Like well-lit cities

Chances are that you've flown over a major city in your life.  I caught the last flight out of Greensboro on Friday night for a fun weekend trip to Washington, D.C.  While flying, I noticed something new.  Flying at night gives you such a better perspective of what's below.  Cities and landscapes look so much cooler, so much more alive when they're lit up.  The only reason you can see them below is because they are well-lit.

That really inspired me to think about what it means to be well-lit.  I started thinking about all of the things in our lives that drive us.  For some of us, a belief that there is something more, some sort of divine intervention drives us.  For some of us, passion to be the very best we can be and the very happiest we can be drives us.  For some of us, the need to show others that we are 100% capable and worth it drives us.  What is it that drives you?

I am very motivated by pursuing my dreams.  The thing about dreams though is that they are ever-evolving.  For example, I, at one time, had a dream to be a teacher, and now that couldn't be further from the truth.  You aren't bound and locked down by your dreams.  You are freed up by your dreams.  If, over the course of time, a dream completely changes or takes on new direction, that is OK!  Dreams give you the freedom to pursue what is best for you, and what is best for you is something that only you can decide.  I am also very motivated by what those whom I respect think about my choices.  If you know me at all, you know I seek the advice and mentorship of other, more experienced, people often.  I believe that there is nothing that compares to hearing the advice of people who love you.  Another thing that really motivates me is being able to invest in people.  I enjoy what I like to call "deep water friendship."  If you can find a friend that will tread the deep water with you, that is a friend worth investing in.   

The truth that I learned from flying over a big, well-lit, city this weekend was that light only comes from within when whatever is being lit is in its proper place.  Think of it this way:  If you plug a lamp into a non-working socket, the lamp will not light up.  It is not in the proper place to function correctly.  The same is true for us.  We have to find what motivates us, what moves us to make a difference, and "plug ourselves in" to those things.  No matter the risk, no matter the challenge, no matter the process, being where you want to be and doing what makes you happy is always worth it. 

Just like well-lit cities from an airplane, we look so much more alive when we are lit up from that which drives our passion.  Go after it today, friends!

For fun, here are some pictures from my weekend (but it was way better than could ever be summed up in pictures).  In case you were wondering, this was my first time ever visiting DC and I am now a raving fan.

Thankful for this sweet friend who constantly supports, advises and encourages my life and dreams.  What a gem.

Who doesn't love Abe Lincoln?!

Even in scaffolding, the monument/reflecting pool is awesome. 

A shot while leaving the city from the metro ride to the airport.

Stop trying so hard!

I had a great weekend...some time away for a wedding of a beautiful friend, inside and out.  This weekend also involved a lot of downtime waiting for wedding festivities to begin and I had a lot of productive time and time to think.  Then, today, I woke up energized and refreshed and ready to hit the ground running on this Monday.  My new resolution in life:  Stop trying so hard!

This new life mantra is specifically in regard to who I am created to be and where I am going.  I was thinking this weekend about how far the Lord had brought me in even just a year's time.  To think that I would be back in Greensboro with the unique opportunity to pursue an dream uninhibited was a foreign concept to me a little over a year ago, but every day since I've been here, I have been able to live that dream out and see Jesus unfold greatness right in front of me. 

The major challenge in moving to a new place for me has been moving away from a lot of friends and community that I had already established.  It has stretched me in many capacities.  It has shown me that some relationships were seasonal and it has shown me that I have to stop trying so hard to go back and dwell over my last season.  See, here's a reality about me you may not know:  I am a control-freak.  In every sense of the word.  I try to keep my controlling nature at bay outwardly (because I constantly want everyone else to be happy) but in regard to the season I left behind, I have found myself trying to control the outcomes of relationships that are behind me.  While I still care deeply about the community I left behind and it is in no way my intention to stop caring about it, I have to keep moving forward.  I have to stop worrying (obsessing) over what I could have done better or how things could have been different.  I have to stop trying so hard so that I can focus on what's ahead.

You see, control can be like quicksand.  It is a never ending cycle that pulls us deeper and deeper and farther away from where we are headed.  First, we want to control small things and, eventually, it will take over every activity of our lives.  I am learning that being a control-freak doesn't benefit me and it certainly doesn't show the grace of Jesus to others.  I need to be willing to follow Jesus one step at a time and to trust that He did not bring me here to drop me off and let me figure out the rest on my own.  He is a faithful God, but he is a God that will not be mocked or controlled.  I am moving forward and refusing to let my humanly need to control things impede his continued direction over my journey.  I am committed to listening more than I ever have been.   And, this is a PROCESS.  I can't get better at it over a 24 hour period.   It takes time and diligence and effort and discomfort, but I am committed.

