2014 Recap: Promise Keeper

Where do I begin about 2014? I can't even begin to write about the blessings, the favor, the opportunities, the doubt, sadness and fear that I have experienced this year. Because all in all, God has been ever so faithful.


The biggest lesson I learned this year is: God keeps His promises. It's so easy to doubt God when the evidence is negative, but that's exactly when God works best. I knew that He had called me to be a psychologist, but because of my brief stint as a biology major, my GPA was a mess. This time last year, I was completing grad school applications, terrified that I was not going to get an interview anywhere, talk less of get into a Clinical Psychology program. As I type this, I've completed my first semester of a doctorate program, a program that I was told I was not competitive enough for. To top it all off, I aced my first semester. I'd be lying if I said that I got here on my own. It was only by the grace of God. Once I got into grad school, everything else just literally fell into place. Sometimes, I sit and wonder what I did to get into this program. I'm so blessed to be there. Just continue to follow the path that God has provided for you. You never know where He will lead.


Honestly, 2014 was THAT year. God opened soooo many doors and pushed me wayyyy out of my comfort zone. From graduation, to moving to another state, to starting grad school, it's been quite the adventure. I haven't always been the happiest camper, but God has given me this incredible peace that even scares me sometimes. Having to move away from the only place I had ever known as home was so hard, but I know that God has a reason and nothing happens by mistake.


Not sure what plans God has for 2015, but I'm entering the year with an open heart and letting Him lead.


What are you hoping and praying for this year?




Selah [pause and think]

Looking Back

Through Timehop, an app that shows every post on social media you're ever made on that exact day in the past 7 years, I'm currently reliving the most emotional, life-changing time of my life. It's so amazing to see where I was 4 years ago and how much I've grown, changed, and learned mentally, emotionally and spiritually. So many memories, so many mistakes, so many victories. There were times when I lost my way, but God was still faithful and He was always there. If you told me 4 years ago that I would graduate with a degree in Psychology and be going to grad school, I probably wouldn't have believed you; my mind was set on being a pediatrician. I remember crying after a Chemistry test, wondering why the knowledge I thought I had wasn't reflecting on the exam. Though I'm "reliving" this major experience, I can't help but admire God's handiwork. It's amazing to know how God has orchestrated every step to lead me to this very moment. He works everything together for our good.

I know the story isn't over yet, but I've long since decided to let Him write it.

Selah [pause and think]

No Pain, No Gain

First post of 2014! 

So, it's a new year, well, three months in and I've been on this whole working out thing. I've been attending a boot camp class at the gym pretty frequently in the past couple of weeks and though it seems tough at the time, the instructor is very encouraging. I keep going because I know it is for my benefit and I leave feeling great about myself. The next morning, I wake up sore in places I didn't even know existed and that's how I know the workout is actually working.

You know what's interesting? Trials work the same way. During the trials, you're sweating and exerting energy and it's just HARD. Sometimes you don't even know if you'll make it through. But the Instructor (God) is there, by your side, cheering you on. He knows that it's good for you and for your benefit. You walk away feeling better, stronger. It's only when it's over that you realize that you've worked out muscles of faith, hope, patience, forgiveness, etc.

James 1: 2-3 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 

Trials, just like working out, define us. Something of value WILL be produced. If we were couch potatoes and just ate cookies all day everyday, we'd probably never know what muscles have, more less what muscles are. Same with trials. If you never had a rainy day, you'd never learn to appreciate the sunshine. It's not easy going through it, no, not at all. But, at the end of the day, you're going to be stronger than you were before. Your Instructor's cheering you on! There so many promises in the Word. So, sweat on and persevere. You're coming out GOLD.

Selah [pause and think]

2013 Recap: He>i

So, as 2013 comes to an end, I've reflected on what a great year it was. 2013 was my year of opportunity. Many open doors and so much accomplished. I completed most of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. I can't even begin to thank God enough. So much happened this year. Turned 21, became a student youth leader at my church, took my GRE's, applied to grad school, made Dean's list, got a great campus job, had a great internship, got featured on my school's website, met amazing people, grew spiritually, had a reality check, smashed my laptop, been super busy, neglected my blog :( , realized that I don't know everything and the list goes on and on. Through the ups and downs, He was faithful. It's a beautiful thing when you can look back and see God's handiwork in your life.

One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2013, and there were many, was to get out of the way. I was reading John 3:30 which says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." What struck me was the word, "but."

