Still Thankful

Lately, the Lord has been teaching me a lot. Especially this past week. This week has found me feeling exhausted, unhopeful, sad, but most importantly-thankful. God has really reminded me to be thankful through everything that's happened to me this week, but it wasn't easy.


Sometimes the little things in life chip away at us, and it was definitely true this week:


-My car broke down again and I had to walk home from work that day (in uncomfortable dress shoes)
-My Grandma Brasel's funeral was this week and I was taking everything pretty hard
-My neighbors borrowed me their extra car and it ended up breaking down on me the same day mine did


Having all three of these events occur in one day was not fun. I admit, I had a bad attitude about everything. As I was walking home from work that morning (after my car broke down), I had a chat with God. I was upset and unthankful, but He quickly reminded me of everything that is going well in my life and how all these little things were nothing. These are earthly things. They don't even matter.


By the end of Wednesday, I was really ready for bed. After having one of the longest days of my life, all I wanted to do was curl up in my blankets. I couldn't really sleep right away though. As I laid in bed, I thought of God's purpose behind everything that happened. Parts of me wanted to question God, but He's got it. I always go back to the verse Romans 8:28:



And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:28 ESV)





This verse has become more relevant in my life through college. I've always liked this verse, but it wasn't until this past year that this verse became a rock for me. When nothing else seemed like it was working out, I meditated on this piece of Scripture. OUR good. It amazes me how God works everything for our good-He cares about us so much.


These "bad days" we may have will chip away at us. Plus, there will definitely be many more. But if we remember to be thankful for the good things in life, we will be much more optimistic. All it takes is a reality check from God.


Life is beautiful.


With Blessings,


Heather

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Casting Crowns "Jesus, Friend of Sinners"


Last month I went to the Casting Crowns/Matthew West concert. It was a great night of worship. Casting Crowns sang a song called "Jesus, Friend of Sinners". I am not a huge fan of CC, but this song caught my attention. The lyrics are so convicting and true in each of our lives:

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swingJ

Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees

No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Yeah...

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

The first couple of lines Mark Hall sings convicted me right away: " We cut down people in Your name but the sword was never ours to swing". I do that. I judge people, I criticize others, I see myself better than others, but that's not my job. My job is to love like Jesus. He didn't hang out with people who were perfect; he was often around "the least of these". He didn't judge-He loved. Just think, as Christians, if we all loved others instead of judging them, how much better would the world be?

So much better.

I am so guilty of doing this. I look at other Christians and criticize their lifestyle choices and question their relationship with God, but that is not my job. We look around but don't look up. If only we could remind ourselves all the time of our job as Christians. WE are the least of these. We are not any better than anyone else. Jesus died on the cross for us. Just because we are saved doesn't mean we get to judge others. We are not in that authority and God will do that someday. Without Jesus' death of cross, we would not be forgiven. But thankfully we are. So why do I judge others so quickly when I am in the same boat? I am still sinful. But my sins have been forgiven.

It's so easy to judge. So easy to hold grudges. So easy to hate. But we have seen the power of love-selfless love. 

Lord,

    You are so good to us even though we do not always share your love. We judge and hurt others, often pushing them away from You. Help us to keep our minds and hearts set on You and how You love. Teach us to love unconditionally. Humble our hearts to help us remember where we would be without You. We are the least of these. May we be quick to love our neighbors and slow to judge. Give us hearts like Yours.

With Blessings,

            Heather

Looking Back: He is Faithful. He is God.

Since the end of the semester is around the corner, I can't help but marvel at how faithful God has been throughout the year. I never thought I would be living at home and going to MSUM, but I couldn't imagine it any other way.

I remember leaving for Northwestern. It was so exciting yet scary. I was embarking on this great adventure away from home, and I could not wait. Although things did not go as planned, Northwestern played a huge role in my life. I was SO blessed by this community of believers and brothers and sisters in Christ. Like I've mentioned in earlier posts, leaving Northwestern was the hardest decision ever. Well, it wasn't really a decision-something I knew I had to do.

Coming back to Fargo and going to MSUM has been a struggle. The beginning of the semester was difficult. Although I was at peace, it was still hard to accept. I found myself thinking of Northwestern every day, and that did not make it any better. I felt discouraged throughout the semester and constantly asked God to show me something good about my situation. Most of the time I felt left out. I didn't have this whole "college experience"-no dorms, on campus events, or close friendships-just living at home and being a commuter.  At times I felt like I was "ripped off"-I wanted that college experience I had first semester, but I got a different kind of experience instead.

This year has been a reminder of how faithful God is. Through everything, I have seen God work in my life in many ways. I've learned I don't control my life. I thought I had the next four years of my life figured out, but I was completely wrong. Surrendering plans to God is not easy but is so worth it. And you're not always going to see the good in the situation.  When I left Northwestern, I was completely exhausted and unhopeful. Everything was a blessing in disguise. Romans 8:28 has been a reminder of God's faithfulness in my life.

I've also learned how much I depend on God. I cannot do anything on my own.  I will never be strong enough by myself. The months leading up to leaving Northwestern had me emotionally exhausted and I knew I couldn't do it. But God reminded me to seek Him and lean upon His strength during that time. The song "Strong Enough" by Matthew West has been my theme song this semester. Some days I would just put it on repeat, blast it in my car, and sing my lungs out to the Lord. It was my plea, my prayer, and my surrender. I am not strong enough Lord, but YOU are. Through this time in my life, I also gained a love for Scripture I never experienced before. I carried my Bible with me everywhere and found time to soak it in-whether in the library, my car, or in between classes. If I didn't have my time with God, I found myself stressed and in a bad mood.

I am overwhelmed by God's goodness. I have been so blessed this semester. God gave me a job at the YMCA working with 1st graders. My best friend is also in Fargo. Reconnecting with old friends. My practicum with Mrs. Rasmussen. Moving in with my best friend in June! Plus so many more wonderful things. My relationship with Him has become so real. I've experienced God in so many different ways this semester. Through all the tears, pain, and trials, I've learned who I truly rely on. The Lord is truly my strength. God has put me here for a reason. MSUM is my home. I absolutely love it now. It took time, but it's home. If God didn't put me through everything, I wouldn't be the same Heather. I would be the person afraid to surrender plans to God, follow Him, and learn to accept new things. But I am new. I am changed. And God is great. I can't even begin to comprehend everything that has happened this year, but I am happy to be where I am. I am blessed.

With Blessings,

      Heather