betta expect it

Walked outside this morning expecting the norm chilly weather that was supposed to head in by the end of this week, dressed in my big West Virginia Mountaineers sweatshirt and jeans, and lone behold-- beaaaautiful weather :) perfect, really. I might even say I'm a little toasty in this winter-inspired get-up. 

Sitting in Atkinson Hall right now. It's only..8:44 AM. Funny how there's so many less people on campus at this hour; come 9:30...10, this hall will be jammin.

So as I sit here people watching, or rather, procrastinating from doing this midterm essay, a podcast is playing in the backround. I just recently began downloading podcasts of sermons, but it's a really sweet way to start, end, or get ya through the day. Or atleast for me it is.

This podcast (Expect Good Things) is talking about expectation in our lives. And how instead of really enjoying life, being aggressive, and not dwelling on our failures, our future, our fears, we should live in faith. Live knowing God will turn around any situation we're put in. 

"Don't go around expecting the worst".

Sounds so simple, but Lord knows I do exactly that. It's almost as if it's an easier let down when you just prepare yourself for the worst. I wonder if I can even consider that I'm living when I treat life like I don't have this  rock and foundation under my feet, every second of every day.

Some other scripture mentioned in the Podcast that I really liked:

Psalm 30:5 "God's favor is not for a season, it's for a lifetime. It doesn't come and go."

Deut. 28  " if we obey god's commands and keep him first place,  his blessings will chase us down and overtake us"

That's a pretty great visual. That they will actually chase us down.  Almost a little humbling that He actually has to CHASE me down.  I fill my life with so many distractions, I know He would literally have to chase me to get my attention.. hello, wakeup call.

just a few things to keep in mind. don't be hard on yourself, expect that good things will happen no matter the sitch....uation :)

--Speaking of good things, Mom  and my precious sis are coming down to visit today, and they're  bringing Jenna and Mrs. Katie with them. I'm so pumped. Maaaajor blessing:).

Well, off to Law class, and then cheer practice. We're performing our routine this Saturday at the homecoming game. This team's got heart. I like it

:)

hislove,

kel.

unfamiliar much?

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths… I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 

 

Running. This is something I really, really enjoy--  I love to run with other people just as much as I love running on my own. Jules and I run the same route whenever we go together. The exact same path, and that is no exaggeration. We start by going left out of our cute Green houses' driveway, then venture towards downtown. We cross the street at the same spots, trudge up the same HUGE hill by The Grove Apartments, and chat about the same cute houses we'd love to go inside and explore one day along the way.

 

When Jules and I trained for the half marathon last semester, we ran this same route so many times it became  a blur before long. Even when I would run on my own, I could not bring myself to turn right out of our driveway rather than the norm left. So what's the deal? "It's just a little turn," I'd tell myself, swinging left and setting my watch as I headed downtown at that very same moment. 

 

So, this past Saturday morning I went on the what's now become a rare occasion, a run on my lonesome. A time when I used to love just taking in God's glory through nature; alone time to just chat it up with Him and really dwell on whatever it is that was heavy on my heart. I was almost scared to run on my own this past weekend, afraid to trust him with my deepest thoughts. 

 

Naturally, I started out left out the driveway, downtown came and went, passing the antique stores (and my favorite SCOOPS:) But as I managed to survive the giant hill later in the run through just talking to Him, I became aware of my inability, actually-- no, He can give me the ability, but my stubborness and refusal to trust God completely; to allow whatever insecurities I had about myself, and about veering off my usual running path to just rest in Him. He's in total control, totally. And he's going to lead me down unfamiliar paths, but where this is where my heart plays into his plan. We have to find strength through faith and ultimately trusting that he will light the way, he knows what is best, and he is with us.

 

And so, as my body recooped from the giant hill, I would usually keep on keepin' on straight down the sidewalk. But I found myself  running at a right angle. Actually, a 90 degree angle.. I was turning right for the first time...ever. It was great, too! The scenery was atleast ten times prettier, and I felt a closeness I hadn't felt while running in a long time. Almost like He was proud of me or something. Whatever it was, I managed to trust him, even if I had tripped and fallen down this new path, I was confident in that somehow he'd bring good out of it because I'm constantly being tested, and he's teaching me every step (literally) of the way.

 

So in life, let's trust that God knows. Be confident and secure in that he already has our lives planned out; each and every detail. And live peacefully because he's going to bring wisdom, strength, and truth out of every situation we're placed in. Even if it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar. He'll won't forsake us along the way..He's with us, always. So, Just trust, ya hear? :)

 

his love,kel.