Perfect Timing

   Have you ever had a time where you were feeling really down? It just seems like you cannot win and people don't care. I have had a few days like that. One time in particular stands out.
   I had just gone through coaching pre-season for soccer (which means 2-3 practices a day that are 1-2 hours long for 2 weeks every day except for weekends). I had also begun a new job. I was worn out from working a lot both in soccer and at my job. I was also overthinking things that happened at soccer and work.
   My family decided to go to Infinito’s to celebrate my sister and I surviving pre-season. While we were hungry, my sister and I didn't eat much. We both kind of wanted to sleep because we had been out in the heat for 2 hours. We finished our pizza and then walked to Dollar Tree, which is the best store in the world if you are a teacher. I got some items so I could survive the next week, can you say coffee?
   Then I walked across the street to go back to our car. My sister was behind me a bit further because she was holding the door for someone. As I was walking across the street like a zombie, a car passed behind me and I heard some people yell, "Shoe!" (That's what they called me, long story) I turned around and saw 5 of my old teammates from LBC.  I got so excited and yelled "hi." Then one of my friends saw my sister and said, "hey little Shoe."  My sister was happy to be recognized and I was happy to see my friends. We didn't talk at all really but my spirits were raised because I was reminded of good times with friends, and that I'm still not alone.
   Now, if I hadn't gone to Infinito’s, gone to Dollar Tree, or walked out at that exact time I wouldn't have seen my friends. God's timing was perfect; and he knew I needed a pick me up, even if it was a little one. God knows what we need and when we need it. He works through coincidences to help remind us that he is with us and in control. I could go into many more coincidences that happened that brightened my day but I will not because you get the idea.
   So, do you believe that God's timing is perfect? Do you know that God works through coincidences? Will you trust in his plan?

   Isaiah 40:31 and Proverbs 3:5-6

   Image from here.

Background

   If you were to ask my siblings and myself what we like to do in our free time you would probably only get a few answers that we all agree on. We like to play sports (mostly soccer), watching certain movies (If we can agree on the movie), and playing video games (If we can agree on the video game). One things we enjoy doing is playing the video game Just Dance. It's good exercise and helps us learn cooler dance moves.
   One day we were playing Just Dance and I was up. I was in the middle of my song when my sister said, "look at that background." I said, "what?" At the same time I almost lost my rhythm because I wanted to look at the background. It was a pretty cool background. Then it was my brother's turn. My sister once again said, "look at that background it's so cool." That's when my brother and I began to say, during every song, "Hey Kristen, look at that background it's so cool." For those of you who haven't seen Just Dance backgrounds they move and change, that's what makes them interesting.
   Anyhow, it became a joke to say that every time a song came on. I would have to say that many people enjoy backgrounds. We all like different styles of art, but we all like to have something that makes our stuff ours. That's God's creativity in us.
   We like artistic backgrounds, but what about people's backgrounds? Every person has a background and a story. We all have different likes and experiences that make us who we are. It seems like many times we tend to not want to know other people's background. We like surface level relationships. I think it's because we don't want to get hurt. We don't want to go deep with others because we are selfish. That's not what God calls us to do.
   When I look at my students, the girls I coach, friends, or family I try to see them how God sees them. It's not always easy especially when that student is hitting me or misbehaving, but I try. When I first met my friends, students, and players I only knew what they looked like. In the picture of their background I may have only seen one color. If I never tried to get to know what they like (favorite color, food, etc.) then I never would've seen more colors in their background. Then, if I try to go deeper and get to know their story, I will see more colors and maybe even pictures in their background.
   Obviously this is a bit of an allusion, but you get my point. God made each of us. We are a work of art to him. He gave us our experiences, likes, dislikes, and background. He doesn't just see us in black and white and leave us. He keeps adding to our background because he loves us. He wants our story to be part of his story, of his background.
   Each of our stories are connected if we are part of the body of Christ. Imagine all the colorful backgrounds of those in the body of Christ together. What a picture that would make!
That's why God made us unique. He knows we will all have our own journeys. He knows we won't all reach every person but we can reach some. I can get to know, love, and mentor those around me. That way their background will grow and my background will grow as well.
   So, do you only have surface relationships with others? Are you trying to get to know others to help them grow? Will you choose to grow in God so your background is strong in him?

   Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11

   Image from here. 

Are You a Dory or a Piglet?

   Have you ever met a person who is really loud and enjoys talking? I have some friends who are like that. They enjoy letting people know what they are thinking. Have you ever met a person who is really quiet and doesn't talk much? I have friends like this as well. They are content to listen and don't need to talk if the other people want to talk.

