Because her words are wise...

A few quotes I've really enjoyed recently...all belonging to Mother Teresa.

‎"Love, to be real, must cost- it must hurt- it must empty us of self." -Mother Teresa


There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. 


Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness. 


Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do something beautiful for God.


Doubt takes away your freedom.

Jesus isn't for quitters.

Panic has always been my neighbor, you know the one that watches you and always comes over at an inconvenient time. The one who doesn't want to help, but rather to hover over you and make you feel nervous. Well, panic stopped by today... I recently quit my job with a non-profit to pursue the Lord, both directly and indirectly.

While I did work with a phenomenal group of women at a non-profit, my position was leaving me restless. My job entailed going into the classroom three times a week and teaching students about relationships. The program was in its infancy and I found myself researching and lesson planning, pouring hours of myself into finding good videos or neat articles. But it seemed that every time I arrived to class, the students were fairly uninterested and appeared to have just received large doses of caffeine. 

I wanted out. Not out of the organization, but out of the NOISE. I wanted to pour into people and have them listen and to ultimately pour back into me. And it hit me...Jesus wants that from me too. He shows up everyday in my life and I'm distracted, fairly uninterested at times, and loaded up with caffeine. He is the teacher...and I (well, let's be honest...we) are the classroom of reckless teenagers. 

I prayed about the decision to quit my job...and leaving wasn't easy. It still isn't easy. Less than five days later I'm beginning to panic about money. I'm questioning the very place that I feel God lead me to. I find myself thinking about things, and then re-thinking about things, and then over-thinking all those very same things. 

But today, I was able to be quiet for a few moments...and the Lord reminded me of something: Jesus isn't for quitters. Following Him doesn't mean I won't be scared, because sometimes that fear teaches us reliance and humility. Following Him isn't about having too much, it's about having what's necessary, having enough, and being promised provision. Following Him isn't about my comfort or my glory. Following Him is simply about following Him. (Confused?) 

Following Him just means chasing after Him, not losing sight of Him. It's ok to just see the back of Him and not know where He is going. He is God. What lies ahead of us and often what lies behind us aren't as important as whom it is that we're following to get there.

So, I am going to panic...I am going to be scared...I am going to feel uncomfortable...perhaps even overwhelmed, defeated, or uncertain...but what I'm NOT going to do...is give up. Because following Jesus ANYWHERE is still worth following Jesus.

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage..." -Galations 6:9 (Joyce Meyer Devotional)

Wisdom in other's words...

"There are times when something needs to be done and yet we know that if we step up and do this needful thing, we will pay a heavy personal price..." -CS Lewis


"It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about himself." -John Piper 


"We serve God be serving other. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, and prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept." -Rick Warren


"The purpose exceeds the pain." -Beth Moore

"God doesn't tell you to do hard things so He can stand back and laugh and watch you struggle . He tells you to do things,  the things that He knows are gonna work out for your good in the end." -Joyce Meyer

So true.

"It is so easy to try to use techniques with the underlying intent of getting something back. But God will test our hearts and, in his mercy, purify our motives to the point that our only agenda is to know Him." -Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org


From: www.thedailybibleverse.org

The Miss(es).

In my recent observations of the world (well, women really) around me and with (perhaps) a bit of self-reflection, it seems I have discovered a weakness in some single women. (It's about time, right?) We, single women*, tend to live at extremes.

Let me explain. It seems there are some women who have abandoned all values and self-respect and seem to date any guy who has a shirt on. And then there are women so tied up in fairytales that they overlook several princes. Let's call the first single type of woman "Miss Opportunity" and the second type of single lady "Miss Overlook."

There are a number of reasons that could define why "Miss Opportunity" dates any guy who registers a pulse. However, I think that two reasons are most likely. She could be fearful of ending up alone or she could misinformed when it comes to her worth. The fear is the easier one to resolve. "Miss Opportunity" may not understand that she is valuable...and in the eyes of an incredible God, she is full of beauty. She doesn't need to settle for something or someone that fills her "love" bank temporarily and then at any sign of withdrawal, leaves her feeling empty. In an attempt to feel comfortable and secure again, she reinvests herself in something and someone new. "Miss Opportunity", hear me when I say, that God will  overfill your "love" bank and even replenish it when you're the one who withdrawals. But first, you must recognize that you are searching for unconditional love in a world full of conditions. You must first realize that you have value and beauty. God sees it and with Him you will never be alone.

"Miss Overlook" probably knows God. She may have just started trusting Him or may have trusted Him for years. And because of this, she knows that she is God's wonderful daughter. So what's the problem? Well "Miss Overlook" finds it hard to give any guy a chance (though she may not even be aware of it) because she is imposing her view of God on man. There is one God and many men. Men are in Christ's image, but are not Christ. Do not forget that they have faults. Do not forget that they have pasts. Do not forget they make mistakes. Do not forget that they may struggle with showing loving or executing forgiveness. (And don't forget "Miss Overlook" you may struggle with those things too). A man may not always share your definition of love. His idea of fighting for you may seem more to you like him surrendering (giving up). "Miss Overlook" realize that the way God, your Father, loves you is the way you should attempt to love. And then instead of looking to receive a particular definition of love that you think will satisfy you, you will be able to give God's love. And it may be through the giving of Christ-like love that you find love back. Love that you're thankful you didn't overlook.

*The term "single women" in this post refers to females who are not yet married.