Days like these...ache so bad. Days like these...make me realize so much. Days like these make my world...

Today, had been just a monotonous haze of doing...

Work, that no one wants. A class that is particularly difficult for me. Long hours. Little sleep. Lack of motivation.

Then today became a day of joy. Realization of how beautifully orchestrated my life has been! Realization of how wonderful my days are!

At work:

Fran, The sweetest lady I know is there with a smile...a smile and a song. There she washes the dishes we place in front of her.

Cammie, always smiling. Smiling Cammie!

The Ralstons...chugging away at life, always with arms out to help those nearest.

My family:

Parents who have always loved. Brother who I can always count on. Family always filled the front row of any event I was in...clapping, smiling, caring. Friends, friends whom I know I can always count on.

My future:

Always set, Always Secure in my King.

Today = Blessing. No-matter what it is filled with, blessing all the same.

What about the lady at the braum's check-out this morning? What about my professor who has so many students get up and leave in disrespect? What about that child who has his whole life before him and no dad...and no one willing to stop and tell him about the Father?

So many people in this world...all are fighting an up hill battle. Why had my day been so full of nothingness? Why is it so easy to enter into this selfish, egosentric thought process? And, Why is it so difficult to just smile and offer a helping hand, and a kind word?

This is my wake-up call. This is a challenge to me. This is a challenge to you.

We all make a difference...it's a question of what kind.

Anxious?

...We all have a tendency to become anxious.

I you may see as a non-worrying soul, roll with the punches, easy going, fella (you may not also). I would like to be and at times I am but let me share with you one story of my past... I had a stress induced ulcer at age 5...why? well I worried about class...and mostly T-Ball...that is right I stressed out about hitting a stationary ball! (Talk about foolish anxiety).

But is not all anxiety foolish?

Philippians 4:6 says,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Why should we have any concern for our steps tomorrow, if we look to Christ for direction?

I say this...and saying it is easy. Yet, even today...after feeling as though I have effectively given heed to the direction of Christ (in school...in work...in general) I find myself to be anxious about something that I have held on to over the years...

I sit here saying "yes Lord, I will go there.", "yes Lord, I will change that.", "yes Lord, I will be...", then I find myself saying "Lord, you know best, but let me...", "You have never failed me, yet let me take lead...here, now, with this."

God, help me let go of all this anxiety...this concern for my tomorrow, for my next step, for where I will live, and who I will marry. Let me be concerned only on bringing glory to you...to appropriately reflecting you to those around me...to loving others...to living for you!

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

You have plans to prosper me...

You have never failed me...

You prepare a place for me...

You are my strength...

.........

"You maketh me lie down in green pastures...You leadeth me beside the still waters!"

Time.

How time sneaks away only to be realized gone; moments, days, and most often years later. It has always been my life goal to live every day fully; wholly giving of myself to those around me, truly taking advantage of the opportunities given me, and living completely for my King.

As I look through photos of days gone bye, I can not help but smile in remembrance of so many of those days lived "all out". I know that I have made mistakes along the way. I have; over-reacted, under-appreciated, and fallen time after time. However, I am lucky to have no regrets. I have lived in the moment for as long as I can remember, pondering on days gone bye, and dreaming of days left in front, yet always living NOW.

A large part of my lacking regrets comes because I have always said what is important to me. Which is why I wish to say thank you. You have made a difference in my life...REALLY.

I have told you before but wish to again. Thank You:

Mom, Dad, Clay.

Grandma, Grandpa, Gma Maggie, Papa.

Dorothy and Bill.

Terry Jackson, Rick Floyd, Gary and Linda Miller.

Christ Community Church.

Donovan Bowers, Dawn Frank, Jay Evans. Tripp Plymesser.

Trent.

Clint and Lou Kissee, Rick Dahlgren. Willy, Shelly, Neicie, and Lora Worley.

Claire. Alicia. Ambia. Chaney. Kimberly. Georgia. Krystin. Landon. Marisa.

TSA'ers.

Flavio, Nanette.

Allen. James. Garrett. Stetson. Curtis. Kyle. Greg. Daniel. Robert. Brady. Jared. Jordy. Ty. Dusty. Nathan. Justin. Evan. Jeff. Kevin. Kody. Caleb. Drew. Brantley. Mark. Bartel. Scott. Pat. Carl. Chase. Travis. Yusuke. Zach.

James Hensley.

Kaitlin. Tara. Merlanda. Andrea. Megan. Amber. Alexandria. Alyssa. Lela. Jessi. Johna. Charissa. Christina. Christine.

Cole. Reed. Andy. Ben. Kelsey. Leonel. Ann. Philip. Goose. Buffy. Alvina. CJ. Morgan. Drew. Robert. Rylan. Temperly. Jarah. Sam.

Jena. Taylor. Rusty. Mrs. Guy.

You make me who I am.

Thank you, Lord!