I will listen to his voice..

Well, it’s been another one of those emotional roller coaster weeks. I have gone from smiles and tears in just minutes apart. The good news is that my Savior has not left me for one second. He has been with me through the hard times this week and the easy times. Friday morning, my best friend Amy had brain surgery. I knew that it was in the Lord’s hands but the human in me was worried. She was in ICU for a few days. She is in a room now. I am so thankful that we serve a mighty God. He always takes care of his children. I went to see her again today. She seems to be doing better today; she still has a long recovery time though. Amy is such a strong woman; she has been through so much yet still smiles.

Yesterday was Easter. I went to my dad’s church for sunrise service and regular service. Dad had to work at the fire station yesterday so we went to see him yesterday afternoon. Easter always reminds me that we serve a risen savior! He is always near to the broken hearted. God’s plan for our life is far greater than the plans that we want. It is so hard sometimes to wait and have patience. Everyone will always tell you that’s God’s timing is always perfect. Sometimes we want to hurry up his timing and make our own decisions. What a mistake that can make sometimes. Twila Paris sings a song called I Will Listen, I just wanted to share a few lines from that song:

This Is the Faith
Patience to Wait
When There Is Nothing Clear
Nothing to See
Still We Believe
Jesus Is Very Near
I Can Not Imagine What Will Come
But I've Already Made My Choice
And This Is Where I Stand
Until He Moves Me On
And I Will Listen to His Voice

Could It Be That He Is Only Waiting There to See
If I Will Learn to Love the Dreams That He Has Dreamed For Me
Can't Imagine What the Future Holds
But I've Already Made My Choice
And This Is Where I Stand
Until He Moves Me On
And I Will Listen to His Voice

It has been one of my favorite songs for a few months now. It reminds me that we have to listen to God’s voice. When things get hard and difficult we just have to trust that he knows what he is doing. We have all of these dreams for our life that we long to see happen. But God says child my dreams for your life are so much better. He knows our deepest desires and thoughts. When we don’t know what we don’t know what to pray the Spirit intercedes for us. Don’t shout me down now. If we would only trust him and give him all our dreams, what a difference it would make in our life. God is in control of our life anyway. He knows what he is doing. We see the past and the present; however Jesus sees the future that we cannot see.

So whatever you are going through this week, know that God is there. He already knows all the details that will happen this week, nothing catches him off guard. If only we would give him our dreams in exchange for his. We need to learn more to just listen to his voice and know that he knows what he is doing. Sometimes when things happen we want to know the Why?, How? We don’t need to question the why, we just need to trust that our Savior is sovereign and he will never leave us. Luke 18:27 says: Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Nothing is impossible with God. He has great plans for our life, listen to his still small voice this week.

Trust...

Well, it’s been over 2 months since my last blog post. A lot of big changes have happened in my life since my last blog. In my last blog, I told the story of 3 frogs sitting on a log, one decided to jump in, how many were left? There were still 3 because that frog only decided to jump in. Sometimes in life, God calls us to take a leap of faith and trust him even when we don’t understand. I felt God telling me that auditing was not what I was supposed to do the rest of my life. There was something else he had planned for me, if I would only trust him. I am going to be honest with you, it was a big step to make. It is always difficult when you can’t see what’s ahead and you don’t really have a plan. It’s our human nature that tells us that you always should have a plan in whatever you do. So, I took the leap of faith and decided to quit my job as an auditor. 2 weeks after I left the CPA firm, God provided me a job in Mobile back home closer to family and church. It was one of the biggest decisions of my life, I can now say with full assurance that it was the best decision I could have ever made. Sometimes trusting the Lord in the unknown can be difficult but he will never fail us. He never promised that we would not have difficulties and hardships. He did promise that he would never leave us nor forsake us. I am so thankful for his love for me.