   In my years I have had many different friends. What I have noticed is that typically, the friends who enjoy talking are hiding something and the friends who don't talk much have some very profound things to say.
   Let me give you an example of each of these kinds of people: in the movie Finding Nemo there is a fish named Dory. Dory enjoys talking, is typically loud, and likes to be with people. Not long after we meet Dory we find out what she's hiding: she has short term memory loss. Dory freely admits this but what she doesn't admit until later is that she lost her family. Dory wants to find her family but she cannot remember them. She hides this secret and puts aside her needs to help her friend. On the inside Dory is broken and hurting but she still helps others. Dory is a good friend.

   In Winnie-the-Pooh there is a character who doesn't talk too much named Piglet. Piglet isn't that sure of himself but when he talks with Pooh he says many profound things. For example: "The things that make me different are the things that make me ME."  "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart I'll stay there forever." Piglet does not have much confidence. I mean, he's a tiny animal. But, when he has confidence to open his mouth he is teaching us important lessons. Piglet enjoys helping his friends and he may not even need to talk in order to help. Piglet is a good friend.
   What is the point of this blog? The point is that we need both of these kinds of people. We need people who will step up and be leaders. We need people who will work hard behind the scenes. But, what we need most of all is to help these people grow and make their weaknesses strengths.
   The Piglets of the world can help the Dorys of the world by listening to them. A Piglet can get a Dory to open up because a Piglet enjoys helping others and is usually very wise because they listen a lot. The Piglet can help the Dory heal and move on from past hurts.
   The Dorys of the world can help the Piglets of the world by improving their confidence. Dory could be leading a project and think that maybe she doesn't have the answer, or wouldn't be the best person for a certain job, and she could let Piglet do the job if Piglet is better suited. The Dory could encourage the Piglet to speak up if the Piglet has a thought. Dory can also tell Piglet how great a job he is doing.
   The key for both of these kinds of people is that they care for others. If Piglet doesn't care enough to listen to Dory's problems then Dory could crack under pressure. If Dory doesn't care enough to listen to Piglet when he talks, or encourage Piglet to have confidence, then Piglet may never get out of his comfort zone and make a difference in the world. We need each other. That's why God created more than one human: we are relational beings.
   So, are you a Dory or a Piglet? What can you do to help a friend today? 

   Psalm 139:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

   Images from here and here. 

You Can Have a Superhero's Body!

   How do you feel physically right now? Some of you may be sick, tired, or injured in some way. Others may feel totally fine, like they could run a marathon (okay, maybe not a marathon but you get the picture). No matter how you are feeling right now I am going to tell you something about your body in the future. As long as you know Christ as your personal savior you will have a superhero body someday.

   You may be thinking I'm nuts but, again; I'm going to ask you to stay with me. When we go to heaven our bodies are going to be totally different. 1 Corinthians 15:40 says: "There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another."
  Right now, we don't have heavenly bodies. We have corrupted bodies. We can be defeated by illnesses and sin. But, someday, we will have a body like Hulk. He cannot be defeated (except in the comics in certain ways, but his skin is impenetrable).

   Our heavenly bodies will be identifiable. We will be like Christ after he was resurrected. People knew who he was. Our bodies will just be transformed. That's because, to God, we are worth more than gold. We are shiny to him because he washed us clean.
   Next our bodies will be incredible. We will not have weaknesses, like Mr. Incredible has. Instead we will be like Superman without the Kryptonite. We will not be able to be defeated by anything. Illness will be gone. All weakness will be gone. Injuries, emotional pain, and death will be gone. Can you imagine that?
   Finally, our bodies will be infinite. That means our bodies will not be governed by physical needs. We will not need sleep, to eat, or to exercise. Our bodies will be like Vision. He doesn't need to eat, exercise, or sleep. That doesn't mean that we won't be eating, we just won't need to eat to sustain ourselves.
   What exactly does this mean for us now? It means that we have something to look forward to. One day all of the cares of this world will disappear. We will be with our creator and be able to worship him fully every day. How exciting will that be?
   While on this earth, we will have troubles. However, each day we can rest in the hope of Jesus. We can grow to be more like him every day. We can show others his love and love him by spending time with him. Then, when we do enter heaven, we can be free from troubles and we can hear "well done thou good and faithful servant."
   So, do you know that one day the troubles of this world will melt away? What are you doing to grow in God now? Are you trying to spread the Gospel so others can be saved and one day have superhero bodies too?

   Image from here.
   Information about heavenly bodies is credited to David Jeremiah. 

Playing Uno

   I like to play and make up games. I like doing that so much that my family calls me the entertainment center. One game we like to play on long trips in the car is uno. When I get my cards to play this game I make a plan. We are talking I look at all of my cards, put them in order even if they don't match because I'm hoping my siblings will put down a card I need, and I try to stick to the plan. Sometimes the plan works, sometimes it doesn't.

