Ephesians 4: 17-32

Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practise every kind of impurity. That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Getting a Handle on 2012

I cannot begin to believe that it is already 2012. Where did 2011 go? With all that put aside, however, I think 2012 is going to be something great...something completely unanticipated. A year of adventures  I never would have imagined myself embarking on. A year ago, I was unsure of the path I was meant to take; I felt drawn to do something great, something that would change other people's lives. Never in a million years did I know that journey would be teaching in an inner-city school in Jacksonville, FL with Teach for America. A year ago, I was like a lost sheep, wandering with my faith somewhere within my reach but feeling so lost from the thing that had often made me feel so connected to life itself. By 2012, I have reconnected to my faith in ways I had never imagined possible, every day being a new learning experience of God's love and grace for me. Rejuvenating my faith has of course made me lose some close and dear to me, and has even made me a few enemies, people that at one point I thought were the closest ones to me. But possibly losing those people was what my life needed- knowing I deserved better, knowing they aren't my judge, knowing that regardless of feeling lost God loved me and was the only real one that mattered. My transition into 2012 has brought me new friends- real friends. People who would not turn their back on me in times of need. Friends that have seen hardship and have overcome it, friends that I admire and respect more than they could even know. Friends who make me laugh, and talk me through insanity and moments of craziness. 2012 has brought me a new outlook on life; the realization that looks aren't everything, and everything isn't how it always appears. Those around us are not mere perfection, but are rather on the same walk I am and at times possibly more lost than me. 2012 has brought me compassion for so many others, a heavy heart at times and a full and cherishing heart at other times. 2012 has brought me a new journey with an amazing partner that I never felt worthy of journeying life with. 2012 has reconnected my relationship with my best friend in ways stronger than ever before. This new year feels like a blessing, not only for another year of being healthy and alive but because I almost thought I may never make it through the moments of loss, unhappiness and discouragement that encompassed 2011. As 2012 continues and the clock ticks away, I am slowly getting a handle on 2012. 2012 is going to be a great year.

Boatloads of Blessings.

I am blessed.

I am blessed with a roof over my head. I am blessed with hot running water, as well as regular tap water that is safe to drink. I am blessed with furniture. I am blessed to own a bed. I am blessed with the ability to walk everyday. I am blessed with the mere fact that I woke up today to face another day. I am blessed with musical talents. I am blessed with the ability of intellect. I am blessed with a beautiful 70 lb. crazy dog that adores me, he actually loves me- that is it's own blessing. I am blessed with a beautiful church community. I am blessed with a family that has seen hard times and overcome them together. I am blessed with the gift of vision. I am blessed because I have at least 50 cents in my bank account. I am blessed because I wake up to at least one pair of shoes to walk in every day. I am blessed with warm blankets. I am blessed with food in my refridgerator and pantry, even when nothing looks appetizing. I am blessed with a car, even if it is old and ugly. I am blessed with good health. I am blessed with freedom and the ability to make choices every day. I am blessed with an education. I am blessed with friends and family that help me see new paths every day. I am blessed with the ability to tell time. I am blessed with a job where I help children, no matter how small my role is...it is a blessing. I am blessed to have known both of my parents and grandparents. I am blessed with  the ability to hear music. I am blessed with the ability to love. I am blessed with the ability to have faith in God. I am blessed with the best blessing of all- life's journey. 

I am blessed.