precious

life is beautiful. life is filled with joy. life is a journey. life is challenging. life is a gift. This is my life! I am learning to see beauty in all things. God is giving me eyes to see more.... to see past myself.... to see him.... and to learn from everything.

I can't even name all the different emotions I have felt today. But there was one thing that remained the same.... the knowledge that God was (and is) holding me in his hand through it all. This morning I was definitely filled with JOY. I just couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I had peace and comfort in my heart despite the sadness that "overwhelmed" me. I know that might not make much sense to anyone... but it makes total sense to me. Even as so many other emotions came rolling in and out during the day... the joy remained.

I had a lovely little bit of time to myself today. I sat and drank coffee, ate chocolate chips and skor-bits, crocheted and watched Grey's Anatomy. The house was so quiet with my mom and dad gone with all their friends on a quading adventure and my brother out on his motorcycle. It hasn't been a common thing for me to be alone in a really long time. There is something just so peaceful about being by myself. Sometimes I just need that time alone to relax, and think (or not think) about life.

I was reminded today of a "word" that God gave me a while back. I am thinking that it was hmmm.... well maybe almost a year ago now. I remember it meaning something to me at the time.... and now I see it again with new eyes... and I am amazed and blessed by the love that God has for me.

I need you to believe that I created you to be valuable

I need you to believe that I created you to be loved

I need you to believe that I created you to be strong

I need you to believe that I created you to be mine

I need you to believe that I created you to be cherished

I need you to believe that I created you to be pure

I need you to believe that I created you lovely

I need you to believe that I created you beautiful

I need you to believe that I created you to be true

I need you to believe that I created you to matter

I need you to believe that I created you to fit in

I need you to believe that I also created you to stand out

I need you to believe that I created you to be different

I need you to believe that I created you to be a friend

I need you to believe that I created you to be a leader

I need you to believe that I created you to make a difference

I need you to believe that I created you to reach out

I need you to believe that I created you to give

I need you to believe that I created you to love others

I need you to believe that I created you to surrender

I need you to believe that I created you to be saved

I need you to believe that I created you to be talented

I need you to believe that I created you to be unique

I need you to believe that I created you to be YOU

I need you to believe in me

I need you to trust me

I need you to put your hope in me

I need you to have faith in me

God has really been teaching me a lot about myself this summer... and I am soaking it all in and wake up every morning with hope and anticipation.... excited to see what God has planned for me today. It isn't easy stuff... there are times when my heart just aches with the heaviness of life - but then God opens my eyes to see something good. He is showing me places where I need to grow and mature in Him... He is showing me how to love others... and He gives me the strength and wisdom to do these things. He fills me with JOY when I need it and holds me in His arms when I cry.

I am so blessed to have people around me who love and support and encourage me. I had two 'dates' with two incredible women of God this week, and was immensely blessed by them both. To be able to share my story with someone and receive encouragement, confirmation and wisdom from these ladies is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I don't even feel like I deserve to have people like them in my life... but God loves me more than I know or could ever imagine.

So often I am afraid, nervous, unsure about the future... but recently I go to bed with excitement... I am ready to step into tomorrow and am eager to see what God has for me. I have never known this kind of joy for life... and I am LOVING it!!! Each day is a blessing and gift. I hope and pray I never lose this new found love for life that God has given me.