Connections

What are they? Dictionaries claim they are “a link, or a bond”; “association; relationship”; “a circle of friends”…

We think of connections in more technological terms, in this era.

We constantly have an internet connection, a cellphone connection etc. we connect to wifi, we connect to cable, we connect or disconnect our phone lines. We’re connected to Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Words with Friends… *insert your favourite here* (I know you have one – or five – you social networking junkie!!)

But for what purpose? What do all of these “connections” have in common.

My Dad always told us growing up (and still does), “no matter what happens in life, always remember – it’s ALL about Relationship”.

But isn’t that what we do everyday? We connect to the internet to build up relationships?

But what did we do without all this confounded technology. I don’t know about you, but my parents and grandparents had no need to be “connected” to social networks or even to a smartphone that can connect you to ALL your favourite social networks at the same time!

What if life were simpler than that… perhaps a connection is simply an unseen bond between people.

And yet, not so simple at all.

Have you ever had a friend that from the very first moment you met them, there was that connection?

Perhaps you were children, bonding over favourite Mandie mystery novels, and then your friendship grew into an amazing bond that couldn’t be shaken, even though teen drama and just the existence of time and space tried to drive a wedge between you. In the end it didn’t matter. Your connection was too strong.

Or perhaps you were older when a connection like this came along. Old enough to choose who you were investing your time in.

Who you choose to do life with and let have an influence on you makes all the difference.

You are who you hangout with. Look around, who have you made a connection with?

A personal story…

I remember when I was just starting to stretch my wings in this big old world.

Through some crazy circumstances God took me (literally) to a little church in the middle-of-nowhere-land.

I’ll never forget that first Sunday. Unsure of where I was and what God was doing in my life at the time… I was searching for something I couldn’t describe then.

Today, for lack of a better description, I can say I was searching for a “connection”.

To what and who, I wasn’t sure.

But that first Sunday I made one connection in particular…

She doesn’t remember it, but I will never forget.

She was the only person – the first in a long time – that I had a real conversation with.

I was the shyest girl in the world, but that instant connection was all it took to make me feel at home in a crazy world I didn’t understand.

Two and a half years later, and we haven’t stopped talking since.

Some things can’t ever change with friendships like these… if the connection is strong, one look can see through your walls and defences.

It’s impossible for me to lie when she asks “how are you?”
The link to our connection is this - Jesus. 
Without Him, we wouldn't be who we are, and we couldn't live life as we are. 

I could go on and on… but the point is this.

There’s this thing in life called a connection.

It’s often inexplicable, but God created it.

Man has tried desperately to cheapen our connections with false advertising designed to “protect” us from getting hurt. Or even to falsify our connections by brainwashing us with social networking.

But God has a better plan.

God made the greatest connection when He bridged the gap between Himself and His image-bearers (that’s you and me).

Jesus is the greatest connection you will ever make.

With Him at the centre you can’t possibly lose out!

The only way you can ever become disconnected to His network is if YOU choose to let go!

When you’re connected to Jesus everything else just… connects.

Friendships, family… and then these often intertwine.

The family of God is an amazing place to be.

This is what the Church was designed to be.

A place of love and acceptance – a family.

A place where connections could be made and we can encourage eachother in the difficult times, and celebrate with one another in the exciting times.

Sometimes the world tries to taint us with the expectation that people connections can fill the void first, and Jesus comes second or third… or maybe its been even more than that for you.

If you have believed this, I’m sorry. That’s a lie.

The world is wrong.

It’s your connection with Jesus that needs to fill every aspect of your life.

Think of it, friendship without Jesus in the centre often ends in wounds and bitterness. And in the end only God can heal that.

Connections to your authorities – those who have input in your life – can only work if you first recognize that God chooses your authority, and you need to trust Him and obey.

Romantic relationships I can’t even begin to elaborate on or I’d be here all night!

But let me just say that it breaks my heart to see people set out on the adventure of romance without the connection of Jesus at the centre… it fizzles out faster than a candle in the rain.

Just look at the latest celebrity news and you’ll know just how well marriages without Jesus in them can last.

I’m sure it breaks our Creator’s heart… it wasn’t His plan at all.

But…

When we are truly connected to Jesus, it is incredible how He works things out in life!

Suddenly our friendships are deeper and richer.

