back to school

tomorrow morning i will be up before the alarm goes off

i will get dressed and do my hair

i will drink my coffee and grab my bag

and out the door i will go

my desk are piled with planners and papers

waiting for smiling faces

my room is shiny and clean

decorated and ready 

my heart beats a little faster

and my stomach has a little flutter

the first day of school awaits........

i pray

 to strengthen their voices, bodies and minds

to express their feelings and control them sometimes 

to explore what's near and venture afar

but most important to love who they are

He cares for you {no words needed}

                  

overwhelmed

i have been overwhelmed

by the world lately

when the world is dark, look for the light

Ebola outbreak

Iraqi Christians

NC teacher salaries

suicide

health concerns

questionable morals

family 

friends

groceries

things of this earth

but what i need to be overwhelmed by

is God

His greatness

His power

His grace

His mercy

His promises

His masterpiece

His work

because as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:12 and 13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (NIV)

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (The Message)

what has been overwhelming you lately?

lovely linky:  

The Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood

holding on to summer {no words needed}

we are holding on to summer

squeezing it till the very last drop

 knowing that like the butterfly it will soon fly away

are you mad at me?

growing up i would ask my best friend at least 10 times a day if she was mad at me
i know it drove her crazy
yet she remained my friend and is still my friend today, thankfully
but my problems with insecurity unfortunately have hung around as well
i'll be honest i replay every conversation in my head 
trying to judge if anything i said could have made someone mad
i judge body language and tone way too seriously 
and now in the world of text when you can't
i find myself going now is this okay like okay or like OK
or is this yes happy or yes if have to
or is this thanks sarcastic or sincere
my mind runs consistently if i let it
which is no good
it's no good for my friends or me
so i work hard against it
but when i least expect it sneaks up on me 
this worry of what others think of me
the thought that someone doesn't like me or is mad at me
is haunting really
relationships are risky
friendships can be made and broken with a simple statement or act.......
but what if they weren't 
what if grace was the norm
forgiveness and acceptance were offered instead
today i read Romans 12 and these verses stuck out

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. Romans 12:14-16

so my question for you is this

how are you at risky friendships?  
are you open and honest with no second thoughts?  
do you filter your conversations?
do you offer grace?

i believe God wants us to live this life with people to lean on
friends who understand us and pick us up when we fall down
without worry or doubt

ps i have the best friends in the world!!!  i thank God for them everyday and that they love me in spite of my insecurities.