#6

I remember a long time ago when an old friend of mine said that she always noticed that God continually blessed her in every single situation when she thought she was going to be stuck in a hard place. Obviously God is continually pouring out blessings on us, but not always in ways that we can see or understand (or both). Take, for instance, me, senior year of high school, running late on a project or a paper. I do nothing to deserve getting a deadline extended, but it happens. Always when I need it (I'm not kidding... it was always when I procrastinated/slacked off/didn't study that deadlines got extended or tests got canceled or grades got rounded up on an amazing curve).

Anyway, I say this to say that God has worked in ways like that a LOT in my life, and although I don't recognize His goodness every time that He does something like that for me, I do see it a lot. And these past few days have included a few instances where I have been given a way out of hard and stressful situations, not by working my way out of them, but by the grace of God alone.

Example #1:
I am bad with money. I'm working on saving to pay back the debts I owe (never fun), but for the past month I either a) got my paycheck LOST in the mail or b) got it late. Two days ago, I was missing half a month's worth of pay. Just lovely. I was silently freaking out, because rent is due soon, and my account was headed towards zero. But get this! My late paycheck came, and my paycheck from last week's pay got sent EARLY! Coincidence? I think not. Now I have enough to pay rent and save more to pay back my debts. I KNOW this was a blessing from God.

Example #2:
For the past week or so, I've really been trying to break out of my shell more and talk to people. I have prayed, and I know that others have prayed that I am able to reach out more than stand in the corner by myself. I've really been feeling a difference just within a week! It's so exciting! I don't just wait for people to come up to me now...something has changed that makes it feel okay to approach others rather than stand awkwardly by myself. I know I didn't do this myself. This is God's work.

Also, one last thing. I've been finding it a lot easier to explain my faith better to people who need to hear. And it's exciting, it really is. I'm not embarrassed right now to tell others about why I am different and how I want to be different.

I am so hoping that this passion for Christ stays with me, and I don't lose my focus. I want others to see how I am not the same. I also need to be able to see God's grace and blessings more in times other than when He gives me what I want. Pray for others, yourself, and me that we all can see God's blessings ALL the time.