We find that with His help we can trust our authority and respect their input in our lives.

And especially, with Jesus at the helm of our romantic endeavors – we are much less likely to stray into the uncharted waters of mistrust, temptation, guilt, shame, and regret.

I don’t know much about romance myself… but recently I discovered that even the simple fact of praying for a friend can reinforce your connection to Jesus.

When we connect to Jesus and begin to understand His heart on matters, I often find that as I’m asking something specific for someone, it is often exactly what they needed at that precise time of day.

Let me just leave you with this last thought…

What if God had a bigger connection for all of us?

What if we’re missing out on a more significant connection just for the simple fact that we “forget” to get connected to Jesus everyday?

How should we get connected?

First – read your Bible. Pray. Cultivate your relationship with Him first. Your vertical relationship has to be connected before you can ever expect to have your horizontal relationships work out.

I can’t begin to describe how important this is!

And second – …

There is really nothing else!

Jesus first – everything else will fall into place.

I promise… the more you seek Him the more you’ll find Him – the more you find Him, the more you’ll love Him.

He is life.

With Jesus at the centre, it’s impossible for you to lose in life – or even in death.

Connection.

Think about it… what are you connected to? 

Where in the world is Carmen SanDiego?

If you're still confused and haven't read "Transition Seasons" and are still watching for my heart-on-paper to be written on this blog... let me assure you, I'm still alive and writing! :-) 
I have moved to a different location! to make it easier for people to "follow" in this world of social networking. 
Please check out: http://dailyepicphany.tumblr.com/


(This is more for the benefit of Kayla MacLachlan than anyone... love you!! ;-) )

Transition Seasons...

Dear Friends... 

Tonight I'm thinking of Transitions... a Transition, for lack of any other title, is a season between one stage of life and another.

A transition can be a really great thing, or it can be a really bad thing… it’s up to you what happens. How will you respond to life’s circumstances? How will you react to people and places moving in and out of your lives?

It’s all about this funny word called: Transition.

A while ago I shared about something called Graduation Syndrome… I’m still in this season. Whether I like it or not.

Along with Graduation comes “Transition”… trying to figure out where God wants me to go with this – insert your specific portion of life here – and doing whatever task He asks of me wholeheartedly, without reserve, and without looking back with regret.

He guides me on the pathways of life – the Psalmist wrote… and one day I’ll look back on this Transition season with excitement because I will see His faithful fingerprints engraved on my heart. A fingerprint of His Love, etched with the date: Autumn 2011.

Along with all of this transition, I have decided to take a step and make these “Epicphany” posts a little more user friendly and move to a “tumblr” account.

You can now read my heart at:  http://dailyepicphany.tumblr.com/

With this new site, you can actually sign up and “follow” my posts and read them almost instantly!

You also have the option, since you don’t have to actually sign up with tumblr to read this… so it’s the best of both. J  

Cheerleading Friendship

By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David's number-one advocate and friend. (1 Samuel 18:1)

He loved David more than his own soul! (1 Samuel 20:17)

True Friendship… here a picture is painted.

Two unlikely friends – Jonathan, the young Prince of Israel – David, a poor shepherd boy, but God’s anointed as the next King of Israel.

Do you think Jonathan didn’t know that in the usual lineage of Kings’ successors he should have inherited the throne? Don’t believe he could have been that naïve… is father, King Saul, pretty much shoved it down his throat everyday that David lived and breathed. Saul tried his best to kill David – envy and anger ate at his soul from the moment God’s hand of favour left Saul’s life. 

But Jonathan’s deep love for David transcended the mind of his worldly father.

Jonathan knew God’s anointed, and would not rest until David was put in his place as King. Even risking (and eventually losing) his life, Jonathan knew the honour and favour of God that would come from protecting the future King.

What would happen if we understood friendship like that?

What kind of honour, favour, and blessings would be bestowed upon us, if we – instead of seeking our own success in life – instead built our lives around encouraging and pushing others forward.

What selflessness would abound!

What a better world we would have!

Years later, after Jonathan & David are long dead, a man named Jesus Christ – the son of David – came to show the world true love like that only even more powerful! He was the Son of God and his love took him to a horrible cross, he died and overcame death and all our troubles and fears.

The Bible says we are the body of Christ… this means we are connected. 

As a body, how can we function without each other?

I have a couple of personal stories to share about this…

I have the privilege of working with one of my best friends – Elsbeth.

We have a unique friendship. A true Proverbs “Iron sharpens iron” relationship.

I love her to death – she loves me – we get on each other’s nerves – we are very much sisters. J

Yesterday at work I was in a bad mood about something (I even forget what it was now) and I was letting it hurt our friendship, (though I was more to blame, on this one).

I returned from a lunch break (to just get away) and what’s the first thing my dear friend does?

She chooses that moment to come up, massage my back, and pray for me.

It was such a sincere moment, I felt so convicted.

Isn’t this how God treats us?

In our moments of weakness, negativity, and pain… He loves.

The bible even says “While we were yet sinners, He died for us.”

Such profound love is only capable through Jesus Christ.

Another thing about the body – we are called to be advocates and cheerleaders for each other.

An advocate is one who speaks for another.

This is the selflessness I mentioned earlier – for who is more unselfish than one who puts others first at the risk of promoting others before himself?

This is not something you see often in our world today.

We seem obsessed with being first and climbing the ladder to success.

The thing about this is that we usually trample someone on the way up!

How is hurting and pushing down helping to build the body of Christ? 

As a member of the body of Christ, we are called to be different from the world!

In this race we call life, we are all called to be runners AND we are all called to be cheerleaders!

A cheerleader is one who believes in their team even when they are not at their best. They are constantly encouraging and uplifting the spirits of their fellow team-mates.

A cheerleading friend is a true friend.

A “Jonathan” type of friend.

One who is willing to put aside all his selfish desires and pray, lift up, and encourage his friend to succeed in his calling.

I know what you’re thinking. You wonder if you start to put others first, what will happen to YOUR dreams and desires? Doesn’t God have a calling on your life too?

You bet He does.

But will He honour you for a sacrifice and a pure heart to see your friend succeed in His calling?

You bet. J

Besides… Jesus said: If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Another personal story.

I have a few AH-MAZING friends who demonstrate cheerleading friendship to me by consistently believing in me (even when I don’t believe in myself) and encouraging me on in everything I do.

I love them so much, I hope someday I can be there for them as much as they are for me.

Tonight I got home from work and felt a lot of fears filling my heart (I won’t get into that because this is not the point of my story).

I texted my girls and asked for prayer – and one in particular called me out and encouraged me to fight back the enemy’s lies by quoting the word.

Another encouraged me by saying “perfect love casts out fear”…

After a good long talk with Jesus and quoting a LOT of scripture, I texted them back.

With so much love, my beautiful cheerleading friend simply stated that she loved me, couldn’t stand to see the enemy keep me in a foothold, and that’s what she was here for – To build and encourage the body of Christ.



You see, a cheerleading friend will speak into your life and lovingly state: 
"If YOU are winning, then I have won."

I want to leave you with one last thought on cheerleading friendship.

One that I believe is key to everything I just talked about.

Remember Job? He had problems… and he had friends who were slightly less than encouraging.

But God honoured him for his faith.

Look at this:

And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

So friends – wherever you are tonight. Whatever struggles you face. Whatever lies the enemy has you ensnared in…

Take heart – have faith in a very real God who loves you enough to send His Son to display true love for you.

Then turn around and begin to PRAY for your friends…

God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.

A side note: if you are reading this and you find yourself without friends (my heart weeps for you) – remember there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother – His name is Jesus. He loves you more than life.

And then start asking Him to send you people who will be an encouragement to you as you are an encouragement to them.

I pray you find a real friend you can build up and be a “Jonathan” towards…

Something I’ve been learning – in regards to Job’s prayer for his friends.

If I pray FOR my friends and they pray for me, we often get answered faster than if we pray selfishly.

Try it. I bet you won't be disappointed. J

This blog is dedicated with much Love to: 

My Cheerleading Friends & Family. 

Song on Repeat - You Are More (Hillsong Live)

Popping my head out of a writer’s den to send out a “song on repeat”… I’m busy these days getting everything prepared for my church missions trip to Haiti. September will be a life-changing month for me and my church team. Please pray for us for finances, health, safety, and that we will be able to do all that God wants us to do there.

Now by “writer’s den”, I mean that I have been working on some writing in preparation for the kid’s program we’ll be doing for the kids in Haiti. Please pray for me as this is something I’ve never done before. J

Now, the song…

Earlier this week I told you about my desert experience this summer.

