words

I often limit myself by my words and attitudes. Instead of actively trying to be more patient, loving, or motivated, I'll think or talk about how I'm just not a patient person, I'm not really a people person, or I have senioritis. The problem is, when I talk like that, I hip away at my patience or motivation until I actually don't have much left. I'll take on a negative, self-deprecating attitude under the guise of "being honest" instead of actually praying about it and working to do better. I don't know why I take this route, but it needs to change. 

p.s. This is my 400th post! I can't believe it! Thank you all for being amazing followers.

Eye contact

{via}

When did we become a culture in which making small talk with strangers is uncomfortable; tapping away at a glowing screen is more important than tapping into people's lives; staring out a window or down at the ground is more normal than making eye contact and smiling.

I went to Boston for a school field trip a couple of weeks ago, and riding the subway made me really think as I observed my fellow passengers. We're all so wrapped up in ourselves that we often don't see the young woman who boards, crying silently, or the man who keeps looking nervously at the ma of subway stops, or the frantic woman who almost missed her stop. If we catch someone looking at us, we think they're creepy. But maybe they're not. Maybe once we look up and around we can share a smile with the college student who almost dropped her phone as the car jerked forward, or stick an arm in the closing door so the frazzled woman can get off at the correct station. 

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. They are but trifles, to be sure, but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."

Joseph Addison

Stop, acknowledge, and exalt

    In Bible studies and sermons, we often grow accustomed to hearing certain verses for certain situations. When we're anxious or restless, we quote the first part of Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God." It's a good verse to know and act on, and it seems to be easy to understand.

But we forget to look at the context. Psalm 46 begins with some of my favorite verses which talk about God being our refuge and strength in perilous times. Even when nations are at war around His tabernacle, God will save His place and it will not move. Verses 8-9 then invite us to see how God has desolated the earth by breaking weapons and burning chariots. Then verse 10 comes: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" We are not to simply sit down and remember Who God is; we are to praise and exalt our powerful, awesome Heavenly Father.

So next time you're anxious, depressed, or going through a rough time, remember this: the God Who protects His tabernacle and holy city in the middle of raging wars is your refuge and strength, so be still, acknowledge His power, and praise Him for it. Be more concerned about getting to know and praise Him than for your own relief. The whole point of being still is to know and exalt God.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Selah.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; 

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob s our refuge.

Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah.

Delight 365 // Days 145 - 152

Day 145

"Well, dear, you must remember this, when you're going to fret and be low about any thing - An anxious mind is never a holy mind."

Margaret in Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell

Day 146

"Look at other people through lenses of Love; see them from God's perspective."

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Day 147

"But on you will go

though the weather be foul.

On you will go

though your enemies prowl.

On you will go

though the Hakken-Kraks howl.

Onward up many

a frightening creek,

though you arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak. 

On and on you will hike.

And I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are."

Oh, the Places You Will Go by Dr Seuss

Day 148

"For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness,

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him."

Isaiah 53:2

Day 149

"There's too many things I haven't done yet,

Too many sunsets I haven't seen.

You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down.

You would've thought by now

I'd have learned something."

"Many the Miles" by Sara Bareilles

Day 150

"Watch the sunrise at least once a year, put a lot of marshmallows in your hot chocolate, lie on your back and look at the stars, never buy a coffee table you can't put your feet on, never pass up a chance to jump on a trampoline, don't overlook life's small joys while searching for the big ones."

H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Day 151

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."

C.S. Lewis

Day 152

"We love others best when we love God most."

Kyle Idleman

Delight 365 // Days 135-144

Day 135

"The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Day 136

"She dances to the songs in her head, speaks with the rhythm of her heart, and loves from the depths of her soul."

Dean Jackson 

Day 137

"I love old things. They make me feel sad."

"What's good about sad?"

"It's happy for deep people."

Sally Sparrow and Kathy Nightingale in "Blink"

Day 138

"Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Day 140

"When reading, we don't fall in love the characters' appearance. We fall in love with their words, their thoughts, and their hearts. We fall in love with their souls."

via

Day 141

"We've got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen."

D.H. Lawrence

Day 142

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king."

The Fellowship of the Ring

Day 143

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop

Day 144

"But I trust in Your unfailing love. My heart rejoices in Your salvation."

Psalm 13:5