For the past several years, I have been working with kids and youth in many different settings, in many different places. Cities, small towns, places in the South, out West. I've met so many kids that it would seem like they would all start to blend together after awhile. But really it's just the opposite. In every place that I have served, there have been those one or two kids that I will always remember. They are the kids who pushed my buttons, made me go outside my comfort zone, pushed my boundaries, and made me learn about myself. They are the kids that let me love them and be their friend. But, with the fun side of the relationship that includes crazy games, playing, laughing, competing, and turning a jump rope for hours, comes a harder side of the dynamic. With these relationships comes the fact that I have an influence on these kids. And that scares me. {via here} As Peter Parker's Uncle Ben would tell us," With great power comes great responsibility." Honestly, I don't see myself as an influence most of the time. Because whenever I think of influences, I think of those people who have influenced me. The people in my life who have inspired me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and have just done life with me. Let me tell you something, that list isn't very long. I could probably count them on one hand. And the idea that I could be that for someone else, blows my mind. It puts more pressure on myself whenever I'm around kids or people my age because eyes are watching me. They are waiting to see what I'm going to do, how I'm going to act in a situation, and what my words are going to be. And let me tell you something about myself. I'm stubborn, love to argue, selfish, and can get angry pretty quickly if I'm not careful. Not exactly what I want people to see and be influenced by. However, my patience level has risen greatly over the years and I can make myself stop and just walk away faster than I used to. Know that saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?" Well, let's just say that I have learned that the hard way sometimes. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying these are the only qualities that I have. My closest friends and the people who speak truth into my life have molded me and taught me many things over the years. They have opened my eyes to the good and have pushed me towards living and serving in greater ways. They have encouraged and loved me in Christ. Having that kind of influence on another person, whether someone your own age or younger, is a big deal! Wherever we are in our sphere of influence we are being molded and shaped by the people around us and we are doing the same for them. Whether we let our influence be good, or bad, the impact is going to be huge and it's our decision of which influence we are going to give. There are times when we don't even realize we are being an influence. This is either the most helpful thing or the most dangerous. When we don't remember that people are watching, our true colors will show and who we really are is going to be seen. This doesn't mean that we have to be "fake" all the time, to act like we are perfect. Which we know is not true of anyone. But, remembering that people are watching us should help us to remember that our actions are important and they mean something. How we use our time, the words we speak, and the actions we show to others can have an incredible impact, for the better, on those who are watching us. When I think about who I was around the kids (and who I am around my friends) I can't help but think about how my character was. Did I do everything right? No, of course not. Did I take responsibility for my mistakes? How did I handle myself during confrontation? Did I stand up for my beliefs and what I know is right? There are certain things I know I could have done differently. But, because those things are in the past, I cannot dwell on them. I have to focus on the future and the path that is laid out in front of me. I can use those past mistakes as reminders for the future and use them for the positive. With the past behind me, I look ahead into the future. I look around me, here, in the present to see how I'm currently influencing those around me. For those kids and friends I already know, I think of how I can keep giving them my best now . And how my best now, can be my absolute greatest for those I am going to meet. {via here} Follow me :)
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Random posts//internet findings//encouragement//happiness//life news//favorite things
WHAT I'M WATCHING
Whodunnit? on {ABC}
Basically like a game of CLUE with fun mysteries and murders to solve with a cash prize of course. Hint: The butler did not do it. Pretty Little Liars on {ABC Family} Okay, seriously "A" has like all of Rosewood bugged. And everyone seems to know something! And did anyone see the glimpse of Ravenswood? Creepy. Are we going to have to watch Ravenswood in order to get more clues on what is happening in Rosewood? Will there be crossover episodes? Does this mean the end of Hannah and Caleb? So. Many. Questions. Do you believe that Ali is still alive? I didn't read the books, but I know about some things. I won't ruin it. Just keep watching.