I wouldn't be blogging about this if i didn't think it had the potential to significantly encourage you readers.  I think you can take a lot away from this lesson I'm learning as well.  I know of a few things to be 100% true in life; Jesus, the value of human relationship, and that there is joy available in living life to its fullest.  If we want opportunities to impact this world for the Kingdom, we have to stop trying so hard to control our circumstances.  Opportunities will come without our constant supervision.  Right next to you today, maybe in the next office, maybe in the restaurant where you will eat lunch, maybe right within your family are people who need to know how much Jesus loves them.  And not in an elementary sunday-school way.  They need to know the profound, life-altering love of Jesus.  Tell them about it.

Let's take on this challenge together:  Stop trying so hard to control our circumstances, stop trying to constantly play it cool, stop trying to impress people because we want their approval, stop only following our dreams if we have every "next step" lined up.  Instead, let's look forward instead of back and run hard after what we are created to be.  I promise, there are awesome things waiting ahead of you...you just have to be willing to keep on walking forward.

Happy Monday, readers.  Have a great day!

louder than a lion

Woke up this morning to an unexpected day off...I'll take it!  My car's been needing some work for a long time so I chose to use this day off to take care of my little orange bolt!  Which, for me, means sitting for a very long time in the AAA customer lounge.  As I was sitting here, I just started thinking about the topic of courage.

You might probably guess that I was thinking Biblical courage.  I'm going to have to be honest and tell you that, no, my thoughts on courage today are actually brought to you by Katy Perry.  Let me start from the beginning...

A few months ago I really just thought of Katy Perry as another teen pop star who would probably wear out after a couple of years.  Then a friend of mine suggested I watch her documentary because it would really make me appreciate her more.  My thoughts about that suggestion were "she kissed a girl and she liked it" and she's "hot or she's cold", what else could there be?  Since I had nothing better to do, I actually watched the documentary...and it really did change my perspective on dear Katy (and I also cried...hard). 

The overarching theme throughout this entire documentary was courage.  Katy's life was a life marked by courage (go watch the documentary yourself, you'll see).  It reminded me of this simple truth: I, too, want to live a life that is marked by courage.  

So what classifies a life marked by courage?  Is courage just simple bravery?  Is it standing up for what's right in the face of adversity?  Is it taking risks in the sheer belief that the outcome is worth it?  In my reflection on what it means to be courageous, I've come up with this:  Courage is believing that life is meant to be fulfilling.  It's looking fear in the eye and telling it "no way, you have no place here."  It's being confident in what your calling is and also being willing to follow hard after your calling.  It's knowing that sometimes you're going to have to travel off the path and think outside the box to achieve your dreams.  The life marked by courage is a life lived in ambition, determination, generosity and love.  

When I say I want to live a life marked by courage, I want people to look at me and think all those things.  And even if others don't yet recognize it, I want to live in the confidence that I am following hard after a strong and courageous life.  

Life in abundance as I said yesterday is forsaking normal.  Today I am adding in that life in abundance is life marked by courage.  

Today I'm taking some motivation from Katy Perry:

I've got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire

Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR

Louder, louder than a lion

Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR.

Let the world hear you ROAR today and live the life marked by courage!

the realities of a new adventure

I grew up in Greensboro.  Went to high school here, loved this city before and enjoyed coming home for breaks during college.  Moving back for this new life adventure has been an adjustment to say the least.  It's almost like I don't really have any of the same connections as I did before and my experiences have been very different.  So, this last month has been a lot of learning and trying new things and meeting new people and going new places all in hopes that soon I will establish community and routine here.  Here are some of the things I have learned over the last month:

1.  Graduate school is a whole different beast than undergrad.

Arriving at Appalachian as an 18 year old baby undergrad student was overwhelming, I'm sure.  I don't really remember how or why but I know that I developed a lot of friendships quickly.  They throw you into a dorm and you are forced to be with people you don't know until you know them.  Class work is challenging but very doable and cramming, in some instances, works.  Grad school is the complete opposite of all of those things.  I just drive to campus when I have classes and work so building relationships with people in my program has been a little slow.  There is so much reading and work that if I get 3/4 of it done in a timely manner I am really happy.  And cramming?  There are no tests!  Only research paper after research paper.  If you aren't prepared, it's on you.  100%.  There are no excuses, only preparedness.  After all, I am here to become a MASTER at something.  You don't become a master at something by only completing the process halfway. 

2.  Leaving a place you call home, even if you feel ready, is really, REALLY hard.

I've seen the effects of this more as time has gone on.  Every single day I miss Boone and friends and my church and normalcy and all things from that home.  BUT, I am blessed to be here and don't want this to come across as me being ungrateful.  I fully realize that I am here for a reason...I am still discovering that reason.  Missing people in the process has been really challenging but processes take time.  Familiarity takes time.

