October 30-31: Life Isn't a List

As I've mentioned before, I organize my tasks in a detailed to-do list app. I have become dependent on this for my "what's next?" when it comes to homework and responsibilities, but I have realized that may dependency on those check-boxes has resulted in my list-like lifestyle. Did I wake up? check. Did I brush my teeth? check. Did I do my devotional? check. Sometimes it seems to become, Did I spend time with people? check. Did I complete the list of requirements for the day? check?

There's a reason we don't measure the length of a day by the number of tasks we complete. We measure it by it's time. A day is 24 hours. Period. Regardless of if we spend all day in bed or if we don't rest for a minute. What we are able to get done in 24 hours isn't what defines a day. It's the experiences during those 24 hours that are meaningful. A check-list life isn't how we should operate. God has bigger plans for us than what can fit on a check-list; so tomorrow, those 24 hours (well, actually 25), will be filled with experiences, not check-boxes.

October 29: Illuminated

This morning, I was biking through the moonlit sky. It was beautiful; the bright moon lit up the clouds and made the morning less dark, reminding me that the sun was coming. It got me thinking--the only reason the moon seems bright is because of the sunlight reflecting off of it and its contrast in the darkness. The sun cannot light up the darkness of night because that destroys the definition of night, but God's light works in a similar way.

God is our sun. He is bright even when surrounded by light, but he is so bright and pure that he cannot be in the darkness of sin. Therefore, he has sent Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us to be the light in the darkness but only when we are illuminated by him. We are the moon. We are charged by the sun but are needed most in the darkness.

October 26-28: So Fast

Before I've realized it, a day is over. They say that time goes faster as you get older, and I believe it; time sure does seem to be flying by! And the difficulty with that is it is so easy to get caught up in the world that is passing by rather than remaining focused on our God who is never changing and always by our side. As time goes by, it is more important to stay focused on God's will, his plan, his perspective because he will stay consistent in a changing world.

October 23-25: Simplicity

This weekend I've seen the beauty in simplicity. Simplicity meaning the simple reddening of tree leaves that create beautiful scenery. The same simplicity that is found in just being with the people you love; there's no complicated itinerary needed to share that love. Simplicity in a child creating a $100 bill from the only paper she has because she wants to tithe. Just as Jesus said, "'I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.'" (Mark 10:15) Be simple. 

October 22: Why?

What's the reason for everything you do? For me, it differs--I go to school to learn; I walk my dogs to give them exercise; I go to choir because they're my team; I spend time with friends because I enjoy it. But what if I did everything for God's purpose? If I make myself available for his use in all I do...the possibilities are endless.

October 21: BOO

Last night, as I was beginning to cram for a calculus quiz, a loud three knocks came from the garage door. The dogs began to go crazy barking, and I, skeptical about who might be at the door, tip-toe into another room to look up the driveway and see if anyone is driving out. Humorously to my surprise, a bobbing flashlight illuminates the two young boys (likely the kids I babysit) sprinting up the driveway.

Now unafraid, I open the door and find the "You've been booed" package on the step. Couldn't have been better timing--a bucket full of candy seemed like a gift from God amidst my stressful studying.

But if I hadn't opened the door, if I'd run and hid, or if I'd been deaf enough not to hear the knock or the dogs, I wouldn't have found the gift. It was delivered within my reach, but I still had to make the effort to get it. Hmmmm... I wonder how many gifts from God are laying just within my reach that I have run from or ignored. I didn't need candy last night; I needed encouragement--would I have remembered that God is holding out his hand if a blazingly obvious bucket of candy hadn't arrived at my doorstep?

October 20: Keeping an Open Mind

I had a strong feeling today that I should be open minded and open eyed for the ways God may be using me. So I was. I don't know how I may have affected someone's life, but it sure affected my life. I was able to enjoy the day, even moments that I would usually have perceived as useless because useless to me might be a God-thing and restoration of faith to someone else.

October 19: Enjoy Every Moment!

To conclude my day in the pediatric office today, I stood in a 40 minute visit of a teenage boy who came in for ADHD medicine prescription. For that entire time, he did not smile or change posture or demonstrate any interest in life. He stated that he was good at nothing, interested in nothing, and motivated to do nothing. After the amazing weekend I just had, it hurt to see someone not enjoying the wonderful potential around him, and immediately I prayed to God, asking for him to reveal to this boy his purpose and potential.

There was no incredible, immediate effect, but prayers are powerful, and witnessing his withdrawal has certainly reminded me of the life I so often take for granted.

October 16-18: Domino Effect

What an amazing weekend it has been! I have been at Camp Glisson as a high school leader for the confirmands at my church. This was my third confirmation retreat that I have attended as a leader, and again, I was blown away by the impact God has through other people. I remember being confirmed and the impact my high school leaders had on  my faith journey, and now I have witnessed how I have impacted my confirmands. It's like a row of dominoes; hit one over, and they all fall down. I can only imagine what these confirmands will go on to do; how far will the trail of fallen dominoes go?

God is good. When we dedicate our time and actions to his will alone, he will use them to do BIG things. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had and the gifts God has given me to be a mentor in these kids' lives.

