“My body sometimes
feels sore, but it works. I don’t sleep well most nights, but I do wake up to
fight another day. My wallet is not full but my stomach is. I don’t have all
the things I ever wanted, but I do have everything I will ever need. I’m
thankful because although my life is by no means perfect, it’s my life and I’m
happy!”
Next week is Thanksgiving, and then it will be Christmas
before we all know it. I’ll turn twenty-three and then *gasps* we’ll be ringing
in 2015! I’m going to be very cliché and say this… As I get older, man does
time really seem to pass by. However, I don’t want to knock myself short of
some credit… that I actually do soak up life and pause to really take it all
in. It does seem though, that in the mundane of day to day routine, I can
easily take life for granted. Here lately I’ve decided that I am not limited in
my soul searching and purpose seeking to a “one-day-life’s-big-discovery.” No.
Instead, I’ve found that my purpose could be and most likely will be different
each and every day. It takes me making a conscious effort as soon as I wake up
in the mornings. I think to myself “Okay, I woke up and I’m alive. God, you are
obviously not done with me yet.” I think it’s important that we ask God what He
has in store for us before we begin our day, or at least right after coffee. :)
This is why I have come to really enjoy my two-hour quiet time (sometimes
longer) before I am out the door. For my sanity’s sake and for the sake of
others that I encounter throughout the day, I need that time to pray, reflect
on His word, and set my mind with positive thoughts. Preparation can only go so
far, and I know that. Some things are beyond my control and I’m learning to
give that over to Him.
Paul says, “So here’s
what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life -
your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life - and place it
before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing
you can do for him. Don’t become so well- adjusted to your culture that you fit
into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be
changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and
quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down
to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops
well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2 in The Message)
With that being said, I began my newest devotional about a
few weeks ago, starting fresh with an altogether changed and renewed mindset. I
want to really bring more energy to the table (pun intended). I don’t want to
only read a verse from the Bible just to be fed with “feel-goods,” but I want
to live it as well, and I want God to bring that into my day and let it be a tangible
or at least an experienced thing. Some days my devotional prepares me for a
situation and it’s as clear as white on rice, and others times it can seem
unrelated to my day, but never-the-less I am always inspired and comforted.
But enough about mornings. I just wanted to share my strong
opinion on how I find myself having great days and good days as compared to the
pessimist way of labeling it “good days vs. bad days.” Because when I really
sit and think about it, every single day is a blessing. That is good, right!? “God saw all that he had made, and it was
very good. And there was evening, and there was morning.” (Genesis 1:31)
YES! So stop giving Monday a bad rap. Stop living for the weekend. Stop working
to sleep. Get up, and decide to live and enjoy the possibilities come every
moment! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, or the next second even. It’s time I
start recognizing that.
I can get really excited about anything and everything pretty
easily. I’ve already mentioned before that laughing is my strong suit...Like
I’m sorry this sock is hilarious, please laugh along, it’ll bring me great joy.
(Tehe) Yeah, I do not lack in the giggles department. I don’t know, maybe I’ve
always been able to see simple things sillyly (not a word…I’m good at that) but
I’m learning to embrace these times of joy because literally nothing can tear
me down when I am that happy. Not just over socks… haha, but just being high on
life. You shouldn’t have to apologize for being happy.
…For everyone you meet
if fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always.
Because life can get hard. We can take some real blows, be
thrown off course with unexpected reality checks. Some experiences more
traumatic than others but who are we to compare our hardships to anothers’. We
all have something. That’s why I wonder so much why we suddenly fall short of
loving other people. WHY DO WE DO THAT?? A lot of times, it’s our own family we
forget to acknowledge and show our appreciation and then come Thanksgiving
(it’s okay, I’m already calling myself a hypocrite) they are the one thing we
are most thankful for. It’s so backwards and yet, so true. I think it’s because
the ones who we do that to, have unconditional love for us. Think how our
Creator must feel. All this energy I waste thinking “Am I worthy? Am I desirable? Am I beautiful? Am I worth
the fight?... What’s wrong with me?” When all along, God says “Kalynn, you are
loved.” You are not just one in the crowd. God sees you and He sees me too. He
knows every strand of hair on our head (Luke 12:7). We are unique and special
to Him. So why not look at our brothers and sisters (in blood and in Christ) as
God does? I want genuine acts of love to become the norm. If it’s uncomfortable
to receive it, it’s uncomfortable to give it. I pray you all find your call to
love and be loved.
I could start a list of every thing I am grateful for but I just don’t
think I would make it through in one sitting. I will have you know that I am
thankful for you all. Every. Single. One. Of. You. have been a purposeful
encounter. Believe it or not, but I promise. If we have met, it was for a
reason and I wouldn’t take back anything that has happened to me, and that
means meeting you too! You have shaped me, encouraged me, supported me, taught
me, inspired me… all the above!!
I look back at my very first blog post (January 4th
2013) and to see the transformation God had done in me even at that point and
to see what he continues to do! I am thankful to have reached a point where I
can share and openly express who I am, knowing it’s beneficial in not only my
journey but for others in theirs as well.
I pray for you all this week! Find your loved ones and
squeeze the living mess out of them! Hold them tight and cherish every moment you
have together. And if you find it hard to think of the things you are thankful
for, whether it’s bitterness or hurt that you are holding on to, hindering you
from seeing and/or receiving God’s blessings on your life, I know breath is
something you have. A new day. Purpose.
Hang in there; it gets easier if you allow it.
Much love,
Me
xoxo
