There is Only One and It is He.

It is no surprise that many women are perfectionists. Not only of ourselves and our homes, but also sometimes of other people and situations. Unfortunately, I am one of these women (I feel strange calling myself a woman, but I suppose I should suck it up and face the fact that I’m no longer 18). I have high expectations of myself, others, and life in general. These expectations have become much more realistic over the years due to other’s counsel and my own disappointments which have created more reliance on God. I am thankful for this now, but was not so at the time.

Not too long ago one of my dearest friends politely offered a book to me that she thought I may benefit from; The Relief of Imperfection: For Women Who Try Too Hard to Make It Just Right. In my free time this week (which I have enjoyed immensely!) I decided to take a trip to B&N and enjoy reading something other than textbooks. It was between this book and the new Nicholas Sparks book, but I decided to try and improve my mind rather than add to the unrealistic expectations that are so prevalent in his novels’ storylines. I picked up the book and was hooked immediately. It contains real-life stories, advice and suggestions AND it is all backed by scripture. I am trying to pace myself so I can let the words of each chapter really sink in, but I can already tell this book is a winner.

It has become very evident to me that the root of my desire to be perfect is simply my need to try and earn love and even salvation through works. How foolish am I? God desires nothing from me but my heart. He just wants me. He just wants ME?

He.

Just.

Wants.

Me.

With all my flaws, failures, doubts, and disregard. Why is that simple truth so difficult to understand? And extend?

Father God, allow my life to be transformed by You. Help me to live in the truth daily that You are perfect and desire nothing more than for me to rest in that. I pray that you would become greater, and I would become less (John 3:30). Help me to not only accept your grace for myself but to extend it to others. Remind me that we are all Your children and You love us just the same.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

A Day of Thanksgiving

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day I feel overwhelmed with appreciation for The One who has provided for my every need. Two and half years ago I moved to Birmingham searching for more. After graduating and living in a state of depression for over a year He brought me to the Magic City and has slowly changed my life by strategically placing people to be an encouragement in my walk and, simply, a friend. I am reminded of the words in one of my favorite NEEDTOBREATHE songs, “The years go by like stones under rushing water. We only know, we only know when it’s gone.” Looking back on the last few years gives me a greater appreciation and understanding for who God is and how He works. I may not always understand it, but I don’t have to. I only need to trust it. Thank you, LORD, for “lifting me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; setting my feet on a rock and giving me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2) On this day of Thanksgiving that is what I am most thankful for.

Oh Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go

Oh, love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee

I give thee back this life I owe

And in thine ocean depths its flow

may richer, fuller be

Oh, light that follow'st all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee

My heart restores its borrowed ray

That in thy sunshine's blaze its day

may brighter, fairer be

Oh, joy, that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee

I trace the rainbow through the rain

And feel the promise is not vain

that morn shall tearless be

Oh, cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee

I lay in dust life's glory dead

That from the ground there blossoms red

life that shall endless be

-"Oh Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go" by George Matheson

I was introduced to this old hymn at a new church I've been visiting and have been thinking about it since. The words spoke to me and the updated melody was so catchy it's been replaying in my head for days. The third verse is my favorite because it speaks of God's faithfulness, which is something I have been reminded much of lately. Maybe I've needed to hear it, eh?Anyway, it is comforting to know there is nothing I can do (or not do) to be separated from Him (Romans 8:38-39). Even more comforting, nothing I do (or don't do) takes away from who He is. He is good. He will always be good. Regardless of my fickle self.

If you want to hear a great version of this awesome song, just click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-tXgsBq418&feature=related

Today

For those of you who still read my blog...thank you! I promise to update more often! I'm still trying to balance work, school, life, AND technology. I'll get the hang of it soon...I hope. Okay, I have a few things I wanted to report about my day at school (work) and school (school)...

{one} A child began to urinate on the playground in a flower bush today. Lovely. He's only 4! Boys will be boys, I guess. Anyway, it made for a good laugh for us teachers. Hopefully you can get a laugh out of it too.

{two} As I was leaving the school for the day my coworker and I witnessed a woman have her car robbed while she was picking up her child! Who does that?? Apparently some hoodlum boys from WHS. It was sad to see her try and yell some sense into these boys while they ran away (and she called the police).

{three} In my psych class tonight our teacher discussed the difference between people in their early, middle, and late adult years. She said as you enter your middle adult years and, hopefully, achieve "generativity" over "stagnation" (Erikson) you begin to do the things you love that will add to society; a job or service you could provide with no extrinsic benefit to yourself. She said, if you're lucky, you may find that now, with the added benefit of a salary. Her exact words that followed were, "I bet none of you can think of something you like to do so much that you would do it without pay." I didn't speak up, but I thought "Umm, I definitely can". I mean, heck, I work for next to nothing now! BUT I love those kids and they make it worth it!! I don't mind pinching pennies to see those adorable faces and sweet spirits everyday! Hopefully you won't mind getting a lame Christmas gift this year! hah. Anyway, all that to say, I love what I do. As if I don't say it enough.

The weather outside is frightful

Forget about Autumn…it feels like Winter outside! Where did this cold weather come from? I know I’ve been saying I kinda want it to get cold, but did it have to go from 80 degrees to 40?? In case you are wondering…no, I’m not really one of those people. The one’s who want it to be cold when it’s 105 degrees and can’t wait for Summer when it’s only January. I pretty much want it to be May all year round! May is the BEST month, ya know! Anyway, in an effort to be optimistic, these are the things I like about cold weather:

-getting to wear my new anthropologie sweater. It’s beautiful.

-sleeping in a warm bed thanks to my heated mattress pad. LOVE it!

-fires

-Starbucks’ Peppermint Mochas

-Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate. YUM!!!

-boots and scarves

-Holidays…of course!

The common theme seems to be “something that keeps you warm,” but like I said, I could have warm weather all year. I suppose I should just bundle up and get ready for a cold winter. If it’s anything like last years, I’m in trouble.

I’d love to hear some of your favorite things about Winter…or cold weather in general.