This is a gift...

i'm constantly reminding myself that all things have a purpose. that even though we might find ourselves in life situations that cause us pain and loneliness, or leave us with a bruised heart, it will eventually be okay. though this is the truth, it's so surface level. it's one of those things you tell people to make them feel better, but it never really makes them feel better. so rather than looking at current situations as something that will pass, maybe i should look at them as something to embrace.

why embrace something you don't like... don't want... didn't ask for?
because sometimes, even when you don't realize it at first, god has given you a gift. i believe it is possible to look at things from a different perspective and find the blessing instead of the bitterness during the trials of this life.

god is patient with me; i will not keep him waiting
god is kind to me; i will express my gratitude daily
god does not envy; he knows that i am only his no matter how far i stray
god does not boast; his will is carried out no matter what
god is not proud; i will humble myself in him
god is not rude; he loves me wholeheartedly
god is not self seeking; he has my best interest in mind at all times
god is not easily angered; he knows i am not perfect but loves me just the same
god keeps no record of wrongs; he doesn't only forgive my sins, he completely forgets them
...god never fails me.

Sunset at 7

praise the lord... he is so beautiful. he truly romanced me today, in my favorite way. the sun. see, lately the weather has been miserable and drab. gray...overcast...rainy. not at all how it should feel over spring break. so i went to work out, and when i came out of the rec center i realized the sky had cleared. on the way home, i drove to the top of a street hill and from there i could see, in perfect view, a bright orange ball of light slowly making its way to the shadowed trees on the horizon. i had a green light, but i didn't go. i just sat there...gazing at this masterpiece that i hadn't seen practically all week. turning the car around, i headed to the park nearby. there i found the best spot... i parked right infront of a pond, got out of my car, and sat on the hood to enjoy the last few moments the sun could still be seen in my lonely texas sky. people always told me growing up, "don't stare directly at the sun!" but i didn't care. i looked right at it. i breathed in its warmth and meditated on its beauty. god brought me the sun today. he knew how bad i wanted it. how bad i needed it. and in that moment, remembering how my savior loves me more than anyone ever will, i knew it was all for me. and i cried...for once, tears of joy.

david crowder wrote a book called praise habit. the subtitle is "finding god in sunsets and sushi." in this book, david talks about the many ways to praise god throughout your day and how you can find him in objects and settings all around you. god is romancing us... and it's breathtaking when we realize it!