Uniquely Called to Shine

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him,
and to which God has called him [for each person is unique
and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way].
This is my rule in all the churches." 

~1 Corinthians 7:17

I love this verse!!

I had what felt like an epiphany on my lunchtime walk around Main Street today...  To the best of my ability, I am choosing peace!

I am moving toward goals that are meaningful to me, but there is purpose and meaning in that journey, not just in the final achievement.  Part of me understands that, and part of me has felt pressured to push as hard as possible to attain these things quickly.  I'm letting go of the stressy energy and bad vibes.  God is a God of process, and I am going to embrace that!  The master's degree and eventual LPC licensure is an pretty intense process that involves personal growth, sanctification, and the sacrifice of time, energy, and money... but it does *not* have to involve sacrificing my mental health or peace!  Adoption also can be a rigorous process with many twists and turns.  But I can calm down and take classes at a slower pace that feels more manageable.  And that way, I can keep the doors open on adoption possibilities and continue to listen and stay open for what God has for me there.

Right now, my calling is simply to keep moving forward with Jesus - toward motherhood, toward better health, toward a counseling career, toward becoming an author with a story worth writing.  Baby steps, slow and steady, staying close to Him and leaning on Him for guidance.  If something happened and I died in the middle of pursuing these dreams, it would not mean that my life was incomplete or that I missed my calling.  The calling is walking in step with the Holy Spirit day by day.  Being engaged in life and putting my heart into it right here and now... being kind and loving in my relationships, building and maintaining encouraging friendships and family connections, supporting my niece and nephews, doing my CR work and my schoolwork to the best of my ability.  God has a unique plan for me, and I cannot judge it by the world's timeline.  I am not failing at life because I'm not a mother or a counselor yet.  I am choosing peace and the slow walk with God, believing that it all matters and there is beauty in the process!  I am accountable for my choices and conduct as I lead the unique life God has assigned me and called me into.  So that's the end of my note to myself today. lol

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to amazing Mom, also known as Mamaw!!  We are so blessed  to have you, and we're very thankful that you are a part of our lives!  Looking forward to celebrating with the fam and Bill and Jill at The Ranch tonight. ❤

Tiffany came to visit me on Monday (we were off for MLK day).  We got all caught up on each other's lives, and she got to meet the niece and nephews and Charlene and eventually Rachael!  We had a family dinner at Ted's, and Jace and I put on hats for the group pic! lol

Took this mostly to text Kristin, but it makes me happy!

My phone had something on the camera so these are poor quality, but oh well.  It was a good end to the long weekend!

A FB friend shared this, and as I read the list, I felt extra thankful for my close friends.  Real love encompasses all of these things, of course, particularly the more we mature in Christ... sometimes claims of "love" are shallow, without much substance to back it up or keep it rooted when life gets hard.  It's painful to be on the receiving end of that.  But I feel blessed to have several mutually healthy and supportive relationships with people who see me and encourage me to keep growing and moving forward!

Laaaaast thought for today = I discovered Byrdie's bakery, a new place on Main Street in Norman that's owned by the people from Nikkelette's (who make my favorite ribbon cake).  Not a place I should frequent, but still a fun surprise!

I had no money with me, but they had free samples of blueberry bread, and that revived me for the second half of my walk! lol  ;-)

Another verse that feels really meaningful to me lately = 

"Do everything without complaining or arguing,
so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children,
who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people.
You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,
as you hold firmly to the word of life."

~Philippians 2:-14-16

You must shine among them... wow, I love that!! ❤