October 14: Call and Response

Today, I was volunteering in a kindergarten class simply by helping where needed. I enjoyed watching the teacher command control of her class with call and responses: she'd simply say a phrase and the class would produce their response in unison and be quiet. I was amazed. They became little obedient robots (though I assure you, they still had plenty of unique personalities). Needless to say, these calls and responses were very effective in getting the focus of all the children. It makes me wonder about God's use of calls and responses. Are there areas in my life that I can easily recognize as God's call and have enough experience or knowledge to respond as he wants? Are there times when I am distracted and need a call from him to get back on the right path? Yes and yes. I know God calls me back when I wander away, but I need to work on responding as he wants.

October 11-13: To-Do

I have a to-do list, and it is my never-failing guide to what needs to get done. If it's on my list, I'll do it, and usually I'll do it on time. My list has grown long and continues to grow every day, and it's hard not to get so focused on it that I forget about the things that aren't on my to-do...like talking to people, eating meals, enjoying life, praying, reading scripture. But these are the important things; my to-do list should be my options for free time, rather than the other way around. Life isn't a list of things to do; it's the experiences that lead to getting some of those things done. I need to put aside the to-do list for a little and maintain the important things that are too grandiose for any list.

October 8-10: Community of Support

It's people that determine if a day is good or bad. They can ruin your day, but more often, they make the day better. I am blessed to have some pretty awesome friends who not only encourage me but also provide me with opportunities to witness encouragement to even strangers. The past few days I've seen classmates cheer on the presenter, the "domino" effect of random kindness, and the power of laughter to cheer any soul. It's not about what we accomplish, but the journey we take to get there. Enjoy and be grateful for the people around you, and never hesitate to be an encourager.

October 7: He Did It Again

God's got the control. He's made that apparent to me this week. Situations just seem to "work out" for my benefit even against the odds. God is making it clear to me that he's taking care of me, that I can just trust him in all situations.

October 6: Fully Committed

While I was walking today, I passed by this dad who was walking uphill, pushing a tricycle, carrying a baby who was strapped to him, monitoring his son who was waving an oversized stick/tree branch, and keeping an eye on his daughter who was riding her bike further ahead. He had his hands full, but not in such a way that he seemed stressed or  out of control. He just seemed fully committed to being a dad and supervising his children.

I think God has similar qualities: he will carry us when we can't walk, push us when we are weak, warn us when we create danger and encourage us when we are strong. Never will he leave us--he's fully committed.

October 5: Under Control

I don't know for sure how much God manipulates my daily activities or timings in order for certain events to happen...I don't know if it is his doing or if it is his using certain "coincidental" situations to raise my awareness of his presence, but today, through one of these methods, God reminded me that he's got my situation under control. I was rushing to school. My travel time is usually 8-13 minutes, and I had exactly 8 minutes to make it to my meeting on time. So I left the house. I stopped at the stop signs but never had to wait longer to turn. I didn't even have to slow down to cross through the traffic-light-regulated intersection. And before I knew it, 5 minutes later I was pulling into the school. Maybe God fixed the car pattern and traffic signals just for me, but he certainly did use the situation to remind me of his protecting control.

October 4: Who Am I?

There are so many different answers I could give to this question--a student, a singer, a daughter, a friend, a sister, a volunteer, an employee--and I would give each of these responses depending on the situation, but only one answer encapsulates who I am in every situation--I am a sinner, but I live freely in the love and grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

October 3: Living in Expectation

I found myself today thinking about Christmas time, getting excited about the chill in the air, the lights, the music, the laughter, the food. Then I looked around and was disappointed by the gloomy gray sky and the 2+ months that separate me from the holiday season. But when I stopped thinking about the atmosphere of Christmas and began to think of Jesus' birth, and his resurrection, and then his love for me, it seemed the day just lit up. I don't have to wait to celebrate all that, I can do that today, and I will. Merry Christmas!

October 2: National Smile Day

Before today, I had not researched the bizarre "national holidays" there are in America. Today, the first Friday of October, we celebrate National Simile Day. It is also National Custodial Worker Day and National Name Your Car Day. And I suppose that just like Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day, these are days to appreciate some aspect of life, whether it's custodians or smiles or a car. I wonder who came up with each of these holidays. Who said, "we need a day to appreciate smiles?" But it makes me wonder more why they can't be appreciated or recognized on any normal day and if smiling a so uncommon that a day dedicated to them is a big change?

But this gratitude (or lack there-of) is bigger than a National Smile Day. What about Easter and Christmas? Why can't the joy and hope and peace found in these days be found in every day? Do we spend a year forgetting, just so we can celebrate again, like we always have? What if we spent the year building on that celebration, like a spiraling staircase moving up and up, rather than a merry-go-round?

I don't know about you, but I'd rather every day be a celebration of Christ's birth and his resurrection. After all, I'm not just going to stop smiling tomorrow and wait until next year to grin again.

September 30-October 1: Being Like Jesus

No matter what we do, someone or something will be against us Christians. That's just what happens when the things of the world are of our savior's enemy. Satan, of course, sees us as a threat and throws everything he can in our way.

When something seems unfair or a desire for money or fame becomes overpowering, Jesus is our source of power. What would he do in our place? That is the ultimate question and the guide to our actions. I have witnessed the past and present power of our savior, and it's time for us all to step up to the challenge of fighting evil.