I am not the kind of girl that sparks up conversations with people I don't know. I am also not the kind of girl that makes friends all that easily. I didn't make it to too many parties in high school. I have never been one to have hundreds of friends... But those people that I love have every ounce of my heart.
I'm not a rude person. I love people as a whole. I think that we, as a people, have an incredible opportunity to care about each other and help each other. We can make a difference. I have always had a heart for service, and volunteering has always been a big part of my life. I guess I'm just a little slow to put all my trust in someone relationally. I fall slow but hard, if that makes sense.
I have passion. I have emotion. When I love, I love with everything I have. With reckless abandon.
I don't see a point in living any other way. Just scratching the surface will never be enough for me. I want all there is to offer. I want to jump head first. It's absolutely crazy, but I can't be anything else. It's impossible.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Discontentment? No way!
Since Christmas, a book has sat on my floor waiting to be read.
The Resolution for Women.
Inspired by The Resolution that is depicted in the film, Courageous, The Resolution for Women helps women of all ages to redefine and reevaluate who they are in Christ. I have avoided the book. I don't know why? Maybe because I'm comfortable with where I am. I volunteer at church. I am at a good school. I have good friends and a great family and the man I want to be with forever... I mean, what do I need to reevaluate, right?
Tonight at the middle school service, I got a glimpse of a what life is like for them. Their friends are hurting themselves, touching each other inappropriately at school, seeing things in life that no 12, 13 or 14 year old should see. It broke my heart. How in the world can I be comfortable in a world like that? I have to work harder than ever to know exactly where I am in my walk with God because I might be the only Jesus that those girls see. That those middle schoolers see. But even more than that, I might be the only Jesus that the kid that sits behind me in French sees or people at school see or people at the mall see.
So I opened the book. I told myself I would not rush through it. I made myself a promise that every time I sat down to read it, I would only work through one chapter at a time. The very first chapter was about becoming discontent because of not relishing each moment in life. Rushing through life and not truly experiencing it. And that one thing might be the biggest fault that I have. I try so hard to remind myself NOT to rush life, but I get so antsy. It's like I keep waiting for something else to happen. Something big. And I miss the moments that matter sometimes. I get so bogged down in the destination that I forget to talk to Mackenzie who sits in the passenger seat or watch Ryan sing at the top of his lungs as he drives. I make lists in my head about the EVENTS that are to come months down the road. WHY DO I DO THAT? I want to really experience what's happening now. I will only have a 19th year once. Mackenzie will only look like this and talk like this and be like this one time. Ryan and I will only have this honeymoon period once. I will only be able to sit in the living room and giggle with mom and dad at this one point in my life. Everything is fleeting. There is no room to complain or argue or be discontent with life.
"True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." I Timothy 6:6 NLT
"If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." I Timothy 6:8 AMP
I want to challenge you. Each chapter ends with a few questions. And I think it will really change your life (like it has mine) to just think about them. Write them down if you want. Just skim them. It doesn't matter. Give it a try!
-What have you been hurrying through?
-What have you been hurrying to get to?
-What are some of the good parts of your experience that you've missed in your attempt to rush through the more difficult ones?
-What can you do differently today to "scrape the plate"- to gather up all the good things around you and begin enjoying the journey of your life?
The Resolution for Women.
Inspired by The Resolution that is depicted in the film, Courageous, The Resolution for Women helps women of all ages to redefine and reevaluate who they are in Christ. I have avoided the book. I don't know why? Maybe because I'm comfortable with where I am. I volunteer at church. I am at a good school. I have good friends and a great family and the man I want to be with forever... I mean, what do I need to reevaluate, right?
Tonight at the middle school service, I got a glimpse of a what life is like for them. Their friends are hurting themselves, touching each other inappropriately at school, seeing things in life that no 12, 13 or 14 year old should see. It broke my heart. How in the world can I be comfortable in a world like that? I have to work harder than ever to know exactly where I am in my walk with God because I might be the only Jesus that those girls see. That those middle schoolers see. But even more than that, I might be the only Jesus that the kid that sits behind me in French sees or people at school see or people at the mall see.
