christn

Took some time these past few days to read some of the latest #SheReadsTruth online daily devotional/study on Advent. Wonderful opportunity to intentionally make time to read and think about God and His Word.

With a perfect view of the storm of final exams brewing in this week and the next, and the seemingly ever present stack of tasks left to do along with concerns of how I’ll get them done, I can use some time to remember what’s important. “Do not go after other gods to serve them…Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Jeremiah 35, Joel 2).

When I find myself feeling stressed and down, that typically occurs after a time of not having my focus on God. I become enslaved to my surroundings, my circumstances, the actions I do, the thoughts I think, the words I say, the way I present myself, the things I want, etc. And my happiness starts to focus on and depend on those things. Which is exhausting. And when my focus is off, everything seems harder to do. Work just seems like work, play just seems like play, rest just seems like rest. But it all lacks meaning, purpose, fulfillment. There is no depth for why I do them. Then guilt and shame from my sins and shortcomings creep in, and everything just kind of pushes me down…

But when I remember that my life is to please God and not myself, and when I take even just baby steps toward living that out–working for God, playing for God, resting for God–things seem more worthwhile. And I actually end up becoming happier in the process. Living out who I am meant to be.

one of the weirdest feelings occurs when you think about people who used to be your best friends, and know that they’re practically strangers now, and that they probably wouldn’t get along with you anymore if you ever saw each other again.

people change. for the better or for the worse.

we used to be so close though.

...i guess they’ve out grown me.

at 3am.

i am happy now. but that doesn't mean i've forgotten.

forgetfulness is not a pre-requisite for happiness.