truth be told

• its harder than i thought it would be
• i dont want to let go because its easier to be close than to be apart
• i would take this difficult life of acting like nothing happened than having nothing at all
• i have masked being ok at times
• i miss him
• there wasnt any closure
• i wonder why constantly(not why we broke up...i know that one since i did it..but all the other why's that come with it)
• i have a very low sense of self worth
• i want it to stop being painful
• i am lost
• i want to be cherished
• i am holding out for a catch-your-breath, home-run, cream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs kind of love

random thoughts from my heart

so my small group is reading a book called "having a mary spirit: allowing God to change us from the the inside out" by joanna weaver. and man has there been so many good things i have realized and have begun to learn in reading this book.

this week the chapter was titled "fault lines". the author defines fault lines as core issues that fuel our desires and shape our actions-these are the cracks in our character. They are an inevitable consequence of living as a fallen human being with other fallen human beings on a fallen earth. as a redaer we were asked yo examine our fault lines...the areas in our lives where we are weak and where Satan can add pressure in order to make us fall into destruction. these are the vulnerable spots in our souls.

in reading this chapter, i realized MANY of my fault lines. but there was one that really stuck out the the author talked about. *sidebar: this author does such a good job of putting exactly how i feel into words-something i lack and something i love about books-being able to capture how i feel and put it into words*

i am a chronic chameleon, i spend my life and my efforts constantly changing colors and outfits to fit whatever situation i find myself in. its a game of approval. its exhausting.

shame and regret from the past tell me i will never be different and that i am incapable of changing. fear of making mistakes keeps me from trying anything at all.

this is a huge fault line in my life. and one that i often dont show. but as i begin to be honest with myself and ask God to expose my fault lines...this one begins to show...

but i am learning (with the help of this book) that I have a mighty God who is able to redeem me at my darkest moments and in my deepest fears. a loving Father who promises to keep watch at our points of vulnerability, to strengthen us when we're weak, to correct the lies that have led us astray and to heal the rifts in our souls.

BUT only if we give Him access.

Lord, help me to be aware of my fault lines and also to run to You to in my weakness. You are my Rock and my foundation. only You can make my paths straight. i desire to put my hope in You knowing that You are able to do more than i ask or imagine. I choose to put my trust in You-trusting that though my world around me shakes and trembles You are my firm foundation.

Jeremiah 24:6-7

⁶ My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. ⁷ I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart

bridges

The school counselor is teaching a set of lessons for the next two days in my class. She is talking about respecting differences, cooperation, and communication. The kids are doing an activity where they are building bridges out of toothpicks, raisins, and marshmallows. She keeps reminding them of how important it is for them to have a strong foundation or support system for their bridge.

I couldn’t help but take this and think about how in the relationships of our lives we must have a strong foundation and support system in order to survive. We need a good, core group of people that will be our foundation-our support system. These will be people who will hold us up when we aren’t strong enough, that will support us when we take risks, who will rejoice with us in the good times and mourn with us in the sad times.

As the kids were building, they realized that without a strong and stable foundation, their bridges would begin to fall over. Sure they might stand up on their own for a little bit, but the more time that passed and the more they added to their bridge, the quicker their bridge began to fall. We may be able to go on through life without a good support system for a little while, but as time goes on and as life begins to throw things at ya…we wont be able to stand up alone.

I consider myself a pretty strong individual. And independent. I don’t need help. I can probably figure it out on my own (and if not I just call my dad..haha). I can solve my own problems. I don’t like to cry in front of people because I feel it makes me look weak-like I cant handle life.

Most days.

Other days that’s not the case. Some days I know I cant do it alone (even though I try). My bridge begins to fall over. I usually try to remedy this problem before my entire bridge collapses. But sometimes I am just not that lucky. I need my support system.

I need my support system. I cant do it alone. I need them to live life alongside me. To pick me up when I fall. To hear me vent when life is just driving me crazy. To love on me when I feel like I have no more love to give. I need their affirmation. I need them to laugh with me. To play and be adventurous with me. To share in my small joys in life. To just sit and talk with me and make me feel important.

When I sit and think about my support system I realize that I am blessed by having so many friends. Really I have lots and lots of them. Some who have been friends forever and others I have just met- those who have been in my life for seasons and those who have weathered out some tough storms. I have been closer to some at certain times than others. But who are my core, foundation friends? The ones who I trust to be my support system? The ones who I feel I can honestly open up to?

These are tough questions.

I appear to be a very open person. I will share my life and struggles with people. But the honest truth is that the level of openness is not that deep. I have built a very strong wall that protects my deepest fears, struggles, and feelings. There are only a handful of people who I have allowed to come to that wall. And an even smaller number who have been let inside that wall. This means my foundation to my bridge is not that strong at times. I am learning to be more open and honest. To take time to examine my foundation and build it up so that it can be strong enough to support me. This means a lot of personal reflection and a lot of praying.

