Sunday, November 11, 2012

Timing...


The light at the end of the school tunnel is getting closer and closer. I can almost see the destination at the end but not quite yet. It is all in timing…The time isn’t here yet for me to know my future, not just yet. Ever wonder what you would do if you were given three wishes? I think of it quite often; first I would do the given, wish for more wishes. If that wasn’t possible, I would wish I could have just a small glimpse into the future. Just one small glimpse would really satisfy my heart right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to know where they will be in one, five, or ten years?  
I busted my way into this world with a fire lit under my feet. At times that fire dims more than others, but in all-in-all, I live my life in a busy ball of craziness. But let’s get real; I really wouldn’t have it any other way. I went to college with one goal in mind; finish in four years, become a television news reporter and serve the name of Jesus Christ.  I have fought long and hard to keep myself on track with this plan. Although, in the craziness of attempting to get everything I needed to get accomplished in four years, I worked multiple jobs, managed to lose 100 lbs and met many of new life-long friends.  But the subject still lingers, timing.
Sometimes my timing is simply not the Lord’s. I desire for things to happen in my life when I want them to happen. I think precious Jesus has a sense of humor; so many times in life, I have worked hard to make my plans succeed and I am sure He is up there just giggling at my attempts. I kind of look at life like the relationship between a train and its conductor. The train is sure and safe if it stays on course; it will travel up and down roads all day long just fine and dandy as long as the conductor keeps its straight and narrow. But here is the problem, when a train gets to a fork in the road, which way will it go? The conductor ultimately has the choice of which way the train goes, making the precious train simply along for the ride.  I think about that train, one would normally think it was the one in the “relationship” that was so important. I mean think about it, the train is the one doing the work, carrying the cargo, burning that coal. But look at the conductor; at the end of the day, the train doesn’t run without his guiding hand.
We are given 24 hours in a day, 24! That seems like a lot but we all know it is never enough. I work so hard to take my 24 hours and plan, schedule and arrange it in the most useful way I know how. However, at the end of the day, no matter how many times I look at my watch, I only have 24 hours to get everything done. Sweet Jesus desires us to devote our 24 hours to him. Just as I have to spend my days relying on my planer to tell me when I am suppose to go to and from the next event, Jesus is our own personal planner. He loves when we come to him to schedule our lives, plan out our course and ultimately trust in HIS timing.
I am fully aware that I will not ever get my three wishes. I know and accept that the fun part of life does never know exactly where God (our Conductor) will lead us. I do my best to start my day by asking the sweet Lord to take the time given to me and use it to honor His kingdom. But can’t you see… I don’t need wishes. I serve a loving a gracious Father who is leading my steps and even in the moments when I am unsure why something did or didn’t happen, when I can’t exactly tell where I will be in the next six months or why I can’t see into the future, I know that I am simply a train on this course of life. I look forward to that day when my Conductor stands in the clouds and yells “All Aboard”, but until that day, I am simply a train on this track of life. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Then and Now..My Life Journey So Far

  .......If I could put my life into words, if I would simply say something that would describe me-the real me- it would be in the following words…
                At only twenty years of age, I do not say my life has been long and hard. I am still learning and growing; however, the amounts of time I have lived have not always been the easiest. My life I have struggled with an angry beast in my life, the beast of weight. This beast is ferocious, and if allowed, this beast will take one’s life and transform it into something sad and utterly depressing; this was my life.
                I have always struggled to be the girl that others found as funny or intriguing. I can count all the times, on one hand, the times in my life I felt pretty; undeniably beauty is what I struggled in finding. I was the girl people went out to eat greasy food with because I would eat till I was literally sick and not judge you for the quantity you also consumed. I was the girl people saw as “safe” because I was 75 lbs over weight so sure, of course no one would really look at me in any form of interesting way. I was the girl parents knew was safe; that somehow if Grace Oaks was there, well then we must be following all the rules.
                So see that has always been my life; “Grace Oaks, the safe girl”; I am not complaining with this title, I simply just always used it as my excuse. Oh man did I ever have excuses; “I can’t I am overweight”; “I can’t eat healthy, I can’t cook”, the list goes on and on…
                I found pleasure in life through cupcakes, chocolate pie, fried chicken… But see, doesn’t all of those things sound completely delicious?! I thought so, too! My problem was this—I was putting my identity in food; putting my identity in my-self image; putting my identity in me!
                Don’t get me wrong, I am a confidant person. If one meets me, they will probably think of how I never meet a stranger and seem like I have my life together. But here is the secret, I didn’t. I was a scared and lonely girl who hit behind the identity of food and humor as my “crutch”. If only I could make them laugh, if only I could make them forget my weight for two seconds we can have a good time! …
                I allowed this addiction to finding my identity define who I really was; but then again, who REALLY was I?... I read this book, When God Writes Your Love Story, by Eric and Leslie Ludy, and goodness did this book every change my life. Through the usage of God’s word, I began to realize I actually have a identity; it is in Jesus Christ, my Savior, my God, my friend. So why exactly was I putting my body through physical torment when, according to the Bible, I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139: 14).
                I was determined to end this torment to my physical being; stop trying to put my pleasure and desires in non essential things, like food, when God is saying “Grace here I am to offer you love and peace.” Like really Grace? Really?! I decided to take control of my life; well actually I decided to let God be in control of my life, to let go of the “pen” I was using to write my life story and let the one who created me write it. Wow! It is so awesome the difference it has made!
                Do I still make mistakes? Well yes; however, in those moments I do my best to learn from them and not repeat them. My life has been forever changed, and it is still changing. I made the decision to live healthy; not only physically but spiritually.
                To date… in a three years time I have lost close to 100 lbs! I do not say all of this to lift my name, I say all of it to make this point; “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13. Could I have lost weight on my own? Nope! Could I have said no to worldly temptations on own? Nope again! I am where I am today due to the fact I could NOT do it alone. I have an awesome friend, and fellow workout partner, that has been with me every step of the way. Morgan Jones, you are awesome, and I am so proud of the accomplishments you have made in your life and are continuing to make. And to my personal trainer, Allie Peterson, you have changed my life! Without you pushing me and encouraging me, I would still be that overweight girl drowning my sorrows in chocolate cake!
                My identity is no longer in having to be the “class clown” when I walk in a room, or having to be the girl that never turns a head. My identity is found in one source alone; the love of Jesus Christ my Savior. I am determined if I can lead my life down a healthy path so can you, all you have to do is JUS T DO IT!!!