   One day while playing Uno, I thought about why I make a plan. I make the plan because I'm hoping to win, but many times my plan doesn't work or I need to change it. This made me think about plans we make in our lives.
   Proverbs 19:21 says: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." We make plans every day. We are going to get up, eat breakfast, go to work or school, eat dinner, watch tv, then go to bed. Let me ask you this: do your plans always happen? I know mine don't. In fact, may times my plans change for one reason or another; and I don't have control over it sometimes. God's plan prevails.
   We don't know why things happen because we are not God. But, we know he has a reason for everything he does. He loves us and does what is best for us, even if that means I lose in Uno ;) He has a plan for your life. Will you trust him with your life and follow him?

   Jeremiah 29:11

   Image from here. 

A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way

   Do you like to be encouraged or do you prefer to be criticized? This question reminds me of a meeting I had with my soccer team once when I was in college. We were a good team but we all felt something was missing. One of the captains called a meeting and we talked about how many times when we are on the field we are communicating but not encouraging one another. Then we discussed different ways we could encourage each other by writing notes, getting gifts, saying good things on the field, etc.
   I was still a younger player on the team and I was the goalie. Goalkeepers are notorious for being hard on themselves. I was especially hard on myself.
   One day we had a scrimmage against a good school. I was super nervous and I also injured my thumb before the game. But, I was the only keeper and I wasn't going to let my team down. I played and we lost 6-0. However, I played fairly well and all of the shots they scored on were good goals. That night at practice the coach asked some of the girls to come up with positive things that happened at the game. This girl, who was not known for giving encouragement, asked if she could single someone out. She said that I did a really good job and I had improved so much since last season. The rest of that practice I focused so hard and did my best (not to say that I don't usually do my best but I worked even harder than I normally do).
   When someone gives a work of encouragement to someone else that person is more likely to work harder and harder. Yes, it is important to take and give constructive criticism but encouragement is also vital.
   So, will you choose to find ways to encourage others? How can you encourage someone today?
   I suggest you check out this video down below to reinforce how important encouragement is.
   1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 4:29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTGkUUA3YU 

The Light in Me: New Years Reflection

   Each year I challenge myself with something I need to work on spiritually. I don't view it as a New Years Resolution because many people don't keep those. I view it as a choice I make to grow in my walk with God. And, I don't just do it for a year I try to keep it up from then on. It's funny though, this year, my challenge changed. I started out trying to be more like a servant. But, then God made it clear that's not what he wanted me to focus on this year. I was trying to be a servant but more and more it became clear that I was to let my light shine for him (God's plan was different than my plan, go figure).
   You may be saying, "isn't that kind of the same thing?" Yes, it is in a way. But, letting your light shine means doing more. It means that when hard times come you praise God. When someone is in need you stop to help and praise God. When life is filled with so much darkness you can't see any light left, you praise God and let your light shine.
   I've been struck by how many songs talk about letting your light shine, even non-Christian songs. They helped me on my journey this year. "Come alive, come alive, Go and ride your light, Let it burn so bright, Reachin' up to the sky" (Come Alive, The Greatest Showman). When we first become Christians we are born again. We "Come Alive" with our new life. We are on fire for God. We want to tell others about him, learn about him, and serve him. Then, as time goes on we start to lose our fire, our light starts to dim, and we begin to go back to our old ways. 

   We forget that our "Lights shine bright everywhere we go" (Lights Shine Bright, TobyMac), even in hard places and times. We need to "Shine, Let it shine before all men, Let 'em see good works and then, Let 'em glorify the Lord" (Shine). The most important thing about letting your light shine is that your light isn't glorifying you. That's what we must remember when we think about putting our light out. It's about glorifying God. We can do this every day. When we go to work and are asked to do a mundane task we can do it to the best of our ability with enthusiasm. That's how people will see we are different. Then we can share our light with them and bring them out of darkness.
   It is not easy to always do this. I had a really hard year this year for different reasons. At times I am sure that my light was not that bright. The devil will try to snuff out our lights in any way he can. He knows what makes us tick. He then uses those things to try to turn us from God. When those times came up in my life I remembered to "Keep fighting the good fight (Never give up, never give up), Keep letting your light shine (Holding it high as long as you live)" (Good Fight, Unspoken). God is walking with me through all of the good and bad things I went through. I know these things happened for a reason. I may not know that reason yet but I am trusting in God.
   The Devil will not shut my light off because light is hope. I have hope in Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He loves me. He gives me a chance to be a part of his story. I'd be crazy not to give others chances to find the light. I can share my light of Jesus with others. That's what I'm going to do. Because God, "let Your(his) love shine down, So that the world could see, You(he) put the light in me" (The Light In Me, Brandon Heath).
   So, have you been letting your light shine? What can you do to let your light shine even more?

   Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Revelation 4:11
   How to Let Your Light Shine blog.