cold shower might sound quite nice, but it sure takes your breath away! Here, a hot shower is quite soothing after coming in from a cold day! Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 20- GEMS

 Today I'm thankful for GEMS.

Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior - a program we hold from girls 1st-8th grades. Tonight, we reached 76 girls - our high of the whole year! This program not only reaches out to the girls of our church, but to the girls of our community! Only about 30% probably attend our church, the rest come with friends or by word of mouth. It is a good reminder of just how important our children's programs are in the church, and I am grateful we have had such success in it this year! Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 19 - Medical Technology

 

Today I'm thankful for medical technology.

This may sound like the dorkiest post ever, but really, I am so grateful that God has provided us with the medical advances He's provided. Without them, I'm not sure where I'd be, probably not around. And we got to use it today to see our baby in 3D! It is quite amazing, and today, I appreciate it greatly. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 18 - Friends

 

Today I'm thankful for friends.

As you may or may not have noticed, I haven't touched on the obvious gratitudes (friends, family, etc.) quite yet, but you all know I need to get there. So today is dedicated to friends. Today was a great day for being reminded of how needed they are in my life. From those praying for me to the ladies that just give me that much-needed night out, I'm grateful for you all! Thanks for being in my life! Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 17 - Football

 

 Today I'm thankful for football. Yes, football. 

Though this post totally makes me sound like a shallow dude, I can't tell you how relaxing it is to curl up on the couch after an early morning at church with pouring, stormy rain outside and just let the football games roll. No efforts on my end. No having to think about anything. Just the white noise of the crowd and commentators. Go Bears. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 16 - A Day to Myself

 

Today I'm thankful for a day to myself. 

It was nice to have a day home alone to just clean, continue unpacking and organizing and to just do what I needed to do without distractions of work and people. Though I missed my husband quite a bit, I do feel accomplished too. =) Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 15 - Pumpkin Pie

 

Today I'm thankful for pumpkin pie. 

'Nuff said. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 14 - My Ridiculous Pets

 

Today I'm thankful for my ridiculous pets.

I have a dog who is loyal and can be the biggest coward in the world, and a cat that is braver than he ever should be, yet is very skittish when unknown people come into his territory. They wrestle and usually the cat wins. Yet, they provide us with hours of entertainment and laughs. Sometimes, they leave us with multiple frustrations, but we love them regardless. So, today is to Inge the cat, and Naomi the dog. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 13 - Our Jobs

 

Today I'm thankful for our jobs. 

I'm so thankful that we have steady income, and though it is tight at times, we are always taken care of. I'm glad to work in a church with great people and wonderful coworkers, that make my job more than just a job. Though it's not every little girls' dream to be a secretary, I must say, I'm quite blessed to be where God has landed me. It is certainly a job that provides in more ways than one. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 12 - The Power of Prayer

 

Today I'm thankful for the power of prayer. 

After a day like yesterday, and because of the path of uncertainty I walk, I am so thankful for the power of prayer. Because of it, I walk with faith and support, knowing that God hears them, and I can take comfort in knowing He has a plan. I've seen His incredible work thus far in my life, and I know His will for me is where I am now. So I thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn't do it without them! Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 11 - Warmth

Today I'm thankful for warmth. 

After a snowy, cold, windy day I must say that today it is good to be warm. Changing the church sign today without gloves was rough, and I'll have to get a pair to keep from now on at church. After that, I can't take warmth for granted. Today goes out to all things warm. Heaters, fires, hot chocolate...whatever. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 10 - Church Family

Today I'm thankful for my church family.

Like any family, there are the flaws, the conflicts, and the moments that make you go "awe", but that is life together. God has set me in a place with loving people who encourage and show me that it's ok to have flaws in this world, yet to experience the grace of God together and worship side by side. So I dedicate today to that. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 9 - A Child

Today, I'm thankful for a child.

I never thought I'd ever have the opportunity to give a child to my one day husband. And now that I've been married to a wonderful man (another story for another day), and God has blessed us with this pregnancy, I can't even express how grateful I am to have what I do in being a mother at only 20 week of being pregnant. So today, I express a strong gratitude to that and the Lord's provision in this way. Pin It

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 8 - My Brother

 

Today I'm thankful for my brother.

It is my brother's birthday today! Thus, I'm dedicating this day to him. We've been through the typical childhood and teenage years of angst with each other. (We are 18 months apart). I'm thankful for the laughs and the years of growing up together. I wouldn't be the same person without him as my brother.

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30 Days of Gratitude: Day 7 - Music

Today I'm thankful for music.

I love to listen to it, play it, and worship my God with it. I admire artists who use their music to express raw, undeniable faith. Today, one of my favorite artists put out a new CD. One of my very favorites is Lecrae. He makes it real and could care less what others think of his faith. This is the kind of music that empowers and inspires. So I'm thankful for music, and today, I send a special shout out to Lecrae. Pin It