Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. -Psalms 23:4
Being a daycare teacher, you learn a lot of things from your children. The other day we were reading one of their favorite books, “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt”. There’s a line in the book that says, “We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it, oh no we’ve got to go through it”. When you go thru your trials, you can’t escape them. As badly as they hurt, there’s no way to get around them. You can’t go over or under your trials. You have to walk through them. When you’re going through those trials, God is right there with you walking every step of the way. Even if it feels like he’s not there, He always is.
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
There’s one thing that I’ve learned as a teenager, that I wish I knew going into my teenage years. You’re not going to be everyone’s best friend. You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I know that sounds harsh but it’s something that took me forever to learn. I’m someone who wants to be liked by everyone and I want to be everyone’s best friend. That’s not always going to be the case. There’s going to be people in your life that God doesn’t want you to be friends with because he’s protecting you from hurt. There’s going to be people in your life that don’t see what a gem you are. As painful as it is to not be everyone’s best friend and to not be liked by everyone, there’s a reason for it. As I’ve looked back through the years, I’ve seen God’s hand of protection on me in friendships. I’ve seen where God has protected me from not being in certain friend groups. God has his hand on your life and he has a tribe of friends waiting on you.
‘But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not go weary. They will walk and not faint.’ Isaiah 40:31
As I was driving to school one morning, I had my worship music playing, and “Available” by Elevation Worship came on. I was singing to the lyrics and as I was singing, “You can have it all”, God spoke to me and said, “Will you give it all to me?” You see, we can say that we’ll give everything to God, but will we give it all to him? When times get tough and we don’t understand what all is happening in our lives, will we give our situation to him or will we try to control it ourselves? It’s so hard to put our trust in God because we want to fix our situation. God wants us to give everything in our lives to him. Will you give it all to God?
“Never Stop Praying.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
If you know my Nana, you know that she’s a prayer warrior. She’s the best prayer warrior I’ve ever met. On the rare occasion that she’d drive me to school I remember her praying over every family member. She’d start with my Papaw and go her way down through the sons, their wives, grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. There wasn’t a name in the family that she missed every morning. She’d even pray over friends or church member’s prayer requests. I’ve always known that she was someone to call when I needed prayer. There was one day that I was going through something and she prayed over me the moment I called her. Then the next day I called her to talk about something else and she told me that every time she woke up that night she prayed over my situation. She has shown me what it’s like to pray through life over everything whether it’s big or small. When I’m stressed or worried, I know to pray because that’s what my Nana would do. Be like Nana. Pray over everything whether it is big or small, God wants to hear about it.
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
You don’t feel smart enough. You don’e feel pretty enough. You don’t feel good enough. You just don’t feel like you’re enough. Sweet girl, I promise that you are more than enough. You were made in God’s image. You are worth more than rubies. God created you for a purpose. God loves you so much. Always remember that.
In those days when you pray, I will listen. (Jeremiah 29:12)
We make prayer harder than it is. You feel like you have to say the right things when you’re talking to God. There’s not a precise way to pray. Praying is just having a conversation with God. It’s like sitting down with your best friend and talking to them about life. Even though God knows everything going on in your life, he still wants to hear from you. God wants you to sit down and tell him everything. We don’t have to make prayer harder than it has to be.
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (John 1:16)
Giving grace is hard. Someone has hurt or offended you and you feel like you shouldn’t give them grace. My friend Sarah told me the other day that giving grace can be giving someone another chance because of what they’re currently doing. As Christians, we need to give grace to those that have wronged us. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. So instead of holding a grudge or being mad, we should give grace. Giving grace is hard sometimes but it’s worth it in the end. So today, even when you don’t want to, give someone grace today.
“Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.”
Psalms 25:16
Social distancing can be lonely. You go from seeing your friends to not seeing them. You’re having limited social interaction. It’s hard. I get it. Try staying in contact with your family and friends. FaceTime them. Text them. Social distancing doesn’t mean you have to distance yourself from contacting your friends. I know this is a hard season but it’ll be over soon.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now with the coronavirus. Our world has been flipped upside down in a week. We went from living normal lives to social distancing. I went from going to New York in two weeks to not knowing when I’ll go. A lot of seniors are unsure if they’ll get a senior prom or graduation. Sports have been cancelled. Life has pretty much been postponed. We’re living on a week by week basis right now. In the midst of the uncertainty it can be scary. I know that I can find peace in Jesus. When things get scary, I know that God will always be there. God knows when the end of this is. God is in control. Submit your fears to God today.
But God showed his great love for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
You feel like no one has your back. You feel like no one supports you. You feel alone. I want you to know that that isn’t true. There are people who support you. There are people who love you. God made you in his image. When you feel like no one loves you, remember that God made you. He loved you so much that he sent his son to die on the cross for you. There are teachers, friends, pastors, and family that love and support you. Never forget that you are loved.
To The Girl 