So I opened the book. I told myself I would not rush through it. I made myself a promise that every time I sat down to read it, I would only work through one chapter at a time. The very first chapter was about becoming discontent because of not relishing each moment in life. Rushing through life and not truly experiencing it. And that one thing might be the biggest fault that I have. I try so hard to remind myself NOT to rush life, but I get so antsy. It's like I keep waiting for something else to happen. Something big. And I miss the moments that matter sometimes. I get so bogged down in the destination that I forget to talk to Mackenzie who sits in the passenger seat or watch Ryan sing at the top of his lungs as he drives. I make lists in my head about the EVENTS that are to come months down the road. WHY DO I DO THAT? I want to really experience what's happening now. I will only have a 19th year once. Mackenzie will only look like this and talk like this and be like this one time. Ryan and I will only have this honeymoon period once. I will only be able to sit in the living room and giggle with mom and dad at this one point in my life. Everything is fleeting. There is no room to complain or argue or be discontent with life.
"True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." I Timothy 6:6 NLT
"If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." I Timothy 6:8 AMP
I want to challenge you. Each chapter ends with a few questions. And I think it will really change your life (like it has mine) to just think about them. Write them down if you want. Just skim them. It doesn't matter. Give it a try!
-What have you been hurrying through?
-What have you been hurrying to get to?
-What are some of the good parts of your experience that you've missed in your attempt to rush through the more difficult ones?
-What can you do differently today to "scrape the plate"- to gather up all the good things around you and begin enjoying the journey of your life?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Fairytales and Happy Endings
2012 has given me a lot to be thankful for!
More opportunities to sing and perform.
The strength to quit my job.
Finally getting into my major.
I'll be going to 2 new states.
I fell head over heels in love with the most amazing man I've ever met.
Awesome things at Wired at Crossroads Church.
30 Day Challenge with my family.
Ok, so you get the point! Things have been busy, and things have been great!
This year I will be 20 years old. It is incredibly easy to get caught in between where I was in high school and where I want to be after college. College is wonderful and fun and exciting... but it is also scary. When it's over, the real world begins! There's no stopping it. Thankfully, the Lord calms my fears:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
There's some analogy about driving in the dark. I can't exactly remember it, but it talks about when you're driving in the dark, you don't always have to see the destination. The important thing is that you're able to keep moving just a few feet at a time, and you'll make it where you need to go in the end.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I am working on knocking out the worry. I always try to do things with the best of intentions... and those things don't always work out. "The Boyfriend Fast" for example. Or going to Mercer. But I'm very lucky because I always learn something from all the things that don't work out.
All I can do is keep walking just a few feet at a time.
1. Finish these last couple weeks of work.
2. New Orleans
3. Wrap up this semester at school.
4. California
5. Find an internship or a job.
one at a time. one step at a time.
More opportunities to sing and perform.
The strength to quit my job.
Finally getting into my major.
I'll be going to 2 new states.
I fell head over heels in love with the most amazing man I've ever met.
Awesome things at Wired at Crossroads Church.
30 Day Challenge with my family.
Ok, so you get the point! Things have been busy, and things have been great!
This year I will be 20 years old. It is incredibly easy to get caught in between where I was in high school and where I want to be after college. College is wonderful and fun and exciting... but it is also scary. When it's over, the real world begins! There's no stopping it. Thankfully, the Lord calms my fears:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
There's some analogy about driving in the dark. I can't exactly remember it, but it talks about when you're driving in the dark, you don't always have to see the destination. The important thing is that you're able to keep moving just a few feet at a time, and you'll make it where you need to go in the end.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I am working on knocking out the worry. I always try to do things with the best of intentions... and those things don't always work out. "The Boyfriend Fast" for example. Or going to Mercer. But I'm very lucky because I always learn something from all the things that don't work out.
All I can do is keep walking just a few feet at a time.
1. Finish these last couple weeks of work.
2. New Orleans
3. Wrap up this semester at school.
4. California
5. Find an internship or a job.
one at a time. one step at a time.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Breathe and Believe
"So breathe, life will surprise you.
Just be. It's what the world denies you.
You see the truth is all around you.
Believe."
-Brandon Heath, Beauty Divine
One of my professors is crazy. I mean, like certifiably, absolutely crazy. He teaches Anthropology 1001, so I guess he must be a little bit crazy. In order to be able to comprehend all the things that the human race has been through and where we're going, he must be a little bit disconnected from the rest of us here on Earth.
He is already challenging the entire base of knowledge and belief that I have built for myself over the last 19 years. Ironically, he has inspired me.
