I Don't Want a Perfect World

Everyone's always saying how much they'd like to live in a perfect world, but I've put some thought into this and...I would not enjoy a perfect world! I mean c'mon. A world without mistakes, sounds great right? Not to me. I can't imagine living in a world where there's no learning experiences. I love the fact that I can mess something up, turn around and learn from it and share it with others. 

How would we ever grow? A world without growth throws the whole point of living out to me. Why wish for perfection when your life is a story someone is close to dying if they don't hear? Sure we all have similar experiences in life, but none are the EXACT same and I know that's for a reason. 

I don't have some crazy testimony like I use to trip hard on drugs or drink all crazy, but that doesn't make my story any less powerful than the next. I can still touch hearts because it's God who's saved me and that alone is something worth telling. 

Also, a "perfect" world would mean no emotions and as a girl, I usually can't stand emotions...I even get on my own nerves sometimes! But, then I realized...we go through things and think we can't talk to anyone about these "emotions" we're going through, because nobody has felt them before. But, wouldn't you think the only one we could tell is the very person who GAVE us those emotions? I feel like God gave emotions so when we're running around wondering who to go to, we get that light bulb above our head and realize where they came from in the first place.

When you have a problem, you probably like to go to the source...not all the he said she said people.

God's your life's source, go to Him.

So why try to live in perfection that doesn't exist here? Live your life. You'll mess up a million times and fall a million more, but the beauty is rising up and realizing how great things will soon be.

Besides, we get to live with God forever in perfection.

Ahh, the Jesus life is the life for me.

A Year of Growth

It seems I'm not the best at continually keeping up with my blog...it's been over a month and it seems I've said countless times that I'd do this regularly...so for a change I'm going to tell you it isn't going to be regularly. I've just been bottling everything up and a blog is the public diary for whoever to read. So here we go!....again.

  I've recently purchased Casting Crowns latest CD Come to the Well (which, I think everyone should listen to it because it's absolutely fantastic!) and there's a track on there called, Already There. 

This year so far has been a huge challenge for me. People I spent 99% of my time with, are off doing their thing for the year or portions of it, leaving me with lots of thinking, praying, and growing to do.

So, as I'm blaring the CD in my truck I start REALLY listening to this song. In my opinion, there's 2 ways to listen to music. 

   1. Background music - singing along because it's your fav song or you're really convinced you sound      

just like Christina Agularia. 

   2. Where you kind of stop and turn it just a little louder and immediately think deeply of life situations.

My emotions have been a roller coaster lately and not even due to, "girl probs" as my twitter folk could say. It's just a heavy heart I believe. I miss important people deeply and I have a lot of alone time. Then the lines say,

"When I'm lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side"

And then it hits me...why do I sit and wonder if everything will turn out ok? Why do I freak out about things that really shouldn't be given more thought than the right amount of syrup to pour on a snow-cone. Because, when you get caught up in your emotions and your feelings, you leave out the One who GAVE you those emotions. I feel like when I get super emotional, that's God's way of saying, "Seeeeee Hol! You really DO need me. Now let's talk." 

What never ceases to amaze me, is God is fully aware of every hardship and every pain I'll ever feel by this world. The promise to hold onto is Jer. 29:11. 

It's like this...

The Game of Life...childhood fav personally ;) But, you don't know what's going to happen during the whole game, because you don't know what numbers you'll spin or when you're going to get a flat tire. What you do know is sooner than later you'll get to the end and retire in YOUR choice of homes. If we knew exactly how the game would go, we would just take easy routes and "win" the game and be over with it. 

God (being all awesome and what not) is waiting at our finish line knowing that we will make it because He has a plan. Your part is trusting Him to get you there. 

So that's what I've got to do. 

Leave it all behind and come to the well.

Great Blessings.

God has a crazy, yet awesome way of bringing the perfect people into our imperfect lives. I've met some of the greatest people I ever could have within a couple years. These people, the Felts/Brachts family, are some of my absolute favorite people and I'm do glad I've met them. I've been up and down, here and there, but some people are just always there for you.
Some affect you even if you've only met them once, but never knew them like the rest. These people have been here for me, so I need to be there for them as they're coming up on one of the hardest times they experience. So I'll always be here for them, no matter the circumstances. And I just want to thank each of them, but in very different ways.
- Dave : you're one of the most inspiring people I've ever known. You've kept me in check when I was places I shouldn't have been, you've reminded me when I slip who I am and I'll always get to where I need to be. You've shown me the paths that are worth taking and the ones I shouldn't even look at. I have a father, but you serve as my "second" one I could say. I know you're always someone to count on and I hope you realize how grateful I am for you and your family!

