"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such about things." -Philippians 4:8
After finishing my second year of college, I have encountered many new experiences, challenges, and with that, many people. Some are new and others are old acquaintances. I left school with many new friends and closer, old friends, but I also realized that I left with a lot of hard feelings toward some as well. It's natural that you're not going to "click" with everyone, and that's okay. However, it's not okay to harbor grudges or dwell on sour thoughts. I also realized that the same people that frustrated me may have also encouraged me at one point as well. Instead, I have chosen to dote on the times I've been hurt. God calls us to think otherwise, on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." To help me forgive and let go of these feelings, I have decided to start a notebook for myself. I will list all the good memories of times that people have been there for me, sacrificed for me, or even just attributes I appreciate about them, especially the people that have hurt me or that frustrate me. This will help me release my old feelings, and be ready greet everyone warmly and genuinely when fall rolls around. I can refer back to it as needed. I am excited for a better, happier outlook.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year
As I was thinking about this upcoming year, I was listing off my responsibilities and goals in my head. I thought, I need more sleep, I need to be more focused, I need to exercise more, I need to hit the library more, I need to eat healthier, I need to wake up earlier, I need to make a better effort to stay in touch with my family, I need to be more forgiving, I need to be more loving.
No. I need God.
I have been letting all the other "stuff" in my life get bigger than God. God has only been a small slice of my pie chart. He needs to be the entire pie plate holding everything else! I truly believe if you find God and focus on God, everything else will come into place. Don't make God fit in your life. See how life fits into your God. Accommodate accordingly.
No. I need God.
I have been letting all the other "stuff" in my life get bigger than God. God has only been a small slice of my pie chart. He needs to be the entire pie plate holding everything else! I truly believe if you find God and focus on God, everything else will come into place. Don't make God fit in your life. See how life fits into your God. Accommodate accordingly.
'Tis the Season
This Christmas has been a great opportunity for me to refocus on God, and what the big picture is really about. Christmas didn't live up to my expectations which reminded me, it's not about what we think Christmas should be. It's about God.
On Christmas Eve, my grandmother suffered a minor heart attack during church and had to be rushed to the hospital in the ambulance. She was in great company, however, got help right, and didn't have any severe problems. So there my brother and I were on Christmas Eve, sitting alone in a quiet, empty house while my parents went to the hospital. No music. No Christmas cookies. No family. And waiting for the phone.
Now that both of my sisters are adults in the real world, pursuing jobs, and married, they aren't always home when my brother and I are. They don't have college breaks. On holidays, they also have their in-law's family to visit as well. We rarely get to spend time together now with the whole family, and that was a hard thing for me to handle over Christmas. My oldest sister told me, she'd love to be with us, but if we had each other all the time, we wouldn't appreciate the times we're together.
There wasn't even any snow this Christmas, and doesn't look like there will be any soon. So Christmas wasn't what I had wanted, but it's not about me. It's about God, and refocusing on the Savior our Lord sent us. It's not about what we want it to be--shopping, presents, food, snow, Christmas decorations, or even the time with your family. I believe time with your family is extremely important over the holidays, but it's ultimately about God. Sometimes he just has to take things away from us in order for us to realize what we really need or the blessings we already have.
On Christmas Eve, my grandmother suffered a minor heart attack during church and had to be rushed to the hospital in the ambulance. She was in great company, however, got help right, and didn't have any severe problems. So there my brother and I were on Christmas Eve, sitting alone in a quiet, empty house while my parents went to the hospital. No music. No Christmas cookies. No family. And waiting for the phone.
Now that both of my sisters are adults in the real world, pursuing jobs, and married, they aren't always home when my brother and I are. They don't have college breaks. On holidays, they also have their in-law's family to visit as well. We rarely get to spend time together now with the whole family, and that was a hard thing for me to handle over Christmas. My oldest sister told me, she'd love to be with us, but if we had each other all the time, we wouldn't appreciate the times we're together.
There wasn't even any snow this Christmas, and doesn't look like there will be any soon. So Christmas wasn't what I had wanted, but it's not about me. It's about God, and refocusing on the Savior our Lord sent us. It's not about what we want it to be--shopping, presents, food, snow, Christmas decorations, or even the time with your family. I believe time with your family is extremely important over the holidays, but it's ultimately about God. Sometimes he just has to take things away from us in order for us to realize what we really need or the blessings we already have.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Proverbs 11:25
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
-Proverbs 11:25
My homepage on my laptop is set to http://www.verseoftheday.com/. It's a way I incorporate a little more of the bible into my daily life. In honesty, most of the time I skim over this opening page, quickly accessing my email. I'm glad I didn't today, because God wanted me to see Proverbs 11:25 today.
I'm not a fan of complaining or whining about how difficult my life is. I've learned over the years that no matter how bad I may think my situation is, someone else has it worse, and I'm really blessed. However, life gets the best of me at times, and I'll admit, this summer hasn't been one of my favorites. I'll try to fill you in as best as possible without pitying myself. I decided not to go home and stay on campus for the summer to work. I work around 30-35 weeks in the admissions office on campus. Then, after that, I put in another 30-40 hours waitressing at a restaurant in a neighboring town, about 25 miles away. I'm working close to 70 hours a week and spend around an hour on the road every day. I'm away from my family and have neglected my old friends. My two jobs require that I remain mentally "in the game," if you will. My office job has me doing favors for people here and there, giving tours and making sure potential students have a great time on campus. They need my best attitude. Then, without missing a beat, I need to be at my waitressing job, and providing a friendly dining experience there. Human relations has been my middle name, and I'm starting to get burnt out. Negativity has gotten the best of me, and to put it bluntly, I'm tired of having to be in a great mood all the time. I'm tired of bending over backwards for people, and when someone turns to me and says, "Could I get another drink, please?" I've been close to snapping back, "No, you can't," and walking away. That was the moment I realized I needed to have a spiritual refresher.