Well, in addition to the desert I have felt that I’m in a time of waiting… a test of patience & endurance.

Today as I went through my work day and then the million things I had to do after work, I felt as if – for the first time in a while – that Jesus was right there, helping me through my day. He’s so beautiful.

This feeling was confirmed tonight when He – who knows exactly how even the simple things in life make me happy – gave me a bottle of cotton-candy scented nailpolish (yes, it really is!).

I know… you’re thinking that’s silly. But Jesus really does give me things like that! Ask me for the story next time you see me, and I’ll tell you how Jesus gave me that little gift – as worthless to the world as that may be, it was exactly what Jesus knew I wanted. J

But here I am rambling about nailpolish…

The song…

He is more.

There are times in life when we can’t always see Him or understand what He’s doing, cuz everything is in His timing.

No matter what season you’re in, whether it’s a waiting season – waiting without knowing what’s next, but relying on the confidence that your God is able to carry you through. Or even if you are just in a season of growth, change or stepping out in faith into the unknown.

Whatever your season, fix your eyes on Him!
Whatever He's taking you thru right now, KEEP GOING! 
Nothing worth having comes easily. 
Everything in this song fills my heart with a new hope and excitement to see what's next. 
It's an anticipation aspect... Jesus is just waiting to show us more, but first we have to trust Him. 

Listen to this song tonight and remember who He is…

remember the Man who knows everything about you.

Even more than you do.

Jesus, you are more than my words could ever say.

You are Lord over all my days

I will see this season thru

I will fix my eyes on you… only You.

Happy Sunday tomorrow everyone!

May you seek His presence constantly! 

Desert Inspirations...

Dry times… we all have them.

Whether it’s because you’re too stubborn to accept what God is trying to do in your life, or if you just simply can’t see the sunshine anymore.

You know He’s still there. But for some reason you can’t bring yourself to believe that there’s a silver lining in that cloud.

Sometimes the desert and wasteland is so long, so hot, and so tiring that we would give anything for just one drop of hope in our thirsty hearts.

If you feel like this, you’re not alone.

But He loves the world… so much.

Times are dry. You are thirsty. You haven’t seen the sun in days – perhaps weeks or even months. It’s cloudy, but the clouds do not release the rain you crave… all they do is hinder your focus.

You’re starting to lose hope.

It’s hard to choose to believe that your beloved Jesus is still there.

But let hope arise and darkness will tremble in His holy light…

A prayer in the desert – a heart’s cry from a throat cracking with tears. Your only sustenance is tears. And half the time you don’t even know why or how you got here.

But in the end you find something else sustains – His Love.

His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.

So when all else fails and all you see is desert for miles around you… reach out a weary hand and grasp firmly the waiting hand of the beloved.

His grace sustains. His love is water to a soul craving life and hope.

Hear the voice of the beloved calling you out of the wilderness.

The LORD will guide you continually,

      And satisfy your soul in drought,

      And strengthen your bones;

      You shall be like a watered garden,

      And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

This has been my season.

But as of tonight I refuse to believe the lies that the enemy of my soul would have me discouraged by.

This is my honest unguarded moment to my readers…

I was wrong, and I’m sorry I gave up on His dreams for me for a little while.

A desert is exactly what it sounds like… but I am not deserted.

My Beloved, Jesus is a well – living water.

So here I am… believing. Waiting. Yearning for more of Him.

Dreaming again and living a life of faith in a God bigger than my circumstances.

A slap in the face with truth, is better than lies with a kiss…

Or as Proverbs says…

Wounds from a sincere friend

      are better than many kisses from an enemy.  

Thanks to the sincere friends who stood by me through this desert. I can’t promise I won’t need more encouragement… but this is my heart’s cry tonight that you would read this and understand where I’ve been.

I’m thinking of love like a fire… did you know that when you’re at your driest time, that’s when the fire can catch the easiest?

Perhaps that’s why He leads us through the desert times… so we can be better prepared for the fire that will refine us into who He created us to be.

Just some thoughts I had this Monday night… J

One last thing to leave you with… a voice of truth.

He knows me, He knew everything in my life would happen before I did.

And He still WANTS me!

and you too… don’t give up! Ok? Let His love sustain you.

 The Message:

The song: 

Loving Monday...?