What does it mean to fully trust the Lord at all time? A definition that the dictionary gives of trust: a dependence on something future or contingent: Hope. I really like that definition because that is exactly what trust is. When we put our trust in the Savior, we accept that fact that we don’t know what the future holds but we Trust Him. So many times in my life I have not fully trusted the Lord in a situation. As humans we think our plans are better than his. When all along the way, he had something greater for us. I can say will full assurance that the job that I have now is only because of God. I had to take the first step. I had to trust that he had a plan for me. He would take care of all the details of when, why, how. I just had to take that first step. I know that when I accepted Christ. I had to take the first step and believe. The rest was history. I remember the night that I got saved. For the first time in my life, I went to bed that night with the peace that passes all understanding.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5 it says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.” It doesn’t say to trust the Lord with half your heart. No, ALL your heart. In life we should go to our heavenly father with any problem we have. He understands and knows us better than anyone. He loves us so much; he only wants what is best for our life. He wants us to completely put our trust in him. Wither it be in a big decision or relationships. Every day I realize how deep the Fathers love is for me.

There is a song that helps me with trust. It’s called No Matter What by Kerrie Roberts. My favorite part of the song is: “When I’m stuck in this nothing-ness by myself, I’m just sitting in silence, there’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it. I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing, whatever I might be feeling, God you are my hope, and you'll be my strength.” We can’t make it through life without Christ by our side. There have been times that I have tried to make a decision in life on my own… That was a bad idea. He is our hope and strength in anything we are facing. He only wants what is best for our life. Sometimes when we can’t trace his hand, we have to trust his heart. He seems the master plan. Put your trust in the Lord this week, not in man.

Hello, 2012...

Well, 2011 is gone and now it is 2012. I can’t believe it is here already. Where did all the time go? It feels like yesterday that I was posting a blog about the upcoming year of 2011. 2011 was full of joy, laughter, heartache, tears and trials. Through the difficult times I learned to trust in the Lord and know that he holds me in his arms and he knows what he is doing. There’s a country song by Martina McBride called “A little bit stronger.” When you love someone that you cared about so much, it takes time. It takes time till you finally are ok and are able to keep going on with your life. That’s enough about the sad parts that went on during 2011. The good things in 2011, I have some amazing friends. I don’t know what I would do without them. I know that I say that all the time but it’s the truth. They really are the best support team any girl could ask for. I have gained some new friends this past year that I am looking forward to spending more time with.

I was looking back a few years, to some of my old new year’s resolutions. These are just a few that I found: exercise more, to get a job in my field, a place of my own, to take one day at a time, not worry as much, to live life to the fullest, be a better friend, and learn to cook more. I can say that some of those goals I accomplished and some of them I didn’t. I have learned in life, you have to take one day at a time. You don’t know what the future holds. Most of the time, if you do try to make too many plans for the future, then when those plans are crushed you are left heartbroken.

I have started to read a new book regarding God’s will for your life. So far it has really opened my eyes to many things. Sometimes it is so much easier to say that you are going to do something then actually doing it. It reminds me of a story… There were 3 frogs sitting on a log, one decided to jump in. How many frogs were left on the log? Many would say 2, however, there were still 3 frogs sitting on the log. The reason is because that one frog that decided to jump in, he didn’t actually do it. In life so many times we go to church, listen to the sermon and really think it was a great sermon. However, we must apply it to our life.

This moment in my life there are some things that I say that I am going to do and I haven’t done it yet. I have many dreams for my life. What girl doesn’t right? I have dreams to one day having a job that I love, a husband, and a wonderful family. However, I don’t need to be dreaming about the future all the time. I need to give my dreams to the Lord, put them in his hands and not look back. So many times, I have laid my dreams down at the altar, only to pick them right back up. I know that in order to allow God to work in my life, I have to fully surrender. It’s not an easy thing to do. God calls us to follow him, to trust him and to serve him.

As this New Year starts, I am not going to make any new year’s resolutions. Why? Because most of the time I don’t accomplish any of them. This year, I want to just take one day at a time. Allow God to have full control of my life. I know that once I give it all to him, all those dreams that I thought that I just had to have; those dreams will not be so important to me anymore. We are called to be set apart, to be different and to serve him. I hope that you all have great New Year. Remember just take one day at a time.

