Random Yet Not All at the Same Time

When people define the word random, it deals with the idea that there is no pattern, or preconcieved notion as to why this circumstance or moment may be taking place.  We live in a world that thrives off of survival in predictablity, being 10 steps ahead of the next 10 steps.  We are sucking the life our of life by needing to have full control over everything.

Life is more fun when it is random. Not saying that we have to be a mess and all over the place to have fun, but allowing God to work in our lives, most encounters and experiences will be random, but they will be amazing.

Most of the random comes from allowing ourselves to step out of the comfortable routine, beyond our usual boring limits and into a realm of new and exciting things.  I decided RANDOMLY to go to Arizona, had the best weekend ever. My dad RANDOMLY bought us our dog Bubba.  Well we know how that goes.

Doing the same thing all the time gets boring because it is boring.  The Spirit moves in all ways that God directs.  It is what walks us into the light of purpose. That is where the excitement begins.  I have been studying and praying about this more, longing and not settling for what I have today. Thankful, but ready for whatever God has planned next.

RANDOM PICTURE!

The perfect date

Many of us start of the with the norm...." I want to walk on the beach, holding hands, as the sun sets and we are looking into eachother's eyes." 

But truthfully, the perfect date has nothing to do with where you go and everything to do with who you are with. I have been taken to amazing places, shown unforgettable things, but it all only has that special value when you are with the person you love. 

I have taken trips alone to Texas, Florida, Philadelphia, etc and they have been exhilarating, eye opening, and fantastic. But there is just something about being in the presence with the person who holds the key to your heart. Through all of the ups and downs life has thrown at me I am overwhelmed with how thankful I am to have such an amazing best friend, partner in crime, and love like Ben. He makes me feel beautiful on the inside and out.

Before even focusing on anything romantic, he just sees me unlike anyone else does.  It is amazing to see how God has truly melted both of our hearts through the past few years shaping into a love that I have never known was real.  All from God, so pure, I feel so blessed. My heart still beats out of my chest when I am with him.

In Christ, love starts with the spirit, enters into the mind, and the physical is just an extra means and blessing of outward expression in the language of love.  This is just the beginning, through prayer and time, I am excited to see what God has in store for us, what purpose being together holds, and all that has, is, and is to come!

Never underestimate the power of a thank you

Challenge yourself.  Take a week, and just extend yourself to showing appreciation and thanks for all that is given to you.  You already have everything you need, the rest is just a gift.  There is just something about the humbling act of saying thank you that brings people together.  It may have to do with the fact that we realize we are all in need of help, a lending hand to one another.  We are all meant to serve one another, and letting others know that they have truly made a difference in our day or even in our lives is warming to the heart. We all want a purpose, a direction to go, start with opening your heart to letting others in.  It isn't all about you, but it is all about God, and His beautiful creation!

Falling into the Trap

Listening to so many people, you start to hear a trend.  "I am bored."  Another good word for boredom is ennui which is defined as listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest.  Looking back on your life, do you want it to be filled with ennui, lacking zeal and meaning?

A good place to start with this seeking is as the root of the issue.  Where is your heart? What really matters to you? And do your values and beliefs align with your daily activity?  Many of us are asked the question, "What do you love?"  A very generic answer begins with our family and friends, may continue on with our jobs, and trickle down to hobbies and or activities.  What blows my mind, is the fact that most people aren't living lives that involves one inch of anything they consider to "love."

For the longest time, I was so lost about where to find purpose and meaning.  I had no idea where to even begin to get to the path of doing things that I truly love.  It is hard to change, hard to break out of habits especially ones that we fill comfortable in, but truthfully, I truly felt BORED, lacking the motivation to do anything that could have meaning. I had all this passion, with no direction of where to go with it.

Everyone wants purpose, everyone wants meaning.  When we feel like we don't have a meaning for even being alive, we fill ourselves with articifical fixations, "fillers," and distractions to hide and avoid what we are truly feeling which is hopelessness.

Love is what directs us towards accomplsihing what we love. God is Love and He is the only one who can direct your heart to it's destiny.  He knows your heart better than anyone else, I mean He lives inside your heart!   No friend, husband, or sibliing will ever even come close to how close your relationship with God is, and that is okay! He delights in doing everything with you and being your First Love and Last Love.  Without Him, we aren't being guided or motivated by Love, and if Love is the foundation of all meaningful things, we will be bored when not following His will for our lives!!

Thing 1 and Thing 2's Thang

So it is the end of an era....

We must say goodbye to our feathered blue hats.  Jenn (Thing 1) and I (Thing 2) set out on the road for the Month of March to collect children's books for the Bridge of Books Foundation on behalf of STAR 99.1! Jenn's passion for reading was brought to life when she was able to play a huge role in bringing books to children in need.  Inspired by her own favorite children's book, The Secret Garden, she wanted other children to be impacted by these books collected by all of our loyal listeners.  This book drive tour gave the community a huge opportunity to come together as one big happy family and each play a part in spreading hope and love to children who are in crisis and difficult situations. 

From my perspective as Thing 1, it was truly amazing to see how excited Jenn was about this.  She literally was doing cartwheels in her mind every time we received another email about a drop off of books or another church showing interest in participating. 

God's awesome design full circled this event because it also tied in perfectly to Jenn's newest adventure she is involved with, her missions trip to India! 

Psalm 10 :17 "Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble, You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear..."

God listens, He prepares your heart through struggles and miracles for what His plans are, and He delights in the surrendering of our lives to His Love.  Everything leading up to this moment, God has used to bring Glory to a purpose bigger than our own understanding.  Jenn's heart was prepared, her eyes filled with wonder, and her heart opened!!