the chance to share His unfailing love.

  My heart is overwhelmed with joy.  I had an absolutely amazing time with friends this weekend.  It felt just like old times for us three to be together hanging out at the beach.  But things are noticeably different now...we have grown up so much.  The joke of the "freshmen" version of my friends was thrown around a lot.  While we can gladly reminisce, we can also thank God for the ways He has shaped us through these past couple of years.  We have each had our own fair shares of struggles and trials, but those struggles and lessons learned have led us to where we are today.  I am so proud of my friends for the ways they have said yes to Jesus, and continue to let him guide their lives.
  The highlight of the weekend was the chance to see the work of my family in Christ.  The pastor of my church allowed my friend to stand up during a class and say a few words about his upcoming mission trip to Ireland, and the need for financial support.  The key thing to realize is that no one knew Kevin, my pastor had not even met him before this announcement.  At the end of class Kevin and Emily were prayed for and people came over interested in partnering with him.  During the prayer I was tearing up.  The love of God's people was shown in such a unique and unforgettable way.  I hope this happens in churches everywhere.  That as brothers and sisters in Christ we can walk into a church and feel loved and at home.  We have to remember that God's Kingdom is so much bigger than we realize.  In that moment I felt so incredibly loved by God.  I wasn't even the one receiving money or prayer..but I was reminded that God provides.
  I know so many people who are being called to leave their comfortable lifestyle or college town to go out and show people the love of Jesus.  I do not have this calling, but I know that I am a part of their missions.  Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."  It is important as believers to have churches and groups of friends that can meet together and support one another.  I know that I am to love and encourage my friends who are being sent out to unfamiliar places.  Luke 8:1-3 also calls me to support their mission with my own resources.  I feel lucky to have this opportunity.  The love of God is truly overwhelming, and I want to see people all over experience His love and freedom.


p.s.  If you would like to financially support Kevin on his trip you can message me for more info!  Also, pray for him and the courage to rely on God for the provision of funds and that people in Ireland would come to know Jesus.  Here is the link to his blog-- http://killingapathy.blogspot.com/

I will wait.

   I am completely obsessed with my future.  Everyday I am wondering, thinking, and praying about where I should be...or what I should be doing.  I always feel like I should be doing more or something better, this is so far from the truth.  My heart has been all over the place.  It is crazy how you think you are incredibly passionate about things but doors are not opened for those passions to be played out.  I know I still have a heart for college students--it was during those years that Jesus swept me up with His overwhelming love.  I have a heart for college students who feel broken down, not accepted, and doing anything and everything to receive love.  How they try to find their worth and identity in relationships, knowledge, and the pursuit of success.  I have been in all of those categories.  I understand what it feels like to go to college and have all of these roads before me.  I also know what it is like to experience the love and grace of Christ during my college years.  I want to love college students and I want to see them know Jesus.  The thing that confuses me is how the Lord will use me to do this....obviously, it is not the way I planned.
   I must wait patiently on the Lord to reveal His plan to me.  The past couple of weeks the same psalm has been brought up in my life.  Verse 14 in psalm 27 has particularly struck me.."Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."  Patience, ughhhh.  Isn't a year of waiting on the Lord to reveal my calling enough?  I feel like our society struggles so much with patience.  We think that we deserve and must know everything instantly.  Any information you need to know you can punch into your computer or smart phone and have the answer immediately.  Who needs to toast a poptart when you can toss it into the microwave for ten seconds??  We feel the same way about answers from God.  I know in my heart that everything in my life has happened according to plan.  God has taught me beautiful lessons according to His timing...now to remember that everyday.  Like David I need to seek the Lord for answers and guidance.  David did not make hasty decisions--he asked the Lord for direction (1 Sam. 23:2).
   Being able to travel a few places over the past couple of months has been eye opening for me.  Every time I have come back rejuvenated and excited.  The last few days I spent in California...what a different world.  It was awesome to be able to experience and new place and see more of God's beautiful creation.  But it was hard to see how many people there are obsessed with image and success. I felt like I could feel the stress and importance of self worship.  It literally made me want to come home and get rid of clothes and items that I find personal worth in.  I will do that, but something I just realized is that I am putting that much worship and worth in knowing my future.  On the plane ride home my heart was excited to return to my little beach.  It is not fashionable, but it is beautiful.  It is home to amazing people who I consider family.  I have no idea where I will be in the future...can knowing that I have the love of Jesus wherever I am be enough?  I pray that I will wait patiently on the Lord, while enjoying this phase of life.

ask jeeves...or lindsey.

   Life lately has been super busy, but yet enjoyable.  I feel like I'm learning the lesson of how to serve and love Jesus through the busy and mundane aspects of life.  That is not the point of this blog though haha  So, this week the question was asked, do you have any regrets in life?  The conversation spurred to the topic of wanting to hide our pasts because they were shameful, and a version of us that we did not like.  I have been thinking about this for a few days now...
   Do I have any regrets in life??  I think I am finally getting to the point where I can say no and truly mean it.  This doesn't mean that I do not have painful memories, but through prayer God has started to ease the ones that seem to grip and make me feel ashamed and unworthy.  Of course, sometimes I wish I would have listened when God told me to pray for someone in person, or that I wouldn't have been rude to the lady who hated the coffee she ordered.  But it does allow me to give those worries and weaknesses to God.  He is big enough to carry all of my burdens, even better...He loves me enough to carry them.  I will never say all the right things, or be loving enough.  But isn't that the point?  I don't want the glory of doing everything "right", but I'd rather God show His glory by working my shortcomings for His perfect plan.  Nothing in life is past the redemption of God.
   The beauty of God's redemption is what makes me want to share my past.  I cannot hide the work that He has done in me.  He has chosen me as His child, and like a child I have made mistakes.  But like a Father He still looks upon me with love.  Those mistakes do not define or change His love for me.  Therefore, how can I hide the fact that I serve a God who loves me so much that He gave His son up for me, and can redeem the ways I turn from Him.  Sharing my past allows God to be glorified.  Just like reading the stories in the Bible allows us to be encouraged.  We learn about the pasts of the characters and how God used broken people to accomplish His will.  What if we knew nothing about their pasts??  There is no way on earth that I could have even dreamed of the way God would use me and is still using me.  I am learning that it is okay to look at a mess of a person and think they are beautiful--this is what God does everyday.  Even though I am a mess I am loved.  Even though I am broken I have hope.  That love and hope is Jesus.  Ask me about my past--I would be thrilled to share how it all points to the redemption and love of God.