My sister recently received a book titled His Princess from a friend.
She let me read the first page...it brought tears to my eyes.
"I chose you before the foundation of the earth to be My princess. You are royalty even when you don't feel like a princess. I will wait for you until you are ready to start living the amazing plans I have for you. I know you don't know where to begin or how to become what I've called you to be, so let Me teach you day by day. Start by recognizing who I am: King of kings and Lord of lords. The Lover of your soul. When the two of us meet alone together every day, I will show you how to let go of the things in your life that are holding you back from the blessings I want to give you.
Remember, My child, just as I have chosen you, I have given you a choice to represent Me to the world. If you are willing, I am here to give you all you need to complete your calling"
Love,
You King and Lord who chose you
A peace settled over my heart after reading this letter.
A peace I haven't felt in ages.
Let me let go of the things in my life holding me back from You.
Melanie
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Patience
In the past month, God has been teaching me things I never thought I needed to learn, things that I hadn't even thought of before He placed them on my heart.
When I openly asked God to teach me this month...boy did He answer my prayer.
In my New Testament class, my professor gave us a list of key chapters to study, memorize and recite on a quiz. I now know that Galatians 5 is fruits of the spirit. John 10 is Jesus as the Shepard. Romans 13 is obedience to the government. 2 Thessalonians 2 is the antichrist.
1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. We all know that, don't we?
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I have heard these verses spoken at weddings, I have seen them printed on anniversary cards, I have been taught them in sunday school, I have highlighted them in my own Bible.
But God has been teaching me exactly what they mean.
Love is patient. Alright, patience. Seems easy enough.
Well, not exactly. I'm not always the most patient person on this planet. I would rather know now then later. Wouldn't we all?
The neat thing about God is how patient He is with me even though my heart fails Him every day.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"
Psalm 73:26
If God is patient with me, why should I deny that patience to someone else?
After all, God is love and we can only love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I begin to see that this theme of "love" that I had to memorize for a quiz goes much deeper than human love.
God's love is a gift to humanity and we ought to see it as just that, a gift.
I'm continually amazed that the only reason I can love is because He first loved me.
I'm thankful for His patience with me and His kindness.
Love is patient.
Melanie
When I openly asked God to teach me this month...boy did He answer my prayer.
In my New Testament class, my professor gave us a list of key chapters to study, memorize and recite on a quiz. I now know that Galatians 5 is fruits of the spirit. John 10 is Jesus as the Shepard. Romans 13 is obedience to the government. 2 Thessalonians 2 is the antichrist.
1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. We all know that, don't we?
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things"
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I have heard these verses spoken at weddings, I have seen them printed on anniversary cards, I have been taught them in sunday school, I have highlighted them in my own Bible.
But God has been teaching me exactly what they mean.
Love is patient. Alright, patience. Seems easy enough.
Well, not exactly. I'm not always the most patient person on this planet. I would rather know now then later. Wouldn't we all?
The neat thing about God is how patient He is with me even though my heart fails Him every day.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"
Psalm 73:26
If God is patient with me, why should I deny that patience to someone else?
After all, God is love and we can only love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I begin to see that this theme of "love" that I had to memorize for a quiz goes much deeper than human love.
God's love is a gift to humanity and we ought to see it as just that, a gift.
I'm continually amazed that the only reason I can love is because He first loved me.
I'm thankful for His patience with me and His kindness.
Love is patient.
Melanie
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Romans 1:12
"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine"
I've been reading through the book of Romans and this verse really stood out to me. Paul's desire to be mutually encouraged by other believers is inspiring. I never realized how great of a blessing other believers are in my walk with Christ.
The knowledge of those wiser then me, the zeal of a new believer, the vulnerability of a close friend, the questions of a seeker.
We have all been the seeker, the zealous new believer, the vulnerable close friend and some of use are already pouring out wisdom to other believers.
God designed us to be in relationship with each other. To pour into the new believer, to help the seeker find answers, to be the vulnerable friend and to seek wisdom.
Being at a school with other believers I forget the power a new believer has on my heart. I forget what it's like to be so on fire for Christ and to excitedly search the scriptures, truly wanting to know more.
