So it’s Thanksgiving. A day to be happy and thankful for all the wonderful things in your life. That’s not the way my day started though. When I woke up this morning, my heart hurt. I was sad about things that were out of my control and honestly didn’t even want to leave my house. I couldn’t be happier I did though.
Something happened last night that broke my spirit and brought back up every insecurity I’ve ever had. I forgot for a minute how loved I was by God and that He was all I needed. I forgot that I’m not the person that I used to be and that I’m never alone. Now for a lot of people, what happened wouldn’t have been a big deal and they could have just shaken it off, but it was to me. It was the first time I had experienced this much hurt since turning my life to God. I used to have the most unhealthy ways of dealing with pain, and honestly most of them involved drinking. I always felt alone and I thought that I could just drink the pain away and wouldn’t have to feel it or think about it. But now, I know I have an amazing Father that I can lean on. And more than that, a beautiful community of friends.
Last night after getting off the phone with my sister and crying to her for about 20 mins, it was just me alone in my apartment, well, me and God. In that moment though, I had a beautiful experience with Him. I felt Him there with me and I knew I wasn’t alone. I felt His presence and His warm embrace. Honestly I just needed to cry, (I mean I’m a girl, it’s kinda what we do) and he let me. He comforted me and told me that everything was going to be okay.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
When I got up this morning, big shocker, more crying. I reluctantly got ready, redid my makeup that I had just cried off and headed out the door. As I was on the way to my friends house, I kept thinking of every reason to just turn around and go back home but God kept telling me to keep driving. Of course I’m glad I did! The second I walked into the house, I was okay. I knew that I was surrounded by amazing and wonderful people that God has placed in my life for a reason. These are the people who met me when I was just figuring out who I was as a Christian and have been there for me the whole time. They are a new family that God has blessed me with. I had an absolute blast with them and we ate some super delicious food! From there I headed to the house of some other friends of mine that I have recently been blessed with. They are a couple of God lovin’, fun havin’ people and I was so excited to see them! We shared a ton of laughs and had an amazing time! I talked through my struggles with them and of course they made me feel better too! 🙂
God never ceases to amaze me, and I can tell you right now that I’ll be saying that until the day I die. Not only did He take someone like me and give me an amazing new life, He blessed me with the most beautiful people. People that I thank Him for everyday. Who inspire my faith and draw me closer to Him. I know that having only Jesus in my life would be enough, but He loves me enough to give me more, and He gives us all more. I have an awesome, loving family back in Colorado and I miss them every day, but He still chooses to give me more.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”
God doesn’t want us to go through life alone, and we don’t have to! I’ll tell you right now that leaning on God in struggles is the only way I’ve made it through sometimes. He is ALWAYS there. He is always listening, and always loving. He puts people in our lives to help lift us up and lives our lives with meaning. Because of these people, I spent today with a smile on my face, thanking God for my many blessings.
Everyone deserves to know that there is a God who loves them more than anything and who is always there for them. They deserve to have people in their life who will be there for them no matter what, and who will go out of their way to improve them. There are so many people around the world who do feel alone and don’t know God. I want to be that community for those people and let them know that they are never alone, and that God is always there. That is only one of the many reasons I’m going on this mission, because everyone should walk around with a smile, knowing that there is a God who loves them and blesses them.
I’ve already become part of a new community and I can’t wait to grow more with these people. These are the beautiful people that I’m going on the World Race with!! I’m going to be spending 11 months with them, spreading God’s love and growing in faith. God has put these new people in my life for a reason and I can’t wait to embark on this journey with them! And crazy, this time next year I’ll be in Thailand with my new family!! These are people who love God above all else and are also deciding to listen to His call. We will be living life together for Christ all around the world!!
A Beautiful Community, that is what I have with God. Whether it is my family back home, my Venture Church family, or my new World Race family, I am not alone.
