“Know yourself, Know your worth.”

As good ole Drake says,
“Know yourself, know your worth”

Do we actually know and live by those words?

I’ve wanted to do a blog on this subject for a while because it’s something, I, myself, have had and are suffering with it now.

Sometimes I forget about me, and while most would say that is a great trait to have, some would disagree. I’m on the fence. I’m usually a upbeat kind of person, so I feel it can be mostly a blessing than a curse.

The blessing is, being able to always make people happy. The curse is letting what others say bog you down; and it does.

Keeping yourself up-to-date with yourself, is a necessary factor in happiness. How can I be happy if I don’t know what makes me happy? Life is too short to be sad and depressed; let’s get happy!

It’s taken a while and several different events to prove to myself, I need to be my own cheer section. It’s something that has to start within. Some days are easier than others, but as you find yourself and stuff that make you happy, the better days will out number the bad.

The last step to finding the one true happiness is not just within yourself, but within God. God alone can make you feel better. Not saying my Christian life has been wonderful and glorious because I’ve had some of my own battles, but God has helped me through them all.

If you’re not sure of your calling, please make preparations today!

Thanks for reading.

xoxo

How firm is thy foundation?

When you build a house, what is the house built on? A foundation. Depending on the foundation, is how steady or unsteady the house will be. When we were all babies, we looked to our parents too give us what we needed. Love, care, attention THEY were and still are our foundation.

I realize what I’m about to say will step on toes. But I’ve been thinking a lot on this subject lately. God’s laid it on my heart for the past few days, even weeks. I’ve just been quiet about it.

I don’t understand people. I don’t understand their concepts of what they do. Your children look up to you. They look to YOU for advice, for a stable life, for something they can hold on too. That’s what they need. And especially teenagers.

We look around at teens and even younger and wonder what their problem is. If your parents don’t love you, and they leave you or worse, no wonder you don’t know what to do. We want to blame music, because it puts ideas in their minds, we want to blame social media, because phones have taken over their minds. We lash out at that because that’s easy.

What’s not easy is admitting that we are part of the problem and instead of trying to fix it we ignore it and hope it’ll go away.

As a teen, I remember I was very impressionable. Instead of focusing on God and improving myself, I was focusing on what others said and thought about me. This often gives bullies the power to manipulate minds and have others thinking they aren’t good enough, resulting in cutting, other attempts at hurting themselves or worse suicide.

The day we open our eyes to see that the kids who are (what we like to say, troubled) and they refer to themselves as, misunderstood, are the ones who just want love. They just want someone to say, “I’m proud of you,” “I love you,” “You’re doing a great job,” etc.

Instead of judging and hurting, start listening and helping.

Half sweet, half unsweet tea.

I’ve noticed a problem within myself; anytime something goes wrong in my life, I always second guess who Emily is.
I’ve been working on finding who I am. What I wanna do, etc etc. But the huge problem I have is not an outward thing, it’s not a respect myself thing, it’s… confidence in whatever I’m doing now is right. It’s the part most people lack because we see ourselves as not good enough.

Being upset with yourself when things go bad and second guessing what you’re doing wrong is like wanting the PERFECT half sweet half unsweet tea.

Sometimes you get to much sweet. When life is good, it’s really good. This is the time most people don’t pray or seek God out. You think, why would I?! Life is going smooth, I have no worries, no problems.

But then, sometimes you get too much unsweet, making the tea real bitter. God gives us the tribulations to make us realize how sweet life is. He gives us hard times to make us feel emotions. Wanting to feel good and happy all the time is like wanting to walk through the rain without getting wet; it doesn’t happen.

Allowing yourself too feel all emotions will help you cope better in life. Never stop believing in yourself and your ability to do what you know you should. Always trust that for whatever reason you’re going through something that might change you, help you, or mold you but never break you.

A good verse to remember is, Matthew 5:45
“.. for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust..”

So remember even on your unsweet days, God has a whole sweetner he’s adding too your cup. Stop second guessing yourself and also him. Learn from the event and move onto bigger things in your life. 🍵

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We rise by uplifting.

It hurts to be put down. It hurts to be bullied. We don’t take into consideration that people are all different; we just see the outward appearance. I’ve come to a realization that the things we see, aren’t always the case. Most people we come into contact with are really good at hiding how they feel and how they are.
I live a very simple life with a phrase that is cliche but very effective; treat others the way I want to be treated.

If we looked at each person as a piece of ourselves, our attitudes would be different. We  have souls, feelings. Two eyes that cry when we’re sad. Hearts that break when those we love hurt us.

The thing most lack is empathy. While it sounds a lot like sympathy, empathy is a bit different. Empathetic people can place themselves in the other persons point of view. They can feel what that other person feels. That’s the thing; we’re so blind to our own problems, we forget those out there with real issues.

One thing that is hard for me to learn, even now, my life is too blessed to be stressed over one person or one thing. There are millions of others who have to sleep outside tonight. They have to dig in the garbage to find food to feed themselves. And I’m letting my minor problem stand in the way of having the blessed life God wants me to have?

