I had quite a little realization today while sitting in traffic on the way home from school.
Georgia State has a far more diverse group of students than that which could be found at Mercer.
Just today, I witnessed the fake smokers... yes, you know what I'm referring to, a young lady with bright indigo and purple hair cut into a bob, a dashing chap with missing front three teeth (yes, a student)... and many more. Let me explain if maybe you don't know what type of person could be spotted crossing the quad at Mercer University. At Mercer, there were polos, khakis, dresses, sweatpants, 'norts' (I think) and Northface apparel. That's all!
Anyway, In a round about way, I am trying to get to my point, here. In my personal walk with Christ, I do face my worst sin. Everyone has one, and mine is gossip. I love to do it. I know how wrong it is, but I do it without noticing it's happening. It's a bad situation.
Okay, okay. The point. You remember I was talking about having a 'come-to-Jesus' in my car today. I was thinking about all the outrageous things I saw at school. Thought about all the things that I would have laughed with my mom or Jade about if they had been with me at the time. Then all the stories of the funny people I met seemed kind of stupid and extremely trivial. It hit me. I don't care about gossiping. I care about spending quality moments with the people I love where we laugh and talk and do fun things such as that! :) Then something else hit me. No, not a car or anything terrible like that, but while I am sitting and judging other people, I could be being a light of Christ for them. Geeze, that's humbling.
Walking through Woodruff Park or simply walking two feet on Gilmer Street really does mean something completely different! :) Jesus is really cool!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
No Excuses.
This morning at church, our pastor talked about excuses. We all have them. We all give them. We all rely on them. I am the queen of excuses. "I'll volunteer once I figure out what my school schedule will be like." "I'm gonna skip the gym because it's already so late, there will be so many people there." "I'll clean out my closet tomorrow. In the morning." "I'll mend that relationship another time. They'll think I'm an idiot." "I don't have time." "I don't have the ability." "I don't know enough."
So. After seeing how my day to day life is so full of excuses, I looked back at my resolutions that I made on January 1st of this year.
1. Finalize a demo and take headshots. -Demo done. But I hated it. Photos not done.
2. Run a 5k. -Not done.
3. Write an album. -Half way there.
4. Donate $250 to a charity. -Not done.
5. Tithe. -Not as much as I should.
6. Read 30 Books. -6 left!
7. Go to a Concert. -I've already been to 2. One more in September.
8. Take a GIRL vacation. -Did that with Mom. :)
If I look back on my year, I like to think I've accomplished a lot. But there is so much left to be done.
I'm working my way through the Bible. I'm almost finished with 1 Samuel. I'm about to start going to school on the 22nd. I've started volunteering with North Douglas in a Kindergarten class. I'm about to start taking some Cake Decorating Classes! Haha.
I guess a good question is why am I doing all this stuff? Why spend so much time being BUSY!?
I want to learn more. I want to have skills that I can pass on. Knowledge that I can pass on. I want to be a great role model for my sister and cousins and anyone else I might touch along the way! I just feel deep down inside that I'm headed somewhere. Changes are going to be made, and I am going to accomplish something that means something. Something to me. Something to my family. Something to the world. Something in the Kingdom of God!
So. After seeing how my day to day life is so full of excuses, I looked back at my resolutions that I made on January 1st of this year.
1. Finalize a demo and take headshots. -Demo done. But I hated it. Photos not done.
2. Run a 5k. -Not done.
3. Write an album. -Half way there.
4. Donate $250 to a charity. -Not done.
5. Tithe. -Not as much as I should.
6. Read 30 Books. -6 left!
7. Go to a Concert. -I've already been to 2. One more in September.
8. Take a GIRL vacation. -Did that with Mom. :)
If I look back on my year, I like to think I've accomplished a lot. But there is so much left to be done.
I'm working my way through the Bible. I'm almost finished with 1 Samuel. I'm about to start going to school on the 22nd. I've started volunteering with North Douglas in a Kindergarten class. I'm about to start taking some Cake Decorating Classes! Haha.
I guess a good question is why am I doing all this stuff? Why spend so much time being BUSY!?
I want to learn more. I want to have skills that I can pass on. Knowledge that I can pass on. I want to be a great role model for my sister and cousins and anyone else I might touch along the way! I just feel deep down inside that I'm headed somewhere. Changes are going to be made, and I am going to accomplish something that means something. Something to me. Something to my family. Something to the world. Something in the Kingdom of God!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wait, Wait, WAIT!
Well, life after camp has been bittersweet.
