So...I've tried to write my next blog post probably 5 or 6 times so far...so, Lord willing, this will actually get posted soon. It's been so long since I've written that its hard to know where to begin...
Okay, so I've officially finished my second year of college...wait, did I just say second???...yes, in fact! I am halfway through college already...and it has gone by so fast. The school year was full of homework, papers, and projects. And although I love learning, I can definitely say that I am thankful for this time of rest from school for the next three months. As many of you might know, I am not living at home for the summer, which is completely new to me. Already, I can see that this summer is a completely different and new season of my life with its own challenges and blessings. But, first of all, I was so thankful to be able to go home for a couple of weeks! It was a much needed time with my family :) I was so blessed to be able to see my brother and sister graduate from high school and my little brother graduate from 8th grade! It was very special to be able to be there for an exciting event! It was awesome to be able to laugh together, be silly, and help keep the house looking clean of course! We got to be silly and watch lots of movies together...Tangled being our new favorite. I got to talk with my parents and listen to their words of wisdom for the future! It was just a blessing to be able to rest and enjoy being at home.
Not only did I get to see my family, but I got to enjoy talking to people that I haven't seen for a long time. Being home I realized how many wonderful people I have in my life. So many people who have helped me through my past and continue to encourage me in the present! I am so blessed with the friends God has put in my life! I can't even count them all! If you are reading this...you are probably one of those people :) Its just such a relief to be able to come home and enjoy some laughter and memories with people that I love. I even got a sweet little package of goodies from home today for my birthday! All my favorite things from my favorite family :)
But now I am back and its been an interesting ride. Its been frustrating time but unexpectedly fruitful as well. As many of you know, I do not have a job. I have been looking for one for the past week and a half with nothing yet. Although I was bitter at the uncertainty that God had placed me in in the beginning, I've begun to appreciate this time of rest and finding peace and hope in God alone. I know that God has placed me here in this place and at this time for a reason. I've realized that God is so so good. All the time, no matter what. "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand." Psalm 37:23-24. When I chose to think and respond to God each day with a thankful heart, every day was a blessing. I see that God is guiding me, teaching me, and holding me every single day.
"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, oh my soul and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeemed your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" Psalm 103:1-5. Even though I may not have a job, I know for a fact that my God provides for me. I don't always know how He is going to provide, day to day, but I've seen Him provide as I seek Him and lean on Him to provide for my every need. He has provided me through others so many times in the past week that I can't even count. He's provided a place for me to do my laundry so I didn't have to pay for it, He's provided me with a roommate who I've had so much fun with and have enjoyed getting to know better every day, He's provided for groceries and meals, He's provided me with a place to stay all summer, He's provided me a way to see Caleb every weekend which is always a special treat, and He has provided me with His Word and His promises for encouragement and purpose in each and every day.
I'm telling ya...when you get into God's Word, it really becomes a part of who you are. It changes the way you think, and its on your mind a lot! God's Word is a guide to life. Its truth and the promises that lie within its pages are exactly what a follower of Christ needs to face the challenges of each day. God's Word says a lot about the unknown...and not knowing what the future holds has been a huge struggle for me not only the the past weeks but in the last whole year. But that's where faith and trust come in. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act...be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37:5&7. We have to trust that He is God and He knows what He's doing. He is the one who created the earth from nothing and formed us in our mother's womb, and we have to be sure and know that He will take care of us each day. We have to know that He's been faithful before and He'll be faithful again. We just have to wait on Him.
One truth found in God's word has been on my mind a lot since I've been back. Is that God cares for us and He sees our each and every need and He will not forsake us. "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26. We are His children and He will give us everything we need! You are His precious daughter or His precious son, and He will watch over you always. Whether it be food, companionship, love, clothing, shelter, education...God knows what we need and He knows our future...and knows what we'll need down the road. He has it all together even if we don't. We just need to trust and do our very best with what He's given us in the moment. "Therefore, do not be anxious saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the [unbelievers] seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33.
I can tell you that it was God who provided two quarters for me that I didn't have at the cash register the other day. It was something so small, but so profound to me. I came up to the register and the lady rang me up at $5.99. I had about $5.40, but did not have any change to pay for the rest of it. In my heart I wondered where the rest would come from and I believe that it was sent up as a prayer. And the next minute the cashier pulled a quarter out from under the desk. But seeing that I needed 25 more cents, pulled another quarter out of her own pocket to help me pay for the rest. You can say whatever you like...but I know that this was a provision from God. It meant so much to me that God would see my need for something so small as a few quarters and give it to me without me even having to ask. It was a gift. A beautiful and surprising gift, with which God reminded me that He is always there to provide. "Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17
One of my favorite verses of all time, that has been coming up again and again, is Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This verse tells us that we shouldn't worry about anything....not even about what we will be doing tomorrow, what other people will think of us, what decision to make, or even about the unknowns of our futures. God wants us to trust Him. We are to thank Him for all that He has already done for us--and let me tell you that just thinking about what God has already done for you will begin to put your mind at peace. And we are to let God know what we need. He wants us to communicate with Him and come to Him, knowing that He has all things in His hands and He won't let us go. And then when we do these things and come to a place of faith and thanksgiving, we will experience His amazing peace! It's far above what any earthly man can understand, because to any man, his life can be spinning out of control and there is no other way he can cope but to panic and be depressed. But if we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord, we can know that our Heavenly Father is watching over us with care and with such love.
I mean, God loved us so much that He made a way for us to be able to come to Him!!! He made a way for a wretch his treasure. We were filthy prostitutes, unfaithful our great and perfect Prince, and He wanted us. How crazy is that?? God in His holiness still wanted us to be with Him forever. He brought us to Himself by the blood of His Son, Jesus!! There's no doubt that He loves us. If nothing else...we can always know of His love for us because of the sacrifice of Jesus for us. It is an amazing love! "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person...but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 We deserve the unending wrath of a powerful God, but were given the gift of His eternal grace and love instead. Not by anything we had done...but simply through faith in Jesus. "We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:11 Wow. Crazy. I didn't expect to write about this...but I can't help but revel in how amazing the love of God is to us. In everything, but ultimately in giving us Jesus. "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another." 1 John 4:9-10
So, I don't know what you're thinking...but I'm thinking that God's love is pretty undeniable. There are so many ways that we can see it manifested--in God's Word, in His work in our own lives, His provision, and in what He has already done for us. So, when we have uncertain times and need that assurance that God is there and that He's taking care of us, run to His Word. Search the scriptures for His promises. I found that His word is the only place where I find true comfort and satisfaction. I challenge you to go get your Bible...no matter how long or short its been since you've opened it. And go find an verse that promises God's goodness and reminds you of His promises to you (for the future, from the past, or ones that are meant for the present)! You'll see that God is truly good. I hope an pray that the searching you do of God's Word gives you hope and assurance, and fills your heart with praise!
Here are some of my favorites:
"This God--His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?--the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights...You have given me the shield of Your salvation and Your right hand supported me." Psalm 18:30-35
"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path to life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:7-1
"O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes--it has also gone from me...But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer." Psalm 38:9-10
"Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life...I will give thanks to your name , O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble..." Psalm 54:6b-7a
Until next time,
Kasey
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