Something I noticed..

People aren’t very aware..and I am definately included in this. But as I’ve grown up and am now almost done with high school I have come to realize over and over how true it is. For the most part people are very wrapped up in themselves and not very focused on others. I have been studying Christ’s life with my SMITE group and let me tell you-He was a very other focused man. He could sense people’s needs and was available to meet every one. One of my favorite miracles of Jesus is when He heals the women with the bleeding disorder. She crawled into the crowd just to touch the hem of His cloak. And even though Christ was on the way to heal someone else-He stopped. He knew this lady needed what only He could offer. I am then jolted back to reality. How many times have I stopped to meet a need? How often am I aware of how my actions and words are affecting others? Do I ever think about those around me? Sadly, I think most of the time the answer is no. Someone told me one time, Amanda, you live in a bubble-you focus right ahead-and never look around to see the needs beside you. It wasn’t easy to hear, but man did they peg me good. I look at my friend’s-we have so much, but sometimes it’s frustrating..how much of an impact do we have on other’s? Sometimes I hear people talk about them..but it’s about how they feel intimidated or unequal next to them. I think sometimes it would be so simple to meet a need-God doesn’t often make us search high and low to find someone-he usually places them right in our path. The key is being attentive and watching-I bet that if we would all open our eyes we would find that there are needs all around us. there are people who would be so estatic to get a phone call or an e-mail. I learned from one of my camp counselors-sometimes the most encouraging things are the things that are the easist to do. Christ met needs-but He was always open, always available-He stopped on dusty roads to heal lepers, He turned in the middle of crowds to listen to the cry of a blind or a cripple-He wasn’t focused on himself or on where He was going..He was focused on others. I’m going to be a senior..well, you could say I am one..and I know I have a lot of learning to do in this area. I’m very goal driven and a lot of the time that means the people around me come closer to the bottom of my list. I am going to work on it-and I challenge you. Find one person each day you can be an encouragement to. You don’t have to go out of your way-God often places the opportunites right on our path. We just have to seize them. Follow Christ’s example and focus on others. Not the end, not the goal, not the event-but the people.

No Regrets

Kinda a strange title for my post, but then again it does fit. This past weekend I was with one of my dear friends on her houseboat. I had so much fun..although I am a bit sunburned and very sore. I learned how to water ski, went tubing(which by the way, is the funnest thing!), and conquered one of my fears-jumping off high places into water. I am a chicken..you are lucky to get me off a diving board. So when they said we were going to the cliffs I about freaked out. What was I going to do! We got there and they didn’t look that high..until you climb up and are standing on the edge of a rock cliff 30 feet above the water. Yea..talk about scary. But I did it..I jumped in! It wasn’t that bad afterall. And I lived my time on the houseboat with no regrets.

As I was coming home, I was pondering the last few months. I have done some things totally out of my character and very crazy. Yet, I have also had very few regrets. I thought about the times in my life I regret and a lot of the time it was because I didn’t seize an opportunity. I didn’t do something because I was scared. So I am going to work on not letting my fears get in the way. Yeah, people may think I’m weird or that I am a dork. But why should I let that stop me. Phil.3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” I truly want this to be the theme of my life. Not living in the past, in the regrets, but rather following what the previous verse says, “..Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”(Phil. 3:13) I want to live a life with no regrets. I don’t want to come to the end of my high school career and realize that I lost a lot of valuable time with my Lord because I was too focused on the past. I have been given here and now. Today-not yesterday and not tomorrow-but right now. And I want to live out today in view of eternity. Yes, the future is going to be great and I can’t wait for college. But I still have time, and I want to finish up my time in high school with no regrets.

School’s Out!

Just have to say I’m a SENIOR!!! I’m so excited..but you know what, more then that, I’m excited I still have some time to grow and change and make an impact around here. Yeah, it’ll be great to graduate..but it’s not going to be here for a little while. Until then, I’m just gonna focus on here and now. and by the way, SMITE is gonna rock..just had to say that! Rausch and Wickert-it’s gonna be a blast girls..”I’m not washing my hair, taking a shower, or shaving:)!” LOL..fun times!! Eve-Yeah Goodwill shorts..:) Angela-what can I say girl, your a blast! It’s gonna be so hot, but I bet it’ll be one of those experiences of a lifetime! And at least we’ll have good abs from laughing all the time:) I can’t wait..

