I have set myself a challenge, over the next 2 weeks as I finish my degree with 2 exams I would like to blog each day a thought, song or quote that has challenged, moved, annoyed or inspired me. I don't know how realistic it is to make a commitment to write something every day, but I will give it a shot.

I hope that through my random musings, findings or thoughts that you too may be encouraged.

Today is a quote from a reading that I'm going through in preparation for my Pastoral Care exam....the theme is stories and how we use them in our everyday lives to express meaning, communicate with one another and make sense of our world. I love listening to people and hearing the story of their life so studying for this question on my exam isn't too much of a chore, although the danger will be that i'll want to spend too much time on it!

“Through narrative, we become spiritual travellers undaunted by time, distance, or new landscapes. It is as if stories have mystical power to invite us, willingly or unwillingly, to enter unknown worlds.” p.4 Anderson and Foley 'Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals


I adore this quote, as I read it I'm drawn into a mystical world in my imagination. I can't tell of the times that I have been drawn into stories this way, real and fiction. Stories are powerful because they connect people, and we are connected to God through His story of redemption. 


I love knowing that I belong to a story that is way bigger than myself. And as I reflect on my life at this current moment I know that a chapter is about to end...and I have no idea what the next chapter looks like but I know I am excited, I know I'm scared but I also know that "Our God is greater, Our God is higher, Our God is greater than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power. Our God." 

On the 24th March I turned 21.

It was such a precious day.

I don't think I can remember a time when I have felt more loved and blessed, ever. From 7am until 12pm I recieved texts, facebooks comments and even a phonecall from my dear friend Lauren in America. From the moment I stepped out of bed I was lavished with signs of love. A 'Happy 21st balloon' and sunflowers greeted me with a smile at my bedroom door. From the top of the stairs I could see a pile of gifts awaitng me and as I walked into the kicthen I spotted balloons and banners on our gates. It was exciting.








A fun filled day awaited me with hair appointments, dressing up, being with friends and going to a fancy tea party!
I am so thankful I got to share my 21st with some of my closest friends and in such a perfect way. We attended the Merchant Hotel for Afternoon Tea.
We where waited on hand and foot. Silver tea pots and tea strainers, along with fancy sugar lumps. The food was divine and presented beautifully.
The Great Room is spectaluar, dressed up in gold, sparkles, paintings and chandeliers. Fit for a princess. It was fun to do something fancy and out of the ordinary and we loved taking several pictures.












After a quick run to pick up some cupcakes for a birthday cake, I meet my family for a meal.
 It was lovely to spend time with them and to take pictures with them and show them all the photos I had taken that day.






All of the signs of love I experienced on this day have left me thinking... I bet God shows me signs of love everyday that I rarely take any notice of. He uses paintings in the sky, songs, photos and often people to show His love to me.

Often my response is to shrug it of, but I want to learn to simply embrace His love and thank Him.

This is my challenge.
It won't be easy, but it will be exciting.

***************************************

~I would like to thank all of you who made my birthday so deeply precious. I am incredibly blessed to have you in my life. I was SO overwhelemed by your generosity, care and love you poured over this day. This day has kept me going over the past few weeks as deadlines loomed I have drifted back to the memories of love that surrounded that day and I have sighed and continued writing. Thank you for giving me the gift of sweet memories. I can't wait to do the same for you on your birthday!

(I have so many posts in my head right now, but things have slowed down a little bit on the degree front so hopefully I will be able to write again soon!)

A quote to live by.


“Nothing is more practical than finding God, 
that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. 
What you are in love with, 
what seizes your imagination will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings,
what you will do with your evenings, 
how you spend your weekends, 
what you read, 
who you know,
what breaks your heart, 
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. 
Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

He is a mighty savior.


He will take delight in you with gladness.


With his love, he will calm all your fears.


He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
 
~Zephaniah 3:17
 
This is one of my favourite verses. I adore singing so I think thats one reason why this verse means so much to me. Tonight I haven't been able to get this verse or the image of God singing over me out of my head.
 
It is incredibly encouraging as I have been sitting at my computer screen longing to run away from the mind melting essay that is before me.
 
As I paused for a moment to think about this bible verse the song 'Just The Way You Are' started playing...I listened closely to the lyrics and it truly hit me...
 
This is what God thinks of me...
 
"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
  Because you're amazing
  Just the way you are
  And when you smile
  The whole world stops and stares for a while
  Because girl you're amazing
  Just the way you are"
 
So in that moment as I soaked in the lyrics I imagined God singing these words over me.
It made me smile.
So I thought I would share that with you :) because He thinks the same about you too.
 

 
This is the best version of the song.
 
March has been ridiculously busy, I'm turning 21 next week so I'm sure I will blog all about the celebrations next week :)

Over the past few weeks (or should I say years but increasing these past weeks)

God has been telling me...

'Trust Me'

He has been making His point clear through different people, circumstances and situations.

You see every now and then I sit back and realise 'Wow. I am in my final semester of final year.'

This excites me but also scares me. I know fear should not limit me and it sure doesn't limit God but it is a crazy thing to trust beyond yourself, especially when so many times you've been hurt by trusting others.

But God is whispering...

'Trust Me'

He whispers through the beauty of His creation, through songs, through study, through ministry and people.

It's hard to live in the tension at the moment between finishing this degree and trying to figure out what comes next.

I want to be fully dedicated to the now so that I don't miss anything but I can't help dreaming (also worrying) about what comes next. Most days I feel pressured to try and figure that out from others around me.

I can't answer that question yet and I'm asking God to help me be ok with that. All I know is that I want to glory Him in everything I do and show people a glimpse of the Love that He has shown me that has completely changed my life.

I know God is preparing me, I just don't know what for....yet.

And right now I don't even think knowing is important...

Trusting is important.

Believing God's promises for me and trusting that He is enough is important.

And in that proccess I know God will lead me where He wants me to go.

Today on this day set aside to celebrate love I am reminded that I am Loved, even when I'm not.

I am Loved, not because of who I am or what I've done, not based on my ability to love or do something great... but simply I am Loved.

Unconditionally Loved.

I still can't quite grasp or fathom the enormity of that Love.

It is Love that is self-less, patient, giving, eternal, everlasting, unending, unchanging, unfailing...

This Love has won my heart over and over again. I am deeply thankful for the sacrifice that God made for me in sending His Son to lay down His life for me so that I could know True Love.

He choose to send Jesus so that He could lavish His Love upon us.

To me that is worth way more than receiving a Valentine's card, chocolate or flowers.

God gave the greatest gift....unconditional, sacrifical Love.

I hope today you will celebrate this Love.

Happy Love Day!