Summer Fling

The past two months have been pretty darn amazing. I recently just graduated college and am currently in the limbo stages of undergrad to graduate school. I decided that this summer I would just take time off and be free to do whatever I wanted before becoming a full time grad student with no time, money, or brain power left to function. This may have been one of the best decisions I have ever made, second to ordering the whole wheat blueberry pancakes at Fido in Nashville.

I could not wait to get this summer underway. I imagined my friends and I all going out every weekend, living like celebrities, meeting new people, and maybe even having a couple summer flings  before jet setting back to reality when August would roll around. Life never actually happens how we imagine it though.

If you know me at all, you fully understand when I say I have an extremely hard time being quiet. Nevertheless, this summer I endured a lot of unexpected "quiet time." Which is weird for me because I literally could be content talking to a rock. However, there is only so much talking to the wall you can do when all your friends have jobs and you have a deaf dog. So, what did I do? I decided to pick back up a conversation I started with Jesus a long time ago.

I cannot even begin to describe how refreshing this was. Jesus is like one of those friends that you can go for years not talking to, but when you see him or her you can pick right back up where you left off. I absolutely love this about him. I'll be honest, I have a really hard time maintaining a constant balanced relationship with the J-Man. Luckily, I received a piece of advice that helped me rekindle my flame from a good friend at a bible study this summer. She challenged me to start talking to Jesus only when I actually want to not when I feel like I have to. This was awesome. I found myself wanting to spend more time with Him because it was no longer an obligation. I genuinely began to enjoy our time together and our conversations became two sided again. Sounds like an excerpt from a couples therapy session, doesn't it?

Well, maybe, just maybe, we should really start looking at our relationship with Christ this way. We put so much time and effort into perfecting and maintaining our humanly relationships every day. Why don't we do that with Jesus too? It's a question that shouldn't have to be asked. However, so many of us forget to work on the one relationship that trumps all others. The thing that really gets me here is that Jesus literally can't break up with you, he isn't going to stab you in the back and date your best friend, he would never cheat on you, and he sure is not going to be the one to file for divorce. We cannot go wrong with Him. This is a fact. This is the one relationship that, if we want it to, will remain constant for the entirety of our  lives.

It's puzzling to me why I will most likely spend hours and even days worrying and waiting for some jerk loser to text me. Yet, I can call up the most popular guy in the universe and he will answer before the phone even rings. Now, I'm not saying find the closest relationship counselor, knock on her door and start yelling I want to get back together with Jesus. But how about just being quiet and taking (in my case) a summer, or even just a weekend, to spark back up the fire that Jesus once had set in your heart. Jesus just wants you to want Him. And let's get real why would you not want to be in love with the most amazing, all powerful, merciful and just God that is and was and ever will be???

I guess what I am trying to say is my summer did not go totally like I had imagined. I did not go out every weekend, I felt nothing like a celebrity and it turns out I'm not leaving my summer fling when I go back to school. I'm taking Him with me and I could not be more excited!

So, could my summer vacation be the secret to life? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

If you get chilly, here take my sweater

I may be the coldest natured person that the Dear Lord Jesus has ever graced the planet with. And for that reason, ladies and gentlemen, I am the proud owner of over 25 sweaters. Yes, I said it, the secret is out. I am a sweater hoarder, and quite frankly, I'm ok with the whole situation. It is pretty convenient that I have a sweater to match every outfit that I will ever put on. And I can go over three weeks without wearing the same one twice. Seriously, I am living in a dream world!

I have come to know the true power of a good cardigan over the past couple years. If you think really hard and close your eyes, you can actually solve any problem by wrapping a sweater around it. Let's start with the basics:

"Oh, you look like you have the Goosebumps, here take my sweater" (problem solved).

"Excuse me sir but it looks like you were just shot, let me stop the bleeding with my old sweater" (check).

"Oh rip stick! I forgot my pillow on this 9 hour plane ride! Good thing I brought this sweater!" (Crisis averted)

You can also utilize our crocheted friends by stuffing it in the mouth of that annoying girl that sits in front of the classroom and refuses to shut her yap trap.

I mean, clearly, I could go on and on but I think that most of you are starting to get the picture. So, when things get rough and you don't know where to turn . . . should you turn to my closet? Can we really solve life's booboos and owies by wrapping ourselves up in a cotton-poly blend? I have got to admit, this is a tough one. I have been fast to throw icing on a burnt cake in the past. However, sometimes in life the quick fix isn't all it’s cracked up to be. For example, remember when I said you could stuff my sweater in that annoying girl’s mouth to keep her quiet? Yea, well, eventually she is going to spit the sweater back out. Then you are going to have a slobbery sweater and one really outspoken girl ready to let loose on you. NOT a good combination.