Lord, help me to realize the people you have placed in my life to be my support system. Allow me to build a stronger foundation of believers in my life that will help me grow closer to You. Teach me to trust- to open up and be honest with them. To be vulnerable and learn that its ok to lean on them for support-that’s why You gave them to me! J

thoughts...

"When love is lost, do not bow your head in sadness; instead keep your head up high and gaze into heaven for that is where your broken heart has been sent to heal." – unknown

healing is never any fun. Its usually painful, uncomfortable, annoying, and longer than we would like. But it is a necessary part of life. Without healing we would always be ill, injured, or hurting. This is true physically, emotionally, and spitiritually.

I have chosen to not bow my head in sadness during my time of hurting, but rather lift my eyes to heaven in search of healing.

I would be lying to say that it doesn’t hurt. That my heart doesn’t wish it was different. That I am afraid of the unknown of the future. That I miss the good times that were had.

I would be lying to say that I am not sad. That I don’t wonder what would need to be different to make it work.

I would be lying to say that I didn’t know this is what I needed-though it was not what I wanted.

Despite the hard and difficult time that is my life, I am doing good. Why? Because I know God is good and is in control and He works all things out for His purpose. I may not and often just do not understand His purpose…but that is why I trust Him to be in control. I have faith in Him and I know that I am His beloved creation and He loves me and cherishes me and is protecting me.

My heart is ok. I wont say it is great. But I cant say it is terrible. It is ok. Each day is another day and I just choose to look to heaven for healing.

I am thankful. Beyond thankful. In this difficult time and a time that typically tends to be very unpleasant and awkward, I have been blessed to have been able to keep my best friend. Yes things have changed and the roles that each of us play in each others lives has changed, but I still have a relationship with one of my closest friends.

It isn’t awkward. Its normal. Its healthy. We talk-and actually communicate. Sometimes it feels like we are better friends than before.

I don’t expect people to understand this idea of going back to being such good friends. And honestly many don’t and question the whole thing. But I know my heart. And my heart is good. I would be devastated if I had to lose him completely. 3 years is a long time…

…and yes my heart still cares deeply. Which makes walking away so much harder. My mind has had to keep my heart in check and it has not been an easy road but it has been a good road. I know the journey is just beginning and that God has incredible things in store for both of us. I have no idea what those things are. That’s the unknown. But I choose to trust Him and follow wherever He may lead me.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

its been a long time

i realized tonight it has been a long time since i have blogged...and the last few were pretty emotional yet vague. yet they definitely capture the mood of that phase of life. since the last blog life has changed. in ways that i wanted and in ways that i did not.

i was able to enjoy my always too short summer vacation. i enjoyed time with my friends on a mini vacation. i was able to go on our annual family vacation. i was able to sleep in. to read for fun. it was nice. but off course passed to quickly. i am so thankful for my job and the teaching year round thing...i really enjoy the work 3 months and get 1 off situation....

but off course that month of fun had to come to an end and i went back to work. started the brand new school year with 23 students (am currently up to 25 as of now). i have a pretty mellow class (thank goodness) and have definitely been fortunate to not have any real troublemakers in any of my classes since i started teaching. i am excited to be able to love on these kids over the course of the school year and not only teach them all they need to know...but also show the love of Jesus to them daily.

along with a new school year with new kids and changes in the way we do things at school came more changes in my life...

i am embarking on a new journey in life as a single girl. it was one of the hardest decisions of my life to make. it has been over a month now and in all honesty i still struggle with this decision. i know this is natural. when you live life alongside someone for 3 years its very difficult to understand that God knows what is best. and what is best is not always easy or what we want. i didnt stop loving him that day. i care for him so deeply. yet i know i had to do what i did. for me. i am BEYOND blessed to have had him as a part of my life as a boyfriend during the time that i did. he was my best friend. which makes it so difficult. i am so thankful that we are able to be friends. like true friends. that can talk and hang out and not be weird. our lives are so involved with church and family and friends that if we werent able to be friends it would be miserable. God is working in my heart and in my life during this time. and i pray that He is doing the same for him. when asked how i am doing...i say good. because honestly i am doing well. processing and working through so many things in my life that have come up and that i have realized. its not easy but its good. i am doing good. that doesnt mean that i dont have the hard days. the sad days. the days where i wish things were different. i know God is good. and that HE is in control. and HIS will is what will be accomplished. He is healing my heart and filling me with His joy...

so i keep myself busy these days. with work. the beginning of the school year is so busy. with church...just finishing our VBX...with my nieces and nephew...lots of disneyland/sea world/sleepovers/quality dates with nina. with friends...really enjoying spending quality time with my friends.

life is good. different. unknown. but good

Empty me Lord....so I can be filled with You

Doesn't know why it bothers me so....but it does...