Okay, so he quotes people that I'm not sure exist... And he likes to continuously comment on all the miles that he runs or the fact that he does Tai Chi on his roof in the morning... And he likes to flirt with the pretty Indian girl on the front row... But he's got one thing right. He is constantly repeating how important it is that we live with passion. We have to live with bliss.
In class on Wednesday, he said, "The greatest joy in life is simply living." We've all heard this before. We've all heard things like this so many times before that we're sick of hearing it! For some reason though, yesterday I could not get his words out of my head. I have spent a lot of my time praying for joy or thinking about joy or telling myself, "I'll have joy when *this* happens or *this* happens." Why not now? Why not right here in this second?
It's funny. Every year, I make a list of New Year's Resolutions so long that I can never keep up with them for longer than maybe 4 or 5 days. Always with the best of intentions. This year, I started making my list, and then I scrapped it. The only thing I left on my list was to be happy. To find my joy. Sitting in class, I prayed to God saying, "You have sent this weird little man to keep me in check, huh? You are not letting me give up on my resolution this year! Thanks for that!"
It makes me so sad to see how people treat each other. How people treat themselves. Middle school girls tearing each other apart and breaking each other down for BOYS that probably don't even know their middle name much less care a thing about them. Teenagers and twenty somethings that judge and hate each other because maybe they're not headed in the same direction. Adults that can't find meaning in this blessing of a life, so they lash out on their families and friends in order to find some kind of power. Geeze, why in the world do we do this? Why don't we just love other people. And more than that, why can't we just love the moment and forget about everything else. Pettiness just distracts us from finding peace.
It would be easy to freak out about the fact that I haven't the slightest clue what I want to do when I graduate. But instead, I want to be a student passionately. I am not always going to be in this position that I'm in now. Right now, I have the ability to explore and experiment with what I think I might want to do with my life. That's awesome! It would also be easy to just throw the expectation of a relationship on this angel of a man that was brave enough to date me right now. But instead, I want to just be thankful for every moment that the Good Lord has blessed us with. As a member of the female species, I know that we jump to conclusions and can be extremely skeptical of a good thing. We are also very talented at squelching a good thing with "what if's" and "will this work's." I'm not doing the "Is he gonna stick around" routine. Or "this is too good to be true" dance. Today. Where we are in this moment is the happiest I've ever been. No exaggeration. And this is not a female dramatization. He is bliss. And that changes everything for me.
It's easier to hide from people that you went to high school with. Let's get real. Every one of you reading knows what I mean... It's easier to dwell on the fact that you haven't talked since graduation night. Or maybe you've reached out, and they shut you down? Maybe they reached out, and you're always too busy? I want to love on those people. I want to wave at them. Ask them how they are. Odds are, we'll never speak again, but in that moment, they're there. And I have to make sure they feel important for 5 seconds.
Traffic doesn't have to be something that forces us into a panic attack. An argument with a friend can be simple if we suck it up and end it with no expectation of being the "winner". Our dead end jobs don't have to ruin our days. Those mean, jaded people at school don't have to make us feel insecure or bad about who we are. The scale shouldn't hurt us. Our SAT scores shouldn't. Our terrible job. Our broken relationships. Nothing should. Because every day that we are blessed with is a new beginning. I know what you're thinking... "Macy, why are you just throwing cliches all over the place?" Because one day, when you hear it, it will click in your heart.
One day it will all mean something different. We'll be able to revel in it. The laughter of family members. The warmth of the sun. Friendships that mean everything. A kiss so magical, you never thought it could possibly exist. A smile from a stranger. Love. Pain. Energy. Compassion. How things taste. How things feel. When you're walking with bliss... Life is different. It's better. It's absolutely, recklessly perfect.
My anthropology professor is a smart man. He lives with reckless bliss. Reckless passion. And reckless happiness. It's something that I wish for myself as well as every single person on the planet.
Just be. It's what the world denies you.
You see the truth is all around you.
Believe."
-Brandon Heath, Beauty Divine
One of my professors is crazy. I mean, like certifiably, absolutely crazy. He teaches Anthropology 1001, so I guess he must be a little bit crazy. In order to be able to comprehend all the things that the human race has been through and where we're going, he must be a little bit disconnected from the rest of us here on Earth.