ENCOURAGEMENT // INSPIRATION // FUNNY // HAPPY
Follow Me :) {via here} "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:16-21 This is one of my most favorite passages in the Word. And when you combine it with Romans 8:35-39 (another of my favorites), together they pretty much cover everything. Meaning, between these two passages we are given a long list of things that cannot separate us from the love of God. I think that if we even tried to think of anything else, it would probably fall under one of the already mentioned categories. Here is what the passage in Romans says: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39 Absolutely nothing can separate us from His love. Christ's love is wide, long, high, and deep! His love continuously surrounds us. No matter where we turn, no matter where we look, no matter what we do, Christ's love is going to be found there in some way. Sure, we may make some stupid decisions sometimes, but He will never turn His back on us. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have; because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? '" Hebrews 13:5-6 And when Moses was leading the people to Israel, God gave him these words to say to the people: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 God has been giving His promise of love since the start of creation, to when Moses was leading the people out of Egypt, to when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, through time when Esther was made Queen, to Jonah being swallowed up by a big fish, and even through 400 years of silence when we then meet the earthly parents of Christ. And His love certainly does not stop being displayed then. So how do we know and experience this love? One, through Christ himself. Having Him in our hearts and allowing Him to strengthen us and our faith. Also, we have to be rooted and established in love. God Himself is love, if we know Him, we know love. And it is only by knowing His love that we are able to love others. Some days (most days), a love like this doesn't make sense and it doesn't always seem real. Especially when we experience something difficult and hard. For instance, unemployment and a tree falling on your car. The passage in Ephesians tells us that this love is a love that we do not understand. "...to know this love that surpasses all knowledge..." Ephesians 3:19 The only way we can remotely understand it is to persevere in faith, to stay rooted and established in love. To stay rooted and established in Christ. Let your roots grow deep and wide. Follow me! :)
Hating Friday? Why, that is un-American you might say!
And you would probably be right. But, let me explain. You see, Fridays are my weigh-in day. Dun. Dun. Dun. Yep. Fridays I start my day by stepping on the scale. And believe me, it is not always the best way to start a weekend. There are days where I dread stepping up and seeing what that number is. But, I know that number doesn't define me and the scale isn't everything. Then, there are Fridays where I feel confident that I did all I could. I stuck to my diet and I got my workouts in, I was consistent. This Friday was not one of those days. There have been days this week where I have blown my diet and I worked out only once this week. So, needless to say I wasn't anxious to see what the number was this morning. So, I stepped up and there was no change since last week! Which is definitely discouraging somewhat, but if I didn't gain, hey I'm happy. Then, I got a reminder on my phone to take measurements today. What?! Are you kidding me. I just got done weighing in and now I'm supposed to take body measurements. Ugh. Not something I wanted to do. But, I know that in order for me to keep up with my progress, my weight and measurements are something I need to know and record. I weigh in every week, but I take measurements every two weeks. I really didn't think that my measurements had changed, but they did! Not majorly, but you gotta start somewhere, right? Here's the final update: 2.6 lbs down and 8 inches lost. And now I can finally say:
{via here}
Happy Weekend!
Make sure to follow me! :) I'm only going to share two, quick things with you guys today. (because it is 8:25 pm...again. sorry guys) MONTHS until Christmas! I'm not usually one for countdowns or getting into the Christmas spirit too early. But, today I realized that it was the 25th and that there are only 5 months until Christmas. Which also means that this Saturday, there are only 5 months standing between me and the big 2-5. Whoa, guys. Is that really about to happen?? Next thing. Yes, you! I realized again today how important it is to remember to take time for yourself. Whether it's through writing, drawing, reading a good book, photography, running, listening to music, or just sitting outside, remember to take time for yourself and enjoy life. Happy Thursday! Follow me! If you read my post from yesterday, you know things have been kind of rocky and crazy lately. Well, just take a look at what happened yesterday. Yep. That is my car under there.
We had a storm come through yesterday afternoon that only lasted for about 30 minutes, but this was one of the results. A giant branch broke into three pieces, two of which landed on my car. Which has now been towed away to see if he can be repaired. Once again. Poor Max just can't catch a break. As one of my friends told me once, "You just have to laugh to keep from crying." So laughing is what I'm going to do. Have you ever had one of those days? A day where you seem to be met with nothing but discouragement? A day when nothing seems to go your way? A day where you just want to get away from it all and go on an extended vacation to a tropical island? A day where every road you start to go down leads to a dead-end? A day where you do nothing but wear sweatpants and watch a marathon of that new show you are obsessed with? A day where you can't get the format on Word to, well, format? A day where the gloomy, rainy day outside fits your mood perfectly? You could say that was me yesterday. Since I got back home from California in June, I haven't done much of anything to be honest. Which means, I have no job. Yes, I am one of the "unemployed." Womp. Womp. I will be honest, once I came back from California, I didn't want to do anything but sleep. My job there was one of the hardest and most challenging I have had yet. It stretched me beyond my abilities and comfort zones, and stretched and changed me as a person. And, it made me tired. There were long days and some long nights. It was constant supervision of children and constant building of community. Both of which require all of your energy and time to have any effect. I knew that once I came home I wanted to rest for awhile and then I would get back into