Jesus, Take the Wheel (my version)

I love driving! Being able to hop in my car, roll down the windows, and go on a drive in the warm, sunshine will totally make my day! However. I am told that I'm not exactly the most 'cautious' driver in town......I don't throw all caution to the wind (let's not exaggerate this!), but when I drive I can be a little dare-devil sometimes! Over time, and many many miles, I have come to find out that I love the control I get when I'm behind the wheel.

Yup, when I'm at 10 an' 2, there is nothing I won't do!

Why can't I be as control in other areas in my life, the way I am when I'm behind the wheel??

Because, like life, there is more than one seat in a car, which is sorta funny when you think about it because only one of those seats means you have control. The other three are passenger seats, which means you buckle up, sit back and enjoy the ride! In life, the passenger seat is one of the scariest places to be!! But we're there majority of the time, whether we realize it or not.

If there's one thing I've learned in the past few months, it's that life can change at the drop of a hat. One minute, you think you're in control of everything, and the next, you're not. It's no surprise that someone who loves to be in control of her [my] life (and car) get's a little anxious at times......OK, really anxious. Lately, I've been having the problem "Too many questions and NOT enough answers!!" What's a girl to do?!

Cue awesome friends: A friend shared this verse with me, 1 Peter 5:6-7

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

Being humble before the Lord means owning up to the fact that you don't have control over your life - He does. But it also means accepting it, and coming before Him saying, "Father, my whole life is for Your glory." If our whole life is for His glory - His purpose - then why do we worry so much about how we'll get by?? God is our Provider, our Comforter, He is our Father and He will not abandon us and make us fend for ourselves.

So when you find yourself so distracted because you don't know what to do, cry out to our Heavenly Father! He will listen. Ask for peace, wisdom, patience, but ask for His will to play out as well. And hang in there!! He won't give you more than you can handle.

Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again! That time of year when stores are completely smothered in pink and red hearts, chocolates and cards. That time of year when men (young and old) order flowers and give them to their special someone. As a Single Lady, I almost feel like I should be saying how much I dislike Valentine's Day, stating that all the candy, flowers and hearts are totally cliche and that I would rather choke on them, than participate. In the past, that's been my argument.

It was a lie!!!

The truth? I love Valentine's Day! The best part though is that I don't have to have a special someone to enjoy it. I love just going to a restaurant or store and seeing other couples having dinner or buying flowers to give to their lady. I'm a romantic - what can I say?

This year is totally different than previous years, but I don't feel neglected or completely hopeless, because here's another truth: I have a Valentine every single day of the year - whether it be a good day or the crappiest day in the history of crappy days!! He loves me so much and His love never changes or fades away - it's completely consistent. I may not get candy from Him via Angelic Candies, but He gives me flowers every time I go outside (currently they're covered in snow, but I know they'll be there eventually), He gives me the Bible which is full of His love letters to me, and I get to go back and reread the story of just how much He truly loves me. He didn't sacrifice his lunch hour to go get me flowers, or brave the crazy 5 o'clock traffic to get that card He forgot about - He sent His only Son to die so that I will be in eternity with Him someday.

I couldn't ask for a better Valentine, because no one could ever love me like my God.

So for those of you who have that special someone, have a wonderful Valentine's Day! For those of you that don't, embrace this season of your life because that's where God has you. Celebrate with your loved ones God's love for you and forget all of the eating diets for a day. Splurge on some candy :) I sure will!

where in time

I have always loved to travel!! Some of my most favorite memories come from when I'm out on the open road. I love the excitement of experiencing a new town, city, culture, people...etc. I've always wanted to visit Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East (though maybe not while bombs are going off everywhere).

I don't know what it is, but for the past couple of months I have felt so shut up in this bubble called Wichita, KS. Almost to the point where I want to scream, jump into Diego (my white '94 Honda Accord) and drive as far as that little car will take me. And then, once Diego dies on the freeway, I'll jump out and run as far as I'm physically able. I'm going stir-crazy!!

Reality check: I can't. I'm going to WSU. I'm living at home because I can't afford to live in the dorms. I make my own coffee and tea in the morning so I can save money instead of getting it at Starbucks. I don't go on spontaneous trips because, between work and classes, I don't have time - and even if I did have time, oh ha! I still couldn't afford to go. I feel like everything I'm doing in life right now is going to help me in the future, but it doesn't give me any fun right now!

But then I remember something - I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. God specifically has me in Wichita, KS at this very moment. This year, He has made it very clear that He wants me at WSU for college. He told me to live at home. He gave me the best job I've ever had! He's given me a car that works perfectly. He's provided money for me every time I needed it. Why the heck am I complaining if this is where God has me?!

So OK, now that I know I'm right where God wants me, I know that I should be living my life with joy and contentment!! Why is that always the hardest part? Beats me. But in doing so, I'm proving that I truly trust in the Lord. He knows what my dreams are, but ultimately what I want is what He wants. So that list of different countries I want to visit someday....it's His.