He is already challenging the entire base of knowledge and belief that I have built for myself over the last 19 years. Ironically, he has inspired me.
Okay, so he quotes people that I'm not sure exist... And he likes to continuously comment on all the miles that he runs or the fact that he does Tai Chi on his roof in the morning... And he likes to flirt with the pretty Indian girl on the front row... But he's got one thing right. He is constantly repeating how important it is that we live with passion. We have to live with bliss.
In class on Wednesday, he said, "The greatest joy in life is simply living." We've all heard this before. We've all heard things like this so many times before that we're sick of hearing it! For some reason though, yesterday I could not get his words out of my head. I have spent a lot of my time praying for joy or thinking about joy or telling myself, "I'll have joy when *this* happens or *this* happens." Why not now? Why not right here in this second?
It's funny. Every year, I make a list of New Year's Resolutions so long that I can never keep up with them for longer than maybe 4 or 5 days. Always with the best of intentions. This year, I started making my list, and then I scrapped it. The only thing I left on my list was to be happy. To find my joy. Sitting in class, I prayed to God saying, "You have sent this weird little man to keep me in check, huh? You are not letting me give up on my resolution this year! Thanks for that!"
It makes me so sad to see how people treat each other. How people treat themselves. Middle school girls tearing each other apart and breaking each other down for BOYS that probably don't even know their middle name much less care a thing about them. Teenagers and twenty somethings that judge and hate each other because maybe they're not headed in the same direction. Adults that can't find meaning in this blessing of a life, so they lash out on their families and friends in order to find some kind of power. Geeze, why in the world do we do this? Why don't we just love other people. And more than that, why can't we just love the moment and forget about everything else. Pettiness just distracts us from finding peace.
It would be easy to freak out about the fact that I haven't the slightest clue what I want to do when I graduate. But instead, I want to be a student passionately. I am not always going to be in this position that I'm in now. Right now, I have the ability to explore and experiment with what I think I might want to do with my life. That's awesome! It would also be easy to just throw the expectation of a relationship on this angel of a man that was brave enough to date me right now. But instead, I want to just be thankful for every moment that the Good Lord has blessed us with. As a member of the female species, I know that we jump to conclusions and can be extremely skeptical of a good thing. We are also very talented at squelching a good thing with "what if's" and "will this work's." I'm not doing the "Is he gonna stick around" routine. Or "this is too good to be true" dance. Today. Where we are in this moment is the happiest I've ever been. No exaggeration. And this is not a female dramatization. He is bliss. And that changes everything for me.
It's easier to hide from people that you went to high school with. Let's get real. Every one of you reading knows what I mean... It's easier to dwell on the fact that you haven't talked since graduation night. Or maybe you've reached out, and they shut you down? Maybe they reached out, and you're always too busy? I want to love on those people. I want to wave at them. Ask them how they are. Odds are, we'll never speak again, but in that moment, they're there. And I have to make sure they feel important for 5 seconds.
Traffic doesn't have to be something that forces us into a panic attack. An argument with a friend can be simple if we suck it up and end it with no expectation of being the "winner". Our dead end jobs don't have to ruin our days. Those mean, jaded people at school don't have to make us feel insecure or bad about who we are. The scale shouldn't hurt us. Our SAT scores shouldn't. Our terrible job. Our broken relationships. Nothing should. Because every day that we are blessed with is a new beginning. I know what you're thinking... "Macy, why are you just throwing cliches all over the place?" Because one day, when you hear it, it will click in your heart.
One day it will all mean something different. We'll be able to revel in it. The laughter of family members. The warmth of the sun. Friendships that mean everything. A kiss so magical, you never thought it could possibly exist. A smile from a stranger. Love. Pain. Energy. Compassion. How things taste. How things feel. When you're walking with bliss... Life is different. It's better. It's absolutely, recklessly perfect.
My anthropology professor is a smart man. He lives with reckless bliss. Reckless passion. And reckless happiness. It's something that I wish for myself as well as every single person on the planet.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Keep the Faith!
I've been asking God a lot lately... "What in the WORLD is your plan?"
I'm a Junior in college with no real idea what I want to do. I work at a place that is not even remotely related to what I go to school for. All my friends are headed down the aisle or at least have an idea when they'll be headed that way, while I am incredibly far from the aisle.
