Take a load off.

“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”

William James quotes

I was discussing relationships with a friend of mine; she's been divorced and now praying for a Godly man that loves her unconditionally. She will not settle and I admire that. We have talked a lot about communication, honesty, and "fighting" in a healthy way. Those are things that every relationship needs however, it seems like most "worldly" relationships miss the mark. Why is it that we settle for a love that has no Godly foundation or for a man/woman that does not give us the attention we need. My friend was in love but, that love was "taken" from her; our hearts are things that should be given. She realizes now (after years of marriage, three kids, separations and a divorce, along with other life lessons) that her heart deserves so much more than she has had and she will never let it be taken again.

Such a strong lesson for a young lady like myself.

 

[This is how I put relationships into an analogy for herself and mine:]

 

Put two rocks on each end of a scale, they are balanced and even-weighted. However, if you start to change the weight on one side and not the other, the scale will be off balanced and one side will be higher than the other letting it hold all of the weight. With our relationships, we want that scale to be balanced; when change comes, take a little weight off the other person. When a person becomes "higher" than the other and stays there, it is not healthy. God created us as equals giving us the ability to love one another so why would we ever make another one of his creations feel unlovable.

 

Love God. Love others. Love yourself.

Never settle.

 

 

Colossians 3:19

And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly

 



re-decorate?

This past Sunday at church we talked about being the sermon and not just listening to it. Changing the church from lectures and listeners to teachers and learners; that would really take our relationship with God to the next level. Here is what I got from the sermon:

A project you want to do this year is to re-decorate the living room; walls, furniture, decor, etc. So you go to the store to pick out and buy everything you need for your new project. The things you buy are beautiful and exactly what you needed and you are SO excited to start this new project and change your living room. However, when you get home you set all of your new buys in the corner and leave them there. Days become weeks and you pass buy all of the beautiful colors of fabrics and paints but then go on your way again. If you just leave it all in the floor, will your living room ever be re-decorated and the challenge you gave yourself for change ever be completed?

Put this scenario into your life but the re-decorating isn't on your living room, it is on YOU and your not going to the store, you're going to church. The way the supplies got left in the corner and forgotten is exactly what we're doing with the sermons we hear; we listen and do not put them into action. If we want our life to change so badly, we cannot expect others to do the work for us; we must BE the sermon.

Stand in AWE

I spent the weekend with my best friends and I must say, my friends do so much good for my heart! At times, I will find myself yearning to be with them but, distance keeps us apart. When we get together though, it is as if we have never been separate and that to me is the best kind of friendship.

Friendship is about being real and open about everything and laughing about nothing.

I think that our relationship with Christ should pretty much be the same as with our best friends. We should yearn for him and want to talk to him for hours; being close even with distance. Why is it though that we would rather talk to a stranger than talk to our creator. Shouldn't we be in awe of him rather than the reality television shows? We idolize everything in this world and all our God wants I just some time with us.

The next time we find ourselves getting upset over a football game or in stuck in traffic, we should ask ourselves if we would be that upset if a person put down God. 

What is really important in this life?

Psalm 8: o lord how majestic is your name in all the earth

Thank you friends for reminding me how good God truly is.

Things that make me happy:

Jesus. :)!

Parents that love and support me; ALWAYS.

A momma and sister that are just as BEAUTIFUL inside as they are outside.

Grandparents that go above and beyond for everyone. They are wonderful.

The ability to love unconditionally.

A good listener and a loyal friend.

Family.

Friendships that last no matter how much distance is between you.

                                                                                                                                                

I  typed "happiness" into google images to see what would pop up and it was very interesting to see the results. There were some quotes, little kids, coffee cups, football, and so much more; not all of it gave me the happy feeling but, I know that somebody put the picture on there for a reason. I am so thankful that God is giving me the ability to find beauty and happiness in almost everything that I come in contact with, it is hard to find it sometimes however, I know it's there. I feel as if we waste so much time being unhappy and wishing for a better day when we have the ability to make everyday a great one.

Tomorrow may never come and I hope that our last today is the best day.

Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

:)!

Proverbs 11:13

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

I have found myself to be very slow to trust people because of past hurts and conflicts. However, I am giving that one up to the big man and he is giving me the confidence in myself so that I may confide in others.

If you put and empty bucket under the faucet and let the water drip in, it will take a very long time to fill. Each little drop is so important but without a heavy flow, it will be difficult to fill the bucket to the top. However, If you knock the bucket onto its side, the water will instantly flow out and you will have to start over with one little drop at a time to fill it again.

