The Acorn and the Tree

Tonight at Epic Life, Sean Lawrence spoke about patterns. Specifically, about breaking patterns. He emphasized the importance of noticing patterns and understanding why we do the things we do.

This topic reminded me of something that had been heavy on my heart and mind a while ago, but somehow was forgotten in the shuffle of life. Tonight was like an alarm on your cell phone reminding you where you're supposed to be in fifteen minutes. It was God saying, "Pay attention to this. This is important. Listen, and let this be processed."

Many of our patterns are learned. These include thought patterns, behavior patterns...They are not all negative, either - we can learn patterns of maintaining good dental hygiene or showing up on time for class. Many of our patterns come from the people we spend the most time surrounded by, the people who pour into us the most. The people we look up to.

We've all heard the saying, "The acorn didn't fall far from the tree." I had a new perspective on this cliche tonight. It is good that the acorn didn't fall too far from the tree. We don't want to lose the many wonderful, timeless, positive things that can be passed down to us by family or other close relationships. But it is also very important that the acorn does indeed fall. We can't continue old cycles. We must become the new creations that God set us apart to be when He created us. We have to shed what should be left in previous generations in order for a new generation to take root.

A Midsummer Storm

I planned on saving more money this summer. I planned on being at my current job for the next two years. I planned on being ready to move into a new place right about now.

Instead, I lived on a tight budget to pay the ridiculous student fees for a summer class (and accrued a good chunk of debt to my parents for the class’ tuition). I have no idea what my job situation will be in a month. Each day at the office I’m made more aware of the uncertainty rather than guided by helpful information. It’s hard to sign a lease without any potential roommates and the possibility of not having a job soon, so the prospect of moving back to my parents’ house in my hometown once again looms in the distance.

“Well, at least you just did this whole thing a couple months ago so you’re used to it!” someone chidingly encouraged me.

It’s true. My life in January was a less comfortable version of my life today. Circumstances are similar, but I learned how strong I was when I activated Christ’s power in me. I saw Him carry me through the storm, blessing me the whole way. That storm was full of downpour, lightning, and thunder…that’s why this one is just a mild sprinkle. The same questions have not weighed on my mind this time because they’ve already been answered.

Though I would say that my body is exhibiting some symptoms of stress, my spirit is still and peaceful. That’s why it’s good to go through life’s storms. Because there’s always a storm in the distance, and you’ll know how be more still the next time.

Beautiful Truth

I wrote this last Thursday, July 5th...

This morning I read Psalm 72. Here are some things about God in this text:

God wants rulers/leaders to be just and righteous.

God cares for the poor, oppressed, weak, and needy.

God helps us know how to treat people.

God is worthy of fear.

God does wonderful things

God is glorious and worthy of praise forever.

These are only some of the beautiful truths about you, God. You are so wonderful and worthy of praise. You are ever molding the hearts of your children and revealing yourself to us. It is only because of you that I have life. Every good thing in my life is from you and belongs to you, Lord. You are worthy of more praise than this. You are worthy! Your name brings me gladness because in you I find identity, peace, hope, friendship, romance, counseling, laughter, strength, and wisdom. I wake up knowing that each day is an opportunity to be with you. I go to sleep knowing that every moment to come is protected by you. You are my Everlasting Lord.

Thank You for Being.

Thank you for being in Guatemala.  Thank you for providing money for ministry there.  Thank you for changing the hearts of Guatemalans, drawing them close to you and for the ways they will experience Your Presence.
 Thank you for being in the Middle East.  Thank you for protecting the people there.  Thank you for peace.  Thank you for colorful, joyful lives, for smiles, for faith, and for friendship.
Thank you for being in Panama.  Thank you for being on Grandpa's land and in his house.  Thank you for blessing that place and the generations that will reside there in the future.
Thank you for already being in North Carolina.  Thank you for a job and a paycheck, a house, and friends.  Thank you for a new season.
Thank you for being in Santa Cruz.  Thank you for a place to live and a summer of pursuing passion.  Thank you for laughter, sunshine, dancing, and playing.  Thank you for confidence.
Thank you for being in Texas.  Thank you for peace and patience.  Thank you for guidance.  Thank you for discernment and wisdom.  Thank you for fulfillment.  Thank you for new experiences, and for cherished memories.
Thank you for being in Chico.  Thank you for new-found love.  Thank you for hope.  Thank you for understanding.  Thank you for grace to be experienced.  Thank you for identity.  Thank you for open arms.
Thank you for being in Sacramento.  Thank you for growth.  Thank you for victory.  Thank you for purpose.  Thank you for strength and power. Thank you for perseverance.  Thank you for trust.

Thankful Thursday

Part of devoting myself to prayer with an alert mind means opening my eyes to all I have to be thankful for.  When I pay attention I realize that God not only provides my needs, he provides my wants as well!

Things I've been thankful for in the past week:
1. A plane ticket to visit Kimmy Sue at the end of May!
2. A lunchtime visit with a friend
3. Great revelation/breakthrough from God
4. Encouragement from a beautiful sister in Christ
5. Thrifty's ice cream
6. Days spent at the park
7. Shady parking spots
8. Friends who take care of your phone when you leave it their house for 2 days
9. Baptisms!
10. Kayaking on the Consumnes River (upstream both ways :-/ )
11. Opportunities and opening doors
12. Psalm 57
13. Good conversations with good people
14. Delicious skillet potatoes and turkey sausage for under $2
15. A job for a friend
16. Soft pretzels
17. My parents
18. Morning-time prayers

When Opportunity Knocks!

You know that feeling you get when you're on the brink of something amazing?  That's me today!  God has recently been opening my eyes to how deeply passionate I am about certain things.  Dancing and writing are no longer simply things I like; it's becoming impossible not to devote time to them. I have always known I liked this stuff, but I'm now realizing that these passions were planted in my heart by God for specific reasons.  I don't know what those reasons are yet, but things are about to happen.  There are some really amazing opportunities just past the tips of my fingers.  Mark my words - this is going to be the summer of opening doors!

It's becoming more and more apparent that God delights in giving me the desires of my heart.  I line up my heart with His, He plants the desires, and then I get to watch them blossom as He fulfills them!

Date Day!

I remember my mother telling me about a relationship she had before she met my dad.  She dated this guy for a couple years, but after a while she found they were in a particular mundane routine.  She would get off work, go to his house, and they would just watch TV.  Blah.  She said to me, "At a certain point, I just realized that I didn't want to sit on the couch eating popcorn and watching TV for the rest of my life."

My time with God has become a little routine lately.  Also, I've just finished my third week at my new job.  When I was unemployed, I had so much time to just get up in the morning, make coffee, and spend as long as I wanted sitting at the kitchen table with God.  In the midst of adjusting to my new schedule, things have felt crazy and I found myself fitting God in whenever I found limited time to do so.  Last week I decided to set this Monday afternoon aside to just be with God.  Even though my to-do list has eighteen unfinished items on it (plus a few more floating in my head), I gave this afternoon to God.  Instead of fitting Him in, everything else is going to fit around Him for a change.  He's the center.  No plans, just open-ended time

It's been beautiful.  Perfect.  I can't imagine it being better.  This day has been full of worship, open-hearted communication, reassurance, and peace.  In order for God to respond to the many things on my mind, I had to give Him the time to speak.  As I made some big requests of my Lord, He took my vulnerability and changed it into confidence.