Rainy Days

The title of this post could be deceiving, because I am not referring to one of those days where it's raining and you are really depressed because everything seems to be going wrong, no, it's just raining...

No wait...

that's a lie.

It's absolutely pouring. Like if I ever was tempted to doubt God's promise to Noah, it'd be right now.

I've never experienced rain like this before in my life. I went from my house, where the skies were clear, to my soccer game, where I got out of my car and was instantaneously drenched from head to toe. My rain coat says "Hyper-Dri" on the sleeve and I was hyper-wet. Also, because it is Saskatchewan, it was windy. One guy on the other team came with an umbrella and I almost had to laugh as I watched him struggle to close it after the wind took it away and he no longer had use for it (I also had to laugh because he offered to let me under the umbrella later even though it was obviously too late, but I appreciated it). :)

We didn't play soccer today. Although I wish we had, because I was soaked anyways. After ten minutes I could feel my toes starting to prune, which is not the most pleasant feeling I'll admit. But am I complaining about the rain? No.

My Dad challenged me the last time it was raining to be positive about it because it brings life. We dare complain about something that we need to survive. I mean, we are called to have attitudes of thankfulness at all times. (Colossians 3:16-17) So I am choosing to be thankful for the rain and also praying that it would stop soon ;).

Terrence: One Year Later

For those of you who remember Terrence from my first experience at IKEA last year, he is my bonsai tree, and he has grown quite a lot over the past year. Even has a new pot! Mostly because I managed to help my sister kick him off the table, breaking his old pot...anyways here he is, healthy, and still growing!

Determination

I just finished running about 17 or so km in about 1.5 hours. To say the least I am a bit tired, but I accomplished what I had set out to do. Ask anyone who runs marathons and they will tell you that it takes some serious determination but you just have to keep going until the finish line, no matter what pain you feel. I want to live for Jesus Christ with the same determination with which I run. I want to say with Paul that, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) I also want to live so that one day I will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) I praise Him for giving me the strength to carry on. :)

Acceptance

It feels good to be accepted. Who can deny that? I am sure that everyone wants acceptance to some degree. To know that they're ok. But acceptance should never be a goal in life. Especially when we are looking for it from other people. Only God defines us, and only His opinion should matter. But we can easily get caught up in our selfishness and think that we need to please others in order to feel good about ourselves and get the positive attention we think we deserve. Oh how quickly we forget that all the glory belongs to the Lord.

I got an acceptance letter yesterday for the nursing program I've been waiting to get into :) and I praise God for the opportunity that I have been given to further His kingdom as I will seek to share the good news with my classmates-to-be.

It feels good to be accepted, but the feeling that comes from a growing relationship with God is undeniably better. 

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 

There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 

Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. 

In them he has set a tent for the sun, 

which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, 

like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 

Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, 

and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; 

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 

the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 

the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; 

the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; 

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 

Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! 

Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, 

my rock and my redeemer.

Good To Note

I'll never say that dating is not hard work. Like any relationship, things get difficult at some point, but I find that things are more difficult in a dating relationship because you are making the second most important decision in your life, whom you will marry (choosing to follow Christ is the most important one!).

After my second serious relationship ended, I learned that I let more things slip than I should have. My tendency is to overlook things, thinking that I'm being righteous in giving the other person more rope without properly addressing the issues. This doesn't help anybody grow in character or maturity.

It's also hard for me to know when to validate my emotions because I tend to invalidate the negative ones and disregard them as wrong. My emotions tell me lots, and it's good to pay attention, especially to the negative emotions. And especially if those emotions are not a regular thing.

Another thing that I grew to appreciate more is the valuable counsel of the authority figures in my life. I asked for wisdom, and God gave generously, as he promises in His Word (James 1:5). I know the people who love me the most are willing to say the hard things, and I must be willing to humbly listen.

My wonderful mentor sent me the following article to help me evaluate my dating relationships, and it has been super helpful.
http://garrettkell.com/12-topics-to-talk-over-before-you-get-engaged/

I have been super blessed by the Lord, and I feel His peace once again as I look forward to the days ahead and long for the day of Christ's return. :)