summer. it's just one simple little word. a word that seems to fly by quicker than we think possible and has some of our most precious memories trapped inside of that little word. but this year, that one little word encapsulates a period that requires nothing short of extreme faith in this very fallen world.
& it's going to be beautiful.
this summer I won't have any date nights or even many nights with my girlfriends and family, but God is going to use this time to glorify His kingdom, and that's what matters. so far God has shown me that my fears do not have to consume and overpower me this summer. it's just a continual opportunity to take my fears to my Father, who loves me unconditionally and wants my days to be filled with joy. I'm not going to lie, some days are dark and I feel like the enemy won't ever stop attacking me, but my God has never let me down before and He is not going to start now.
That's the beautiful thing about our Father: He will never let us be alone because He is always with us. That doesn't mean He's there during the good times and then He bails like those "friends" you have. He is always there. And that makes the all the trials and tribulations of this world easier to bear.
I know this summer holds some absolutely wonderful times for some of my friends: getting engaged, getting married, starting a new job, etc., but for some others this summer also holds some very scary times: living alone for the first time, starting a job they don't understand, moving on from a lost love, etc. But no matter what phase of life you are in just please remember that our God is bigger than our circumstances and He will provide.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." -Philippians 4:11-12
I put this passage in because I think it's very important to realize that in verse 12 Paul says that he has learned to be content, that means it did not come naturally. It took time, practice, and training. So do not give up if you think you can't handle this life that God has given you. Sometimes it just takes time to see the beautiful places God is leading you into. Just trust Him.
“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift.
Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to
God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here,
not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some
other, God looks for faithfulness.”
-Elisabeth Elliot
-Elisabeth Elliot
there is always something to be thankful for. always.
