Seeing His hand

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” Every circumstance we face, every victory we celebrate comes at just the right time. Verses 2-8 illustrates the various seasons that God will bring us through. However, I feel like there should be one more added verse to the ones that are already displayed: A time to learn and a time for application. This past summer God took me through a learning and growing season. The camp I spent my summer working at tried me in every area of my life. Yet, despite all of that God showed me that the places he puts you are for a reason that you may never fully understand. The fourth week that I was at camp God showed me one of the reasons he put me at this specific camp. While at camp we had a group of teen mom’s come through. Weeks prior to their arrival my boss asked my co-workers and I if any of us knew American Sign Language (ASL) because this group had a deaf camper coming with them that would...

We are four months from a New Year and with it comes our New Year resolutions. As humans we take January as the time to forget what happened the previous year and start a clean slate with the upcoming year. However, we do not have to wait till then to change our relationship with Christ. Whether it is radiating bright, a semi-flame, or nonexistent we can fix where we stand with God at any time. Throughout our walk with God we often slip back into our old ways that Christ redeemed us from. We turn away from the things of God and solely rely on our strength. We don’t allow God to be the center of all that we do. Yet, whenever we do His grace reminds us that we can always come right back to Him no matter how far we wander. The story of the prodigal son is a beautiful illustration of our Heavenly Father’s love and grace toward us. In the story the youngest son asked for his inheritance from his father and then left home. As he wandered he spent all the money and soon was down to nothi...

Everyone has their story, their own testimony. The best thing about each of our stories is that they are all unique, no two stories are exactly the same. In addition, just as each of our stories is unique so are each one of us. I an Fearfully and Wonderfully made “You don’t have to wonder you are wonderfully made/ perfectly beautiful in every way/ wonderfully, wonderfully made/ you’re anything but typical its true/ they ain’t seen anybody quite like you/ God never makes a mistake/ You are wonderfully made,” coons Mathew West’s “Wonderfully Made” through my headphones. I look up toward Heaven and simply think, “Am I?” And yet, I am reminded that God never  makes a mistake. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” Since we are created in his image He knew what he was doing when he molded us. Our personality, looks, and our story. Yet, there are times it is hard to accept ourselves. Fo...

Have you ever received so many no’s that you fear you will ever hear a yes? The discouragement starts to settles in and you begin settle for less than the best. This has recently happened to me, but the verse, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) has wandered back to me. This past semester I was told no numerous times: No to going back to Colorado, no to going on a study abroad trip, no to a camp counselor position at a camp, and lastly, no to an internship job in South Carolina. All these no’s had me beyond discouraged about receiving a job this summer. It came to the point of me not wanting to apply for anything else in fear of receiving another no, but God lead me down a different path. It was the week of waiting to hear back from the South Carolina internship when our school had their annual summer job and internship job fair. I was walking by the ballroom where the fair was taking place and my curiosity was held in tryin...

It is the end of the year and all I can think about is wow, how is it December already? Despite that it is the end of the year I reflect over this past year and all I can see is God showering down blessing after blessing over me. I see the opportunity to start another semester at Texas State, developing new friendships, participating in a once in a life time opportunity, and so much more. Yet, in the mist of it all I look back and think how I do not deserve any of it. In between each of those blessings I know I have sinned multiple times, and yet He still gives me another day to live in this world. “Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin/ would look on me with love/ and watch me rise again?” These relateable lyrics are sung by Mark Hall of the band Casting Crowns. Why would God choose me of all people to bless? I have sinned in more ways than I can count. I hold grudges against people I should be loving. I tend to judge a person as soon as they have done one wrong thing that  t...

Life is a precious gift. We are not promised another day, yet, God still gives us another breath to take. There are days that we wish we could stay in bed rather than face the day. Yet, what if we are in that mindset and God decides to take us home before we could see the next day? God encourages us through His Word by stating “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1). We all have days we look forward to in the distant future, but if we are so focused on that day we may miss out on what is going on in front of us. Take for example, high school students looking forward to graduation day. I know there where days I could not wait till I was out of my parents’ house and in college, but then again I look back and wish I had spent more time outside of my room instead of watching the days pass. High School is a time of enjoying yourself and really spending time with your friends, and more importantly; your family. In addition to that, it is a...

This chapter begins with God's children rejecting Him. As His children we get to the point of, "It's OK God I can do this on my own. I am a big kid." When in reality we are not. Sometimes with our freedom we become careless and forget about our Creator who has brought us to where we are. God says in verse 13 "This sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant." The sin that we are involved in starts piling up in our life. We are trapped behind it's wall to the point of were it falls on top of us, and everything we have done wrong comes back and bites us. Yet, God says he doesn't want us to face it alone. Verse 18 starts off stating " Yet, the Lord longs to be gracious to you [...]." He wants to bestow blessings, care, and shelter upon us, but if we are standing on our own will how can He do any of that? We have to let go of our pride, let go of our plans so He can work in our life in s...