Everyone warned me of a feeling of depression when I left camp, and I believe that I have discovered what everyone was talking about. At Winshape, you are constantly surrounded by a family that loves you and genuinely cares about your life and, even more importantly, your walk with Christ. When your at home or at work or at school, remembering to follow the same rituals that you once did at camp is more difficult, but still just as rewarding. I am still so incredibly thankful for the things that I learned while at camp. I am more disciplined. I believe in myself and my purpose. If I could go up and hug and kiss everyone that led me to Winshape and helped me in my journey there, I would do it.
Time is just slipping by so fast. Too fast. My sister is starting 7th grade in four days. My cousins will be in 2nd and 4th grade. I am starting my sophomore year of college in 22 days. I haven't started high school in roughly 2 years... I am jobless. I am not sure what I want to do with my major in psychology. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow, but I have genuinely never been happier.
I am not letting petty people or small people get me down. I am finding ways to be a bigger person rather than just talk about being a bigger person. I am learning to be a role model for my younger sister and cousins and everyone that I may have an opportunity to influence. I thank God for my life and the chances that I have to be something. Be something big. It's time to be something big.
Everyone warned me of a feeling of depression when I left camp, and I believe that I have discovered what everyone was talking about. At Winshape, you are constantly surrounded by a family that loves you and genuinely cares about your life and, even more importantly, your walk with Christ. When your at home or at work or at school, remembering to follow the same rituals that you once did at camp is more difficult, but still just as rewarding. I am still so incredibly thankful for the things that I learned while at camp. I am more disciplined. I believe in myself and my purpose. If I could go up and hug and kiss everyone that led me to Winshape and helped me in my journey there, I would do it.
Time is just slipping by so fast. Too fast. My sister is starting 7th grade in four days. My cousins will be in 2nd and 4th grade. I am starting my sophomore year of college in 22 days. I haven't started high school in roughly 2 years... I am jobless. I am not sure what I want to do with my major in psychology. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow, but I have genuinely never been happier.
I am not letting petty people or small people get me down. I am finding ways to be a bigger person rather than just talk about being a bigger person. I am learning to be a role model for my younger sister and cousins and everyone that I may have an opportunity to influence. I thank God for my life and the chances that I have to be something. Be something big. It's time to be something big.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Blog Name Change and Basic Updates! :)
I have decided to change the name of my blog.
It's funny. The original name of my blog was 'Chapter 2' because I thought that college as a whole was only going to be one chapter in my life. Man, have I learned differently! In the past year, I think I've gone through like 12 chapters!! Singing in Jacksonville was a chapter. Getting through college chemistry. Chapter. Deciding to transfer schools. Chapter. Actually going through all the motions to transfer. Working at Winshape. I have changed, and I continue to change.
I have renamed my blog 'Isaiah 40'. Isaiah 40: 15-24 says:
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before Him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing.
With whom, then, will you compare God?
To what image will you liken Him?
As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it.
People too poor to present such an offering select wood that will not rot.
They look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
I know... It's long, but this passage really speaks to me. It speaks the the infinite power and fury that God holds, but all the while, He loves us and holds us in the palm of His hand.
It's absolutely crazy and overwhelming to even try to grasp it. God is just awesome!
It's funny. The original name of my blog was 'Chapter 2' because I thought that college as a whole was only going to be one chapter in my life. Man, have I learned differently! In the past year, I think I've gone through like 12 chapters!! Singing in Jacksonville was a chapter. Getting through college chemistry. Chapter. Deciding to transfer schools. Chapter. Actually going through all the motions to transfer. Working at Winshape. I have changed, and I continue to change.
I have renamed my blog 'Isaiah 40'. Isaiah 40: 15-24 says:
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before Him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing.
With whom, then, will you compare God?
To what image will you liken Him?
As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it.
People too poor to present such an offering select wood that will not rot.
They look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
I know... It's long, but this passage really speaks to me. It speaks the the infinite power and fury that God holds, but all the while, He loves us and holds us in the palm of His hand.
It's absolutely crazy and overwhelming to even try to grasp it. God is just awesome!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Growing Up is Hard to Do.
The other day, at the beach, I had one of those moments. One of those that you wish you could take a snapshot of. Capture every emotion and feeling that you have in that one instant and keep it close to your heart forever. My mom and I were talking about how as you get older, you see deeper into things, and those things are just not as rosy and beautiful as you once thought they were. Despite seeing things for what they really are, growing up gives us the opportunity to make our own joy. We have the ability to look past every problem in our lives.. I know it's not easy, but I pray that God gives me the strength to do so.
In every year that passes, we see truth. Marriages in your family. Relationships. Trips. Bad history. Good history. Money and Finance. School. Friendship. Decisions. Life. The truth is that people fall out of love. Marriages fail. Relationships fail. People lie. People deceive you. Money runs out. We lose jobs. We mess up...