Today, God put a few verses in front of me that made my brain go, "DING!"
-"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23
-"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." Luke 16:10
-"Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:17
The Lord is screaming, "Macy, just be faithful!" Okay, so maybe I don't have many crazy party stories from high school or college? And maybe I am almost 20 years old, and I am participating in a boyfriend fast? I keep wondering when I'll know what I am supposed to do with this life, and God has it all under control! It feels good to be reminded. :)
I'm a Junior in college with no real idea what I want to do. I work at a place that is not even remotely related to what I go to school for. All my friends are headed down the aisle or at least have an idea when they'll be headed that way, while I am incredibly far from the aisle.
Today, God put a few verses in front of me that made my brain go, "DING!"
-"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23
-"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." Luke 16:10
-"Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:17
The Lord is screaming, "Macy, just be faithful!" Okay, so maybe I don't have many crazy party stories from high school or college? And maybe I am almost 20 years old, and I am participating in a boyfriend fast? I keep wondering when I'll know what I am supposed to do with this life, and God has it all under control! It feels good to be reminded. :)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Goodbye, 2011!
Here we are. Another year has come and gone. Kinda weird, huh? The Christmas trees are coming down, and silver and black hats and lots of glitter are coming out!
At the risk of being a total bummer, New Year's Eve is a sad time for me. I always tend to dwell on all the things that might not have happened the year before. All the things I missed out on. All the things that went unsaid or undone. Of course, there are those that take New Year's with stride and think about all the wonderful things that the new year will bring... But I know that a lot of you out there are just like me.
Maybe 2011 consisted of a loved one's death or a loss of a friendship? Maybe you lost your job or you're simply not where you wanted to be a year ago? Maybe you feel depressed because when the ball drops, you'll be standing there alone? Well, if you weren't depressed before, you are now, right? WRONG! If this year was bad, that means that next year can only bring good things! If you had loss in 2011, you can gain greatly in 2012. If you lost your job or you're just lost along the way to your dreams, 2012 can bring you something that makes you even happier and more fulfilled! If you're alone when the ball drops, who cares!? Maybe 2012 will bring you your lobster?
I think I learned something monumental this year that I've always thought I already knew. Worry does not change things. Worry will not mend a friendship that is just not happening anymore. Worry will not bring you any closer to your diploma. Worry will NOT make him come back, and it won't create the perfect man... Worry is dumb!
I spent a lot of time in 2011 worrying. Where was I headed regarding school? Will I be married early enough to have babies at a reasonable time? What kind of job can I get to afford to travel to all of these places that I dream about? The Lord came in my heart and said, "Hush, Macy! You think too much!" The last two months have been so incredible; I am so lucky! But they've been so wonderful because I stopped thinking so much about what I was doing, and I just did it!
I'm done chasing after people that don't even care one way or another whether or not they are in my life. I'm done trying to change people. I'm done tip-toeing around how I feel about things. I'm done with downplaying dreams because I think they're too far out! I mean, that's crazy!
It is impossible to describe how absolutely wonderful I feel right now! If 2012 consists of 12 months similar to the past 2 months, sign me up! I haven't felt this good in years! So. GOODBYE, 2011. I will not look back. Hey, 2012! I'm ready for it, and I'm ready to rock!
At the risk of being a total bummer, New Year's Eve is a sad time for me. I always tend to dwell on all the things that might not have happened the year before. All the things I missed out on. All the things that went unsaid or undone. Of course, there are those that take New Year's with stride and think about all the wonderful things that the new year will bring... But I know that a lot of you out there are just like me.
Maybe 2011 consisted of a loved one's death or a loss of a friendship? Maybe you lost your job or you're simply not where you wanted to be a year ago? Maybe you feel depressed because when the ball drops, you'll be standing there alone? Well, if you weren't depressed before, you are now, right? WRONG! If this year was bad, that means that next year can only bring good things! If you had loss in 2011, you can gain greatly in 2012. If you lost your job or you're just lost along the way to your dreams, 2012 can bring you something that makes you even happier and more fulfilled! If you're alone when the ball drops, who cares!? Maybe 2012 will bring you your lobster?
I think I learned something monumental this year that I've always thought I already knew. Worry does not change things. Worry will not mend a friendship that is just not happening anymore. Worry will not bring you any closer to your diploma. Worry will NOT make him come back, and it won't create the perfect man... Worry is dumb!
