Learning to Serve (wholeheartedly)

Matthew 20: 26-28

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Every story has a back story. If you know me, then you know that throughout high school I showed Black Angus Cattle. With any competition, especially one involving teenage girls, you develop enemies. Yes, I realize that that does not sound like very Christian thing to say, but I have never seen eye to eye with anyone who feels rules do not apply to them. Needless to say there was this one girl B. in particular that was not friend.

With this being said, I found myself at a beautiful wedding this summer. My family and I enjoyed the ceremony, and made our way to the reception where my mother volunteered Lacey and I to serve in the buffet line. Well low and behold I looked down the line and see B. and her family waiting their turn to get food. All the while I am trying to tell myself that it doesn’t matter if I look like the hired help or that her dress is cuter than mine, what matters is out of all the people in the world I have to serve her! Then it hit me God calls us to serve the hungry, the poor and needy, the rich, our neighbors and yes, even our enemies. It was a humbling experience to say the least.  I love when God speaks to me in the simplest ways. Even when I do not exactly like what he has to say, it

Galatians 5: 13

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

Ephesians 6:7

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people"

Waiting for God's choice for you

Well sometime the truth hurts. I mean when you know something to be true but you brush it off like it’s nothing. Sometimes, it just takes the truth to get you back on track.

 My family has this cowboy that works cows with us whenever we need help. Well long story short, I have developed a slight crush on this Cowboy. Now he is 8 years older than me and even though my hair is only shoulder length, his is as long as mine. In the cow pens, this Cowboy seems just near perfect. He’s easy going, never gets upset about anything, works hard, gave me his seat, respectful and I’ve never heard him cuss. Who wouldn’t have a crush with those beautiful blue eyes?

Well, when my Dad found out he just shook his head and said he’s a good guy but not good for dating. My Grandpa on the other hand was on my side. I was all about life, love and the pursuit of a cowboy! My sister even said that since Grandpa cusses less than Dad, I should trust his opinion more.

Sunday, my cousin L and I got invited to go mudding with my “dream cowboy” and his partner, who L likes. Well, being 22 and still living at home, I double checked with my Dad about goin, who told me no… well at the time I was a little upset, ok really upset, to say the least but obeyed.

A few nights later my Dad told me exactly why the Cowboy shouldn’t be mine, he drank too much and cheated on his last girlfriend but most importantly he did not have a relationship with God.

The next day, my grandmother informed me again the importance of being equally yoked with the person you are in a relationship with.

So a word of advice:

1)      Though the truth hurts and you don’t always want to listen to your parents…they are looking out for your best interest.

2)      It is more important to find a man of God than a man you looks good in his wranglers.

3)      Waiting is hard, and sometimes it seems like there’s no one and I mean no one out there for you, but God has someone special for you and he is not some average Joe.

My first day of school

My first post…I know what you’re thinking it’s about time!

I started UF yesterday as a junior! To be completely honest I was scared to death, like always when I start something new. I guess there is something about change and the unknown that causes me to constantly doubt myself. I just have to keep reminding myself of what Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I happen to be very blessed in that I have most of the same classes as a friend of mine, Pete. He is defiantly more out goin than me and never meets a stranger!

The first day was a long one, I had one class with Pete, and then I was on my own for three hours. So I went to the Union and got some lunch. Of Course, just about every club was there to hand out information to get you to join. There was not much there that I was really interested in but a trio of girls gave me an orange piece of paper and said, “Come play rugby with us!” I know I was like What? RUGBY??? But instead I simply said, “I don’t think I’d be good at rugby” I could tell these girls weren’t the kind that gave up easily, when they started encouraging me to come out anyways, beginners were more than welcome. Well, needless to say, I’ve got the bright idea that maybe I need to give rugby a try, so Tuesday night I might just have to go see what it’s all about.J

Our Interim pastor, just so happened to be the head FCA guy at the university and has introduced me to several athletes. My favorites by far are two girls that run track and are twins. I have no doubt that God has brought us together, for they have been a true blessing. I texted one of the girls to see if they were busy today, and turns out she was available to come spend about an hour with me. We went to lunch and A. showed my around the campus and even took me on my first bus ride!

Although, I have to admit the highlight of my first day was passing Jonathon, a pitcher on the baseball team. Since February, I have become a huge baseball fan; I absolutely hate to miss a game and can tell you all kinds of stats on the players (you know for a girl that’s just started watching baseball)! So you should understand my excitement to be walking to class, and look over to see J. walking by. (If I must say I have noticed he is a very good looking young man) Needless to say, I double taked and plain out stared at him, which is embarrassing especially when he looks over and makes eye contact with me! Some things you just can’t help I reckon.

All I can really say about the day was it turned out alright, but most importantly I didn’t get lost! Today was much easier, and it turns out I’m getting excited about the next two years. I now feel like I can do this!