Happy (early morning) Birthday post!
I say it a lot, but I love to write. I feel like I learn so much more when I just put all my thoughts into words. Even though they aren't my words or my thoughts. Usually a song, a verse, or a message just gives me that little kick that says
"yes. write."
In this case, the song that is on this post is the one that gave me that yes. Plus it's my birthday (I don't know about you, but I'm not really sure I'm feeling the same way T Swift does about 22) and I really like to take a step back and reflect.
This time last year, I was taking classes in Boone still. Now, I have my own class.
The transition from 21 to 22 was not a smooth transition, nor an easy one, and by no means always a beautiful one.
The cool part is, over this past year, through those struggles, through those dark not so pretty times; God was really shaping my heart and moving in my life in big ways.
side note - I am afraid of the dark.
& I know some of you are thinking, "what the heck. she is 22 and afraid of the dark? how crazy."
Yes. I do not like the dark. I have a jacked up mind and it sometimes likes to tell me that there are things out there that will get me when the light isn't on. I am more afraid of the dark in a sense of like, the absence of light, home alone kind of way. But this past year, I was at times afraid of the dark that was in my life.
Those dark times I walked through this past year were the best. (yes the best)
I love analogies. & those of you that always poke fun cause I alwaaayys have a story for everything, that's called effective teaching haha (or at least that is what I tell myself)
I don't know about you, but imagine how you feel when you are in a stressful situation (like for me, making it from my truck into the house when it is super dark outside) It's like an adrenaline rush. Makes me feel kind of alive & powerful because I made it through the darkness and overcame that struggle.
That's what those dark times in my life did for me. Once I got through those dark times (because, yes they do end) It began to give me a new perspective. So having the new perspective I have now after God has shaped and changed my heart so much by walking me through those dark times, I can reflect back on what I walked through this past year and see how beneficial it was, see God was always there, and share.
- the absence of light
- evil or wickedness
Those dark times when we feel like we are alone. Or we feel like they never will end. They will. We see them as dark times, and God sees them as times to shine His light into our life.
Darkness and light are the same to Him because is always there, even when we feel like He isn't. He is the light, and the protector from all things evil. In closeness with Him, we are safe.
Maybe you are currently in a darkness, my best advice is to keep looking for His light. Because He is there. He is using those dark times so He can shine His light in your life.
Struggles make you stronger. & darkness makes you appreciate that light just a little bit more.
