If you were to ask me in high school what kind of boyfriend I wanted. I probably would have said something about how I wanted him to be sweet and kind, love God, is a good listener, and does spontaneous things. (Which is interesting since I am not spontaneous AT ALL.) Well, the other day I had a "Hello, Lauren!" moment. I realized that this is exactly what God is doing with me and for me right now. I always wanted to go on Walk to Remember type date where the guy takes you to do a bunch of random things. Eat, dance, look at the stars, travel to a special spot, put on a temporary tattoo in the car while listening to yourself on the radio. (If that whole sentence confused you, go watch A Walk to Remember, then you'll appreciate the hilarity that it was.)
Anyway, this is what is happening in my life right now. God is calling me to do things and see things and go places that I never imagined. He is taking me on adventures, helping me meet new people, and do new things. I have to admit, while it is exciting, it has also been scary at times. But I still love it! Especially because, unlike a high school boyfriend, I know that He will stick around. And I know that I will be able to keep experiencing new and exciting things with Him. How comforting is it to know that someone you love so much and love being with so much wants to keep being with you, too?!
I have always said that I want to go on adventures. I love the idea of having an adventure book, like the precious couple in Up! It is so fascinating to me that things I've voiced, and even things that I have kept to myself, are happening all around me. I truly thought that when I graduated college and got a "grown-up" job, that my days for being able to have an adventure were over. Man, am I thankful for a God who is not limited by circumstances or my own thoughts and plans. I am happy to say that my days for having adventures with God are just beginning! I can't wait to see where we go and what we do next.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
You're Better Than You Think You Are
I just absolutely LOVE God. I mean, For. Real. It never ceases to amaze me how He brings encouragement at just the right time. During a time where you are discouraged or have lost sight of something, He brings something or someone to lift you up.
This time, it was one of my students. That's right, a Kindergartner. A five-year-old girl to be exact. It was last Friday during our morning Rise and Shine assembly. The whole elementary was together and, needless to say, it was crazy loud! She is sitting in line and calls me over to her. Amidst the chaos I hear her say, "Miss Steele, you're better than you think you are." I was taken back, I had to make sure I heard her right. "You're better than you think you are," she said again. All I can say is, wow! I kept thinking about what she said all day. I couldn't shake it. Does she know what she said? Does she actually know what it meant? It's not like she knows the thoughts I have or things I have been going through.
I don't know how she came up with that or if she even knew what she was saying. All I know, is that it was from God. He brought those words to me at the perfect time. Not only was it a reminder of how He sees me, it was also a reminder of His perfect timing. God knows exactly what I need, and exactly when I need it. And the cool thing is, He will do the same for you. Never doubt His timing. He will always have your best in mind.
This time, it was one of my students. That's right, a Kindergartner. A five-year-old girl to be exact. It was last Friday during our morning Rise and Shine assembly. The whole elementary was together and, needless to say, it was crazy loud! She is sitting in line and calls me over to her. Amidst the chaos I hear her say, "Miss Steele, you're better than you think you are." I was taken back, I had to make sure I heard her right. "You're better than you think you are," she said again. All I can say is, wow! I kept thinking about what she said all day. I couldn't shake it. Does she know what she said? Does she actually know what it meant? It's not like she knows the thoughts I have or things I have been going through.
I don't know how she came up with that or if she even knew what she was saying. All I know, is that it was from God. He brought those words to me at the perfect time. Not only was it a reminder of how He sees me, it was also a reminder of His perfect timing. God knows exactly what I need, and exactly when I need it. And the cool thing is, He will do the same for you. Never doubt His timing. He will always have your best in mind.
Monday, February 2, 2015
"Oh, The Places You'll Go!"
As a teacher, I have come to love children's books. Honestly, they are my favorite. A few of my favorite authors write children's books. One of my all time favorites is "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. It has a wonderful message for children and adults. It is a great picture of how life works. It talks of being in slumps and times of waiting. And how you have to keep moving to get past those things. But the thing I love the most is the fact that it encourages its readers to GO.
This has been one of my mantras. I want to go great places and see great things. There are so many places I want to travel to and explore. At times, I feel like there is no way that I will possibly get to all the places I want to go before my time on this earth is finished. And then, just when I am thinking about that place I haven't gone yet, my God steps into the picture. Just like this weekend.
This past Saturday, I was having coffee with a new friend of mine. (Isn't it awesome how God brings people into your life at just the right time?) We were talking about everything under the sun, then we started talking about the missions trips that we are both going on this summer. I am going to Peru, and she is going to New York. As we talked, I told her that I had almost applied for the NY trip, as well. However, I didn't because I was worried about raising the funds for two trips at once. "Lauren, there are people going on three trips! You can do it, if you really want to," she tells me. Long story short, I went for it! Me, the queen of caution, decided to go for it. And I am so glad I did! I have been praying that the Lord will use me in ways He never has, and that is exactly what He is doing. And at the same time, He is also giving me a desire of my heart. I am so glad that I serve a God that can use me for His kingdom, AND wants to give me the desires of my heart at the same time. It's almost as if He is saying to me, "Lauren, 'you're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way!'"
This has been one of my mantras. I want to go great places and see great things. There are so many places I want to travel to and explore. At times, I feel like there is no way that I will possibly get to all the places I want to go before my time on this earth is finished. And then, just when I am thinking about that place I haven't gone yet, my God steps into the picture. Just like this weekend.
This past Saturday, I was having coffee with a new friend of mine. (Isn't it awesome how God brings people into your life at just the right time?) We were talking about everything under the sun, then we started talking about the missions trips that we are both going on this summer. I am going to Peru, and she is going to New York. As we talked, I told her that I had almost applied for the NY trip, as well. However, I didn't because I was worried about raising the funds for two trips at once. "Lauren, there are people going on three trips! You can do it, if you really want to," she tells me. Long story short, I went for it! Me, the queen of caution, decided to go for it. And I am so glad I did! I have been praying that the Lord will use me in ways He never has, and that is exactly what He is doing. And at the same time, He is also giving me a desire of my heart. I am so glad that I serve a God that can use me for His kingdom, AND wants to give me the desires of my heart at the same time. It's almost as if He is saying to me, "Lauren, 'you're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way!'"
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