Everyday Insights and Real Life Stories

It has been four days since my parents waved goodbye, leaving me at college to make my own friends, my own choices, and my own mistakes. It was an emotional experience, but also a very exciting one. I love both of my parents dearly, but all through my childhood I have always been a daddy's girl. About a week before I was to leave, my father asked me a question with brimming eyes, "Are you going to miss me?" It really struck me because I have rarely seen my father cry, and it reminded me of how much he really loves me. This got me thinking about  how God is in our lives. He loves us, He trains us, and then He sends us out into the world to fulfill His purpose and, I can imagine, that is very emotional for our loving, protective Father. Obviously, my dad is and never has been a perfect representation of God's love for us. He's human and I would never expect him to be. However, by watching my daddy interact with my older siblings and I, I have learned a lot about ...

Isaiah 61:3 "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord  for the display of his splendor." 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." The world is a truly disgusting place. People do horrible things that effect the innocents in their lives. It's heartbreaking and, oftentimes, I find myself asking "Why, God?" This summer, I served as a Summer Missionary at different camps and Vacation Bible Schools in my area and I met a lot of kids who shared their stories wi...

Psalm 139:14 "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Sometimes my heart literally stops when I see someone put so much effort into the tiny details on something so imperfect, like a child's artwork, because I realize that's precisely how God is with us. In His eyes, we're perfect and our tiny details are important, but in anyone else's eyes we're imperfect and ridiculous. When we look in the mirror, all we see are our flaws and the society we live in goes out of their way to make each and everyone of us feel inadequate. Thankfully, our worth doesn't come from what we think we should look like or where we fall short of our culture's standards. Our worth comes only from our Creator. We're made in the image of the perfect God; imperfect murky reflections with a purpose to glorify Him. Yesterday, I spent some much needed time with two close friends of mine before I leav...