'But' in this context implies that He can't increase if we don't decrease.  We have to get of the way. I never saw it that way. I often find myself doing things because I wanted to look good. Not for God's glory, but to maintain that "good girl" persona. At the time I read this verse, I was considering stepping down from ministry because of something I didn't like. I saw the impact that the youth group had on the youth and how God was moving, but I couldn't get over one little selfish thing that I wanted. This verse was a reality check. It reminded me that I was doing God's work to minister to Him and for Him and NOT for me. That day, I wrote, "I can play the background, but first I need to get out of the way. I need to remove myself from the spotlight and let You shine."

So I'll end 2013 and begin 2014 with this motto: He>i. He gets the glory, the spotlight and the accolades. What I do is for His Glory. I. Am. Second.

2013 was a great year but it's time to put that behind me and press on... 2014.

Word of Encouragement for you: "God has a plan for you this coming year. So, 'hats off to the past and coats off to the future!' Roll up your sleeves, go to work, and expect great things from God." (Word 4u 2day)

Selah [pause and think]

iPromise

It feels so good to finally blog again! 

For months before my 21st birthday, I was brainstorming gifts I could give myself that would actually have a significant meaning. So, I decided purity ring! What better way to celebrate turning 21 than to make a promise to God that I would keep myself pure for my unmarried days. Problem was, I've made that commitment already, without a ring.

I liked the ring idea, so I decided that I would get a ring, but it just wouldn't be a purity ring. I love the infinity sign and all it represents. Forever. How could I incorporate "Forever" into my life? Forever is like a promise. God has promised to be with me forever. No matter what relationships I may or may not be in. No matter if it's a good day or bad day. No matter what. He's what's constant in my life.

I proudly wear this infinity sign on my finger to remind me every day of the promise that God made to me. That He's with me forever and always. No matter what. So, as I navigate through the last year of my undergraduate career with grad school applications and my future looming over me, I have a tangible reminder, promise, that He's with me through it all.

Selah [pause and think]

Opened Box

Confession: I have been working on another post for a week now. It requires research and I currently have no motivation to do the research. SMH... well, it's summer. I will be on my grind very soon. Anyways, during finals week, I don't remember what brought the thought about but I started thinking about society's view of beauty and how I measured up. My thoughts were so intense/compelling that I had to write them down. Here's what I got:

Opened Box
Beautiful, they say.
I wonder what they are talking about.
You see, I never really found beauty in my features.
Now, before you say I have low self-esteem, hear me out.
I'm no where near the coveted 5'11" with the slim build.
Nothing amazing.
I'll never be on the cover of a magazine.
But you see, society uses these features to put us in a box
They don't want us to be difficult or unique, but robots, identical to each other.
MY beauty lies in my relationship with my Creator.
MY beauty lies in my God-given talents and personality.
MY beauty lies in my morals and values.
MY beauty lies in my heart for others.
MY beauty lies in the desire to positively impact those around me.
You see, I never really thought of my physical features as beautiful because what's inside overshadows it by far.
In everything I do, in every experience I have, I find another facet of beauty.
Yet society chooses to limit beauty to one thing.
I refuse to indulge in that mindset.
Physical beauty chips, cracks, fades and disappears.
I, every aspect of me, was beautifully and wonderfully made, crafted by a skillful Artist.
To limit this beauty to only one aspect of me is just unfair.

Where does your beauty lie?

Selah [pause and think]

Something Beautiful.

A friend of mine lost her sister earlier this summer. Not only was she her sister, but her best friend. My friend was torn between the happiness of  her sister being in a better place and the sadness of losing a significant person in her life. Her family had been experiencing some problems before the death of her sister and this tragedy was the icing on the cake. OR like they say "When it rains, it pours." Anyway, my friend didn't know where/who else to turn to but God. I texted her last week to see how she was holding up and I didn't expect the answer she gave me. Her family was growing closer and relationships were beginning to mend. They were even going to church together! 


How many times to we look at certain situations and think there is no way out? How was my friend to know that the death of her sister would lead to the healing of her family? What if she had given up on God? So many times we look at situations and don't realized that we only see a small stroke of the painting. A cake doesn't only contain sweet ingredients; there's also the baking powder and baking soda, but in the end, we have the delicious cake. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."


God is sooooo amazing! He knows what He's doing. He takes the ugly situations and turns them into something beautiful, something that brings Him glory.


Selah [pause and think]