Paul says in Romans 12:11 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit"
If you're anything like me, those words are a little confusing, so I looked a few of them up, I translated it like this, "Do not be lazy in enthusiasm, be passionate in spirit".
A friend told me recently, "Remember, in everything, we can find Christ"
Where ever you are at, Christ will meet you there.
He is all and He is in all. Colossians 3:11
Melanie
I've been reading through the book of Romans and this verse really stood out to me. Paul's desire to be mutually encouraged by other believers is inspiring. I never realized how great of a blessing other believers are in my walk with Christ.
The knowledge of those wiser then me, the zeal of a new believer, the vulnerability of a close friend, the questions of a seeker.
We have all been the seeker, the zealous new believer, the vulnerable close friend and some of use are already pouring out wisdom to other believers.
God designed us to be in relationship with each other. To pour into the new believer, to help the seeker find answers, to be the vulnerable friend and to seek wisdom.
Being at a school with other believers I forget the power a new believer has on my heart. I forget what it's like to be so on fire for Christ and to excitedly search the scriptures, truly wanting to know more.
Paul says in Romans 12:11 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit"
If you're anything like me, those words are a little confusing, so I looked a few of them up, I translated it like this, "Do not be lazy in enthusiasm, be passionate in spirit".
A friend told me recently, "Remember, in everything, we can find Christ"
Where ever you are at, Christ will meet you there.
He is all and He is in all. Colossians 3:11
Melanie
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Being two places at once
Whenever I get home from school it's a flood of emotions. Don't get me wrong, I am so so so happy to be home with my sister and my mom, I love them dearly, but I cannot help but feel like something is missing.
My emotions range from happiness one moment to sadness the next. Really, I'm an emotional wreck for the first week.
I've processed through why I am feeling what I am feeling and I came to a few conclusions.
1. Trying to make two places home is hard work
I chose to go away to school, I desired to move out, live on my own, and experience college. I wanted the community of a dorm, I wanted the freedom that college brought and I wanted the independence. That being said, two weeks before I moved away, my childhood house was sold and we were moving to a new town. It was a lot to take in. Not only was I moving away, but when I returned for breaks, it would be in a brand new house, a new neighborhood, and neighbors who I didn't know. It was hard.
I was battling to make Cedarville my home at the same time I was trying to make Toledo my home.
I did not think it was possible to have my heart in two places at once.
2. Community is everything to me.
Wherever I find myself, now or in the future, I know that this statement is true. Community is something I love, something I value, something I cherish. During high school I had a great community and great friends but I knew this was going to come to an end when I moved away. I knew I was going to have to start over and that terrified me. My first year of college, I found 4 best friends. I found my community. We could not be more different, but I love them the same.
Hilary, my spunky roommate and accountability partner. She is so special to me. We have had two years together and we are fully prepared for our third year as roommates. I've learned to appreciate her and value the time I have with her because it is rare, but all the more special. We could not be more opposite, but our strengths are enhanced through each other. I thank God for "randomly" giving me a life long friend.
Lauren, my understandable and loving friend. She shows me grace everyday and I am thankful for that. She teaches me through her innocence and loves me despite my OCDness. She makes me laugh until I cannot breathe and I love it. I thank our RA's for setting up a freshmen dinner that first week otherwise we would not of met. God knew what He was doing :)
Chelsea, my adventurous and free spirited friend. She shows me what it means to love those in need. Never have I met someone more willing to leave something so familiar and so comfortable to serve in an uncomfortable and dangerous area. I admire that. I desire that kind of faith. Chelsea, you teach me the power of love and I thank God for you.
Victoria, my polar opposite friend. Let's face it, we could not be more different and I love it. I love it because I know this friendship is not one I chose, but one He chose. Regardless of where we are at, how many miles separate us, you are still one of my best friends. Your heart is incredible. You give when you have nothing and you love unconditionally. God has shown me how to love others through you.
In Toledo, my community changes. I still have my friends from school, but in a different way. We connect via text, phone, skype and the occasional visits.
My sister will always be my best friend, my community in both places.
Sister, my beautiful, strong, and loving friend. You teach me to dream and to be free. You teach me to learn exactly what it means to be me and to embrace who I am. We are silly, yet serious, we laugh and cry and I wouldn't change one thing about you. You are you and because of this you bless me and countless others. I thank God for giving me not only the best big sister, but also the greatest and most loyal best friend.