One of the most important things in a person's life is trust. That may be trusting yourself, friends, or family but, we all need some sort of trust. Without trust, we cannot confide and share out lives with others and that is not a good life at all. However, trust is one of the easiest things to lose and the hardest to gain.

Our lives are like the water and bucket, we are pouring ourselves into relationships that require a lot of trust. If we mess up, it is like we just knocked the bucket over and all trust is lost and to rebuild the trust it will take a while just like the droplets of water filling the bucket.

Keep them full.

Trust God. Trust others. Trust yourself.

I think it is time to get real, honest, trustworthy, and trusting.

Why live life afraid to share it with others. Life is meant to live.

:)!

Three of my favorite things. 1.Jesus. 2.Wigs. 3.Theatre. so basically, this is perfect.

Tomorrow I will:

In one year I will:

In five years I will:

In ten years I will:

I make plans for myself ALL the time. Do I accomplish them all; no. Do I change my mind often; yes.

However, it seems that when I start to plan out my life and do things my own way, God is going to laugh and say "no Courtney, give it to me and I will plan it for you."

If you're reading this then you probably know me and if you know me then you definitely know that I am spontaneous and my plan is to try to not have a plan.

that plan of mine fails every time. 

Recently I decided that I was going to quit my job and move because I hated where I lived, I wanted something new and I knew that I could make it on my own.

Well.....being on my own means out of my parents and into my grandparents; it's a start though.

Trying to be optimistic, I just knew that I would have a job as soon as the Beauty and the Beast run was over and I could go straight to work.Well, that didn't happen  and I was tired of waiting on God; I was a little worried that I made a horrible mistake moving and I  ruined everything by sitting around everyday for almost three weeks.

I had applied for my dream job at a theatre to do wigs and wardrobe however, I got a phone call and the job had already been filled and did not need anyone else. That was NOT what I wanted to hear because MY plan was not working and MY plan was not on track with God's plan.

I woke up a few morning's later with a feeling of peace and I knew that something good was going to happen, it was as if I really had given it up to God. That same day I got a phone call from the Sight and Sound Theatre (dream job) and the girl they hired had quit before she even started and I had an interview that very week. I got hired a few days later and they raved about how they were so happy about God opening up the door for me because I had the skills I needed.

God thing? YES! God's Plan? YES!

Had I not trusted in him completely, I may not have this wonderful job.

We start out our days praying together and the women I work with are such a joy to be around. I can't imagine why God is favoring me at 19 years old to be so blessed.

I can get off track easily (as you can tell by my blog absence of a month or so) but, being surrounded by so many people with common interests, beliefs, and values is not something you come across often and I am taking this day by day and enjoying every second of it.

Thank you God.
Psalms 4:7.
:)!

take a step back.

While I was in Honduras this past week, I was sweaty, smelly, wore shorts and t-shirts everyday, no makeup, and my hair was not done.  This was a very big change for me because I like to look nice on most occasions and feel good about myself. However, while being in Honduras, it was not necessary to get all dolled up.

Everyday the boys told us how beautiful we are and gave us hugs even though we were so gross and if in USA, we would not be accepted because we weren't "in style". The Boys never once thought twice about us looking raggedy and sweaty, they loved us unconditionally.

On the night of our fiesta, we went back to our hotel to change and to get fresh that way we would look nice for the fiesta, it was a very big deal to do this for the boys because we were with them everyday looking pretty gross. When we arrived back at Casa Del Nino, the boys ran up to us in fresh nice clothes, their hair all gelled up, and the best smiles you can imagine being so proud that they looked nice for us. These nice outfits were some of their most special possessions and they were so thankful for them and did not think anything of the fact they only had ONE nice outfit.

As I was giving hugs and kisses to them all, Israel gave me a huge hug and then took a step back and just stared at me. He had the strangest look on his face and then just smiled and said "Tu muy Bonita." It brought tears to my eyes when my little buddy said this because he had nothing compared to me yet he did find beauty in everything.

Of course, I related this to my walk with God. He is always with me no matter what I am going through. He is with me in the trees, flowers, rivers, even people; yet, sometimes I don't think anything of it. I feel like there comes a time when you need to really embrace God, take a step back, study him, and tell him how beautiful he is. We need to find the beauty in all things and be thankful for what we have and what we don't have.

Psalms 127:3-5