I spent a lot of time in 2011 worrying. Where was I headed regarding school? Will I be married early enough to have babies at a reasonable time? What kind of job can I get to afford to travel to all of these places that I dream about? The Lord came in my heart and said, "Hush, Macy! You think too much!" The last two months have been so incredible; I am so lucky! But they've been so wonderful because I stopped thinking so much about what I was doing, and I just did it!
I'm done chasing after people that don't even care one way or another whether or not they are in my life. I'm done trying to change people. I'm done tip-toeing around how I feel about things. I'm done with downplaying dreams because I think they're too far out! I mean, that's crazy!
It is impossible to describe how absolutely wonderful I feel right now! If 2012 consists of 12 months similar to the past 2 months, sign me up! I haven't felt this good in years! So. GOODBYE, 2011. I will not look back. Hey, 2012! I'm ready for it, and I'm ready to rock!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Love at Christmas?
It's Christmastime! A time of joy, love and merriment! It's a time to put all of our problems and worries aside so that we can join together to celebrate the birth of our majestic King! It's a time to set aside our differences and simply be one with eachother.
Now, if this is all true... If Christmas is such a magical time filled with red and green tinsel and wrapped up with an oversized bow, why is it that Christmas can sometimes make people so sad?
I'm going to guess that about 15% of the people that do not care for Christmas are those that are 'single'. Look around. Christmas has turned into a season tailor-made for couples. Haha. After this season, I have a new perspective on being alone at Christmas. It's not quite as bad as one would expect.
This is my first Christmas 'alone' in 7 years. At first I thought, "Oh, I can save some money on gifts..." or "I won't have to worry about whether or not our family events conflict with eachother." But my goodness, everytime I turn around there's a mistletoe sprig or holiday movie that screams, "Hey, Mace. You're alone!!"
Let's take a look at the things that Christmas brings about for us to do. These are all things I've tried or thought about trying. You tell me if they involve one person or two...
1. Baking Christmas cookies.
You know, it's sweet to bake the little cookies. Show off your expertise to your honey. Watch him eat most of them while you just smile giddily as he compliments your talents... Nah. Tried that. It's really not fun to bake cookies alone. Most of the time, I just ended up eating ALL the cookies by myself (depressing) or shoving them down my 13 year old sister's throat... Sweet? No.
2. Watching those sappy Lifetime movies.
It's tradition that we sit down with some lovely fella that insists that he 'doesn't mind' watching Lifetime with us. Let's be real, he does not want to watch an estranged pair of star-crossed lovers find eachother after 20 years apart or whatever, but he does it anyway. When the couple finally meets in some totally cliche coffee shop or are reconnected at the first place they ever met... The tears start flowing. The boy next to you grabs you and hugs you and the whole thing is just so 90's sitcom! But man does it beat sitting alone in your bed and crying your EYES out. Not only because there's no one to dry those tears caused by 'A Boyfriend for Christmas'... But also because you know that the chances that you will find the romance that Sally Sue and Bob have on this movie are about the same as the chances that your blood type will change.
3. Maybe playing a board game?
I love Addy and Grayson, but there's only so many times you can play Christmas-opoly and Trouble.
4. Ride around and see Christmas lights!
You cannot concentrate on driving AND looking at the lights when you're in the car alone... I've tried. Plus, it's easy to get lost.
5. Having someone on your arm at your family's Christmas party.
Thankfully, I haven't experienced this yet!
Ok... So you get the picture. Christmas is a time to cuddle up to whoever the flavor of the week is or whoever you are deeply committed to. Yes, whenever I am on my seventeen chocolate chip cookie or when I am watching some sappy movie, I wish I had some man there to love on me. BUT this year I have found a new appreciation for the other people in my life. I have gotten to actually do a good bit of shopping, we've bought lots of gifts for 'angels' from the tree at Crossroads, and we're making efforts to help a family have the kind of Christmas that we've always been blessed with at my house. I have been able to spend quality time with my mom and dad and Moni and the kids and Nathan. I've spent a lot of time just talking to my best friend, Jadey.. Kinda like when we were nine years old. Just because I don't have somebody to kiss under the mistletoe doesn't mean that I'm alone. I am blessed beyond measure with the incredible people that the Lord has placed in my life.