If you know someone struggling, help them. It’s kind of crazy how a kind word can go a long way; but it can. Living a blessed life means helping those as God has helped us. Let’s uplift those around us, even the one we may never see again.

Just Thankful.

In this blog, I just want to praise God.
I have had a hard time with things lately. And it’s really starting to affect my walk with God. I was so thankful to have certain things happen, and when they didn’t go exactly how I thought they should, I wouldn’t say I got hard hearted, I just got distant. I still pray and still seek God, but I’m not where I want to be. Make that, i’m not where I should be.

A few things I’m thankful for….

I’m thankful for May 7, 2000. As a six year old, God revealed to me of where I was going if I didn’t accept him. I think it’s sweet when little children come to Christ. As he says, to have faith like a child. Little did we know, some of us would take that literally… haha. 🙂

I’m thankful for my family/friends. I’m thankful for the friendships I have with my parents. ( Also aunt and cousins ). The Godly influences of my grandparents, on both sides. I only knew my papaw (moms dad) for 16 years and while that seems like a long time, it was a blink of an eye. My only regret is not taking enough time out of my day to go spend it with him. Or my nana (dads mom). God sure blessed me with them.

I’m thankful for my job. It’s taken me a long time to get where I am. I know God had a purpose for me being there. We are honestly one big family. I love them so much. I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything. They are all a blessing and even though we get on each others nerves, we know at the end of the day, we can count on each other; that’s what matters. It’s great going to a job you love.

I’m thankful for my church family. Nothing in this world feels any better than having a place you can call, “home” outside of home that is Gods house. At first I admit, I was a little leary of it. These people seemed to good to be true. But believe it or not, there are good people in this world that do have true intentions. God sure blessed me with my church family!

I’m thankful for my car. It’s a little silly, I’ll admit but it’s a answered prayer and a huge blessing in my life. It’s one of the many things that reminds me of how God blesses me daily.

I’m thankful for all the trails, temptations, down falls, times I’ve been distressed. Times I’ve given up. When I feel like quitting. When I can’t seem to hold on any longer, God reminds me that little shred of hope I have is as long as he makes it. When I feel like giving up, he expands it a little more. It reminds me, that I can’t make it on my own. I have to rely on him.

And lastly, I’m thankful God gives second chances. If not for those, I do not know where I would be right now. I believe in giving people another shot, because God gave one to me. It’s not always easy and sometimes we feel it’s not worth it. But God can turn a nothing into a something. He can intervene in peoples lives and make a change. Prayer is our way of asking him to spare them the second chance and the change.

The list could go on of what I’m thankful for. If we sit down and think about the things we’re thankful for, the other parts of our lives will fall into place. The good will out weigh the bad.

“Why did I fall in love?”

Lets start out as, what is love?

Its an overly used word that, too me, has lost its meaning. When did love become hook ups and casual sex? Or better yet, why do WE allow that to be the definition? Isn’t it suppose to be a sacred emotion that is described when two souls match?

Why do we confuse “love” for “lust?” People will say just about anything to get what they want. Rather than thinking to the future and how we want to be, we have let ourselves be in the now and what will satisfy us. It’s kind of sad we have lost that self respect.

Love is so much deeper then people realize. It’s not a feeling that can be caught over night, like a cold. It’s a growing respect for the other person. It’s a learning process that not only allows you to get to know that person, but also yourself. It’s something that reminds us daily how God has blessed us.

To have another soul you can bear yours too, sure there will be ups and downs but who can lift you up when others knock you down? If you can’t say your significant other, maybe you aren’t in love? Sometimes, love and infatuation can be tricky. They can feel alike, but there is a huge difference.

In the first stages of a relationship, you go through the honey moon phase. That person can do no wrong, right? To you, their perfect. But what happens when something sets them off? When you see their true colors? If you can go through hard times with them, it’s love. If not, I think you can safely say, you were just excited over having someone. That person wasn’t for you.

Before marriage, I strongly believe everyone should have marriage counseling. Even if you guys are perfectly fine and feel you shouldn’t. It gives a chance to sit down and ask yourself, “Why did I fall in love?” “Is this relationship something that benefits the both of us?”

In my opinion, true love always sees the good. Not saying, you continually see that person as “perfect,” but you love them in all their flaws; and vice versa. You benefit from one another. You help the other to grow. You do whatever is necessary too get that person to reach their full potential. Life is hard, coming home to a cheer section, helps.

In my closing, I’d to ask you one thing. When is the last time you took the time to appreciate that person? When is the last time you showed them rather than telling you love them? Talk is 20% but Showing is 80% of love.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence..”

As bad as this sounds, I had no idea of this being in the Bible. I guess he knew we’d get hurt in love. He knew we’d loose our minds, thoughts and our heart. Then again, if we’re in love with the right person, (i.e. the person God has for us), would we really loose ourselves?
It’s crazy for someone whose never experienced anything like love to think about loosing your heart to someone. Well, that was me. I talked to a few people, but it never went anywhere and really unless I see a future with someone, it never goes anywhere past 2 days of talking. After that, I get bored and don’t see a reason to talk with them anymore.

I met someone who I thought could actually be the one I could stick with. He was way more mature than any of the guys I talked too  (even the ones that were older than me), and that is something rare, thus sparked an interest to keep talking. The more I got to know him, (or so i thought) the more I wanted too know.

I always heard that several different things came up IF it were love and they all seem to fit the bill. BUT look up, (on google) signs of meeting the right one; Now, look up signs of meeting the one GOD has for you. Totally different points. Most of the ones on the right one, meet physical criteria. Like how they look in your eyes, if their pupils dilate while looking at you. How they position themselves when talking to you. But when looking for the one God has for you, it meets the soulful side. And then on both they say, “you just know..”

I do agree, when God shows you the one, it will probably be out of the blue. It’s probably going to be someone you already know. It’s going to happen when you least expect it. And it’s going to feel so right without that hint of excitement you feel when you knows it’s somewhat wrong. God has a way of doing some pretty crazy stuff, am I right?

Anyway, I guess my excitement for finding a “mature” boy outweighed my knowledge of all the things I mentioned up there. Please girls, (and guys) guard your heart. We always give the people who do not deserve them, the right to step on them. When we find our identity in God, we will begin to realize the fakes from the truths. Sometimes it takes a few Mexican hat dancers, but then again sometimes all it takes is one whom you can bear your soul too. Which do you choose?

My Revelation

As a young Christian, I get tempted a lot. More so than I’d like to say. Not really about anything in particular, but one thing I am so totally afraid of, is somehow (without knowing) selling my soul.

One day, I was reading online (probably something to do with psychology) and an ad popped up. Of course I pressed on it and began to read what it was about. The article told the celebrities that have sold their souls in exchange for fame. I began to wonder, “how would one go even about doing that?” It sounds funny, but I suppose the devil took my question as a “sparked interest.”

Every since then, the biggest thing he drills me on is selling my soul. I have no interest what-so-ever. Even the thought scares me too death.

A few nights ago I stayed the night with my mamaw. I always sleep on the couch because I can watch TV.  When I first dozed off to sleep, I began to say a bible verse. I really can’t remember what exactly the verse was but by this point I had kind of woken up because I was trying to figure out why I’d be saying that particular verse. I believe it was along the lines of Joshua 1:9
Then I dozed back off.

The second dream, I was laying in my mamaws back room. I began to feel hopeless, powerless, vulnerable, doom, sadness. I was screaming, crying. I started to pray and say “Lord help me” over and over again. I woke up and I couldn’t breathe. I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I felt the same emotions I felt in my dream. I could feel an evil around me. I didn’t know what to do, so I started to pray.

Today is Wednesday, I sat at home after I cleaned the house and started to think about my day. On my days off I like to be lazy and just lay at home. I started to contemplate going to our Wednesday night prayer meetings. I thought, “The Lord won’t hold this against me if I don’t go one night.” Then I started to analyze. The Lord has done huge things in my life already to start out my new year off. Plus he blesses me everyday that I don’t deserve. Why can’t I go to church and learn more about him and get closer to him?

Of course the sinful thoughts then broke out and I ALMOST decided not to go. A few minutes later I was looking at pinterest. I like looking at different ideas for organizing houses and stuff. I came across a picture and clicked it to see what the words said. On a wall for decoration was the bible verse found in Joshua. The first part of the verse reads, “Choose whom ye will serve..”

I knew God had used that to get to me. See, how many times does God bless and see us through things and we totally blow him off? Today, I decided nothing will stop me. Nothing will come between my soul and the savior. I will choose to serve him always. God is good.

My filthy rags

I was asked a question the other day and I have wracked my brain trying to figure out how to answer it. Then it hit me in church tonight. The question was, “why do we not recognize Mary on mothers day?” I hope I answer this as well as it was presented.

After a moments thought, I smiled and replied, “why do we not recognize God on father’s day?” Why do we not recognize God everyday? Tonight’s message in church was from Isiah chapter 64:1-12. As my preacher read, verses 5-6 stood out to me.

5 “Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.”
6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

I see where the question comes from. We as humans can’t imagine what it’d be like for one of our own to see what she seen while Jesus was being crucified. I’m sure it was like her heart was being ripped out of her body. But God gave her the grace she needed to get through it. Just as he gives us the grace we need to go through trails. I believe the reason we do not immortalize Mary is because she is just another sinner saved by grace. And just like verse 6 says, our righteousness are as filthy rags. The only good thing about Mary was Christ in her. The only good thing about myself is Christ in me.

I’m leaving you with this thought. If we can afford to put ourselves (Mary) on a pedestal, why can’t we praise God who truly deserves it?