3.  Living with your parents in your mid-twenties can be a big blessing.

I know what you're thinking...NO WAY, not me!  I thought that too.  Until I actually moved back home.  Living at home is the single biggest blessing in this season.  It has reduced my financial burden tremendously and given me an opportunity to repair relationships that were really broken.  This situation has been a constant reminder that Jesus is FULLY at work in this transition.

4.  God is faithful to provide for us, even down to the smallest detail.

Guys, I prayed when I was just considering grad school to be able to do it completely debt free.  Not only has that happened, but I actually received a refund off of my scholarship.  A few friends said, wow that is unheard of!  I maintain that it's not unheard of because I asked God for it and he faithfully provided every single thing I needed and even more in abundance.

5.  Forsaking normalcy leads to abundant life.

My normal life even just a month ago was pretty great.  It was comfortable and familiar and full of a lot of love.  I was spiritually challenged and encouraged on the regular.   But I will tell you, in reality, as soon as I gave up what was normal and took a step in obedience, I began to see what it was like to live above normal and in abundance.  Every single person on earth has a calling.  Seeking after your calling and achieving your dreams along the way is the definition of the abundant life.  Abundant life means taking risks, sometimes not knowing what is around the corner, and putting EVERYTHING aside for the sake of what you are going after.  It is not easy, but it is a real blessing.

Finally, I found a great church here and have been attending their "get to know you" classes if you will.  This week, the lady leading said something that really reminded me why I am here.  She said:

Everything outside of hell is grace.

What a relevant reminder!  These days might not be the easiest of my life, but they are chocked full of the grace of Jesus.  And I would not rather reside anywhere else but in the grace that saved me.  

I am thankful to be here where every day is an opportunity to learn something new.  Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.  Love to you all!

Transforming Fear

What would life be like if fear was a foreign concept?  If we had no reservations when going after our dreams?  If we loved people the way they deserved to be loved?  If we invested everything we had into a vision?  If we did what makes us happy regardless of what it might cost us? 

If you're thinking "wow, those are great propositions but highly irresponsible!", allow me to challenge your thinking a little bit.  This isn't a blog post about extreme living and forsaking all responsibility in order to live a fun life.  This is a blog post about chaneling our fear and using it to our advantage.  It's about going after what we've always dreamed of and stopping the wait that often lasts a lifetime.  It's about making possible what seems impossible.  It's about living life to the fullest so that when you lay down at night, you feel fulfilled.  The concept seems edgy, but it's not, it's just foreign to us.  Doing what fulfills us seems irresponsible and rash, but it's really just an underutilized concept.

When I was younger I was terrified of storms.  I mean any storm, in any capacity had me in tears and incredibly anxious.  I remember my parents used to tell me it was completely fine, that the storm was only temporary, but I was still scared.  The anxiety wouldn't quit.  I vividly remember being at softball practice one day (I think I was in 8th grade).  My dad was there sitting on the bleachers as he often and faithfully was.  It was beautifully sunny and super hot.  Practice was only about halfway over when clouds started rolling in and thunder started rumbling way in the distance.  I had conditioned myself to assume the worst and at that moment, the fear started gripping me.  My heart started racing and my breathing became labored.  I ran over to the fence and motioned for my dad to come talk to me.  I burst into tears and begged him to let me leave practice because of the impending storm.  He then said words that forever changed my life:  "Laura, this storm does not control you.  Practice isn't over until your coach calls it.  You will practice through your tears and fear and you will be fine."  From that moment, the fear of storms stopped tormenting me.  My dad forced me to face fear head on and walk it out.  And I am forever grateful.  Plus can you imagine a 25 year old deathly afraid of some thunder and lightening?! :)

My point is this - we have to learn to face our fears and live with boldness if we want to live the abundant life.  No matter where you stand religiously, philosophically or morally, this is a concept that transcends all differences in belief systems. This is a concept that has the potential to wreck our lives for the better.  It has the power to turn our normal lives upside down.  It's a concept that will teach you the truth - in life, YOU WIN.  Everyone wins when people start succeeding at living happily.

Courage is the motivation that grants us victory over our fears.  Fear never had a place anyway, we were created to live a courageous life.  Even if you have white knuckles, shaking hands and an unsure voice, I challenge you today to go after your dreams with all belief in yourself.  The world is waiting for you to transform it.  Life counts the most when we hold on tight and press on anyway!

