The Love of Prayer

I love to pray, I love it so much that I painted this painting. It has symbolism all over it. If I love to pray so much why do I do so little of it? Don't get me wrong, I pray all day, I pray without ceasing but that alone time dedicated with God has decreased. I am denying myself the best time of the day, when I sit with God and let His love overflow in me, where I thank Him and pray fervently on behalf of others. Where I ask Him for help and recognize that He is God. Where I praise Him and lift His name and where I remember that I serve the King of kings, my Lord Who is completely in control. So instead of praying, I type. Just like in the painting, as the girl prays the light spreads and the darkness flees,  it is true in real life, because that girl represents me. Thank You, Lord, for hearing me, even in this blog. Help me to search for You like those who search for gold. Thank You that You hear me. Amen.

Feeling Discouraged

I think it's very easy to send encouragement to others when everything is right in your life. When you're  in a good mood and everything feels right. I know it's so easy for me to try to cheer another person up when I'm in a good mood and I think that is a good thing...people need to be helped. But can I encourage others when I'm feeling down? Is it possible to make another person feel better about themselves while I am feeling discouraged? Yes, I believe it is possible because I believe that as a Christian I know that my faith is not based on feelings, faith is based on knowledge that there is a God who exists and He loves me and I am His and He is my rock and He reminds me of all of His goodness that He has poured over my life and that's why I know that though things don't FEEL right, I know that I will not be moved so that's why I can tell you that if Jesus is your God and your Savior then you're going to be ok. His timing is different from yours but it doesn't mean that He has forgotten about you...even when there are times you don't feel like praying or reading the Bible, I know that deep down inside there is a strength in you to carry on and to fight the good fight...this is a God given strength. If you feel like you have little strength to pray then just cry out to Him with, "Lord, help me!" God is faithful. I write this while I feel discouraged about something in my life but I press on because I love God more than my current state of discontentment. So let's press on together and praise Him even when we don't feel like we have the strength because He is good and it's not over! We are victorious because God is fighting for us. I pray this little note gives you hope and encouragement. In its own way it has encouraged me. :) God bless.

Dear Misunderstood College Girl...

To the misunderstood college girl…whether you are a freshman, a sophomore, a junior, or that ever excited senior…I am writing to you to tell you something very important, something very urgent. Who am I? I am a 32 year old girl/woman who was that college girl and I desperately want to write to you because I love you. I don’t know you, but I can relate to you in some way…when it comes to exams, great and awful professors, clubs, good and nightmare roommates, sleepless nights studying, that special boyfriend who ends up being a jerk, and those friendships you thought were going to last forever  but just ended. Yes, there were other things in college…things I wish I hadn’t done but I did.  I just want you to know you’re not alone. The media tells you that you have to be perfect, you have to be a certain size, act a certain way, be accepting of actions that do not sit right with you, you have to go to those college parties to get the full experience...here’s what you will rarely hear at campuses, if you’ll hear it at all…this life it’s not about being the prettiest, the smartest, the most successful, the most fashionable, or the weirdest…if that’s your thing. This life is about searching for the truth, for the foundation that doesn’t move when the storm hits. You are beautiful just as you are and not just because your mama told you were beautiful. You are beautiful because there is no one else like you out there. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. You were known even before you were born by your Creator. Please…give me a chance to explain. Take away your judgments and your prejudices right now and hear me. Ask yourself…why do you compete to be the best? Why do you do the things that you do? Why will your career fulfill you? Why are you envious of certain girls? I’m not judging you…you are not alone, most girls think this way, some are just more ready to admit it. But why do you exist? What happens after you die? I’m here to tell you that you exist to give God, the God who created you and me,  glory…again, you were created to give Him glory. Ah…that means you have purpose. That means the moment you turn to Jesus Christ, Your Lord and Savior, you are part of a Kingdom that has a just and amazing structure. Suddenly, you have a higher purpose that is beyond that impossible research paper and that needy boyfriend.  Suddenly your worries can be expressed to an all-knowing God and He can make a way for you in an impossible situation. Suddenly, you are aware that you are  a sinner and that you need to repent before a Holy God Who is ready to forgive and wrap you in His loving arms. Suddenly, that girl you were envious of is no longer competition but is a potential to be part of the Kingdom. So college girl…take the time to search the Bible, take the time to ask God for help. Ask Him to protect you from evil as you search….remember, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing (people who disguise themselves as Christians but are really not Christians). College girl, you are amazing in Christ. Your life without Jesus leads to death, because death means being without Jesus. Life without Jesus is empty, fruitless, unaccomplished, pointless, heavy, heartbreaking. Now I’m not saying that when you become a Christian it’s all puffy clouds and roses…no, I’m not saying that, but I’m saying that your burdens will be carried by Jesus Christ Who died on the cross for you. Remember, you and I live in a  fallen world because Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden and as a result sin came into the world and so we’re born sinners that’s why Christians say they’re born again, because spiritually when they become Christian they’re no longer sinners but saints. Oh College Girl, I ask you to search for the truth. God is real. There is such a thing as absolute truth…you know there is. Deep down in your heart, you’re searching. You know that this isn’t it. God will give you the strength to stand your ground. You are more than a conqueror in Him. You are loved, you have a higher calling. This world offers fake love, it promises you that if you find your soul mate then you are complete. You are not complete if you have a man. You are complete when Christ dwells in you. When the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit make you their temple. You’ll never be good enough to be a Christian, that’s why Jesus had to die for you. Come to Him now! He is calling you.

With love,

From a 32 year old girl/woman whose been there.

p.s. forgive my bad grammar ;)