Now I have you all confused! So, what should you do the next time you get a little chilly? How about we ask the Big Man to wrap his loving arms around us! How simple does that sound?! He literally can solve any problem, heal any wound, and calm all the fears that are dwelling in your heart. All you have to do is ask. If you think about it, this really is a better deal that my sweater theory. He never goes out of style, and you can't leave him at home. The trick is (which really isn’t a trick at all) you have to have faith that Jesus can do it all.

"Faith is the yes of the heart, a confidence on which one stakes one's life." Martin Luther

"Faith in God is a wonderful commitment; it may come slowly or in a moment, but once it truly gets hold of us it changes just about everything" Extravagant Mercy by M. Craig Barnes

So, let your heart say YES to Jesus. My faith grows stronger each and every day. And even though I will continue to grow my sweater collection most likely for the rest of my life, my relationship with Jesus is growing faster and bigger than my closet could ever handle.
Now, go out this week leaving your sweaters, cardigans, jackets, hoodies, and pullovers at home and test this out for me so we can finally answer this burning question:

Are sweaters the secret to life?

How to be the perfect perfectionist

This week I am taking a class called "A workshop in Counseling procedures." It has been a great class and I have learned a lot not only about the art of a Motivational Interviewer but as a person. We were forced to do this completely awkward and anxiety provoking exercise where we took turns practicing the skills we learned on each other. We each had a turn to be the "patient" where we picked a small issue that we would like to work on to talk about. This could be anything from procrastination to exercising more. I picked to work on my perfectionism complex. I was asked if my perfectionism only dealt with academic responsibilities. I responded that no, I always try to do the best I can in any situation whether it was being the best daughter, the best sister, the best friend and so on. Later that day I was reflecting on the session and all the sudden I felt a bag of rocks hit me upside the head.
If I am so worried at being the best student and daughter, why would I not be trying to be the best Christian? Seriously, it didn't even cross my mind to say that during my session. Shouldn't the most important part of my life be the one thing I put the most effort towards? Sounds simple, I know!
I wonder if I stop putting so much pressure on myself to be the best at everything and put a little more effort into living a life full of Jesus then things would fall into place by themselves. One of the things I find most intriguing about my relationship with Jesus is that he knows my destiny and he still sits by my side and listens to me whine, complain, and push myself to the absolute limit trying to be the best version of myself. Must be pretty entertaining for Him! So, when will I realize that being perfect in His eyes, is simply being myself.

“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." 2Samuel 22:31

If I can figure out a way to take full refuge in The Lord and work on my relationship with my Best Friend a little more, then he in turn will provide more for me than I can ever do by working myself to extremes. This is so easy to say, but so hard to understand. I can't satisfy Jesus by making a 4.0 or being a size 2. However, I can satisfy him by having a heart full of His love.

"To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless." Psalm 119:96

I can only get so far on my own, but with The Lord I can do things unimaginable. I think I'll make it my goal this week to turn my perfectionism toward something else, somebody else. . . My merciful man upstairs!
So my perfect people. . .

Is perfectionism the secret to life? 

Mamma Said there would be days like this

Everyone from Mother Teresa to Heidi Klum has a bad day every once in awhile. I don't know when I realized this, maybe it was when my girl Britney broke down and shaved her golden locks off. . . I'm not totally sure. What I am sure of is, no one is an exception to the awful, terrible, no good, very bad day. So, what do we do when we get hit with one of these monsters? My first instinct is to just give up, throw in the towel, and make sure EVERYONE knows that today is not the day to mess with this cowgirl. But honestly, what good is that doing? By succumbing to the bad events that I experience I am basically saying that the things that happen to me, the bad grade, the wreck, fight with my (non existent) boyfriend, stubbed toe, or  uncooperative hair is bigger than me, and Him for that matter. But, what if, the next time something bad happens to us, we shout out a little hallelujah? I mean, how are we supposed to appreciate the good in life when we have nothing bad to compare it to? I would  never understand how great it feels to strut my stuff in front of a crowd if I have never busted it in the midst of about 40 people. . . right? Ok, that could be a stretch. But seriously, there has to be a bad day in order to have a good day or a FABULOUS day for that matter!So, next time you pop the button on your fat jeans or get stranded in the rain without an umbrella thank The GOOD Lord for showing you that life isn't perfect. . . and that is a Darn Good Thing!

Is having a bad day the secret to life?