Giving the Lord everything no matter what..

It’s hard to believe that it’s going to be December in just a few days. Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday it was spring time. Sometimes I am glad that the time went by so fast but others I wish that time could have slowed down. This month was a month I reflected on the blessings in my life. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful Christian family that loves me no matter what. I have so many friends in my life that I would not trade for anything in the world. I have gone through some difficult times this past year but my close friends were always there to listen and help me get through it. I am a blessed girl to have a great boyfriend. He is always there when I need him and he puts a smile on my face. I may not get to see him as much as I would like. But the times that we do get to spend together are priceless.

Thanksgiving is always hard for me sometimes without my grandpa. I miss him so much. I know that he would be so proud of me. He loved his family so much and they meant the world to him. Sometimes we don’t understand the plans that the Lord has for our life but we just have to trust him. I know that I have written many blogs about how we have to trust in the Lord even when we don’t understand. The other day I was reading some of my older post that I had wrote this year. I found myself saying that a lot. It is a constant reminder that sometimes we have to trust that his ways are better than our ways.

Earlier this month I finished reading a book called “Crazy Love.” It really spoke to me in a big way. It was about living out our Christian life. I think so many times as humans we just wake up and go through our daily routine and don’t look for an opportunity to make a difference that day. As humans we are creatures of habit. I have to admit to you that even after reading crazy love about making changes in my life, I still have yet to fully give it all and make all the changes. Why is it that is so hard to fully surrender? I think its fear of the unknown. I think we begin ask questions like the following: What if means that God wants me to change this in my life? I can’t give that up, it’s too hard. That’s scary; I don’t think I am capable to do something like that?

God has called us to be different. One of my life verses is this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”- Proverbs 3:5-6. We have to fully trust in him, knowing that he will take care of us no matter what.

One last thing I want to leave you with. It’s a post that I left on a bible study recently on Ruth. Ruth was an amazing woman. I can imagine that she was beautiful but more than anything she loved the Lord with all her heart. My post: “Girlfriends... I don't know about you’ll but this week really spoke to me in many ways. Day 4 spoke about in Proverbs 31 it says that her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. I long to be a woman that seeks the Lord. I think so many times as a single person that we are sitting around waiting on God to send us "the one". When really we need to be serving the Lord and striving to have those traits that special person is looking for in a mate. This week I have realized that I need to be praying more and staying in his word. I am doing Ruth and reading Crazy Love at the same time. In the book Crazy Love it talks about how God wants us to give our all and not be lukewarm. I realized this week that I just need to give all my worries my concerns to God and stop trying to make things happen. When I try to make things happen, it never has a good ending. This coming up week I am going to try to be the one that the Lord longs for me to be.”

Thankful for all blessings in my life..

Well, this blog is going to be a two part blog. The first part will be about hard questions, one of the topics from my Ruth bible study and the last part will be about a guy named Matthew Hicks. I always save the best for last you know me.

I am enjoying my bible study on Ruth so far. I have learned so much in just a week of the study. One of the topics was about difficult discussions. Difficult discussions they have to happen but no one likes to have them. I think that they are important in any relationship. Whether it is a husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, sister.. I’ll be honest when I get in an argument with someone most of the time I shut down and it takes me a while till I say what I am thinking. It probably is a good thing, but at the same time I am keeping all that anger inside which is not good at all. When it comes to deep discussions, I think they are important for a relationship to grow. It makes you appreciate the other person more. Sometimes they may tell you something you don’t want to hear, but you’ll thank them one day. I know in my life I treasured that friend that told me things I hurt to hear. It saved me a lot of heartache in the long run.

I think as humans the reason that we don’t like to be honest with someone is fear. We are afraid of the response they will have once we are honest with them. If they are a true friend, they might be upset for a few days but they will come back before you know it. The friends that I have I would not trade them for anything. They have been by my side when I needed them. They were always honest and told the truth. Have those difficult talks, ask the hard questions. You will be so glad that you did in the long run. It will grow your relationship, it will help you understand the other person better.

