Leave the rest to God.

            Have you ever regretted something you have ever told someone, or the way you acted towards them? Well I find myself doing just that. I fall into bad habits just like anyone else who lives in this here world. Nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes. Life goes on. However in the back of your mind you are still stuck with forgiving yourself for the action you did that you aren't rather fond of.

            It’s easier to forgive then forget, so I’ve been told. It amazes me the love of others that it takes to forgive someone just like God forgives us. God also doesn’t think about it anymore once you ask for forgiveness. So why do we as humans? To make the world right? To make everything seem like it’s okay?

            I found this quote today:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

            If we as humans watch our thoughts before they become habits and actions then there will be a lot less regretting or wishing you could rewind time and not say that. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. In the end all that’s going to matter is the love from the big man upstairs. So forgive and FORGET. Life moves on. Don’t get caught up in the little things. Life’s to big for that.

            It’s time to leave it all up to God and do some letting go. The baggage is weighing us down to making closer relationships with those around us because there is someone for everyone. Most of all a closer relationship with God.

“Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.”

A jar, some pecans, and cup of rice

            This morning at FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) I saw something done I had never seen before that struck me. Putting God first!

            When we get up in the morning we tend to hit the ground running, correct?

            I know I do. From the finding of the outfit of the day, brushing my hair and teeth, putting my contacts in and the list goes on and on. I am thinking I have to get this done in 30 minutes or I’m going to get stuck behind the bus and be late for school. I hit this ground running. All this I have to, I need to mess runs through my head.

            The demonstration I saw today was with a jar, a quart zip lock baggy of pecans and cup of rice. Some of you are probably clueing in if you have seen this before. Well the jar represents life. The rice represents what we have to get done, and the pecans represent God in our lives.

            When we hit the ground running we will the jar a fourth of the way up with the entire amount of rice. Then next you fill the cup with the things God wants us to do. For example, pray, read our bibles, not engage in illegal things, you know the list continues here too. Will with the cup of rice all of the pecans won’t fit in my jar. You have about a handful of pecans left.

            Therefore, we begin again this time a little different. We begin with the things God wants us to do. We fill the jar with all the pecans. Those pretty much fill the whole jar themselves, but the rice still has to go in. What do you think will happen? Over flow? Well, the rice fills in the cracks between the pecans… With God first he can make room for all the “me” things in life.

            Its crazy how just that one analogy can bring about a whole new perspective. I am a visual person so it was right up my ally. Ever since about 8:15 this morning I have thought about what in my life do I put God first in. I came up with about two or three things. That’s not a lot after I started thinking about the endless things I do and just shove God to the side. I think oh, he’ll still be there in a little while I have to get this done now.

            After this morning I will be improving my God first actions. God will make room for the “me” things if you just let him. He’s just super amazing like that. With God first everything else seem to fall into place. The question is... Is God first in your life?

Farmers

            Let me start out my saying how amazing God is. He puts these certain people in your life that help you grow as a person and who pick you up when you’re down. Here lately I am convinced that one of my friends and I are living parallel lives. It’s crazy, but in a good way. Here these past few weeks I haven’t really been myself with issues uprising in my life. I know I always have this said friend to turn to because we are going through the similar things or have been through the similar things. It’s amazing how eleven months ago he knows who should be in your life today to help you through. God works in some amazing ways.

            “When I am weak thou art strong.” I am finding that more and more. Even through all this stress called life at the moment. God works in ways so unseen at times it blows me away. He puts you in places where he wants you to stay planted and grow. He’s not finished with you yet.

 I once heard this story about two farmers who really needed rain and prayed for rain, but only ONE went out and prepared his fields for that rain. Which one do you think trusted God to send that rain?

            With these struggles in life I have remembered that story and have been thinking about it a lot. I pray to help strength me and show me what path to take to resolve this problem, but haven’t prepared my heart to receive the strength and guidance.

            We as humans think we can do everything on our own but we need help. We just have to accept that fact. We have to accept that fact AND prepare our hearts and minds to receive that help.

            Sorry, I think this is all over the place but my brain is running a zillion different directions at the moment and I wanted to share all my thoughts, so it doesn’t really flow.

            I leave you with this… Out of those two framers which one are you? The one who prays and waits or the one who prays, prepares, and waits?