the fun that is job-hunting. And oh what fun it has been. (Did ya catch that sarcasm? I hope so.) If you read on my "About Me" page, it says that I graduated with a degree that I have absolutely no idea what to do with. And that is absolutely true. It's not that I don't believe in my degree or that I didn't learn anything during my 4 years at a great university. What I am saying is that in college, I changed my major 3 times and then on the 4th time decided to stick with that one. And the majors that I declared were in no way related to each other! During college, most of my jobs were at churches and day-care programs during the school year. Then, when summertime rolled around I was a summer missionary with NAMB. Each summer I was somewhere different, always working with kids. When I found out about the opportunity in California, I didn't actually accept it until 2 weeks before my college graduation. I left college not really knowing what I was going to do with my life. I left with one last, fun summer with my friends ahead of me and then I was moving away. I left my college town, the place that had changed me so much and the place I called home. I left new friends who had become life friends in a short matter of months. I left my first apartment, the place that was all my own. I left it all for an opportunity that was only going to last me 4 and a half months, yet turned into a 10 month adventure. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't change my time in California for anything. I met some wonderful people and got to serve some amazing families. I got to explore and live in a beautiful place that I possibly would have never seen otherwise. I'm so incredibly thankful for it all. Even so, my time in California didn't really help me decide what to do with the rest of my life. So, I'm back at square one. At home. With the parents. In a small town. With my friends spread throughout the globe (literally). No job. But many questions. I literally cringe at the questions of, "what do you want to do?" or "where are you going next?" Literally. I. Cringe. The honest answer? I do not know. I have absolutely no idea. No ideas on where to move or how to afford it. No ideas on what type of job I want. No ideas on what company to work for. (Add some incredible student loans to that as well.) No. Ideas. It's like having the worst writer's block ever. Here is what I can tell you. I love to serve "kids." Whether that be little ones, youth, or college kids. I love to serve those that live below the poverty line, the unloved, the difficult, the homeless. I love seeing people reach their dreams. I love seeing people learn something new for the first time. I love when people overcome obstacles that everyone told them they couldn't. I love to travel, explore, and see new places. I love writing. I love photography and capturing moments that are unique and otherwise missed. Here is another thing I can tell you. I serve an amazing God. I serve a God who already knows my future. I serve a God that sees and hears my problems and frustrations. A God who hears my prayers. A God who is encouraging. A God who is unfailing. I serve a God who gives a love that never fails. A God is who faithful to the finish. I serve a God that comes close to the brokenhearted and restores my crushed spirit. I serve a God who will never leave or forsake me. Follow me on BlogLovin'
Random posts//internet findings//encouragement//happiness//life news//favorite things
ENCOURAGEMENT // INSPIRATION // FUNNY // HAPPY
Funny thing about this post? I was supposed to have it up yesterday. Instead, it is now 8:15 PM...Sunday.
Oh man, bad blog etiquette. Follow Me on BlogLovin' "He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." Isaiah 49:2 This verse is one of my favorites. I started looking into it more through commentaries and different study bibles. One study bible said this verse was a metaphor for "the effectiveness of the word." And how the word is sharp, like a sword, penetrating us with its words. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 In the Matthew's Henry Commentary, it says that God has equipped the author "for the service to which he designed them" and "furnished him with every thing necessary to fight God’s battles against the powers of darkness." An arrow when used in association with a bow is a long, slender pointed weapon with feathers at the end that help control the flight when it is released. Bow and arrows have been around for awhile and used by many cultures including the Native Americans and even the elves from Lord of the Rings (Legolas anyone?). Arrows penetrate deep into their targets, much like how the Word penetrates our hearts when it is read and applied. An arrow when used as a symbol of direction, does just that, it shows direction. The arrow will be pointed to the way that we need to follow. The Word is our guide for life. It encourages, it directs, it leads us. I like that the verse from Isaiah says "polished arrow." It gives me the thought of something being cleaned and refined. Life is hard and messy. We continuously go through seasons in our life where we get knee deep in mud and need to be cleaned off. Christ is the one who purifies us. Not only are there biblical reasons that jump out at me, I have a personal connection with bow and arrows. When my family and I moved to Alabama several years ago, I was in the 8th grade. Shortly after we moved my dad bought me my very own bow. I instantly fell in love with the sport that takes practice, concentration and precision. Many afternoons you could find me in our backyard shooting the heck out of some targets. I would shoot at those things so much that eventually they would wear out and my arrows would fly straight through the target into the woods. Thank God for the bright colored fletching that made locating them a little bit more easy. When I found out that archery was one of the sports in the Olympics, I felt like I had missed my calling. (Not that I'm that good!) Also, you can imagine my excitement of the explosion of archery in the media, especially with girls! Brave AND The Hunger Games, enough said. Then there is the show Arrow on the CW, in which the character is based off the DC comic character Green Arrow. Marvel has Hawkeye who appeared in Thor and is a part of the Avengers. There is a Disney movie, Princess of Thieves, from the early 2000s that stars Keira Knightley as Robin Hood's daughter and she later played in the movie King Arthur. I could keep going, but I'll stop. When it came to naming this place, I knew that I wanted something that was personal and meaningful to me. I think I have finally found that and will keep it around for quite awhile. So, welcome again to my blog-o-sphere, now known as: POLISHED ARROW.