I believe that the Lord has my cookie-eating-Lifetime-movie-watching-game-playing-Christmas-loving-LORD-loving man somewhere out there! Haha. I cannot get over how much this year has just taken all that I am and jumbled it up. Broke it. Smashed it. Tore it apart. And then God came in and pieced me back together. It's like He breathed new life into me and set me up for something absolutely amazing!
I'm not sure I could have followed Him and seen Him like I have if I wasn't alone... So that's pretty cool.
Jesus is so cool. If God keeps molding me like this... My future honey better watch out! 'Cause I've got a lot to offer! :)
Now, if this is all true... If Christmas is such a magical time filled with red and green tinsel and wrapped up with an oversized bow, why is it that Christmas can sometimes make people so sad?
I'm going to guess that about 15% of the people that do not care for Christmas are those that are 'single'. Look around. Christmas has turned into a season tailor-made for couples. Haha. After this season, I have a new perspective on being alone at Christmas. It's not quite as bad as one would expect.
This is my first Christmas 'alone' in 7 years. At first I thought, "Oh, I can save some money on gifts..." or "I won't have to worry about whether or not our family events conflict with eachother." But my goodness, everytime I turn around there's a mistletoe sprig or holiday movie that screams, "Hey, Mace. You're alone!!"
Let's take a look at the things that Christmas brings about for us to do. These are all things I've tried or thought about trying. You tell me if they involve one person or two...
1. Baking Christmas cookies.
You know, it's sweet to bake the little cookies. Show off your expertise to your honey. Watch him eat most of them while you just smile giddily as he compliments your talents... Nah. Tried that. It's really not fun to bake cookies alone. Most of the time, I just ended up eating ALL the cookies by myself (depressing) or shoving them down my 13 year old sister's throat... Sweet? No.
2. Watching those sappy Lifetime movies.
It's tradition that we sit down with some lovely fella that insists that he 'doesn't mind' watching Lifetime with us. Let's be real, he does not want to watch an estranged pair of star-crossed lovers find eachother after 20 years apart or whatever, but he does it anyway. When the couple finally meets in some totally cliche coffee shop or are reconnected at the first place they ever met... The tears start flowing. The boy next to you grabs you and hugs you and the whole thing is just so 90's sitcom! But man does it beat sitting alone in your bed and crying your EYES out. Not only because there's no one to dry those tears caused by 'A Boyfriend for Christmas'... But also because you know that the chances that you will find the romance that Sally Sue and Bob have on this movie are about the same as the chances that your blood type will change.
3. Maybe playing a board game?
I love Addy and Grayson, but there's only so many times you can play Christmas-opoly and Trouble.
4. Ride around and see Christmas lights!
You cannot concentrate on driving AND looking at the lights when you're in the car alone... I've tried. Plus, it's easy to get lost.
5. Having someone on your arm at your family's Christmas party.
Thankfully, I haven't experienced this yet!
Ok... So you get the picture. Christmas is a time to cuddle up to whoever the flavor of the week is or whoever you are deeply committed to. Yes, whenever I am on my seventeen chocolate chip cookie or when I am watching some sappy movie, I wish I had some man there to love on me. BUT this year I have found a new appreciation for the other people in my life. I have gotten to actually do a good bit of shopping, we've bought lots of gifts for 'angels' from the tree at Crossroads, and we're making efforts to help a family have the kind of Christmas that we've always been blessed with at my house. I have been able to spend quality time with my mom and dad and Moni and the kids and Nathan. I've spent a lot of time just talking to my best friend, Jadey.. Kinda like when we were nine years old. Just because I don't have somebody to kiss under the mistletoe doesn't mean that I'm alone. I am blessed beyond measure with the incredible people that the Lord has placed in my life.
I believe that the Lord has my cookie-eating-Lifetime-movie-watching-game-playing-Christmas-loving-LORD-loving man somewhere out there! Haha. I cannot get over how much this year has just taken all that I am and jumbled it up. Broke it. Smashed it. Tore it apart. And then God came in and pieced me back together. It's like He breathed new life into me and set me up for something absolutely amazing!
I'm not sure I could have followed Him and seen Him like I have if I wasn't alone... So that's pretty cool.
Jesus is so cool. If God keeps molding me like this... My future honey better watch out! 'Cause I've got a lot to offer! :)
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