3. I am learning my purpose at school and at home...they look very different.
At school I am an RA, a student, a friend and an employee. I have a purpose and I love it. I feel like I am where I belong and I trust the One who placed me there.
At home, my purpose changes. I am not an RA and I am not a student. Sometimes, I feel like I don't have a purpose and that is hard.
I remember my sister telling me something over Christmas break and it has stuck with me ever since. She told me that just because I don't have the same purpose I have at school doesn't mean I do not have a purpose at home. Maybe my purpose at home is to grow, read, write, relax and do things that I enjoy because when the semester starts, these things are harder to do.
Words of wisdom right there sister, thank you :)
I know that a lot of college students who move away wrestle with this and I want to challenge you, just because you feel like you do not have a purpose now that you are home, does not mean that you don't.
Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My emotions range from happiness one moment to sadness the next. Really, I'm an emotional wreck for the first week.
I've processed through why I am feeling what I am feeling and I came to a few conclusions.
1. Trying to make two places home is hard work
I chose to go away to school, I desired to move out, live on my own, and experience college. I wanted the community of a dorm, I wanted the freedom that college brought and I wanted the independence. That being said, two weeks before I moved away, my childhood house was sold and we were moving to a new town. It was a lot to take in. Not only was I moving away, but when I returned for breaks, it would be in a brand new house, a new neighborhood, and neighbors who I didn't know. It was hard.
I was battling to make Cedarville my home at the same time I was trying to make Toledo my home.
I did not think it was possible to have my heart in two places at once.
2. Community is everything to me.
Wherever I find myself, now or in the future, I know that this statement is true. Community is something I love, something I value, something I cherish. During high school I had a great community and great friends but I knew this was going to come to an end when I moved away. I knew I was going to have to start over and that terrified me. My first year of college, I found 4 best friends. I found my community. We could not be more different, but I love them the same.
Hilary, my spunky roommate and accountability partner. She is so special to me. We have had two years together and we are fully prepared for our third year as roommates. I've learned to appreciate her and value the time I have with her because it is rare, but all the more special. We could not be more opposite, but our strengths are enhanced through each other. I thank God for "randomly" giving me a life long friend.
Lauren, my understandable and loving friend. She shows me grace everyday and I am thankful for that. She teaches me through her innocence and loves me despite my OCDness. She makes me laugh until I cannot breathe and I love it. I thank our RA's for setting up a freshmen dinner that first week otherwise we would not of met. God knew what He was doing :)
Chelsea, my adventurous and free spirited friend. She shows me what it means to love those in need. Never have I met someone more willing to leave something so familiar and so comfortable to serve in an uncomfortable and dangerous area. I admire that. I desire that kind of faith. Chelsea, you teach me the power of love and I thank God for you.
Victoria, my polar opposite friend. Let's face it, we could not be more different and I love it. I love it because I know this friendship is not one I chose, but one He chose. Regardless of where we are at, how many miles separate us, you are still one of my best friends. Your heart is incredible. You give when you have nothing and you love unconditionally. God has shown me how to love others through you.
In Toledo, my community changes. I still have my friends from school, but in a different way. We connect via text, phone, skype and the occasional visits.
My sister will always be my best friend, my community in both places.
Sister, my beautiful, strong, and loving friend. You teach me to dream and to be free. You teach me to learn exactly what it means to be me and to embrace who I am. We are silly, yet serious, we laugh and cry and I wouldn't change one thing about you. You are you and because of this you bless me and countless others. I thank God for giving me not only the best big sister, but also the greatest and most loyal best friend.
3. I am learning my purpose at school and at home...they look very different.
At school I am an RA, a student, a friend and an employee. I have a purpose and I love it. I feel like I am where I belong and I trust the One who placed me there.
At home, my purpose changes. I am not an RA and I am not a student. Sometimes, I feel like I don't have a purpose and that is hard.
I remember my sister telling me something over Christmas break and it has stuck with me ever since. She told me that just because I don't have the same purpose I have at school doesn't mean I do not have a purpose at home. Maybe my purpose at home is to grow, read, write, relax and do things that I enjoy because when the semester starts, these things are harder to do.
