Just Breathe

Can you say whirlwind? It has been a crazy last few months. My goodness, I haven't posted in 2 1/2 months! I'm a terrible blogger. =)~

Let's see, in the past two months, I have started school, joined choir, become heavily involved in bus ministry, established new friendships =), gone deeper in my walk with God, worked on my current relationships with my friends and family, and so much more! OK, so that doesn't seem like a lot when it is written down, but OH if you could read between the lines or walk with me everyday, you would understand how AWESOME God is and how much he has been working on me.

For example, these past two weeks have been a trial and a half, and it's just the beginning. My overwhelming desire, especially since I came back to church (almost) 2 years ago, has been to become like Sis. Wilson. I often pray that the annointing and spirit of Nanny come upon me so that God can use me greatly in his kingdom. Especially in the past two weeks, well almost 3 weeks now, have I been praying that. And OOOH BOY! have I ever been tested to strengthen my walk with God so I can become. God has been dealing with me to embrace my "Leah" so that I can receive the blessing of "Rachel". For those of you who didn't hear Bro. Cody Marks' message on Tuesday, PLEASE get the CD, it will be well worth it. It really spoke to my heart.
Every experience I have had and will ever have is to the glory of My Savior and the furtherment (if that is even a word) of his kingdom in my life and those around me.

As I mentioned, lately I have been struggling with embracing my past experiences, and in a recent conversation with my best friend, I had to grab myself by the collar and say that if I hadn't gone through those situations, I wouldn't be the woman I am today and I wouldn't be able to help others through similiar situations or just be there for moral support.
When I am down and needing a sounding board my Dad and best friend and there for me. Thank you! I you two SO MUCH!!

Yesterday, I talking to a classmate of mine, Roma, about how a lot of people won't be friends with rich kids because they feel that a rich kid has no real life experiences. ~Rich kids have everything spoon-fed and handed to them on a silver platter, how can I relate with them if I have had to work for every little piece of happiness or fulfillment in my life.~ Have you ever heard or thought this? The same thing can be felt by those of us, as children of God, who have either left church and came back or who haven't been raised in church (about those of us that have been raised in church). I am thankful for the experiences in and out of church I have had, because they make me stronger in the Lord as well as in my own self.
For example, my sister's have been in church all their lives and have never left, on the other hand I left and came back. Who is to say that they are better than me or I am better than them? Don't you understand that we are all equal in God's eyes? Our experiences shape us to become who God wants us to be, so that he can use us in many different ways. My sister's can relate to young people from our generation that have been raised in church and are struggling with their walk with God more that I can, but then again I can relate with those young people who have left church and come back and are struggling with the things of this world that are trying to drag them back out of church.
What it all boils down to, is (PAY ATTENTION) keep your walk with God strong. If you start to feel like you are slipping, go to your family member (biological or spiritual) and ask for help. The Bible says to "Confess our sins, one to another...". This doesn't mean go gossip about your problems, or vent for an indeterminate amount of time...this means to go to someone you trust with you spiritual problems and ask them to pray with you and for you, and to help you stay on track and to be accountable for your actions as a representation of God, and in my case The Rock Church.

OK, So I feel like I am Dr. Laura right now =). That is not what I am intending. I hope that someone out there is encouraged to become more than who you are right now. There is always upward mobility in God's kingdom. "Read your Bible, Pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow!"

I love all of you so much! I don't know what I would do without my family, biological and spiritual.

All I can say to anyone who is struggling right now is, Just Breathe! Take a deep breath, say a prayer (START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER AND BIBLE READING), and walk in God's AWESOME love!