A Season of Lessons

Days, weeks, months are passing in the blink of an eye. Summer has turned to fall and soon enough fall will fade into winter. The cold weather bites at my nose, but delights my heart in the beauty of His creation. Every week has been a new lesson, and as eager as I am to write them all down, my life has become too busy for my own good. But today? today I finally have the time to tell my stories. So here's some key lessons I have learned in the past few weeks.

Lesson #1: I am bigger than my mistakes
As I watched the haul line fall from the top of the pulley, my heart and attitude fell with it. I had heard the campers talk about the flying squirrel for hours before, and here I was having just deprived them of the thrill they were so excited for. I weighed the situation all day up at the A.P. which wasn't exactly the best thing for me to do. Keegan swore up and down that is was okay and that everyone had forgiven me, but i was not convinced. I could not for one second convince myself that it was, in fact, okay. Through my weakness, Jesus said, "you are not your mistakes." and with that he not only taught me forgiveness of others, but how to forgive myself.

Lesson #2: If you ask you shall receive
Before heading to ccym retreat I had asked God to challenge me. I asked because I wanted to know what I was made of. Funny.. I was challenged in a way completely foreign to all I know. It wasn't in the fear, but more in the things I do not make a habit of. The low ropes course challenged my problem solving and team work skills. Seeing the staff of the camp all together challenged my emotions. Sharing in worship, communion, and prayer with people I had only just recently gotten to know challenged my heart. He challenged me in ways I didnt know were possible, and I am very thankful for that lesson.

Lesson #3: God provides more than enough
I cannot tell a lie, I was more than terrified to stand up in front of the congregation last Sunday to sing. Why? because I had honestly not looked at my solo in several weeks. I had heard that my fill in did a fabulous job in the early service. and why should she not, she is the one who taught me music. I asked God to just take the reigns on this one, to let his love shine through me. While I was singing, the Holy Spirit flooded my heart and sang brighter than I ever could on my own. It was no longer a song, but a testimony. And it wasn't me who was singing, but sure enough it was Jesus singing through me. I humbly fell before my God as soon as I left the room. Im beyond grateful that he would choose me to be the hands for his wonderful works.

Lesson #4: Live Intentionally is not just a slogan on my t-shirt
This weekend I was faced with the true reality of teenage apathy. I witnessed it cripple some, and empower others. I saw it in some areas of my life as well. but then scripture said:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training/ The do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

I refuse to run aimlessly and beat the air. I run to win the eternal crown. and I will never stop running until He calls me home. It will by no mean be an easy race, but I know that it is completely and totally worth it. After this weekend, I thank God for the fire and passion he has given me to make a difference in this world.

So here's to lessons. 

Here's to times of rest. 

and Here's to this lovely season 

of growing and learning in love.

-EM

Life according to my Iphone: