reminders

i'm standing on the edge of tomorrow, sometimes longing for yesterday, sometimes wanting to rush through today just so i can see what's coming next.

every day, God reminds me (sometimes painfully) of the lessons that i'll never stop learning as long as i breathe:

1) people can bring so much joy and love into your life - but when my eyes become fixated on people and not on Jesus, God will quickly allow those same people to hurt or disappoint me, as a reminder that they are not my fulfillment. that honor belongs to Christ and Christ alone.

2) i cannot trust every word people tell me. deceivers come in all forms, shapes and sizes. i'm grateful for a spirit of discernment, and i'm to be ever vigilant when it comes to prayer and recognizing those who do not have good intentions. i despise lies and those who speak them. thank God for His watchful eye that neither sleeps nor slumbers. thank God that He is the Truth and all lies will be brought to light. my eyes and ears are open, yes. but i will not live in fear of who says or does what, for i know Who watches over me. no weapon formed against me shall prosper. i am more than a conquerer.

3) i am a sinner. even Christ followers stumble, plain and simple. sometimes we stumble in little ways, sometimes we stumble in big, ginormous, what-the-heck-was-i-doing, kinda ways. it's a humbling reminder.

4) i am loved most by my God, loved in ways NO other will ever be able to achieve.

5) God's will for my life does not change even when i mess up. He doesn't tear up the original script and rewrite it based on my sins, failures and errors. He's sovereign. and He's merciful.

6) people are judgmental. it would be wise of me to further build and strengthen my identity in Christ so that the opinions, thoughts, speculations and judgments of others won't cause me to question who i am. He alone defines who i am.

7) i MUST learn to bridle my tongue. i talk way too much. not everyone needs to know everything, and basically.... i can't trust everyone. spend more time in deep conversation with God and less time doing so with humans.

8) i can and will do all things through Christ who strengthens me. i can do this. i CAN do this. i will do this. i'm already doing this :-)

i relearn these over and over, sometimes after i forget and make unwise choices. but after the hurt, disappointment or consequences, i get up, dust myself off and try to remember for next time.

today is going to be a great day! i can feel it. not great because anything particularly fab is going to happen but because my heart is in the right place today. my spirits are high. i'm bloated and tired, but it's still going to be a great day. :-)

hope yours is too.