Aha Moments

Lately, I have been very concerned about the path I have chosen. As an aspiring youth minister I don't plan on being rich, but I want to have a stable income. Currently I am going to a local community college and volunteering with a youth group full time. I couldn't understand how I am staying afloat without a job and a yearly $6,000 family stipend. I am a clothes, accessory, shoe, and coffee junkie who donates on a regular basis so I figured all my money was gone.

I reluctantly asked my mom to write down how much I had left. She looked at me like I was insane and said a number. I must have asked her a thousand times to repeat it. Apparently I had a lot of money left over. I couldn't imagine how that was possible. I mean I bought a bunch of clothes, went to New  York City, paid for two quarters of college, donated to church, bought Christmas for two family's of seven, and drove all over. But I had forgotten something.

I was doing what God had asked me to do. He said it would be tough because I'm not going to the school I wanted or working right now. I just didn't think I could make it. Being someone who rarely asks for help, handouts are not an option. So God found another way. He blessed me with wonderful friends who let me stay for dinner twice a month and a great youth minister who wants me to succeed. My youth minister even found a possible paid internship for the summer. This was my aha moment. Now I know I am stable and I can still do everything I dreamed of...with His help.

If you have aha moments I would love to hear about them. Feel free to comment :)

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It's Not Forever

Recently my high school lost a graduate and a current senior in a car accident. The other driver was drunk and walked away without a scratch. When my friends and I heard about it we couldn't say a word. There was nothing to say. Two wonderful people were here and then they weren't. The response was astounding. Facebook was covered with well wishes and condolences. The crash site was adorned with flowers and gifts a few hours later. 

Grief is a funny thing. Plain and simple, it sucks, but it's necessary. If we don't allow ourselves to cry we can't move on. Through my grieving process I learned a few things.

     1. God really does have a plan.

          He decides who comes home and when. We do not have any control over God and we never will. To us it may seem unfair, but He needed them to come home.

     2. Justice will be served.

          The man who did this will get what he deserves, but that is all out of our hands. If the earthly court's decision is less than deserving, God will judge. I have no right to judge or condemn that man. He has to walk knowing what he did. Hopefully he can see the error of his ways and repent appropriately.

     3. There is still a reason to live.

          There will always be a part of you with them and vice versa. You cannot escape the hold they have on you. A piece of them is locked inside your heart. They become a part of you anfd your life. So you must live on.

Be happy for the time you spent together. Be hopeful for that moment when you'll meet again. Be alive because they want you to go on.

To all those angels, enjoy your time in peace and watch over us.