The "S" Word

The funny thing about my relationship with the big G-O-D is that it's ever evolving.  I learn more about who He is and who I want to be all the time.  I haven't always known Him.  In fact, I was once confused, insecure, unsure of myself and others, dishonest and disobedient.  And I'm not talking spiritually here, I'm talking about in real honest life.  I'm talking I have another thing coming if/when I ever have to deal with teenagers of my own.  It wasn't until I made my first choice to surrender (the "S" word) that I first heard Him. On the parkway, on a blanket, on a beautiful day.  My twenty year old self sat on that blanket and for the first time, heard the big G speak wisdom to my struggling heart.  If it weren't for that encounter, I wouldn't really know him. 

Webster's says this of that s-word:

sur·ren·der

verb \sə-ˈren-dər\

a: to give (oneself) up into the power of another

b: to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

 

Here's the thing (and maybe this is where you're at today):  Transition is hard.  It's not a natural thing to trust everything you have to a God who everyone talks about but you can't see.  It's not easy to give your life over on the hope that what you feel is true actually IS true.  Faith can be such a transient concept in these little lives of ours.  I want to tell you that s-wording your life to let the big G do what he wants to do is harder than hard, even for the most serious and devoted of believers. BUT, I also want to encourage you by saying that s-wording your life over to the all-knowing God enables His purpose to become yours.  It's ultimately fulfilling.  This morning, as my co-workers and I were singing "I Surrender All," I was just hit with this overwhelming peace.  I realized that real true yielding to the holy spirit is easy.  It's you trusting that this life isn't about just you and committing to following your convictions.  It really is "all to Jesus, I surrender (yield), all to Him I FREELY give (on my own volition).  I will ever love and trust Him, in his presence, daily live."

 

Those are some powerful thoughts, ya'll!  I surrender ALL - my fear, my control, my decisions, my safety, my health.  I surrender them all, not because God doesn't want me to enjoy life, but because He's the only one who can direct me to the most abundant life.  I surrender all because His power directs my purpose.  I surrender all because His influence empowers my dreams. 

 

My last post was on normal being boring.  And it definitely is.  I have spent my entire life up until this point not wanting to stick out.  Why do we think that way?  The beautiful thing about life is that we're all different.  My desires and dreams should never be shaped by what others think about them.  Surrendering is beautiful because once we recognize that we're at the mercy of a master's hand, we also realize that our lives are headed in different directions.  All on purpose.  He made us to stand out.  That's how we stay entertained.  If we can learn how to love people through their decisions and really learn how to support their dreams, we'll all be building the Kingdom on earth together.  First, we have to be ok with yielding and letting the creator do what he does best, create.

Redefining Normal

If you're anything like me, you enjoy stability.  I enjoy having a quasi-plan.  I enjoy some level of routine.  Somewhere along the line, I convinced myself that having a "normal" life was in my best interest.  I wanted to live a life where I could do something I liked, provide for myself and occasionally partake in adventures that satisfied my desire to step outside of my comfort zone.  How boring!  Thankfully, one Friday morning last August, Jesus got my attention and told me to redefine my normal. 

I'm reminded of the song "Oceans" by Hillsong.  The first line is - "You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail."  You want to know what is so cool about redefining my normal and walking into the great unknown?  The way God always comes through.  If my feet start failing, it doesn't matter because I'm not in charge of my destiny anyway.  What good is dreaming if we have constant control over every outcome?  I'm giving up all of my security to be vulnerable before a God who always shows up.  Really, it's a win-win for me.  I'm pursuing my dreams, and guys I have NO CLUE what to expect, but I do know that God will show up and lead me.  He's not a wishy-washy, unrelatable God.  He's real!  He's relational!  He knows that I'm scared.   Part of redefining my normal has been learning how to let fear motivate me rather than hold me back.   

 

Let me let you in on a little secret about me -- public speaking terrifies me.  I mean honestly, my emotional reaction prior to speaking is a little excessive.  My heart and mind are always racing a thousand miles a second.  Ironically, everyone who has ever heard me speak in public always tells me how calmly I execute my message.  In my (required) public speaking class in college, my professor told me that I was one of the strongest public speakers he'd ever encountered.  UM, what?!  Come again?? 

The reactions never meet the expectations I've set for myself.  They're way better.  And that's how I know God is in this thing.  His outcome is always exceedingly better.  But first, we have to loosen our grip on our own mediocre expectations and just be obedient.

I made a decision last August to stop living "normally" and to go after my dreams.  No one is going to change my life for me, but me.  I have been completely blown away by God's faithfulness and steadiness over the last 10 months.  He just keeps showing up, working things out and giving me ZERO chance to back out. 

So, here I am, just redefining normal.  Actually, I don't know that I ever really want to have a new "normal."  I kind of just want to let go and see where the Lord leads.  Honestly, it's been so exciting and I cannot wait to see what happens as time progresses. 

God is for you!  He believes in and supports your dreams, and he loves that you're dreaming.  Keep dreaming and don't be afraid to sacrifice your normal to see Him show up.