Seasons.

Life is changing now. In two days i will be headed off into the vast unknown to a life drastically different than mine has been these past two years. I am trading the familiar for the unknown, friends for family, independence for cohabitation, mountains for ocean. I am nervous, excited, totally pumped and then 5 minutes later hiding under a tree trying to belnd into the scenery. Haha oh dear! But God is in control. I want to follow Him wherever that may be. Here goes!

Mutual Encouragement.

I love Sundays. There is nothing more refreshing than being with others who adore the same God as you do. All week long i am bombarded with distractions, lured by temptations, confused, persecuted, and overwhelmed. Sundays i can walk in the door and see my family who have, all had a week similar to mine. We have all had the same struggles, fears, and battles. And then we can unite and strengthen one another, encourage, love on, pray with, and carry each others burdens. And after we have built one another up, we Worship. It is pure bliss. I love it. I can walk in with the heaviest heart and leave it there. I walk in wearing my armor of God that has been shot at all week and have it sharpened by my fellow soldiers. How amazing! How great is my God.

Joy beyond Understanding,

Lately God has flooded me with this unexplainable joy. Especially with His word. I have read the bible so many times, but never like i have now. All of the trials, pain, suffering and deep, raw emotions over this past year have given me a whole new love and perspective when i read it. I never grasped the Psalms until i myself, like David was in the pit of my despair. I never truly felt Jeremiah's ache and grief until i myself ached over loved ones unrepentance. I never got the big deal about grace until i was shown the depth of my sin and desperation. This year has been incredibly painful, yet incredibly growing. I read the scriptures now and understand why i need to memorize them. My bible has become my most treasured and prized possession. I love to read it constantly. Time on my knees whether in praise or pain is always sweet. What an amazing God! What amazing grace!

Bad Days.

I know bad days seem like a strange thing to be thankful for, but i am. Today was the most busy, awful day at work ever. I was stressed to almost a breaking point and i couldn't get off fast enough. On the way home i was listening to some really good Christian music and i first felt it; that ache to sit at my Daddy's feet. I literally couldn't get home fast enough so that i could rest at His feet for a few minutes. There are lots of times that i like spending time with Him, but today was more than want. It was raw need; desperation. I HAD to be with Him or i was going to fall to pieces. So, if it takes stressful days, painful circumstances, and brokenness to want and need Him more, bring it.

Fellow Saints.

Church was amazing again today. At the end of the service a young girl named Joanna goes up to Pastor Paul and tells hims she has been having headaches and doesn't know why, and would the church pray for her. Well Paul invites any members of the church who would like to, to come pray with Joanna at the altar. A few minutes later i lift my head while Paul is praying and I am in awe to see almost the entire congregation including the whole youth group and most of the balcony kneeling side by side all around this young girl who was perhaps 8 or 9 and praying. It brought tears to me eyes to see the saints kneeling, lifting up petitions on behalf of each other. That's true church right there. I am blessed.

God's Word.

The bible has been straight up legit lately. I have been reading Romans and Hebrews which are now two of my favorite books now. They are packed with encouragement, Christian examples, promises and hope. Today i was reading Hebrews and chapter 12 talks about how we must throw off all weight and sin which clings to us. That got me to thinking. I feel so sluggish, tired, and weary sometimes. Hebrews was pretty clear why. I need to get rid of the sin in my life, the rituals, the distractions and keep my eyes heavenward. No wonder we are so useless as Christians often. We are so burdened by things that we have no energy to run the race we have been called to. Step up Christians! We are running the race, not of a lifetime, but an eternity. Let's get moving!

His Faithfulness.

I was lonely this evening. I was sitting on the floor of the bookstore not able to settle on anything in particular and thinking about how sad i was feeling. Normally the routine would be to repeat this activity all evening, however tonight i felt something drawing me to God's presence and promises. He said "Callie look at Me." One look is all it took for me to know that nothing else would ever satisfy. He whispers His love to me constantly and walking outside just a few minutes later i saw the most beautiful(in a very modest way) sunset. The sky wasn't a sunburst of bright reds and pinks and oranges. The sun was making its way slowly down and was a very bright, glowy yellow that was just far enough away that i could look at it directly without seeing black spots. I stood and stared at it breathlessly for untold minutes, almost in tears at the gift God has generously given me. Needless to say my heart was soothed. He is good.