My prayer is that God keeps me humble. No matter what He might decide to throw my way, I pray that He gives me the ability to find joy. AND spread joy to those that might need some.
I am about to embark on so many new things. School starts at the end of August. I am going to audition for the Voice. I have to find a job so soon. I am blessed with being in town and being able to watch my sister cheer for her middle school team and experience my cousins growing SO quickly. I'm 19 years old! I am having the time of my life, and I praise the Lord for my joy. I just hope that He will give me joy when things aren't so great. And I pray that He will bring some peace to those people that I love that are having a hard time right now.
In every year that passes, we see truth. Marriages in your family. Relationships. Trips. Bad history. Good history. Money and Finance. School. Friendship. Decisions. Life. The truth is that people fall out of love. Marriages fail. Relationships fail. People lie. People deceive you. Money runs out. We lose jobs. We mess up...
My prayer is that God keeps me humble. No matter what He might decide to throw my way, I pray that He gives me the ability to find joy. AND spread joy to those that might need some.
I am about to embark on so many new things. School starts at the end of August. I am going to audition for the Voice. I have to find a job so soon. I am blessed with being in town and being able to watch my sister cheer for her middle school team and experience my cousins growing SO quickly. I'm 19 years old! I am having the time of my life, and I praise the Lord for my joy. I just hope that He will give me joy when things aren't so great. And I pray that He will bring some peace to those people that I love that are having a hard time right now.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
LifeChange.
What can I say about the last month of my life? LifeChange. That's the only thing I can think of.
This year, I worked at Winshape Camp at Young Harris College. It was the very first year for the Young Harris branch, and I believe it was a complete and total success! 32 first through sixth graders accepted Jesus into their hearts. It's still unbelievable to me!
"Camp is about the campers" but God sent me to Winshape for another reason as well. My relationship with God has grown more than I ever expected, and I am incredibly thankful! Everything has more meaning, I think. I cherish moments more. I value time with loved ones more so than I ever took energy to do before. I won't let things get to me as badly because I send all my hardships right up to The Rock. He gives me shelter, and He gives me strength.
God has a plan for me. It is simply my responsibility to take it and run with it. God gave me a talent. A talent that I could be using and cultivating every day, but I haven't. Not anymore. I'm running. I have no idea where I am headed, but I know He'll catch me. And that makes me so excited and so hopeful!
In 1 Timothy 4:12, it says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." There was a time during Staff Training in May when the 350 college student staff stood singing "It Is Well With My Soul" together during worship. We sang the last verse that says,
"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul."
Everyone shouted and cheered and lifted their hands to the heavens to accept the absolute awesomeness of our God. It was in that moment that God spoke to me. Every once in a while, I admitt to feeling left out and odd because I've never followed the same path that is widely accepted for college students. I've made changes to my lifestyle that confuse and anger some people in my life. I have a hard time relating to many of the people that I once was very close to. But in that one moment with God, He spoke to me... He said, "Well done, Macy. Well done." Some of my friends were a little bit unsure of why I would want to sign my life over to Winshape for the summer. Why would I want to give up my phone, computer, short shorts and strapless dresses to go to a camp with little girls and 40 staff members that I had never met. God calmed EVERY insecurity that I EVER had in that one moment with Him. There were 350 other college students that chose not to go on vacation... They chose not to lay around the house all day every day until school starts again... They chose not to get other jobs, and some left jobs they have had for a long time... (Which are all AWESOME, fun and beneficial things) What I'm saying is that I am not alone. We are young, but we are an example. We live for Him, and I love knowing that my new community of friends will be there for me when I need them. No matter what!
I am incredibly thankful for everything He has done for me. I want to let my life be something for Him. Even if it's just something that He might smile at every once in while. Maybe I can lead the sort of life that leads someone else to Him. I just know that I'm on FIRE, and I never want it to go away.
This year, I worked at Winshape Camp at Young Harris College. It was the very first year for the Young Harris branch, and I believe it was a complete and total success! 32 first through sixth graders accepted Jesus into their hearts. It's still unbelievable to me!
"Camp is about the campers" but God sent me to Winshape for another reason as well. My relationship with God has grown more than I ever expected, and I am incredibly thankful! Everything has more meaning, I think. I cherish moments more. I value time with loved ones more so than I ever took energy to do before. I won't let things get to me as badly because I send all my hardships right up to The Rock. He gives me shelter, and He gives me strength.
