enjoying the moment IN the moment

A few days ago Byron and I were discussing what we heard a speaker say at Campus Outreach's Christmas Conference.  She said it was a goal of hers to live each season of life to make it her favorite.  In essence, not to wish days away by anticipating coming stages (or reliving and longing for past days to magically reoccur), but to really love the phase of life your in right now.  God has put you [and me] where he wants and needs us.  There is a purpose for why I'm presently living back in Lilburn with my parents . . . but let's be honest, this is not where I wanted to be.  I constantly think, I can't wait to be married and beginning my life with Byron and It's too bad I'm not still in college surrounded by friends, but the truth is, God has definitely revealed Himself and blessed me while I've been back at home.

1. During college, I always shared stories about my high school friends.  God blessed me with some incredible friends while I was at Parkview and since we went to different colleges, I really missed them.  I cannot express how much I have enjoyed being able to meet for dinner and walk in the park with my sweet friends.
2. I am so thankful to have my Mom; her encouragement and assistance with everything is a huge blessing.  I would not be able to plan a wedding, work, and keep my sanity.
3. I've said it before and I'll say it again - The premarital counseling class we took at Perimeter Church was incredibly helpful and insightful.  Byron and I learned more about each other and ourselves than I thought possible within a class.
4. After months of searching, Byron and I finally found a church that we'd love to become active in and join [if God has it in His plan to make the Lilburn/Lawrenceville/Snellville area our home].
5. I could not ask for a better place to teach.  Although my position is still up in the air for the next school year, I consider my time at Knight a privilege.
6. Although I am still living under my parents' roof and don't pay all of my own bills, God has revealed to me that the money I am earning truly belongs to Him.  I've never had a job that paid consistently before, so I've enjoyed learning to tithe each month.  It's interesting: God's shown me that I really don't miss the 10 percent I give back to Him.
7. It's a struggle for me to let go of the reigns and let God take over . . . especially regarding where Byron and I are going to live!  Giving God the control of our situation has been a huge test of my faith.  I've been riding a roller coaster where sometimes I'm certain He's taking care of us, and other times I'm sure we've been forgotten.  I do know that the Lord wants me to give Him my life so that He can place me where He needs me, and my devotionals have been telling me the exact same thing.

"For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and 

says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

8. How easy is it to have a thankful heart when your life is surrounded by stress?  For a while, all of my prayers were along the lines of 'Lord, please do A,B, and C. I pray for D and E.  And F and G. Oh, and You're great. Amen.' Ask, Ask, Ask. That's all I was doing.  What about thanking Him for the blessings He's graciously placed in my undeserving lap?  And praising Him for his grace and faithfulness?  The Spirit's convicted me to start living with a heart of thankfulness and praise.

"The Lord is my strength and my song...He is my God, and I will praise him..." Exodus 15:2

The Lord's always working on my heart in new ways and speaking to me about different things, so this is just as of late.  I am thankful that He reveals himself in such undeniable ways and continuously reminds me of his love [especially through Spring flowers and new and renewed friendships].  What a great God we serve!