Words of wisdom right there sister, thank you :)
I know that a lot of college students who move away wrestle with this and I want to challenge you, just because you feel like you do not have a purpose now that you are home, does not mean that you don't.
Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace"
Your purpose looks different then mine, but you do have one at home...find it.
Melanie
This got me thinking.
Thought I would pass it on.
Enjoy :)
"I know that he married a pridefully independent woman that could potentially ruin him, yet he loves her the same"
http://juliannamorlet.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-been-good-year.html
Thought I would pass it on.
Enjoy :)
"I know that he married a pridefully independent woman that could potentially ruin him, yet he loves her the same"
http://juliannamorlet.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-been-good-year.html
Monday, April 16, 2012
Bitterness
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger"
Ephesians 4:26
This verse hasn't always settled with me well. I am an internal, therefore sometimes I need to go to bed angry in order to finish processing why I am angry, don't I?
Well, no.
I don't believe God gave us this command in Ephesians just to be overlooked.
If it was something humans naturally did, would God need to command this of us?
No again.
I've discovered when I go to bed angry, bitterness begins to seep into my heart and then that bitterness begins to grow.
I know what bitterness feels like. I've battled it all my life. I've let bitterness seep into my heart and have control over me. And quite frankly, I don't want it controlling me anymore.
Obviously God understands the destroying ability bitterness has on human hearts therefore he commands us to not let the sun go down with our anger.
All of a sudden, this passage isn't quite so unsettling.
It all makes sense.
Yes anger is real, yes I do get angry, but I don't have to let it control me.
I need to control my anger, not let my anger control me.
Melanie
Ephesians 4:26
This verse hasn't always settled with me well. I am an internal, therefore sometimes I need to go to bed angry in order to finish processing why I am angry, don't I?
Well, no.
I don't believe God gave us this command in Ephesians just to be overlooked.
If it was something humans naturally did, would God need to command this of us?
No again.
I've discovered when I go to bed angry, bitterness begins to seep into my heart and then that bitterness begins to grow.
I know what bitterness feels like. I've battled it all my life. I've let bitterness seep into my heart and have control over me. And quite frankly, I don't want it controlling me anymore.
Obviously God understands the destroying ability bitterness has on human hearts therefore he commands us to not let the sun go down with our anger.
All of a sudden, this passage isn't quite so unsettling.
It all makes sense.
Yes anger is real, yes I do get angry, but I don't have to let it control me.
I need to control my anger, not let my anger control me.
Melanie
Saturday, April 14, 2012
I have been on a journey to find myself.
I have learned that I am incredibly independent.
This can be good and this can be very bad. I realized that my independence can make me stubborn, something I need to work on, but I also realized that my independence inhibits my ability to depend on friends, family, and if I’m not careful, God.
I grew up believing that I needed to be independent. I believed that I needed to be able to support myself because there are “no guarantees” in life. I believed I didn’t need to depend on anyone because I was told I needed to take care of myself.
As much as I admire the women who taught me these things all my life, I discovered I can depend on people; it’s called a community.
God has been teaching me the importance of friendship and loyalty and the difference it makes in my life when people come along side of me and feel with me.
Sometimes words are painful, sometimes they sting, but they also have the power to speak truth.
I’ve also learned that I am an internal. Well, I’ve known that because my sister’s been pointing that out for years. But I’ve recently discovered just what this means.
It means that, I process in my head before I am ready to discuss what I am feeling. It also means I can’t always process with people because I walk away from conversations even more confused then when I went in.
I’ve found that society tries to change internals. We live in a world where people believe in immediate fixing. We desire a quick and easy solution but sometimes quick and easy isn’t always right. Sometimes we need to think and process and internalize and that is okay too.
Internals can’t be externals and externals can’t be internals but I do believe we compliment each other.
My sister and I are quite the pair. I learn from her and she learns from me. She is an external and I am an internal. It has taken us years to appreciate this about ourselves and about each other. I just thought she was strange for always talking about how she was feeling and she thought I was normal for suppressing how was feeling. She wished she could be like me and secretly I wished I could be like her. At least she understood how she was feeling.
I appreciate her bold personality and I appreciate her ability to teach me. Sometimes I think she knows me better then I know myself. Maybe that’s why God made us sisters, someone has to understand me ;)
Melanie
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