I've claimed that my ultimate goal is to make life easier for those around me. I've taken it upon myself to serve and love others. Isn't that what we're called to do. Well, that's come to bite me, and I need to remind myself why I do what I do for others. Lucky for us, God has all the answers. "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I've noticed the more I try to hoard my time to myself and the more I grab for, the harder things get and the more unhappy I become. When I feel like I can't give anymore of myself, the answer if that I need to give more. I need to let go. The more I try to hang on to it, the harder things will become. God has promised us that those who give until they can't will be rewarded. By helping others, we will be helped in return. It's a beautiful cycle. However, we just fail to see it at times.
He died on a cross for me. How little it is which I have to give for others.
-Proverbs 11:25
My homepage on my laptop is set to http://www.verseoftheday.com/. It's a way I incorporate a little more of the bible into my daily life. In honesty, most of the time I skim over this opening page, quickly accessing my email. I'm glad I didn't today, because God wanted me to see Proverbs 11:25 today.
I'm not a fan of complaining or whining about how difficult my life is. I've learned over the years that no matter how bad I may think my situation is, someone else has it worse, and I'm really blessed. However, life gets the best of me at times, and I'll admit, this summer hasn't been one of my favorites. I'll try to fill you in as best as possible without pitying myself. I decided not to go home and stay on campus for the summer to work. I work around 30-35 weeks in the admissions office on campus. Then, after that, I put in another 30-40 hours waitressing at a restaurant in a neighboring town, about 25 miles away. I'm working close to 70 hours a week and spend around an hour on the road every day. I'm away from my family and have neglected my old friends. My two jobs require that I remain mentally "in the game," if you will. My office job has me doing favors for people here and there, giving tours and making sure potential students have a great time on campus. They need my best attitude. Then, without missing a beat, I need to be at my waitressing job, and providing a friendly dining experience there. Human relations has been my middle name, and I'm starting to get burnt out. Negativity has gotten the best of me, and to put it bluntly, I'm tired of having to be in a great mood all the time. I'm tired of bending over backwards for people, and when someone turns to me and says, "Could I get another drink, please?" I've been close to snapping back, "No, you can't," and walking away. That was the moment I realized I needed to have a spiritual refresher.
I've claimed that my ultimate goal is to make life easier for those around me. I've taken it upon myself to serve and love others. Isn't that what we're called to do. Well, that's come to bite me, and I need to remind myself why I do what I do for others. Lucky for us, God has all the answers. "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I've noticed the more I try to hoard my time to myself and the more I grab for, the harder things get and the more unhappy I become. When I feel like I can't give anymore of myself, the answer if that I need to give more. I need to let go. The more I try to hang on to it, the harder things will become. God has promised us that those who give until they can't will be rewarded. By helping others, we will be helped in return. It's a beautiful cycle. However, we just fail to see it at times.
He died on a cross for me. How little it is which I have to give for others.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Proverbs 20:24
"Man's steps are from the Lord;
how, then, can a man understand his way?"
- Proverbs 20:24
This verse if very simliar to my previous post, but I saw it, and it hit me like a train. Just let it sink in. Let it be. Don't worry about the future. Do what you can today. God has plans for you, and they're magnificent. Just let him show you.
how, then, can a man understand his way?"
- Proverbs 20:24
This verse if very simliar to my previous post, but I saw it, and it hit me like a train. Just let it sink in. Let it be. Don't worry about the future. Do what you can today. God has plans for you, and they're magnificent. Just let him show you.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Passion
This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter. This week, we read the account of the Passion of our Lord in the Gospels. During the Homily, the priest stressed how the Passion is not just a story. It is real.
I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.
Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin? Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?
God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.
I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.
Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin? Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?
God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Proverbs19:20
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures." -Proverbs 19:20
When life becomes busy, we tend to start looking ahead. We schedule and plan. If something goes wrong, it potentially becomes an obstacle for our plans. However, our plans are never guaranteed. It's what we think or want that matters. It's what God wants and has planned. He may not let you in on his plan initially, but it will initially work out because "God's will be done." I take complete comfort in knowing the Lord has plans that he will eventually reveal to me. Until then, I just have to pray and listen. I may make plans for my future, to marry, become a doctor, etc., but God may have other plans, and I trust that when I am doing what God has planned for me, that is when I will be happiest. I may be able to avoid his plans, not listen for awhile, and do what I want, but "it is the decision of the Lord that endures." In the end, God will have the final say.
I want everyone to shrug it off if things don't go their way, or be calm if they're not exactly sure what they want to do or should do, because God has it figured out for you. Pray to him, and he will give you the best answer.
When life becomes busy, we tend to start looking ahead. We schedule and plan. If something goes wrong, it potentially becomes an obstacle for our plans. However, our plans are never guaranteed. It's what we think or want that matters. It's what God wants and has planned. He may not let you in on his plan initially, but it will initially work out because "God's will be done." I take complete comfort in knowing the Lord has plans that he will eventually reveal to me. Until then, I just have to pray and listen. I may make plans for my future, to marry, become a doctor, etc., but God may have other plans, and I trust that when I am doing what God has planned for me, that is when I will be happiest. I may be able to avoid his plans, not listen for awhile, and do what I want, but "it is the decision of the Lord that endures." In the end, God will have the final say.
I want everyone to shrug it off if things don't go their way, or be calm if they're not exactly sure what they want to do or should do, because God has it figured out for you. Pray to him, and he will give you the best answer.
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