Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Resolve and Resolution

As the start of a new year draws closer, I can't say that I'm not nervous.
So many new things are going to take place-- new experiences, new people, new places
Man... I can hardly believe I only have a few more years before I'm done with college and then fully stepping into the "real world". 
I'm nervous... but not afraid

I realize that I have some growing up to do and I'm thankful for those who have helped to point it out. It was a wake up call. One that I really needed. 

It made me see that every single day is full of great potential. Every PERSON is full of great potential. But it is ENTIRELY up to you of how you spend a day and how you use what's given. 
Whether you choose to give or take. Whether you choose to fight or surrender. Whether you choose to love or hate. Whether you choose to ignore or listen. 
It's a choice. Everything is a choice. 

I don't ever want to hear anyone say "But I had no choice!" because there is ALWAYS a choice. 
A choice of action. A choice of response. 

I thought about ignoring people when they pointed out my mistakes and stumbling blocks... there are times that I have, but I've learned to take advice humbly and with an open mind. 
Even if it's not the nicest thing to hear, there is always something I can learn. 

So... I choose to listen. And to act. 
I'm going to jump with both feet instead of having one foot on either side of the line. 
There are times to play it safe and there are times to risk it all. 

When it gets hard (and there is no doubt in my mind that it WILL be hard), I will fight with everything I am unless I know I need to let go and surrender. 

I resolve to continue growing and learning because there is never an ending to it unless you choose to purposely avoid it. 

I also choose to love. Not that cheesy romance stuff you see on tv or in books (even though I DO really enjoy that stuff...) 

It's that love that "never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures every circumstance".
I want to say what I mean and mean what I say. 
I want to help someone even when no one else will. 
I want to stand for what is right even if everyone else choose to sit. 

I know that.. despite my hopes, not everyone will accept me. Not everyone will be my friend. Not everyone will support me or stay with me but... 
for those who do, I will do my best to do the same. 
And for those who don't... I will do my best to treat you fairly and love you like a friend, but I also won't let myself be taken advantage of. 

I may not know everything about myself, but I DO know who I want to be and I will strive for it. 

I know I'm not strong... in fact, I see myself as someone weak. But I'll continue to work at becoming stronger because there's a fight worth fighting and prize worth claiming. 

I'm going to run this race with everything I have until my last breath. 

I hope you will too because even though it's hard, life is good.

I wish you hope, joy and truth!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Waiting. Second chances. Giving up.

If anyone thinks waiting isn't hard, let them try it before coming to me and saying that it isn't. I don't just mean waiting in line for something. Or waiting for a friend to text you back. 
but WAITING.

...waiting for the right moment to tell the truth about how you feel about someone. 
...waiting for the right person and not just hoping someone is-- actually using time, YEARS, to get to know someone inside out before deciding you want to spend your life with them. 
waiting for a friend who's turned their back on you, hurt you, betrayed you

... waiting for them with opened arms. 

Many people would and will tell me "That's pointless. Why wait? They've already left! You don't even know if they're ever coming back! You're wasting your time." 

It's true that I don't know if they'll ever come back to me. But pointless? Not at all. 
Waiting doesn't mean you're not doing anything yourself in that time. 

Even in simple scenarios like waiting for class to begin, you do something to distract yourself- listen to music, doodle, text, talk with someone nearby, whatever. 

So in the time you wait for someone, which could be years, you are still doing something yet still holding onto the hope that they will come back one day. 

"Hope? That's the most idiotic thing I've heard. It's gone and done. You're hoping on something hopeless." 

Well, let me ask you... would you rather have someone tell you that you're hopeless and that you'll never amount to anything or have someone believe in you? 

There will always be people who tell me that I'm hoping on something that is pointless... but if that person means something to me, it's not pointless. 

Maybe instead of pointing your finger at the other person you're waiting on and saying "They'll never never change. They'll always be the same. They're not coming back and when they fall, they'll come back and realize I'm not going to be there to help them stand" as you turn your back and never look back... Instead...
Instead... why don't YOU change? 
Why are you giving up? 
If you give up, really, did you love them? Did you care enough to go back? 

Even if you WERE right, even if you "told them so", it's YOUR choice whether you stay or go. It's YOUR choice whether you give them another chance. 

Just think though... If it were YOU... wouldn't you want a second chance? 

So, when things get hard, you're going to walk away? So you're going to close your eyes, cover your ears and walk away from someone who's hurting? 
Even if they're bleeding on the ground at your feet?

Yes, it will hurt. Yes, it's hard. Yes, they may not always come back... 
But for those who do...
It will be the sweetest reunion. 

Think about it.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Change

My heart hurts as the reality of the changes this year become more prominent with each new day. I know that not all the changes will be bad, but it's the fear of the unknown that is gripping me and it shakes me to the core. The realization that things may never be the same again. Along with the fear comes excitement and anticipation in the fact that my days will never be the same-- There will be no repetitive days. A repetitive cycle, maybe, but never a day. There will always be something new and something different. Something to look forward to and things I wish I could avoid. Reasons to hold on and let go. Someone to laugh and cry with.

