Tag: Word Wednesday

This Little Light of Mine…

I thought this verse was extremely fitting for this week as Advent is in full swing. Being one of my favorite times in the church, advent teaches so many lessons without one realizing. While the main themes contain lessons about hope, joy, faith, and peace, it is the larger message that is my absolute favorite.

First, advent teaches us how to prepare in-order to let Jesus into our hearts. It isn’t easy, but advent helps guide us to do so. Accepting Jesus isn’t just about the journey or process, but it’s about having something larger than yourself to believe and trust in. Being apart of something larger than yourself is extraordinary! Like a sports team or a club, having something to live and work for is comforting, knowing that you are surrounded by others with similar mindsets and goals. That’s what this verse is getting at.

Jesus, the light, is here to guide us along the way, never forgetting our presence or struggles. While it may feel that way sometimes, it is never happening. That light is a constant. A point to always come back to no matter how difficult life may be. Like the center of a circle, Jesus will always have a direct line to you, no matter where you may be within the circle of life (yes…I did just reference the lion king:) )

Advent is a time to rejoice and remember the light that is within our lives. God allots us time to look back on our decisions and ask ourselves “how did we spread light this year?” Well, if you’re not satisfied with your answer, take inspiration in the season and let your light shine upon others. Don’t hide or shy away from it, keep it burning, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps. Rejoice, prepare, and shine on!

And…Happy Advent!

Pillars of Life

Oh how I love Barbara Bush! With an abundance of character and a plethora of wisdom, I’m surprised that I haven’t mentioned her in this segment before. She was an icon to all and a role-model to many with her iconic pearls and love for reading, no matter the reach, she touched the hearts of Americans.

While it’s hard for me to chose a favorite Barbara Bush quote, this is a really good contender. It perfectly sums up the important things in life and what we should really value close to our hearts.

We can all agree that life is extremely messy. There are lots of ups and downs, inconsistencies as we grow older and wiser. The few things that are consistent are what Barbara says above…family, friends, and faith.

Now, in what particular order? Surprise, it’s always changing! There’s no specific indicator that your family is first this day, friends the next, and faith in between, but you’ll know in your gut which one is needed in that moment. That’s the beauty about life…you get to control it.

So, remember the 3 F’s; the pillars of life. Keep them close to you and ready for use. Besides, they’re who you’ll fall upon when the waves get a little rough.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! Well…one day early. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays and not just because we get to eat homemade family recipes. It’s a time of reflection and gratitude, something that we don’t always think of in our day to day lives.

As we get swept away by the business of our days, we tend to forget to stop and look around, soaking in all the things that we take for granted. Time spent with our family, catching up with an old friend, someone holding the door for you, helping you carry something to your car. These are just a few examples of things that we forget to be gracious for.

While these things are all action driven, we tend to forget the most important thing to be thankful for: the Lord and his love for us. It is him that gives us the opportunity to get up in the morning. It is him that watches over us as we complete our daily tasks. It is him that makes sure we can handle everything thrown at us in life. He’s the on that makes it all possible and all without an expectation of a thank you.

Here’s my challenge for you: at night, reflect on your day. See how many things you’re grateful for, things you didn’t realize you needed or appreciated in the moment. Take all these things in and make it your challenge to thank someone who you don’t normally thank. You never know, it might just go a long way.

Plant Your Roots

This is a simple one this week. While the words may be straightforward, the meaning is much deeper.

Simply put, Lincoln states that the greater your character, the greater your reputation. Character has a greater influence on our relationships and legacies than one may think. Sure, greatness does leave a lasting effect, but good people are held to a much higher standard.

I was raised with a huge emphasis on the importance of character, so I thought that everyone had the same mindset that I did: character is everything. Boy was I wrong. The first time I encountered someone who had no regard for others or the difference between right and wrong I was appalled. How could someone care so little about something that will dictate the rest of your life?

It’s sad to think that some people care so little about how they’re perceived. Sure, there’s no way that you can please everyone in life, but when the number of people who want to actively be around you is very small? Maybe that’s a sign.

I was reading a book about Lincoln this past week-end and the one thing that kept getting mentioned was how he was perceived before he was president. He didn’t have much growing up, but he held himself to a high standard morally. The author chose to include multiple first hand accounts of Lincoln, and each time, without fail, the way Lincoln interacted with others was always mentioned. Now, his reputation that stands today is centered on his presidency, but his character helped build it. There is a reason he’s called “Honest Abe” after all. That nickname isn’t given to just everyone.

