Uniquely Me

Today is one of those days where you look at your life and say to yourself "I am so glad that I'm different. So glad that I don't fit in. That I don't try to fit in. Cause that's not me. And I'm unique and it is wonderful." Yes it's hard and yes it's not always fun. But it's so much less stressful and it's so much more rewarding. Knowing that you are who you are....and the more I act like myself, the more I realize people are cool with who I am.

I was just thinking....

I'm Starting With the Man in the Mirror

Here's to the Past, the Present, and the Future:

"I am evolving each and every day."

-P.S.

Jill McCorkle

It's getting close to the end of my senior year so of course I've been thinking a lot about how far I've come and where I'm at and what the rest of life has waiting for me.

The Past:

My past includes some tough stuff, I know that sounds weird considering I'm only 18. But I'm so thankful that I've learned all that I have as young as I am and I'm so grateful for having those around me that I can thank for being there and loving on me (Most of them still there) Like my big sister. For awhile she practically raised me. I cannot imagine having grown up without her. She spoils me and beats up on me and can always always make me smile. :)

The Present:

This is my senior year, and oh my goodness how it has flown. The past year has been a whirlwind of growth and change. I'm beginning to live my dreams: being able to study literature in depth, traveling to India, making friends that I never imagined (most of them either years older than me or only half my age.) It's hard for me to grasp that this is reality. I am so blessed. In one year I have done and seen things that hundreds of people only dream of. I've learned that it's good to be myself, even if I have nothing in common with those around me. Because even if I feel alone, I'm with Jesus. And when I'm being who I am, I stand out.

"But what kind of life is that, if you have to spend all of your time filling up on all the awful stuff that is not your life?"

-P.S.

Jill McCorkle

The Future:

The truth is that I'm graduating. And sooner than later, I will have to be more independent than I am now. I will have to be brave enough to pump my own gas, cash my own checks, and call complete strangers regardless of how embarrassed I feel. But I'm excited, I'm ready to start a career. I'm thrilled to jump into my favorite part of life: learning. And finding people with a lot of the same interests. For me the future looks bright. I will always have my past, and I am somewhat thankful for that. Because it's when you forget that you get angry or complacent. It's good to remember how far you've come, to build a memorial on the other side of your river (as the Israelites did after they crossed the Jordan River). I hope that I will always be able to look back on my friendships, on my family, on circumstances, and say with pride in my heart, "That is how God made me who I am today."

Life is a roller coaster, so have a wild time.

Pretend you're a dragon if you want to. Splash some water on your friends as you walk by a fountain. Eat junk food every now and then. Laugh till you cry. And hold your friends and family tight.

Magnitude: The One Man Party

So I have a new roommate. I swear she's my sister who was left at the hospital...or something like that. She's a friend from school and my mom, being the amazing nurturing woman that she is, took my friend (We'll call her Lashanda) in at the beginning of the week. I'm not sure how long she's staying, however long she needs to, but I love her so much.

The past couple weeks God has just been showering me with new blessing after new blessing. It's amazing. And I'm not sure what to do about it all. I know He's about to do something huge in my life...He's been telling me this since last year. I've got butterflies just thinking about it. I'm so excited. But I'm kind of scared too because I'm sure that I'm not preparing for it quite like I should. I want to make Him so proud you know.

Awhile ago I was so discouraged and just felt like although I was living my life for Jesus the only way I knew how, that I was not impacting those around me as I imagined or wished that I would. However, God's been using people to tell me just how much Jesus shines through me. And it's all Him. I never thought of myself as one of those people you saw Jesus through, but I was. I guess I was just so focused on Him that I couldn't see me. And that's how it should be. I'm reading through Colossians 3 this week and just meditating on it. It's such a simple yet powerful message. One that many Bible-belt Christians take for granted I think.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

For the past few months I was "hidden with Christ in God." And that's what people saw. It's a thrilling thought. One that I wish I could cling to forever and never forget. But I do forget, all too often. But that's what grace is for. This was a really random post, and for that I apologize. But I am truly so blessed and overwhelmed with God's love that I don't know what to say or where to start. Praise the Lord!!!