Heavy Heart

The Lord definitely has been dealing with my heart this week, especially during spiritual emphasis week. The guy that preached was spot on and I thought there was going to be a revival break out during worship at the night services. But I wanted to talk about a topic that has stirring in my heart for around 2 hours now.

So a couple of my friends and I decide to go to this art walk downtown. The sad part is that at the time that it starts, any girl shouldn't go alone. Period. Luckily we had a group of guys with us-but that's beside the point. Any who, there are so many bars, dance clubs, and at least some decent coffee shops and restaurants. There are so many different kinds of people it is crazy!

Anyway, there was a group of what looked like Amish people. They had signs of silent protesting-truth be told kudos to them for not reacting to anything. Well as we were passing by, this guy had a bag of markers and a piece of cardboard. He was going around asking "Does anyone have a pocket knife so I can make a sign and make this guy's life a living Hell?" When i heard him saying that, it gripped my heart because he was so full of hatred. Eventually we made it around town and was heading towards the square to watch the flame throwers. It just so happened that we were in that general area where the Amish people were, only that guy that wanted to make a sign was there. He had a sign that basically said "F-- them"  I didn't see much of it because I was distracted by what he was saying. The guy was ridiculing the Amish guy saying "Gee maybe you should take a bath and put some perfume on." He went on and on and on. Granted I don't agree with what the Amish believe

This whole situation plus plenty of other people that looked so troubled, really bothered me. I just cant help but cry out to the Lord for them. All of these people, well the vast majority, looked so unhappy and just discontent with life.

When I got back to my dorm room I saw this video linked on FB about bullying. I decided to watch it and I cried. It also made me think about that guy with the Amish people. So I went to look up some scripture and this one stuck out at me.

"For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

When I read "....Let there be light in the darkness"  It made me think of how important it is to show the love of Christ. Whether if it's just a simple hello or a smile. Maybe giving someone a hug. (although I would only suggest hugging your friends or acquaintances, not just any random person.)

Also, when people who pass me, I'm going to try to start a new habit of praying for them. You may be planting seeds where you don't realize.

Make all things New

Whoa! Where did that summer go? I'm so excited for what this year has to bring. Granted I had to go through the decision of changing my major out of the music department but I am still ready for this new change. I also live in a different dorm, with people I sorta knew but not really. I have a new RA--who happens to be fabulous, might I add. Everything seems like new to me.

There are so many new people on campus-it's crazy! There have been people that I was friends with last year that I have become even closer with this year. I also have been making new friends, which is always a bonus.

Ever since my mom passed away I have this new perspective on a lot of things. All of the hardships, heartaches, and sorrows that I dealt with last year-never thought I would really make it mind you- have really helped me become who I am today. (Even though she passed away 4 months ago.) God has made everything like new. He has created a like new faith in me, strength, joy, praise, worry free. For He has made my mom like new, even though it wasn't the way we had imagined it. There was something that a woman said at church when she closed the message for that Sunday morning and it really struck me. I would love to share with you

She said "Don't let anyone tell you that your struggles are because of a lack of faith." whoa! that seriously hit home. She also began talking about how that's the whole part of being a Christian. Us as Christians are going to suffer for Christ's sake and it's not because of our lack of faith. If we didn't suffer for Jesus, then we would be mediocre Christians. We wouldn't be able to be much of an impact because we wouldn't see how Jesus brought us out of the suffering and increased our faith in the process.

With this everything comes up with new light, or as I like to say-Like New.

So, I guess that's my motto for this year. How everything became like new and is shinning brighter than ever.

I'm super stoked for this year. (In case you couldn't tell)