NOW

Ok...this post is going to take me less than ten minutes, because I have other things to do, but I want to document my thoughts, because I'm afraid I'll forget them!

This is my "last" semester at GBS. "Last" because I will student-teach in the Fall of 2011, so this is my "last" of classes. Honestly, I'm so sad!! I don't want it to be over yet! Honestly, I wish I could take back the first several semesters. I would have studied and learned more. I would have saved more money. I would have practiced harder. I would have built better mentoring relationships with my awesome professors. I would have worried less. I would have not cared so much of how people think. I would have bought a big study Bible and put my Drs. Brown notes in it from my very first Bible class.

Yeah, so looking back, I have some regrets. Some things I wish I could reclaim. But I can't, so I'm not going to cry over the past, but learn for the present and the future.

I occasionally check a blog, and they had heard of an idea of coming up with one word to describe 2011. I've been thinking about this, and my word is NOW. It kind of sums up what God has been teaching me. It is so easy to get into the mindset, especially through HS and college, that I am preparing for my future. "Real life" is still "out there." I really don't need to be serious now (making habits, making wise choices, being serious about doing what's right). I'll do that when I graduate or when I get married or when I get a "real" job. Well, God and others are showing me that life is NOW. Reality is NOW. And my future is inseparably tied to my choices NOW.

NOW is the time to mature in my relationship to God.
NOW is the time to really hide God's word in my heart that I might not sin.
NOW is the time to really love people. Unselfishly. Like God loves.
NOW is the time to practice, and practice hard.
NOW is the time to minister, really minister.
NOW is the time to pray and fast and intercede.
NOW is the time to read good books and surround myself with good influences.
NOW is the time to develop healthy eating and exercise habits.
NOW is the time to develop self-discipline. To stop doing unnecessary things.
NOW is the time to spend with those you love.
NOW is the time to learn what you would like to learn.
NOW is the time to think positive and stop complaining.
NOW is the time to always make your bed in the morning.
NOW is the time to do your best at whatever your hand finds to do.
NOW is the time to just breathe and enjoy God's beautiful nature.
NOW is the time to LIVE!

This is how I'm feeling. I'm tired of running in the same mediocre jog. I'm ready to run - to learn all I can, to live all I can, and to love all I can.

NOW