Loving Monday…?

What???

……………

So today Monday changed my mind…

Here’s how it started.

Yesterday at church my amazing Pastor John Finochio preached a message called “MyCrossroads”.

It was basically about who we are as a church and how we need to BE the church Monday-Saturday and then we just have a family gathering once a week – that’s Sunday services. J

Sunday’s are made for the best of times with people who love you and support you. Your church is meant to be family. A community extended from your immediate family. A group of people to laugh and cry with you thru life.

But I’m not writing this to include a re-cap of PJ’s sermon (amazing as it was), I simply want to state that Mondays do NOT have to be the dreary, mundane, dreary, slowest, “need-my-coffee-NOW… or ELSE”, kind of days that we all dread.

I don’t really know how to say this, (I’m tired, and writing this fast, cuz when else is a better time to post this… but a Monday? J)

So here’s my thought…

If church on Sunday is really all it’s supposed to be, and meeting with your spiritual family is really uplifting and God uses that time to fill you up and give you excitement for another week of “being the church” out there in your homes and jobs…

Then WHY are we buying into the depressing lies of MONDAY?

It’s like we just had the best Sunday… we had a great worship service, maybe you cried when Jesus showed up for you (and He usually does that, you just need to look for Him)… then Pastor gave a great sermon. Maybe you even went up for prayer afterwards.

So if his sermon made such an impact on you and Sunday was such a great day of friends, family, fellowship… etc. etc. etc.

Then WHY is it that Monday morning it takes more than one cup of coffee to get going?

Why does the sunshine mock (no beach days for you, you have to go to work!) and the snooze button get hit again for just 5 more minutes of sweet sleep?

I ask all of this, cuz these are questions I battle every single Monday of my life!

If you are a Monday-dweller like I am, then this blog is for you.

If you are not… well praise the Lord! 

(please comment on this and teach me your optimism!)

I have lived in a Monday state of mind for a while now.

I have the best church… I would rather be there than anywhere else on this earth… it’s not the building, it’s the people and what we’re working towards. The dreams God is giving us. J

But for some reason every Monday I have woke up frustrated with life for some reason or another.

But today I got thinking… why all this negativity?

Shouldn’t we be MORE refreshed… built up… encouraged… full of life?

Shouldn’t Mondays be the day that our hearts are still reverberating from the great church family time we had the day before?

(and hey… if you still don’t get what I mean by church family, I would LOVE to tell you exactly what church family means to me, but can’t explain in this particular post. E-mail me? J )

Shouldn’t Monday be the day we jump in with both feet – no coffee needed – and really just give it all up and serve Jesus with a new passion and love that is rarely seen in this generation?

Why can’t Mondays be that way?

Oh I can hear you cynics… you say this is crazy… you say church is just a social gathering… perhaps your cynical nature makes you want to agree that Mondays are mundane and we should detest them as much as anyone in the world.

But listen to what Jesus said…

“…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

So basically, Mondays will come… of course there is a possibility they may be exhausting… and perhaps you’ll even feel like giving up.

But see! Even tho we have troubles, HE has already overcome them!

Even if everyday was Monday, we don’t have to be just slumping through life trying to make it to the next weekend, because with Jesus in our lives we should be over-joyed to be living out a troublesome Monday just for the pure fact that He loves us.

So dear friends… don’t get caught up in what this world wants you to think about Mondays (like I have so many times).

Don’t let the enemy of your soul rob the joy that was imparted to you on Sunday just as soon as the Monday sun rises.

Don’t press snooze that extra time and grump  your way through yet another work week.

Live life above the ordinary.

Choose to focus on Jesus and who He is… instead of yourself and who you are and where your life isn’t headed.

Lift your eyes a little higher than your circumstances and then just simply let God be God and lead you through a week of living for Him.

Not easy… but here’s something to remember.

A play on words, if you like…

Yesterday in church my pastor said the word “RE-member”… you are a member of the body of Christ. On Sundays you RE-member yourself to the body (as opposed to dismember… and that sounds painful).

On Mondays, I think we should learn to REJOICE!

I mean by this, we should make an effort to RE-Joy ourselves in our circumstances.

Joy is not being happy all the time… it’s focusing on who God is and the love we have for Him in spite of what surrounds us.