A reputation takes time to build, but takes little to nothing to ruin it. Character isn’t something that one can fix overnight. It takes lots of self-reflection and actions as actions speak louder than words.

Take some time this week to reflect on who you are and what you stand for. If you can’t say that you’re happy with your answers, then reflect. Reflect on on you can work to get to a place where you are happy. It’s not impossible.

Hot Water

This quote has really spoken to me recently. I’ve had some people who were unkind to me in the past (who I distanced myself from as I don’t tolerate constant unkind and manipulative behavior) try to get the best of me, behaving in rude ways. Honestly…it hasn’t been easy.

As I’ve said before, I was raised on a “it doesn’t cost a penny to be kind” childhood. No matter who or what has happened, kindness should always be your first response. Easier said than done. I like to think I’ve done a pretty good job of doing so, but sometimes one just feels the need for the upper hand. Yet, that always isn’t the best road.

As my mother has taught me, you should never give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Don’t give them the power to control and influence your emotions and mindset. YOU are the only person who should have a say in how you feel and how you act. Sure, there will be some outside factors in one’s emotions, but never let anyone tell you how to feel.

Kindness isn’t always the first emotion when it comes to rudeness or someone being a jerk, but if worked towards, can become an automatic response. It’s like muscle memory…just emotional. It’s hard, but in the end it feels exhilarating.

From my personal experience, not letting someone get to you feels powering and confident. Powering as I have control over my reactions, that someone feels the need to mess with me as they can’t stand my own happiness. Confident because I know who I am and what I stand for. Their attempt at my own unhappiness just reinforces that.

When stuck in hot water, don’t be an ice cube and just fall apart. Instead, be a tea bag; slowly diffusing your own goodness to the situation until the mixture itself is wonderful and warm.

Butterfly Effect

This quote has always been interesting to me. When you think of changing the world, you picture some big movement, breaking down barriers and/or doing a complete remodeling of what was previously there. What if that wasn’t always the case?

Almost everyone knows of the butterfly effect; one small thing could cause a chain of events that changes everything. One thing I can never wrap my mind around is the fact that often times, the butterfly effect is portrayed as a bad thing. It isn’t.

In order to create change, all you need is one thing: yourself. You don’t have to be a famous activist or carry great amount of power to create an impact. In fact, your impact doesn’t have to be large or forceful. You’d be surprised just how meaningful one word or small action can be. For example, a simple “good morning!” tot one of you peers in the hallway or a “have a great evening” to your coworkers as your leaving work could change the mood of their day. Small things don’t go unnoticed.

Here’s your challenge for the week. Push yourself to make an impact this week. It can be a simple “hello” in passing or sitting at a different lunch table in the cafeteria. Switch up your actions and you’d be surprised at the difference something so small can cause.

You don’t have to go out and move mountains…start with a grain of sand. Then another, and another, and another. Eventually, it’ll build up and you’ll have something great in-front of you.

WWDD

This quote hit pretty close to home for me, especially after last week. With senior year picking up in full swing within the last couple of weeks, the stress levels have been crazy high. Each day brought stress headaches, worries about applications, and endless emails that needed to be written. I sent myself into full panic mode.

My mom finally had enough and sat me down, making me look at the situation from an outside view. I had, and still have, absolutely nothing to worry about. I was spending so much time focused on “what ifs” and “oh my goodness I absolutely need to do this” instead of “its my senior year” and “this is when I need to make memories”. A day later, this quote popped up on my Instagram feed and I knew it was a sign from God.

It’s hard to focus on the present. As a planner, I like to look ahead and make sure everything goes according to how I want it to go; except, that’s not always the case. Looking forward, I tend to forget about the present. I know I’ve said this before, but we do only get one life.

As a senior, this is my last year to capture and take-in everything that I love about high school. Spirit weeks, pep rallies, student sections at football games, homecoming, lunch with my best friends, social hour in the library, the list could continue forever. If I choose to spend this last year stressing about the possibilities of the future, then I would forget to cherish the few opportunities I have left.

Life is so precious, and so is living in the moment. It’s a practice not usually taught, but I challenge you to work towards it. I’m definitely going to this year, yet I may need some reminders along the way. That’s where Dolly comes in because let’s face it, Dolly Parton is absolutely full of wisdom. As funny as it may sound, the next time I feel swamped, worrying about applications and emails, 4 letters will pop in my mind:

WWDD?

