After a really tough summer, I realized that I rarely sit and take in "life." With the world telling me that I need to search for things to make me happy, I need to understand that I've already got all I need in Christ and should take time to cherish those. From the mundane to true, unexpected, and often undeserved blessings:
A few of my favorite things
. the Forehands- my adoptive family
. Shades Mountain Baptist Church
. Student Ministry at SMBC
. high school friends- Liz, Georgia, Cassie
. time alone
. ability to be active and healthy
. confidence to live alone
. chocolate
. art
. creative thinking
. the power to make my own decision
. the Heroes of Faith
. Real Simple magazine
. books
. road-trips
. missions
And the list could go on. God has and continues to bless me. I pray I can see these blessing and appreciate them more often!
31 August 2007
27 August 2007
Memory Lane
This past weekend I took a walk down memory lane. My friend Georgia and I went on a girl's road-trip. This weekend was a time of great conversation and spiritual encouragement. God ordained this time and allowed me to relax in the presence of great friends and His grace.
This photo was taken at Christ Church in Saint Simons Island, GA. This beautiful piece of history and a working ministry was just one stop on my tour of the island.
I'm thankful for memories with Georgia and her family. I feel ever more rejuvenated in many areas of my life. I got to spend sweet time with God- in quiet moments alone and in shared Bible Study with Georgia. One morning over coffee, we sat at a local coffee house and read James 5; we broke down the passages and talked about what it meant to us. God worked on both of our hearts as we communed with Him in quaint moments!
I will always look back upon this journey with fond memories and a treasured lessons.
04 August 2007
Barbie-mentality
After meditating on yesterday's 1 John study, I was reminded of an article I wrote for the Refried Times (www.refriedtimes.com). Refried is a place that allows authors to tell stories about 'life' from their perspective.
I was assigned a story in the Life Style section. Barbie-mentality came out of a realization that what I strive for isn't always focused on my true purpose.
___________
Barbie-mentality
When I was small, I loved to play with Barbie and Ken. I had the tiny clothes, the pink car, and all the accessories. In my play-world Barbie was the best wife and Ken was an amazing husband. I would play this scene for hours making my own perfect utopia.
As I look back on my childhood, I think about the dreams I had for my life, the way I wanted to grow up, and I see that much of those dreams were birthed because of Barbie. What I hoped for and what I strove to be was someone who had it all together- the clothes, the family, the white picket fence- the American Dream. Ken was a successful businessman, Barbie was the best dressed, I wanted my world to have the best of everything. I’ve come to realize that my dreams, and I dare say many of your dreams, are birthed from this “love of the ideal.”
Who doesn’t strive to be the best or have the best? Who doesn’t love making lots of money? Who wouldn’t love success? Nothing is wrong with these things, but when will we realize that the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness often take us away from loving the simple things in our lives?
In my utopia, there were no flat tires, no family members with cancer and no job lay-offs. Ken was always home in time for a home-cooked dinner, and my dolls never knew the meaning of being tired. I’m learning that I can’t expect my life to be this dream when I was never promised perfection or a life free of struggle. I realize now that I don’t want to live my life pursuing the American Dream. I want to live a simple life, not a life in hopes of an ideal husband, a perfect home, sweet children, and a successful job. What I love most about life are Saturday mornings when I have nothing on my schedule, attending sports games, trying new foods, and having coffee with an old friend. However, many times I find myself back in the Barbie mentality - filling my schedule with things to make me a better employee, to make my home a bit nicer, to be more educated in my field. My calendar has little time for the things I really love. My goal is to sit a bit longer, love a bit deeper. I commit to looking at my schedule as something I control- not something that controls me. I will purposefully slow down and love the little things; I will deal with the flat tires and sick family members as they come, and those things will be reminders that I do not control my world. Every unscheduled unpleasantry that comes along will be dealt with and will serve as a note that the Barbie-mentality is not real and life is much more than striving for perfection.
