I am still recovering from my road trip and am excited to spend a whole day “indoors” as Emmett would say. During our trip, the poor little guy was exhausted and said, “Mommy, I just want to stay indoors. I want to watch tv and be indoors a WHOLE day.”

That is my new favorite quote, and I’ve said it a lot the last few days and after getting off of work yesterday afternoon declared I was living my dream and going to stay indoors for a whole day. I watched two movies last night. haha

I’ve been thinking about how much I worried about my life. When I say ‘worry’, I had anxiety attacks, countless gray hair, and it all stems from lack of control. My life was not moving fast enough, and I wasted so much time trying to propel myself forward and force things in the name of getting ahead.

Becoming a Christian did not magically take away my anxiety. In a way, it was almost worse because I had to learn to surrender control. God took everything from me to teach me to depend on Him. Just like my car. As soon as my car died, I knew it was between God and me. My car had become an idol, and I knew if He took it, he would eventually provide one for me when He was ready to and I learned the lessons.

I had to hear a lot from others about it because it was not their journey to understand, they were trying to help me. I went without a car for four years.

But, God.

The same goes for a husband. I stressed SO MUCH about getting married and that there seemed to be no one for me. My life wasn’t moving forward at all. The beautiful thing is that I’ve learned God knows and has provided so many “and sudden-lies” for me; why do I worry?

How could I ever doubt that God has someone perfect for me and my beliefs when He has filled in the details of every other thing in my life? During the road trip with my cousin, I kept thinking how amazing it was that God gave me this travel desire in the perfect way possible. I still cannot believe it, and if not for the pictures, I would not think it happened. It only made me excited for the life God has for me knowing He is the best at surprises. He does not do things half way, but always makes it grander than we could imagine and the only way that would bring Him glory. I cannot wait for all He has in store, and while traveling and in between, having service in the mountains texted my single friend the same. He has this entire life waiting for us and is preparing us right now. We both agree that Jesus is all that matters, and I am so thankful to have someone who understands what a single woman devoted to Christ is like. We bounce off each other, and we text the “run” emoji back and forth. Keep running. You do not stop for anyone or anything. If God is for you, what could stand against?

One night this week, one of my best friends texted, “I need prayers right now.”

With no other information, I started praying that whatever the situation was, God would fix it and give her wisdom and peace. I prayed He would make a way out of no way and provide a miracle.

As soon as I said that, an updated text came: Her son fell off the bridge they have at their house. He went to look at a snake he saw and got scared by something and lost his balance. It is an 18-foot drop with cinder blocks and other obstacles.

She sat astounded at the miracle she had just witnessed and all the possibilities that could have happened at that moment. She said she was unable to speak due to shock, but could text.
He could have died.
He could be paralyzed.
So many things could have gone wrong.

But, they didn’t. She witnessed God’s grace, mercy, and protection in that one scare.

I asked if they were sure his head was ok, and she stated he happened to be wearing a crash-tested helmet they bought him. Her husband carried him out, and they and the people in their office examined every inch of him and that he was “literally fine”. He was sore but walked away with only a scratch and some foot swelling. if he was sleeping and if that was ok, she said, “He keeps waking up!!”

And every time she had a worried thought, he would stir.

“What if he is paralyzed?” and as soon as she had that thought, he sat up and asked for water.

I joked, “What if he’s paralyzed?” and underneath put my “God voice” emoji : “D, Sit up.”

Others can choose to worship whom they want. They can run to dead religion where works are required to make you feel better about your life. They can choose to believe in themselves and do not need a god to be good. They can choose to think I am delusional and “feel sorry” for me. Why do atheists “Thank God”?

They can choose all these things because free will is all about the right to choose.

I choose to follow the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I choose to follow the One who requires nothing except my heart and devotion. I choose the One who does not require works because I fail at everything. By grace, I have been saved through faith and not by works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8). I choose the One who looked at me when I was at my lowest, and when everyone walked away, said “that’s the one I want”. I choose the One who came to get the one who went astray and called me for no reason except He wanted me. How can I ever feel rejected when the Creator of the universe has accepted me?

In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is the light, my strength, my all.

I do not know what I would do without Him. I am dependent and needy and would not want it any other way.

He has taken care of every single need and thought I have ever had. He fulfills all my desires and only wants what is best for me.

I read Romans and started a book called “More than a Carpenter” by Josh McDowell on my trip. He is more than a carpenter. He is my savior, my God, my true love, and I love the life He has created for me. I love that He holds me and is with me wherever I go. I love that He knows me better than I know myself and loves to surprise me. I am so thankful to be His.

Why do I worry? If He takes care of the lilies of the field and birds of the air, are not I worth more than any sparrow? I am made in His image and am so joyful to be chosen. (It’s always no unless you ask. God, if my husband has an Irish accent I would be really ok with that… 😛 ) How will I know if he really loves me?

Love this journey with Christ for outside of Him there is no life.

How will you find them? What if they’re looking for you?

The Fruit of a childhood prayer: When you’re called to lead by example by just being you…

Please, don’t commit suicide.

Woe to you false teachers…