Standing Up Under It

God is awesome! I really don't think that there is any other way to say it.

I needed to have a tough conversation with someone and I didn't. There are two main reasons for why I didn't:

1. I just didn't have the courage. I was scared. There was a large amount of uncertainty and I do not do well with uncertainty. I need to have as much information as possible about a situation and I felt like I was walking into this one blind.
2. I had hope that the cards would fall in my favor and if they didn't I was going to be up the creek.

Well, God took care of everything for me. He put me in a situation where I would have to address the matter at hand and ultimately I was indeed up the proverbial creek...paddleless. Go figure. However, to be completely honest, I'm not surprised how things turned out. God had my best interest at heart.

One of the verses I am charged with memorizing for the class I am enrolled in at church is 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you may stand up under it." My situation is a PERFECT example of this!!

I was faced with a huge temptation that I was slowly succumbing to. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was no reason for me to become invested in the situation but I was slowly creeping toward the point of no return. I knew I needed to have the aforementioned conversation, but it just wasn't going to happen. God stepped in and did what I couldn't. He provided a way out for me. Granted, I am still hurt and confused by the whole thing, but God rescued me! He knew I didn't have the strength to put the walls on my own, so He provided me a way to "stand up under it".

Even though I am hurt, I have to praise God! Throughout the Bible you see examples of people suffering (Joseph, Paul, Job, Mary, Martha, etc.) but still thanking God for their circumstances. I am a modern day example of God's love and devotion! This may be a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I've learned several valuable lessons from this experience and am very thankful. I know that the hurt will ease over time but as it does I am growing stronger in my faith. He never promised us a life without pain and trials, it is what we take away from these events that is the most important.

Inside Out

I've been in a funk today, and I feel bad for my co-worker Gary who is the only one in the office, and has had to put up with me all on his own. So sorry! Poor Gary, Chelsea and I have been bored silly today. We are the only three members of the department here and all of the residents are still catching the last few rays of Spring Break. The word "quiet" doesn't even begin to describe our day.

I'm sure you can sense where this is going, here I am in my office with my computer...what ever shall I do? You guessed it...Pinterest!! I am pursuing the multitudes of pins available to me and I begin to see a pattern emerging. There are tons and tons of pins of picture of girls with washboard stomachs, designer shoes and clothes, handbags and jewelry. Occasionally you will find a rare book or a quote that makes you stop and reconsider life, but the majority of pins are overwhelmingly dedicated to perfecting the outside facade of who we are. I wish I could say I was above that, but you better believe if I was banking I would be wearing Jimmy Choo, vintage Gucci and toting Prada. I'm a girl!

I'm a little disappointed that I would fall victim to the desire of being so made up and fitted in only the best labels. It would undoubtedly give me a ego boost, much like when I wear my red cowboy boots, but really...what is it going to get me in the end beside a hefty credit card bill? Nothing. Are those pricey items going to land me a dream job or get me the man of my dreams? Nope, but God will! His son already paid the ultimate price and all I have to do it say, "Yes, please!".

My beauty isn't defined by a hand stitched leather purse but by the words that are written across my heart and the light of Christ that others see in me.I want someone to be attracted to me because I put others first, have daily quiet time and want a biblically based life...not because I can rock a pair of $500 shoes. I want to continue to grow in my walk with the Lord so that others will see the beauty in His love. Anyone can pull of pretty but beauty is something that resonates in the soul and is only something God can give you. Are you beautiful?