This summer has been such a blessing and a learning experience. I have had the blessed opportunity to work for a Summer camp called Maple Grove Farms and to work in retail for New York and Company. I believe that both of these opportunities were provided by the divine intervention of my heavenly Daddy.
Recently though I must admit that I had forgotten that He works divinely and intentionally in our lives. I got greedy. I started to think about how much more money my friends and sister were making per hour at their jobs. I started to doubt if I had chosen the right places to devout all my time too. I started to become lazy, feeling as if I was getting paid to little for the quality work that I performed. Then today at work God spoke to my selfish and sinful heart. I was hyped up on a Rootbeer float and literally "floating" on cloud nine excited for my work shift. My co workers were, as they always are, flabbergasted to see someone with such excitement to be at work. I didn't let their strange stares or negativity impact me. Instead I started thanking God for the job and the hours I was being given. It was amazing to see the difference the little prayers had on my attitude. He sustained me even when I hit my sugar crash and all the energy was draining. I was still able to grin from ear to ear.
He brought to my mind a quote I once heard from one of my dear friends "Treat work like you are overpaid and underworked no matter if its true". Let me tell this is not easy! In the world we live in today we are told that we are always underpaid and overworked, which may be true. We never stop to think about the blessings and lessons that He is trying to show us throughout our environment. One of my all time favorite quotes/mottos is "wherever you go whatever the weather always bring your own sunshine". So combining these two attitudes I realized that I should always be excited to go into work and that I should always bring my 100% performance. Even when I know other coworkers aren't giving it their all or if there is the possibility to still get paid without doing the work. It shouldn't be about what we can get away with and still get paid. God calls us to do our best whatever it is like we were working for Him instead of man.
I am extremely thankful for this lesson and perspective He demonstrated to me tonight! Because lets face it life is too short to be grumpy and displeased every time we go in for a work shift! I feel like this situation also resembles what it means to have a relationship with our Savior. Let me explain. I went to work. Instead of complaining and grumbling I turned to God and gave him my concerns and decided to thank Him. He then gave me the strength and perspective to continue the positive attitude through the rest of the night. My work load didn't change, my energy didn't increase ten fold, I didn't get a pay raise, and I didn't get off any earlier but I was happier and fulfilled. That is what it is to live in His wonderful embrace. Life doesn't get easier, the load doesn't lighten, in face it occasionally gets harder. BUT you have the wonderful friendship of the majestic, extravagant, loving Father who makes life worth it. Who made life. I am so grateful and thankful that he allows a sinful sinner like myself to get to communicate with Him daily! May I continue to grow closer and seek His companionship more! May I also continue to work with a happy and grateful heart!
xoxo
abz
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Definition
How would you define yourself?
What words come to your mind first?
A few that swim into my head are kind, awkward, confused, young, southern
The American culture is obsessed with definitions. We have to define every aspect of our lives. The media tries to persuade us to make our definitions from products, alcohol, employment, clothing, body type, weight loss. Think about it one of the first questions you ever ask someone is what they do for a living. Our first impression and definition of a person comes from what they have chosen to do for a living. Or for college students its the inevitable, unavoidable question of "what is your major" aka what are you planning on doing with your life. Yet, we never dig into the deep questions like what was the specific moment that led you to want to do blank, how did you make it here, or is it their life passion. We just put them into labels just as we are putting ourselves into labels.
I've been noticing the objects I allow to define myself recently. Sadly, they aren't places in which I should be looking or taking definitions. I've let grade define me, I've let family define me, I've let society define me, and I need to be letting God define me.
I'm sure every perfectionist college student has battled with letting grades define their hard work, worth, and diligence. I know I have. Not having a 4.0 means I'm not as intelligent or hard working as I should be. Leading me to believe that a B means I'm a failure and never going to go anywhere in life. I get so wrapped on my definition from that letter grade that I'm not retaining anything from the class. Instead I'm doing whatever I can do to get an A which many times means not learning anything that actually adds to my knowledge. It's so silly and I know it. I can't tell you how many times I have to remind myself that receiving a "B" isn't the end of the world. Yet, even though I know that those are just letters and they don't define me I'll still be reminding myself next week.
