Simple Pleasures

This week was "Destiny by Design" and understanding the unique calling that God has placed on each and everyone of our lives. We were able to work through different things of our identity, personalities, interests, spiritual gifts, dreams, and experiences. I have a tendency to overcomplicate things and question and analyze to the enth degree but I came to the conclusion this weekend that I basically came full circle to realize that I need to just keep pursuing the dream that I have on my heart and doing what I'm doing. I'm so thankful that God is faithful to the desires he places on our hearts. He will never disappoint or keep us from them but give us the gifts and skills we need to carry out this calling. The things we experience in our lives, both good and bad will also be used for His glory. I sometimes struggle with the fact knowing that my past and experiences were so hard or were so unfair or pointless but God just keeps gently whispering "I brought you to it, I brought you through it, I knew you could handle it, so use this to strengthen you, teach you, and relate to others in similar situations."




Rainbow Falls in Hilo, HI

 I just got off the phone with my beautiful, wise mother and after spilling my heart out to her in tears and frustration and confusion she just simply reminded me to not miss the simple pleasures in life. To not forget to find joy and fulfillment in the little things, that sometimes it's okay to step out and do something crazy and laugh a little bit. That I don't need to constantly be beating myself about what I am or what I'm not but to "Just Be, and Enjoy Being." Those words have spoke so much life to me and that's what I really needed to hear this week. That I don't need to constantly be living under the pressures of everyone else, my future, and this atmosphere. I am me, I am exactly who God created me to be and I'm learning to love it. :) I'm in the process of reading the book "Cold Tangerines" and it reasonates with a lot of what is going on; to find joy and fulfillment in things that seem impossible to find good in and to see the fingerprints of God wherever you look if you're just willing to open your eyes.