I’m out..see ya

Reflections

Wow..hard to believe it, but another school year has come and gone. I’m going to be a senior and that is completely beyond my scope of reasoning..it seems like yesterday I was in 7th grade. My how the time has flown. As I was finishing up my last exams today and heading home, one of my teachers said to me, “well, how’s it feel to be a senior?” My first thought was, wait a second, I’m not a senior. I drove off thinking, my how many things about this year I wish I could have done differently. I wish I hadn’t gotten in so many fights with Emily..I love that girl so much. But sometimes our strong personalities and need to be right got in the way..I’m so thankful she is forgiving. And I wish I hadn’t complained so much..I wish I had learned to enjoy more about life, then always complaining about it. I wish I had taken my walk with God more seriously..He’s shown me lately how important time with Him should be..I wish I had made it more of a priority. But in all of those things, I’m so thankful for the lessons I learned. They weren’t always easy and sometimes I thought they were dumb-but reality is, each time something came up this year, I learned more about my character and saw more ways I need to grow. Sadly, my perfectionism got in the way and made me slow to admit my wrong, but God is working on me in that area. I also look back on the good things-I made some awesome friends, experienced some fun things, and did things I would never have dreamed of doing. I am looking forward to next year, but I am also sad it is my last. I have finally gotten excited about God, my school, and my church-I only wish I had more time to make an impact. I also learned a lot about trusting in God. So many times I felt like the ground was falling out beneath my feet-but then I realized it was just God picking me up and saying,”Ok, it’s my turn to be in control.” So while, I have my regrets, I also have many more times I look back and remember with a smile. As I close this chapter of my life and begin to embark on a new one I can’t wait to see what’s in store. I’m so thankful for my friends, and my family, and most importantly my God. He is the beginning and the end and forever He will reign. Have a great summer everyone!

SATs

SATs are the best way to ruin someone’s confidence and future plans. One bad day and you are stuck going to a community college studying the art of folding clothes. It’s like-who cares. Colleges should pick a new equaller-one that is actually possible to do well on if you are not a genius. You can be a staight A student..but get a lousy SAT score and be marked forever. Not to mention that once you take them the first time, it kinda ruins your desire to ever take them again. 4 hours of doing the same thing over and over-talk about boring. So to all of you who have not taken them yet-good luck. May you defeat ETS or perish in the attempt. 🙂

*By the way-I’m sure you will get into college no matter what you get on them*

I decided I hate moving on. I know it is a necessary part of life-people must move on and so must I-but that still doesn’t mean I like it. Sometimes I question God’s doing in things-it’s as if, I have all this knowledge-I know God is good, His way is perfect..but then, BANG-someone decides it is time to move on. And of course, it is usually someone very near to my heart, someone I respect and look up too. But it is not my place to question God..and while I still don’t like it, I will have to put my trust in God and learn to rely on Him.

This was kinda sprung from reading Mr. Harmless’ blog. I was struck once again with the fact that he is leaving. But like he said, God is good. And has a plan for all of us.

God’s grace is amazing! Do you realize that? Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the presence of God’s grace in my life. I am amazed that I can get up every morning and trust that God has my life in His hands. Yes, I’ve shed my share of tears lately-but I am over and over reminded that God is enough. He has provided for me in some awesome ways. And although my dad is still jobless-I know this is part of His plan too. If for no other reason then to bring me to a place of utter reliance on God. Right now-I have no idea how things are going to turn out. I have no idea where the money I need is going to come from or where my life is going to go. All I am sure of is that my God is good. And He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him. Is it easy? No Can I say I have been joyful in all things? No But I have been reminded over and over that my joy comes from God. As the psalmist said-“The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!” I heard a saying the other day; it went something like-God may not always be on time but He is never late. In my mind-I would have liked my dad to get a job the day after he lost it. But I guess God had a different idea in mind. And I am glad that He has-I truly am. I have come to a place of reliance on God and He has continued to humble me. I hate asking for help-knowing I’m on the receiving end of aid..but it is my pride that causes those feelings. Instead of being ashamed, I have learned to be thankful. I have learned that only God can provide. Even if He is providing through others-He is still providing. So I am praying and waiting-God will not fail. He promised to never leave nor forsake me. I am hiding in the shadow of His wings and trusting in Him as my rock.