I had never really considered the definition I was receiving from my family till some recent events in my family. I can still remember the thought like being able to recall your favorite song from the first beat. I was reflecting on this event and I thought to myself, I seriously said these words "Wow, I had always thought I was better and above this kind of lifestyle but I guess I'm worse off then I thought". First off can we just dissect how selfish and sinful that statement is. The fact that I would have the audacity to be above a certain type of lifestyle. I am just as horrible as the worst person you could ever imagine. I pray to our precious Savior that he will work in my heart to create one that reflects His. Second why is one of my family members decisions reflecting my character and my definition? Why must we define someone based on their surroundings. Yes they shape how they have become who they are today but they by no means define them. So don't by into the devils lies. You are a beautiful creature made in the image of God for his purpose! AND HE WILL WORK IN YOUR BEST INTEREST IF YOU LOVE HIM. Friends may we all learn that his wounds have destroyed definitions. We all come to the cross naked. We leave our definitions and our sins on that cross and walk away with a new definition. A new identity. We are free to be the redeemed.
I will not be defined by being a teacher. It will explain the passions of my personality and interests. BUT, there is more to the person beyond. There is more to the homeless person, the construction worker, the stay at home mom, the CEO. They are beautiful jewels created by our heavenly Father and they all tell a story about Grace.
This is why you are NOT defined by the mistakes you have made. It took me two years to finally understand that quote. But it feels so GOOD! I am NOT DEFINED BY MY MISTAKES I am defined by a man who gave his life so that I might find life.
You are free of the bandages that have held you down.
The Battle is won.
It is finished
leave behind the shackles
and walk into the freedom that is GRACE!
What words come to your mind first?
A few that swim into my head are kind, awkward, confused, young, southern
The American culture is obsessed with definitions. We have to define every aspect of our lives. The media tries to persuade us to make our definitions from products, alcohol, employment, clothing, body type, weight loss. Think about it one of the first questions you ever ask someone is what they do for a living. Our first impression and definition of a person comes from what they have chosen to do for a living. Or for college students its the inevitable, unavoidable question of "what is your major" aka what are you planning on doing with your life. Yet, we never dig into the deep questions like what was the specific moment that led you to want to do blank, how did you make it here, or is it their life passion. We just put them into labels just as we are putting ourselves into labels.
I've been noticing the objects I allow to define myself recently. Sadly, they aren't places in which I should be looking or taking definitions. I've let grade define me, I've let family define me, I've let society define me, and I need to be letting God define me.
I'm sure every perfectionist college student has battled with letting grades define their hard work, worth, and diligence. I know I have. Not having a 4.0 means I'm not as intelligent or hard working as I should be. Leading me to believe that a B means I'm a failure and never going to go anywhere in life. I get so wrapped on my definition from that letter grade that I'm not retaining anything from the class. Instead I'm doing whatever I can do to get an A which many times means not learning anything that actually adds to my knowledge. It's so silly and I know it. I can't tell you how many times I have to remind myself that receiving a "B" isn't the end of the world. Yet, even though I know that those are just letters and they don't define me I'll still be reminding myself next week.
I had never really considered the definition I was receiving from my family till some recent events in my family. I can still remember the thought like being able to recall your favorite song from the first beat. I was reflecting on this event and I thought to myself, I seriously said these words "Wow, I had always thought I was better and above this kind of lifestyle but I guess I'm worse off then I thought". First off can we just dissect how selfish and sinful that statement is. The fact that I would have the audacity to be above a certain type of lifestyle. I am just as horrible as the worst person you could ever imagine. I pray to our precious Savior that he will work in my heart to create one that reflects His. Second why is one of my family members decisions reflecting my character and my definition? Why must we define someone based on their surroundings. Yes they shape how they have become who they are today but they by no means define them. So don't by into the devils lies. You are a beautiful creature made in the image of God for his purpose! AND HE WILL WORK IN YOUR BEST INTEREST IF YOU LOVE HIM. Friends may we all learn that his wounds have destroyed definitions. We all come to the cross naked. We leave our definitions and our sins on that cross and walk away with a new definition. A new identity. We are free to be the redeemed.
I will not be defined by being a teacher. It will explain the passions of my personality and interests. BUT, there is more to the person beyond. There is more to the homeless person, the construction worker, the stay at home mom, the CEO. They are beautiful jewels created by our heavenly Father and they all tell a story about Grace.
This is why you are NOT defined by the mistakes you have made. It took me two years to finally understand that quote. But it feels so GOOD! I am NOT DEFINED BY MY MISTAKES I am defined by a man who gave his life so that I might find life.
You are free of the bandages that have held you down.
The Battle is won.
It is finished
leave behind the shackles
and walk into the freedom that is GRACE!
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