What would Dolly Do? Simple as that.

Shelves of Windows

Books will always have such an important factor in society. From the beginning of time, they were held to such high values that the few books people had were protected and envied at all costs. When the printing press came into existence, it the was game on. Books spread all over the world, becoming more accessible to so many people, making an impact that was so great, we’re still seeing its effects today.

We often take books for granted, opting for screen time rather than spending time between pages. Though it’s within these pages that we need to spend the most time. Books hold such high knowledge, can become escapes from reality, share personal stories, the list could go on. So much is possible and we haven’t even begun to explore it to its full content.

I’ve always been a bookworm. From a young age, I always had a book on hand. I enjoyed learning about the possibilities of words, getting swept away by stories of all genres. The books that I read as a child have played such an important role in making me myself. The different characters taught me life lessons in ways I’d never know I needed. If I hadn’t opened up those covers, who knows who I’d be today.

Books offer so much that we tend to ignore. As Plato says above, books bring “life to everything”. Some could argue they’re the basis of life itself. Through books we learn so much, sharing knowledge that stays around for centuries. Windows to worlds beyond reach, books should be enjoyed, praised, celebrated.

So, this week I challenge you to go out and read. It doesn’t have to be some long Victorian novel. In fact, it could be one of you childhood favorites. Whatever it may be, go out and touch the pages, feel the spine. Look through the countless windows on the shelves…you might just be surprised.

It’s Fall Y’all!

Happy first day of Autumn!!! This is my absolute favorite holiday!!! The changing leaves, cooler weather, cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, pumpkins, cider, Halloween, the list could go on and on. So, why not celebrate this glorious season with a Word Wednesday dedication???

Fall is the season for change. Leaves are changing color, animals are preparing and changing for hibernation, the weather is changing, and, one of my personal favorite fall changes, wardrobes are shifting to include warmer fashion. It’s a time for new and self-reflection.

While so much is happening at this time of year, we tend to forget to take a step back and marvel at the beauty of it all. All this change shows the wonder of God’s work. It isn’t static, but ever-growing to accommodate all the differences that occur throughout the seasons.

We can use this as an example in our own lives. Change is scary. Yet, embracing it can be exciting and may just surprise you. Life would be boring if everything was the same all the time. Change keeps us on our toes and allows us opportunities to grow and develop into who we are and who God has planned for us to be.

So, the next time change is presented to you, don’t run from it. Embrace it with open arms. If God sends it our way, then we are perfectly capable of handling it. With him on our side, nothing is impossible. Go forth and seize the change!

Plan G

As the future is a topic fresh on my mind right now as college applications are being completed, I feel like I have to follow a plan that I’ve been putting together since I entered high-school. Countless people, coaches, counselors, teachers, parents, and friends have told me that I’m going to end up where I’m meant to end up. While it is easier said than done to stop worrying about this “plan” of my future, I find myself referring back to this verse on a weekly basis.

It’s easy to plan out our lives. We have this distinct reality of what we want our days, weeks, months, and even years to look like. Well news flash…your life isn’t always going to go accordingly to how you planned it. We’re always going to have unexpected curveballs thrown our ways. There’s no way to avoid it.

While it’s hard to remember, God always has a larger purpose that we have no idea about. Being comfortable in life right now, you could be somewhere totally different and unexpected in a few years. For example, my freshmen year I thought I would always be spending Friday nights with the same people doing the same things: dinner and movies. Well, I can confidently say that last year, only two years later, I didn’t spend one Friday night with the same people eating dinner and watching movies. Crazy how life changes!

It’s scary not knowing the unknown. Especially when you’re in the process of making a decision that’ll affect the next 4 years of your life. In-order to compensate for that fear, we tend to plan (or sometimes over plan) to create a sense of comfort that we have somewhat of an idea of what’s going to happen. The reality though? Our idea of what’s going to happen isn’t an accurate assumption of what’s actually going to pan out. Sure, our plan could serve useful as a guideline, but in the end, if it’s not in God’s plan then it isn’t meant to be.

So, if plan A doesn’t seem to work out. Or B, or C, or D…just know that once you get to plan G, or plan God, then you’ll be exactly where you need to be. No doubt about it.