Enough talking about serious stuff. As I promised in my last post, I will tell you a little bit about Matthew Hicks. Who is he? Why is he so important? Well, Matthew Hicks is who I am dating now. He makes me smile all the time. He is a true gentleman which is even better. He supports me in things that I do which is very important to me. He is one of my biggest fans. I am also proud of him as well though. He is tall, which is a good thing because it makes me feel safe and protected. I know that no one will try to get me when I am with Matt. He enjoys watching football. He’s not an Alabama fan but I told him that I won’t hold that against him. Did I tell he always is making me laugh? I think laughter is the best medicine and I have got plenty of it these past few weeks. I can’t wait to see what each tomorrow holds. Well, I am still not going to give it all away in this blog either. Some things are better left a mystery… Keeps you on your toes.

Fall is in the air!

Well, it’s time for a new blog. Did I tell you that I love this fall weather! It’s so nice outside now. I am enjoying just sitting outside. I have already roasted marshmallows with the family this past week, and had coffee outside with Matt at Starbucks. I am going to start backing running this week, I can’t wait to get outside and run! I have decided to run in another 5K on October 29th. I am very excited about it! I didn’t think I would enjoy running, but I do. It gives me energy and I feel like I have accomplished something when I am done. My first 5K was 2 weeks ago, I even placed in my age category. I was pretty excited!

This year has gone by so fast. It feels like yesterday it was tax season. Not that I am wishing tax season back. Believe me I am not looking forward to it at all. Long weeks, long nights… Let’s not talk about it right now. I started a new bible study tonight that I am doing online with my church. The study is on Ruth. I think it will be a really good study after doing the first day. I need to get back to finishing my Beth Moore book that I got a few months back. Hopefully, I can finish it this week.

I was able to meet my sister’s boyfriend last week. They are such a cute couple. They are always smiling all the time. That’s the way that it should be. If you could see me right now I have a big smile on my face as well. Matthew Hicks has brought back a smile on Savannah’s face. I will save my next blog to tell you more. Just know at the moment that I’m excited to see what the future has in store for my life in general.

Until next time laugh and smile often. My dad always said laughter is the best medicine. I would have to agree with him. Last week I laughed so much that my side was hurting.

Satisfaction in God

Well, it’s been a while since my last post. I haven’t had much going on. I have just been working, church and watching football on Saturdays. I have been getting ready for the 5K that I am running in October. So that’s a goal that I am setting for myself. I hope that by the end of this week, I will be at 2 miles. I feel if I get that accomplished then I will be at a good place. I enjoy running it’s one of my new hobbies. It gives me a lot more energy and gives me something to do after I get off work every day.

I started a bible study by Beth Moore. The name of it is Living Free. I am on Week 4 this week. It has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Today especially was a big eye opener. Just last night I prayed that this week I would learn to seek the Lord more and not worry about not having a boyfriend or a husband right now. I prayed that I would learn to be content with where the Lord has placed me right now. I know that there is a reason for everything and God has a big plan for my life. Well, today’s study topic was satisfaction in God.. One phrase that really hit me was: “God never intended any other earthly relationship to fulfill our deepest needs.” My savior is all that I need. There is a satisfaction that only he can give me. I know that I need to come to a place that I realize that Christ is all that I need and nothing else matters.

It’s so easy to say: God you are all I need, help me to give everything to you and know that you have a big plan for me. The hard part is to believe it in my heart. To learn to trust him that He will meet all my needs. My Jesus knows where I am at today, he knows that my heart is hurting but he wants me to cling to him and know that His love is all that I need. I feel like at times God wants me to come to a place that I realize that He is all need and learn to be happy being single. I think that until I come to that place he just might hold off on giving me another relationship. That’s what’s hard, it’s not easy. Every day, I have to say the same prayer over and over again: Lord help me to rest in you and know that you have got a big plan, you know what is best for my life.