God has a plan for me. It is simply my responsibility to take it and run with it. God gave me a talent. A talent that I could be using and cultivating every day, but I haven't. Not anymore. I'm running. I have no idea where I am headed, but I know He'll catch me. And that makes me so excited and so hopeful!
In 1 Timothy 4:12, it says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." There was a time during Staff Training in May when the 350 college student staff stood singing "It Is Well With My Soul" together during worship. We sang the last verse that says,
"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul."
Everyone shouted and cheered and lifted their hands to the heavens to accept the absolute awesomeness of our God. It was in that moment that God spoke to me. Every once in a while, I admitt to feeling left out and odd because I've never followed the same path that is widely accepted for college students. I've made changes to my lifestyle that confuse and anger some people in my life. I have a hard time relating to many of the people that I once was very close to. But in that one moment with God, He spoke to me... He said, "Well done, Macy. Well done." Some of my friends were a little bit unsure of why I would want to sign my life over to Winshape for the summer. Why would I want to give up my phone, computer, short shorts and strapless dresses to go to a camp with little girls and 40 staff members that I had never met. God calmed EVERY insecurity that I EVER had in that one moment with Him. There were 350 other college students that chose not to go on vacation... They chose not to lay around the house all day every day until school starts again... They chose not to get other jobs, and some left jobs they have had for a long time... (Which are all AWESOME, fun and beneficial things) What I'm saying is that I am not alone. We are young, but we are an example. We live for Him, and I love knowing that my new community of friends will be there for me when I need them. No matter what!
I am incredibly thankful for everything He has done for me. I want to let my life be something for Him. Even if it's just something that He might smile at every once in while. Maybe I can lead the sort of life that leads someone else to Him. I just know that I'm on FIRE, and I never want it to go away.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Happiness & Camp
I have been reading a book called 'The Happiness Project' that has really opened my eyes to things around me. I did not intend to read the book and adopt her many different approaches to make herself happy. I wanted to simply read about her journey, but I have learned a great deal about my own journey in the process.
Small things: She talked about the importance of collecting things. She had never been a collector of anything, and neither have I. She started collecting blue bird accessories, and she testifies that it did, indeed, make her happier. I guess the idea that you have something to show for a passion that you have is incredibly rewarding. I started to think about what I might want to collect, and I decided on setting out to collect all 50 Disney Animated Motion Pictures. Well, there are 50 right now. I only have ONE, so I better get to work on collecting! I loved all those movies growing up, and I would love to have all of them on hand when I have children of my own! It's little things like this that I've picked up, and I am all the greater of a person for it!
I leave for camp on Wednesday, and I am filled with so many different emotions. I am so very excited and ready for God to work through me. But at the same time, I am absolutely terrified. I feel a little bit sad about leaving my family behind for an entire month with really no communication... And I am also so anxious and ready to get the ball rolling. I think the one thing I can take away from this so far is that I have the power to do anything with God's help.
I have sat in my room trying to psyche myself out for nearly two weeks now. I get so worked up and so worried about what might or might now happen at camp this month, but then I take a deep breath and pray. I know that God would never put me through anything that I could not handle. I also know that he will take good care of everyone I love while I'm gone! I am ready. Unfortunately, I won't be posting during the camp. We aren't allowed to bring our laptops, but when I get home, I'm sure I will have so many great stories to tell about the summer that God chose to change me.
Small things: She talked about the importance of collecting things. She had never been a collector of anything, and neither have I. She started collecting blue bird accessories, and she testifies that it did, indeed, make her happier. I guess the idea that you have something to show for a passion that you have is incredibly rewarding. I started to think about what I might want to collect, and I decided on setting out to collect all 50 Disney Animated Motion Pictures. Well, there are 50 right now. I only have ONE, so I better get to work on collecting! I loved all those movies growing up, and I would love to have all of them on hand when I have children of my own! It's little things like this that I've picked up, and I am all the greater of a person for it!
I leave for camp on Wednesday, and I am filled with so many different emotions. I am so very excited and ready for God to work through me. But at the same time, I am absolutely terrified. I feel a little bit sad about leaving my family behind for an entire month with really no communication... And I am also so anxious and ready to get the ball rolling. I think the one thing I can take away from this so far is that I have the power to do anything with God's help.
I have sat in my room trying to psyche myself out for nearly two weeks now. I get so worked up and so worried about what might or might now happen at camp this month, but then I take a deep breath and pray. I know that God would never put me through anything that I could not handle. I also know that he will take good care of everyone I love while I'm gone! I am ready. Unfortunately, I won't be posting during the camp. We aren't allowed to bring our laptops, but when I get home, I'm sure I will have so many great stories to tell about the summer that God chose to change me.
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