A hold on my heart

Love is the mystery this week. Does this undefinable fairytale feeling solve all of life's tumultuous issues? I can't say that I am liable to answer this question. I say this because I have never been "In Love" in all of my long drawn out 21 years.
Does this bother me? Well, sometimes. Mainly when I visit family or old friends who pop the never-ending question, "Do you have a boyfriend, yet?"
"Well, no grandma, I don't thanks for rubbing that sore in for me."
And then the follow up, "Well, why not?"
This is where I want to say "Because I want to rot and be alone and miserable for the entirety of my life."
But instead I calmly go with the less facetious response of, "I don't know."
So, if I was to have found my knight in shining armor by now, would I have all my ducks in a row? I've always told myself, I know God is going to put the perfect man in my life at the right time. I know that I have to be fully stable in a relationship with Him in order to involve myself in a relationship with any ole random schmoo off the streets. But when I step back and evaluate my life thus far, I realize that I live a pretty awesome life that is filled with some pretty awesome people. I have gotten opportunities to do things with my time that not everyone gets to do. I have been able to focus on myself, and my own spiritual well-being for 21 years, which is pretty neat. And let me tell you, I still don't have it all figured out (obviously).
So maybe love is the answer to my search. But perhaps this love involves something other than Dr. Mcdreamy. I'm thinkin' that my love story involves a weary soul and a merciful Creator. And to be honest. . . I'm likin' the sound of that. How can I go wrong with the one who: knows me better than anyone on this earth, will never desert me or cause me harm, and who is always there no matter what I do. I think I got lucky here. I'm in love with the only perfect thing that exists, and the best part is He loves me right back!
So, grandma, the reason I don't have a boyfriend is not because I'm not worthy of true love, it's because Jesus has a hold on my heart and he won't give it away to just anyone!

Is falling in love the secret to life?

Advisement Week!!!

Advisement is sneaking up on us at Southern Miss. While many students moan and groan when they hear the phrase, "It's time to sign up for advisement", I get weirdly excited. As a matter of fact, I was the first student to sign up for advisement in my department (I'm a complete dork I know). Maybe I love advisement because I am blessed with a wonderful advisor. She literally would do anything for her students. Along with being my advisor, she is also my very favorite teacher. I always feel prepared in her classes and gain so much from her lectures. Without her, I would probably be an utter wreck! She is the reason that I finally know what I want to do with my life. I never feel unsure when I leave her office. Which brings me to my point, all of us need some sort of advisement in our lives, we all need guidance.

Some may find their way through self help books, a parent, or maybe Oprah is your go to guide to life. However, I am learning to rely on, you guessed it, The Man Upstairs. When it comes to making decisions regarding my education I never question the suggestions that my advisor gives me. But man oh man, I have had some major pain in my neck from listening to Jesus’ advice. I do not know exactly why that is but I have discovered that when I do listen I am usually pretty satisfied with the results. I wish I felt as confident after a long talk with Jesus as I do after a long talk with my advisor. I mean I'm pretty sure he knows more than she does. So, next time I am in a pickle instead of running to my advisor's office I will take a second and talk to The Lord. I have heard he will never steer anyone in the wrong direction. . .

Is finding guidance the secret to life?

 ¹The LORD is my shepherd,
         I shall not want.
    ²He makes me lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside quiet waters.
    ³He restores my soul;
         He guides me in the paths of righteousness         For His name's sake.
    ⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I fear no evil, for You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
    ⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You have anointed my head with oil;
         My cup overflows.
    ⁶Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
         And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23

Safety First?

If you are the kind of person who loves a good bungee jump or enjoys doing insane activities like jumping out of airplanes, then I commend you. Those are two things I would rather not ever attempt to do in my lifetime. The mere thought of it makes me wanna crawl under my blanket and cling tightly to my pillow. I have been thinking about the normalcy of my life lately and have been struck with a realization that I do not love so much. I live a plain Jane always the same life. Yes, I love my life and my friends and all that jazz but a girl has got to get some adventure up in her life ya know!?
So, does this mean I also play it safe when it comes to loving Jesus? In Crazy Love, Francis Chan says, "Christians today like to play it safe. We want to put ourselves in a situation where we are safe, 'even if there is no God.'" Which is totally true for me. I like to know that I am in the clear if there is a God, but don't miss out on life, just in case this whole Jesus thing turns out to be a hoax. I wish someone would have hit me in the head with this a while ago because HELLO! This is no way to live! With Jesus, you're either in or your out, there is no meet me in the middle in this situation. "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." In order to really surrender our whole hearts to Christ we must do things on this Earth that seem pretty crazy, but when we reach eternity it will be so well worth the risk! To be a Christian it is necassary to take risks and do things that are scary. We need to jump out of the plane! Maybe I just need to go sky diving. . .who wants to join???

Is adventure the secret to life?

This is my friend Christie sky diving. . . doesn't look so bad!!!