How much happier would we be if we let go of those ideals and spent more time living in the things we truly love? I challenge you to figure out what you love and spend more time doing it. Get rid of those labels and live a life full of love.
-Melanie
I was assigned a story in the Life Style section. Barbie-mentality came out of a realization that what I strive for isn't always focused on my true purpose.
___________
Barbie-mentality
When I was small, I loved to play with Barbie and Ken. I had the tiny clothes, the pink car, and all the accessories. In my play-world Barbie was the best wife and Ken was an amazing husband. I would play this scene for hours making my own perfect utopia.
As I look back on my childhood, I think about the dreams I had for my life, the way I wanted to grow up, and I see that much of those dreams were birthed because of Barbie. What I hoped for and what I strove to be was someone who had it all together- the clothes, the family, the white picket fence- the American Dream. Ken was a successful businessman, Barbie was the best dressed, I wanted my world to have the best of everything. I’ve come to realize that my dreams, and I dare say many of your dreams, are birthed from this “love of the ideal.”
Who doesn’t strive to be the best or have the best? Who doesn’t love making lots of money? Who wouldn’t love success? Nothing is wrong with these things, but when will we realize that the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness often take us away from loving the simple things in our lives?
In my utopia, there were no flat tires, no family members with cancer and no job lay-offs. Ken was always home in time for a home-cooked dinner, and my dolls never knew the meaning of being tired. I’m learning that I can’t expect my life to be this dream when I was never promised perfection or a life free of struggle. I realize now that I don’t want to live my life pursuing the American Dream. I want to live a simple life, not a life in hopes of an ideal husband, a perfect home, sweet children, and a successful job. What I love most about life are Saturday mornings when I have nothing on my schedule, attending sports games, trying new foods, and having coffee with an old friend. However, many times I find myself back in the Barbie mentality - filling my schedule with things to make me a better employee, to make my home a bit nicer, to be more educated in my field. My calendar has little time for the things I really love. My goal is to sit a bit longer, love a bit deeper. I commit to looking at my schedule as something I control- not something that controls me. I will purposefully slow down and love the little things; I will deal with the flat tires and sick family members as they come, and those things will be reminders that I do not control my world. Every unscheduled unpleasantry that comes along will be dealt with and will serve as a note that the Barbie-mentality is not real and life is much more than striving for perfection.
How much happier would we be if we let go of those ideals and spent more time living in the things we truly love? I challenge you to figure out what you love and spend more time doing it. Get rid of those labels and live a life full of love.
-Melanie
Do Not Love the World
Read 1 John this morning. The beautiful truth of 1 John 2:15-16 reminded me of my purpose:
"Do not love the world, nor the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."
The things I crave from this world: material possessions, approval, love, and success are all ungodly lusts. I want to be other than the world. I want to love God much more than I love this life I'm living.
Praying:
. for rest in Christ
. for a positive attitude about the pace of life I've been called to
. to be single-minded and focused on sharing Christ's love
. that God would guide and keep the SMBC Student Ministry totally His
"Do not love the world, nor the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."
The things I crave from this world: material possessions, approval, love, and success are all ungodly lusts. I want to be other than the world. I want to love God much more than I love this life I'm living.
Praying:
. for rest in Christ
. for a positive attitude about the pace of life I've been called to
. to be single-minded and focused on sharing Christ's love
. that God would guide and keep the SMBC Student Ministry totally His
02 August 2007
Purpose
I feel it necessary to begin my 'Journey of Purpose' essays with my definition of a life with purpose:
. fulfilling God's plan
. focusing on others
. letting others taste hope in your daily walk
. being intentional with your time
. being a disciple of the Word
. being 'other' than the world
This blog has been created to journal thoughts, to document interesting days, and to help filter a busy life with the reminder of true purpose.
. fulfilling God's plan
. focusing on others
. letting others taste hope in your daily walk
. being intentional with your time
. being a disciple of the Word
. being 'other' than the world
This blog has been created to journal thoughts, to document interesting days, and to help filter a busy life with the reminder of true purpose.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)