It's another season of Lent. There has been a lot of changes in my life, and a number of things that have helped me to look more inward. As I've been trying to find something to offer up this Lent, I kept feeling like all the ideas fell short in challenging me to grow in the most beneficial ways a midst these recent situations.
While deciding to try to add more silence in my life each day I felt that would help with nap time, but may not be that productive spiritually. That was when I ran across my old blog that I began a couple years ago. I remembered the daily struggle and joy I got from reading, praying, and reflecting on the daily Bible passages. When I started it then I knew that it would lead me in exciting and new ways, but I didn't really consider just how much it was going to open my eyes and heart to the growth and possibilities I encountered.
After much consideration, I'm once again going to embark on this challenge to reflect daily on the Bible passages. God wants to speak to us, He wants to be in relationship with us, He wants us to be happy and fulfilled. He knows the best ways for this, but we have to open ourselves up to it.
So, this is me becoming vulnerable again and opening myself to what this Lent can bring.
God is amazing, and uses people in crazy ways to help share His love. Which is why I am taking on this journey again. I don't fully know how He will use me through this, but I approach His love once again and offer Him all that I have and let Him do what He wants with it. If you find yourself reading these reflections I pray that God will use my words to help you on your journey, wherever you are.
It is hard to start something so daunting, even after having done it before. I'm excited to learn about myself more, but worry about all the ways God will ask me to change.
With that being said...Here we go!!!
Below I included part of the introduction from one of my first posts. It has been updated a bit. It is a little introduction to me and why I chose the name of the blog.
Welcome! Let me tell you a little about myself :)
My name is April. I grew up in a really exciting, crazy, fun, safe family. I have 11 brothers and sisters (yes, I said 11). We had so much fun playing outside, making up games, and finding ways to support each other (although it did include a lot of yelling...like I said, there are 12 of us). Today I have 21 nieces and nephews...and counting! They are the most beautiful people I know. Each of them have a wonderful story, some include a lot of pain, but all of them smile and show how life can be so much fun when you live as a child. My nieces and nephews are some of my heroes and have given me so much support.
Below I included part of the introduction from one of my first posts. It has been updated a bit. It is a little introduction to me and why I chose the name of the blog.
Welcome! Let me tell you a little about myself :)
My name is April. I grew up in a really exciting, crazy, fun, safe family. I have 11 brothers and sisters (yes, I said 11). We had so much fun playing outside, making up games, and finding ways to support each other (although it did include a lot of yelling...like I said, there are 12 of us). Today I have 21 nieces and nephews...and counting! They are the most beautiful people I know. Each of them have a wonderful story, some include a lot of pain, but all of them smile and show how life can be so much fun when you live as a child. My nieces and nephews are some of my heroes and have given me so much support.
I graduated College in 2003, and have made friends with some of the truest friends ever to exist. They show me that a friend's love is multi-faceted...and must be unconditional. They have been my back bone and support system during many difficult times.
I have 2 amazing jobs where I get to share my love for the Lord and His Church with many people.
Some other things to know about me...
- I am one of the most extraverted people…but also one of the shyest
- I love competition…but it doesn’t bother me if I win or lose
- I LOVE cleaning and it relaxes me…but in the last 5 years I haven’t been able to do much
- I love “killing” movies (action) but also chick-flicks
The Great Challenge:
God has challenged me this Lent. He is challenging me to think differently about how I am to be His ambassador. He is challenging me to open myself up and become vulnerable. This blog is my Great Challenge to do acts of prayer and alms giving…
We all have stories to share, and although mine can be compared to a crazy roller coaster, I feel called to share a little of it. Fortunately, I’m not going to just write about my life. I LOVE Scripture! So, this blog will be a reflection on different Bible passages each day. It will definitely include sharing part of my heart and life with you (yikes!). I may not get to it each day, but that is my goal.
Every day we should find a way for Scripture to change our lives. God has placed it on my heart to become vulnerable (and trust in His timing and promptings), and share my reflections through this media. My biggest hope is that as you are reading these reflections, your heart will be challenged to look at how the passage can change your life, and give you the encouragement to take a step in faith and hope!
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