Being Still

After I graduated from college I told myself that I would take a two week break. I would sleep in, unpack my boxes, not think about job hunting, and just take it easy. I figured after four years of working hard and giving it 110% I deserved a little break. The first couple of days were easy. Sleeping in was wonderful. I was finally able to use my Nook and catch up on my favorite author’s novels! After a couple of days of relaxing and taking it easy, I started to feel panicky. It didn’t take very long before everyone I spoke to asked me about my plans and what jobs I had applied for. I smiled and gave them my rehearsed response, “Still trying to figure things out…” But I really wanted to scream, “GIVE ME A BREAK! I have the rest of my life to work!” Along with others questioning me and my type-A tendencies I found taking a break much harder than I thought it would be! As I tried to browse Pinterest or catch up on my favorite blogs there was an incessant nagging in my head. I should call those schools to see if there are any job positions available. I should make another list of places to call about job openings. I should probably look into other graduate school possibilities. I could not get my mind to shut off. There were many times that I felt like taking a break was wrong! I quickly realized that I needed to learn that “being still” is not a waste of time. 

The truth is we are not wasting time when we take a break and choose to be still! Sometimes it is necessary! We all know that working too hard for too long can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed and completely burnt-out. In Psalm 46:10, God says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I do not know where we get the idea that taking a break is wrong. Our Creator took a day off after bringing the world and all of its inhabitants into being. In Mark 6:30-32, Jesus encourages the apostles to rest after accomplishing great works. 

It is very hard to break free from the mindset of always having to be busy and doing something. However, stepping back and being still is essential! It gives us a chance to recharge, refocus, and allow God to speak into our lives. 

As we live in our fast-paced society, I would encourage all of us to learn to be still.

Picture Time

Since I have been having trouble coming up with words to share with you, I decided to share pictures instead! (Via instagram)

 {Flowers from my internship}

 {An iris in my backyard}

 {My friend painting in the stairwell of a library}

 {Peonies from my backyard}

 {My crab apple tree in the rain}

{A tree by a bubble tea place that my

 friend and I frequented at school}

The Next Chapter

Today is Monday. There are meetings to attend, deadlines to meet, errands to run, classes to attend. But not for me. I'm in what most people would describe as a transition period. The only thing I truly have to do today is the daunting task of unpacking boxes of my belongings and somehow finding a place for everything. Saturday, I graduated from college. After the commencement all I could think was, "Now what?" It is pretty exciting to be done with college. I don't have to worry about classes, papers or reading textbooks. It is also pretty scary to think of a life that is no longer structured. When you're in school there is a plan for every day. Structure. You have class at 8:00, chapel at 9:30, then another class. Your days are filled with activity, maybe not the most exciting activities, but activity nonetheless. Now my days are wide open. I still have a to-do list of things I need to get done (unpacking, job hunting, etc.), but there is nothing that says I have to unpack from 12:30-1:45. As the end of the semester approached and I thought about what my life would be like without school and I quickly realized that I needed to have structure to my days. The idea of days on my planner being completely empty made my heart race with anxiety!
I'm giving myself about a week or so to unpack and regroup. I'm taking a break. Then, I'm going to dive right back into structured days of planning, writing, and job hunting. Sometimes it's good to just sit and pause. I need to be more comfortable with that.
I am excited that one chapter has ended, and my next chapter is waiting to start. I don't know what the pages hold, but I do know the One who is holding the pen.

Devotional: The Sovereignty of God

I wanted to share with you all a devotional I wrote as an assignment for my Daniel/Revelation class. It is based on Daniel 4 and the topic is the sovereignty of God. 

 

The sovereignty of God is not a foreign concept to most Christians. Throughout the entire Bible we see acts of God’s sovereignty. Yet many of us have a hard time fully accepting the idea of a completely sovereign God. In Daniel 4, we see that King Nebuchadnezzar did not believe in God’s sovereignty. God found a way to humble Nebuchadnezzar so he would realize who was truly sovereign. At the beginning of Daniel 4 we read that the king had a disturbing dream. None of the magicians or sorcerers can interpret the dream for him, so he asked Daniel for his help. Daniel was able to interpret the dream. In Daniel 4:24-26, he says that King Nebuchadnezzar will learn that he is not in control of things, but God is. Nebuchadnezzar will acknowledge the sovereignty of God. God gave the king twelve months to change and come to the realization on his own (Daniel 4:29). To get his attention, God took away Nebuchadnezzar’s authority. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar in verse 31-32, “Your sovereignty is removed from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals…until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men…” Everything God had said he would do to Nebuchadnezzar, he did. Finally in verse 34, the king realized God’s sovereignty. After he acknowledged the sovereignty of God his kingdom was restored and he was humbled. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty is important and vital to living the life God has called us to. 