-Cheryl : you've been through so much, but are still probably the strongest woman I know. You've raised an astounding family and I can only hope to do as great of a job as you someday. I respect you and you're family beyond any words will ever say. I can't wait to grow closer to you as time goes on. Thank you for everything you do, because it never goes unappreciated.

-April : COUSIN! You're my best friend! I have no clue where I'd be if I was never your friend. You're the greatest friend I've ever had and I can't thank you or God enough for being in my life and dealing with my personality even though we're just about almost kinda the same in about every way :) your future is beyond bright and I hope I'm apart of it always! You're strong and beautiful and God has his hand on your life for sure.

-Micah : good grief I love you. I thank God everyday for you and I'm beyond proud of you. You're the man of God and great person I prayed so many times in my life for, for a very long time. God's blessings come in many different ways, but yours is probably my favorite. You're there for me in any time of doubt and you change my life for the better and are shaping my clumpy heart into something beautiful through the way you live out your life and calling. I can't wait to see what the future holds. I pray you'll always be in my life. I love you.

-Noah : so I met him a couple of times, but you're still a big deal in my life. You seemed so strong and someone worth while. You were placed in the greatest family, but the devil is an idiot. You were a light in the pitch black of darkness. You changed hearts and lives and you still are to this day. I can't wait to party with Jesus! We've got lots to catch up on.

- Travis, Cassidy, & Jordan : you all are amazing! I have loads of fun everytime I'm around you all. Travis, with your stupid women's rights jokes to your awesome sermons I've heard, you're a walking light. Cassidy! Your bubbly personality and passion for people inspire me and you're super awesome! Jordan, you're the sweetest person I've ever known I think! Don't ever forget your solid foundation laid by your amazing family! Never go a day without cherishing them.


I love each of you beyond words. Thank you for changing my life for the better in every area. Im thinking of you guys and I know it gets harder every year, but you're surrounded by great people and you will get through it. Always. I love y'all!
-Holly.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34

That verse is the exact wake up call I need. So far, this has been probably one of the hardest years of my little 17 year life. Being separated from someone you use to spend almost every day with for an entire year...forget it, it's beyond hard.
Some days I felt like, "God. Why in the world do you think I can do this? I'm nowhere near this strong to deal with this kind of situation. Why did this happen?" Basically, underestimating God's power to help me through the hard days. Until I realized, I'm right - I'm not strong enough...right now. But, God is MAKING me strong enough. He's building me up, only as I allow Him to. I have to finally open up and say, "God. I'm beyond weak without you." and it's so true. Why should I shut out the only true One who can help me through anything difficult.


So I challenge anyone who is having a difficult time right now, to focus on right now and what you can do, to invite God to take every single burden.
Life's tough. Life without God is tougher.

mirror, mirror on the wall.

Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart. -Proverbs 27:19

"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm fine."

People wonder so often, why people ask this when it's OBVIOUS on their face something is wrong, correct? Well, just like the scripture says, your heart is going to show on your face. It serves as a mirror. You can hide something for a little while, but sooner than later you're bound to come face to face with your mirror.
Think of people as your mirrors; you can't hide your problems from the world forever. Your inner thoughts, deep in your heart, show through your actions and reactions.

The longer you build something up within yourself, the bigger your mirror will shatter when it comes out. In the Bible it talks numerous times about how we NEED to surround ourselves with people. People who comfort is and give us good talks. God didn't place 7 billion of us here to stand around and stare at each other, wondering what the other is like.
We were put here for a specific purpose, to help one another and speed the good news while doing so.

So, how's the mirror?

Let Me Share This Whole New World, With You

why yes, that was an Aladdin reference! :)

I hope I can interest some of you and help a lot! I've moved my blog site from Tumblr to now Blogspot! So help me spread this around and let's see if this works out much better than tumblr!

lots to come! thanks you guys!

-Holly

you’re a little speck, in a huge universe.

Sometimes it’s like all you can do is wait. No matter how fast you’d like time to go, the inevitable strikes and patience has no choice except to kick in. God knows I need it. Life doesn’t seem to, “be fair.” But, I don’t think I’ve ever really been lead to believe that life is supposed to be everything handed to you. You’ve gotta work for what you want, in my opinion. People always expect something, like they’ve done an astounding deed and suddenly the world shall bow down and report at our service. Humbleness is needed desperately. I see it everyday. I say we all try and step back and view just how small we really are. I mean come on, look outside. You’re so tiny in this world. Especially to the God we serve, he is the almighty.

One prayer at a time, that’s all.

-Holly