There's so much I'm feeling right now that I can't really focus on anything. I feel like laughing and crying at the same time. There's so much... in this life. Things that don't last and things that do. People who will be in my life for a moment and others that will be there for a lifetime. Memories that will resurface and others that will always remain. Feelings that will make me want to run and shout and others that will make me fall to my knees and cry. Moments that will fly by and others that will stretch into eternity.

Realizations and revelations about
who I am and what this life is supposed to be like. 

It's so different from KNOWING something and UNDERSTANDING something. You can know how find the solution to a problem but if you don't necessarily have to understand the process or reasoning. There's also a big difference between UNDERSTANDING and BELIEVING
A few days ago, understanding hit me like a freight train. What love really is. The best definition, explanation, and guideline for love resides in 1Corinthians 13. 

Love isn't earned but freely given.

Also, saying that you'll be there for someone may be good and well, but in all honesty, it's hard for the other person because there's nothing to hold onto except a promise. Promises are fragile and are easily broken. Actions truly speak louder than words. 
When the opportunity comes, when the right doors open, I WILL be there. It won't just be words on a screen but words from my mouth as I stand before you as I am. 

Just like how you'd rather have the real person instead of a phone call, text message, email, or letter. Not that those things aren't good or treasured but... there's something immensely different about having someone actually there, close enough to touch and hear. 

So many.... so much... it's overwhelming but I won't stop. I will fight what needs to be fought. I will stand my ground when all I really want to do is run. I will run when all I want to do is stay and argue. I will do my best to love. 

1 Corinthians 13:13--"Three things will last forever- faith, hope and love- the greatest of these is LOVE."

Saturday, August 6, 2011

True Freedom

TRUE FREEDOM IS:

-learning to love yourself
-no longer being ashamed of something you did
-being forgiven
-unashamed dancing or singing
-realizing that the way you've been defined isn't really who you are
-seeing yourself as beautiful
-realizing you were made for more
-not finding your worth in any one person
-breaking free from statuses and labels
-hugging someone without caring what it looks like to others
-finding joy in knowing that you are loved despite whatever you've done or will do
-having peace and believing you're taken care of

*realizing that you are FREE in Christ.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Walk-In Surprise

Being a college student means being on top of things.
Like managing your schedule and making sure your grades
are up to par with your major requirements (you know,
besides the fun stuff in between).
Well, I recently realized that I was in danger of failing a class
and I planned to see my academic adviser this morning.
Walk-in hours were from 9-11am, so I set my alarm at 8 am, 
confident that everything would be fine.

Next morning,
something doesn't feel right.
I'm thinking to myself,
It'll be alright. I'm going to wake up, and
be one of the first ones there

and sort things out with an adviser.
Several minutes later.
Wait... something feels wrong.
Shouldn't my alarm have gone off by now? 
. . .

I suddenly spring out of my bed and look at the time
to find that... it's 10:12!!!
By now, I'm freaking out because it's one of the last days that I can
get help for my situation so you can imagine me sprinting to campus
(which, distance-wise, isn't exactly a walk in the park).

On my way there, I remember to pray even as I'm racing against time.
It went something like this:
God, I know that I woke up late. There's no one to blame but myself,
and even though this is a scary situation right now, I believe that you can
still redeem it. I'm going to have faith and believe, if it's your will,
that I will make it in time to see an adviser. And even if I don't, I know that
you  still have things under control and I don't need to worry.


Just then, I was reminded of an adviser who had helped me out last spring.
Another little miracle in itself, but that will be saved for another time.
What you need to know though is that this adviser helped me when
she technically wasn't supposed to and ever since, I've been
wanting to personally thank her.
Seriously, it's one of those things you'll never forget.

When she came to mind, I quickly added,
And God, if it's possible, can I please see that adviser from last time?
I want to thank her so much for her help.

Now, you also have to understand that during this time of year,
trying to meet with an adviser is practically the equivalent of
trying to juggle bowling balls.With one hand.
Everyone's fighting tooth and nail to get advice and help.
I remember once waiting almost an hour before I could see an adviser.

But still, even as the clock was ticking, I raced toward my school's office.
Walking in at 10:35, the first thing I noticed was that...
it was EMPTY.
Literally.
There was all of three people waiting in that office.
At first I thought it was a trick, but I still went and signed myself in.

Lo and behold, within five minutes my name was called and as
I looked up to see who my adviser was--
-insert dramatic pause-
It was the same adviser I had prayed to meet.

Some of you might be thinking "Come on. She's in the office.
How crazy is it really that you have her again?"
First of all, I'm a Business major
(Pre-Business technically, but keeping my fingers crossed).
Those of you who are in college,
have been in college,
or have looked into college--
know that it's one of the most popular majors.
What does this mean?
It means the number of advisers for Business majors
largely outnumber advisers for different majors.

To get the same adviser in a walk-in appointment is
about as likely as finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

I won't bore you with the details of the short conversation I had
with my adviser, but I will say that I'm more at peace with
my academic standing.


Needless to say, I was incredibly blessed and blown out of my mind
at how things played out today. It was perfectly orchestrated.



All I can say is:

My God is an awesome God
and he cares about the little things in my life.


Thanks, God.
You are too amazing