Application:

How does the knowledge of God’s sovereignty affect us?

1. We will not be anxious.

-God is in control (Daniel 4:36).

2. We will live humble lives.

-God’s plans are always better than our own (Daniel 4:37).

3. We will not live in fear.

-God has power over everything (Daniel 4:35).

Another Story

 Once again I have ignored homework, and have used my creative juices to write a story about my friend Hannah. In case you missed the last story I wrote here it is. Hope you enjoy! =)

Hannah and Her Magical Letter

Once upon a time there was a girl named Hannah. One day she walked down the lane to her mailbox, her heart full of anticipation. She opened the box, and inside was a bright, glowing envelope. Hannah pulled the letter out and tore it open. As she unfolded the letter everything started spinning. Suddenly she was in a completely different world. The grass was purple; there were flying cars and talking dogs! Hannah could not believe her eyes! As the bewildered girl walked down the road, she noticed the people around her. There was a young man helping an elderly woman cross the street and a young lady helping a little boy pick up his spilled crayons. Everyone was smiling and happy. There were waves hello, and warm smiles; “hello, how are you’s?” and “have a good day’s!” Everyone was happier and carefree. There were strangers asking one another if they needed a ride home, or paying for the groceries of the person behind them in line. “What a wonderful place,” Hannah thought to herself. “I had no idea a place like this existed!!” As she was turning away from the ice cream shop window, licking peanut butter ripple drips off the ice cream cone, she heard a voice. “Hannah! Hannah, was there any mail?” And just as if nothing happened, Hannah was back in front of her mailbox. Her mother’s voice carried down to her from the house. Hannah grabbed the mail, closed the mailbox and headed back to her house, with a faint taste of peanut butter still on her tongue…

Moving Home and Staying Positive

Like many college graduates, this May, after I walk across the stage, I will be moving back home. That sentence is hard for me to say (and type). I always told myself I would not move back home after graduation. I'm not really sure why I felt so strongly about it. But there it is. I'm moving back home. Maybe you are a senior getting ready to graduate in a few weeks and like me, you will be moving back home. You might be completely fine with this fact. Or like me you could really be disappointed.
I'm trying to make the most out of the situation. On my wall is an index card with a statement written on it made by a man who spoke in chapel at my school this past semester. It reads, "There is no better place than where God has you." Isn't that so true? This is where God has me. As of right now the plan is to move back home. And when I do I will remind myself of this statement every day!



One thing that has helped me stay positive about this situation is making a list (surprised?) of fun things to do after graduation, things to look forward to!!
I would encourage you to write a list for yourself, so when you look ahead to what the next few months will look like you will see fun things and new opportunities!

My "After Graduation" List:
-Read 4-5 books a month
-Learn a new language
-Ride my bike more often
-Eat healthier
-Try new recipes
-Organize my room
-Find a new church
-Get involved in a ministry
-Keep in touch with friends

Your list will probably look much different than mine. For me it was important to include learning in my list because I know I will miss that aspect of college quite a bit. I really love to learn.

I hope your list encourages you, and remember there is always hope!

Around the Web

Thought I'd share some fun and interesting articles I've found...

I found this interesting article the other day (while avoiding homework). Maybe a change to my career plan is in order? Becoming a Professional Coffee Taster.

For all the single ladies...read this! =)

For all the introverts (represent!), and extroverts too...10 Myths About Introverts!

From one of my favorite magazines, 50 Ways to Conserve Water.

For any writers out there, 6 Writing Tips from John Steinbeck.

A post containing a letter written by John Steinbeck to his son on falling in love...

And 33 Ways to Stay Creative.


Have a great week!!