My best friend (who is an amazing photographer btw) took these pictures a few years back when we were in college. Click her name above to check out her website! :)
Linking up today with OneGirl!
If you are new to Chasing History, click here for all the info!
This awesome link up allows us to look at different women in the Bible and see how their stories still apply to us today! It's lots of fun and I hope you will join in!
"By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then, the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah -- from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities - and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot's wife looked back, and she become a pillar of salt." -- Genesis 19:23-26
Characters in our story:
Lot was the nephew of Abraham, he traveled with his uncle until their separation, when Abraham gave him the choice of the lands and Lot chose the better land (Genesis 13), he was taken captive by Kedorlaomer until Abraham rescued him (Genesis 14), after being rescued out of Sodom he was tricked by his two daughters because they wanted sons (Genesis 19). While living in Sodom, two angels had been sent to warn Lot and his family about the impending doom of Sodom and Gomorrah. They urged him (multiple times) to get out because they were going to destroy everything. Even after having townspeople basically kicking in his door to see his visitors and offering up his daughters to let the men have their way with them, Lot hesitated. The angels took the hands of Lot, his wife and his daughters and led them safely out of the city. They told Lot to take his family to the mountains, but Lot didn't think they would make it in time. So they settled upon getting to the small town of Zoar. The angels gave simple instructions before they fled: don't look back and don't stop anywhere in the plain. Lot and his family had reached Zoar, the small haven of hope, security and protection. Once they were there, it was then that the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. And it was then that Lot's wife looked back. She looked back after she was already in safety! What did Lot's wife miss so much, that she needed to look back? A longing for the life she had there, a desire for everything that she had left in the city? Different commentaries and Jewish legends tell us some different, possible answers. Perhaps she did miss that life in Sodom and everything she had. One commentary says that she was looking for her daughters and saw God himself destroying the cities and the sight of Him turned her to salt. But, we know that the daughters were with her and Lot when they were leaving Sodom. Bottom line? Lot's wife disobeyed an expressed command. Her unbelief and desire for the life she left behind prompted her to turn around. I've had a pretty good life, most of us have, when compared to others in the world. Yes, we have all had our fair share of problems. Personally, its been earthly fathers who have walked away, moving away from a place that held all my friends and family, high school (enough said), college, friendships that were actually real and took work, natural disasters (tornadoes, hurricanes), car accidents, more moves to cities I didn't really know (these times I initiated those moves), college graduation, a move all the way across the country, family problems and then moving back home. (Not to mention all the struggles that come with being a girl.) And even when I look back and read that list, it seems pathetic. I haven't had nearly the problems that others have. Drugs, alcohol, starvation, no home, no money, no shoes and no clothes. Here's a question: would I go back to when I was having those problems, instead of where I am now? Absolutely not. Or would I? Either I see those problems as just that, problems, or I see them as possibilities. Possibilities for the Lord to work in unimaginable ways and for God's glory to show tremendously. Time and time again I have said it and I believe it in every sense. In those moments, when I'm surrounded by turmoil and tears, I may not be able to see what God is doing. Yet, later down the road, when I remember those times, I can see exactly how God was working to get me to the present. When it comes to sin, there may always be something intriguing. Something that lingers, teasing me from a distance in the hope that I will come in for a closer look. But the Lord has told me to look forward. That my sins are forgiven and forgotten. They have been thrown into the sea. The shiny that draws me in, is actually really dull. There is nothing there for me. For whatever reason that Lot's wife decided to look back, she did. And she was turned into a pillar of salt. But here is what gets me. She looked back, after she was in safety! She knew that her town was about to be obliterated. She was in this haven, with her family. Safe. They had everything in front of them. Yet, something inside of her made her feel like she needed to look back. She needed to see it one last time. Friend, whatever sin we are struggling with, whatever past problem still lingers with us today, the Lord wants us to run away and not look back. He has promised us the hope of beauty for eternity. Will it be easy? No. Will it be hard? Yes. This race is a long one. It's not a sprint but a marathon. I would love to be able to see the end result, just a tiny glimpse of the future to see how this present problem turns out. Since that doesn't seem to happen, I have to believe and have faith in my God that He does in fact know what He is doing. I can't look back, those cities are burned. The land in front of me is bountiful and is ready to be explored. We can't look back. Don't look back. |
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