I’m still learning this, but I hope my Mondays are better because of this little Monday thought. J

Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s almost midnight and my Monday is officially over.

Bring on TUESDAY! J J J   

Graduation Syndrome

Ever felt like you were at a constant “crossroads” in life? 

(metaphorically of course… although as an intern I had been constantly at Crossroads. No pun intended.)

Approximately every two years I come to this place where it’s like “OK… I’ve done this and this and this… now what?” and then I go into a great time of waiting where God teaches patience… 

which I am very very bad at.

“What’s next?” I constantly ask… and where do I go from here?

So here, for you dear reader, I am going to break this wonderful time of life down into several areas of diagnosing this problem that I’ll call…

GRADUATION SYNDROME.

Graduation Syndrome (or Grad-Syn) is most common in young adults of approximately between the ages of 17-27.

However, there can sometimes be relapses of Grad-Syn later on in life that is more commonly known as the “Mid-Life Crisis”.

Symptoms of Grad-Syn can include (but are definitely not limited to – every person has their unique blend of symptoms) :

-          inability to surrender the future to God

-          worry (either about the future, money issues, or often just what to do with your life in general)

-          loss of focus

-          OCP (Obsessive Compulsive Prayer) 

Now we all know it’s an amazing thing to come to God with everything that’s going on in your life. But if you suffer from Grad-Syn, chances are you will tend to obsess about praying about anything and everything that pops into your brain about where your life is headed and you may even obsess about why nothing has happened yet.

I’ll tell you why… it’s not God’s TIME!

When we OCP, sometimes we take the focus off of where it should be and we can turn into these incredibly selfish beings praying prayers like that are so totally ME-focused.

Stuff like “Jesus if you could just work this out for ME I will do anything else for you that you want…” or “please just let me do this with my life and then I can do this for you.”

This attitude is completely selfish and when we are thinking and praying this way it is very difficult for God to bring us where He wants us in life – into all the great things He has called us to do. (Do not confuse calling with actually doing. God can call you to something, but if you don’t take instruction, get wisdom, and build character, what’s He gonna be able to do with you? Not much. This is something I’ve been learning first hand the last two years as an intern.)

Often we are so distracted by what we think we want in life, that we can miss out on what God really has for us.

We lose focus.

It’s all a part of Graduation Syndrome.

So how do we regain our focus?

How do we stay focused on God and not our own selfish ambitions?

In my experience it started with God stripping things away. 

Anything I’ve ever been selfish about He decided to kinda repossess, I guess you could say. (since it was all His in the first place)

When it was finally down to just the bare bones of me and my relationship with Him, He was able to speak to me and release something… it’s in a place of complete surrender that Jesus likes to show up, make you fall to your knees and just shake your world till you realize that it’s all about Him.

It’s all about humility and realizing that He is in control.

When it’s all about Him, your prayers start to change.

Instead of being entirely “me” focused, you start to pray for people and situations in life more. before you know it people’s lives are changing around you and eventually you’ll look back and stand in wonder at where God has brought you.

This is the last phase of Graduation Syndrome. And I think it’s a good place to be.

Always ready for change. Cuz change in life is such a needed thing!

During the early stages of Graduation Syndrome, change can cause worry, stress and all the other things that tear your focus off of who God is.

It’s all a process God takes us through… great thing is, He’s right there the whole time.

Once we shift our focus to Him, He promises to work all things together for good. He directs our steps and knows exactly what we need, when we need it.

If we stay focused on Him and what HE wants more than the Graduation Syndromes of life, a crazy thing happens. Things start to work out in your own life.

It’s like I’ve said before – He knows what you want, even before you do.

Things work out better when He’s running things.

This worrying we tend to fall back on, it’s just a syndrome.

Perhaps it’s not just me dealing with this, since graduation… perhaps it doesn’t just affect people between the ages of 17-27… perhaps it’s during all graduations of life.

During every process He takes us through to mold us into what He really wants us to be.

All of life is a graduation… and all of life is a beautiful change that He brings about in His own timing. A change that not only reveals more of who we are, but more importantly more of who HE IS.

Stay focused.

Seek His face.

He is the only antidote for Graduation Syndrome.

His face holds all the hope for your future.

A journey of trust.

A pursuit of Him.

Then stand back in wonder – years later – 

at all that He has done in your life.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (the Message)

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

(New Living Translation)