Volume 116: Rest in My Life!

 

"The road you're on determines where you will end up.... Your direction, not your intentions, determines your destination."

Back when I was in high school, Mike taught this lesson at youth group and I was challenged by it. 

Where did I want to end up? 

Who did I want to be? 

Was the path that I was currently on going to get me there? 

Eleven years ago, on a ski trip that I was peer pressured by older girls to attend, I made a decision to begin down the path towards Christ, giving my life away for him. 

Sure, I missed some temporary fun at the high school parties. 

Sure, I lost some friends when I started taking my faith more seriously. 

Sure, I was misunderstood by my family. 

Yet, I gained SO MUCH more. 

I didn't store up a pile of regrets. 

I gained lasting friendships that had depth to them. 

I began to love my family in a new way. 

The path was so worth it. 

So this past weekend, when Mike asked us, leaders, to share our hope for the youth in the room, I immediately answered - IT IS WORTH IT! 

As I sat in familiar conference room, surrounded by a group of 7th-12th graders, I listened to Mike teach the same lesson again - the road you're on determines your destination. 

And I thought to myself, yes, Mike! My life is now living proof of one who listened to this talk years ago! How cool to now be able to look back and see the path that was started. 

I could have never imagined how amazing it would be. The way I would be set up in college, my career, my relationships, and every part of my life.

"No one ever says, 'Man, I wish I had waited longer to accept Jesus into my heart... I feel like I really missed out on life...' No!! Instead, they exclaim 'I wish I would have gotten plugged in earlier!!"

And isn't that true! How RICH our lives become when we begin to live them to glorify the very one who created them!

And my life is rich. As I think about my decision to set out on a straight path back in high school, I am quick to gratitude for God's provision. 

This past week, I celebrated 28 years!!!! My birthday is always a day that helps me to put my life into perspective. The texts, cards, Facebook posts, and calls serve as special reminders to how absolutely blessed I am for great family and friends! 

In my Bible, I have my self-created life mission statement taped to the front page. It reads, "To glorify God through an unique appreciation for all things that leads me to love others well, be present and serve selflessly."

An unique appreciation. 

Gratitude. 

Something I want my life to be about. 

And in reality, it's an easy practice. Because man, there are so many things to be grateful for. So many things that I did nothing to deserve. 

As I celebrate another year of my life, I give thanks to God!

To the one who has supplied me with all I need. 
To the one who leads me on the right path. 

This week, I simply find rest in the fact that I am blessed. And have so many reasons to be grateful! And don't we all!

TWENTY EIGHT YEARS OLD! Feels wild.... But may this year be yet another of drawing closer to Jesus, learning to trust Him more and more, and being humbled when I live as if I am in control. 

I was especially blessed by a 30 minute visit with Elliott and Luke!!!! 

This was how I spent the night of my birthday and I truly can say that I could have asked for nothing more. While watching Emma Kate eat ice cream isn't exactly ~restful~, I love the Allred family and they are very special to me! 

In addition to being potty trained, Teagan has learned how to cross her eyes! Impressive huh!!

And Blake is learning how to play baseball!!