1. Life is gonna be awkward sometimes. If you’ve ever talked to me, you may have noticed that sometimes I’m super awkward. We can all be a little awkward. But awkwardness is nothing to freak out about, because once a moment is over, you can’t change it. So you might as well just laugh about it.
2. You can tell a lot about someone based on the shoes they wear. That’s all.
3. Be nice to yourself. Sometimes your biggest enemy is the person staring back at you in the mirror. It’s not egotistical to like yourself. It’s healthy. I know this is easier said than done, but try to treat yourself like you would treat someone you love.
4. Acceptance of yourself is far more important than your acceptance from others. Because who really gives a rip what anyone thinks of you? As long as you’re trying your hardest to be the best possible version of yourself, that’s all that matters. Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
5. Going through hard times can help us appreciate the good times. My freshman year of college was the hardest year of my life but something I realized after that year was that my struggles can be used to help others who might be going through a hard time now, or will go through one in the future. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says “He’s the one who comforts us in all of our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.”
6. Sometimes when we are in a deep dark place, it’s hard to see how God is working in our life. But there’s a quote that says “When you’re going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test.”
James 1: 2-3 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
7. What you’re thinking is what you’re attracting. In other words, the stuff you stuff yourself with is the stuff you’re stuffed with. The summer after my freshman year of college, I did the 100 happy days challenge on instagram, where I posted a picture of something good in my life every day for 100 days. Some days it was easy to come up with something, and some days it was super hard. But every day I found something to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
8. Story time: In case you don’t know, Ken Diehm was the senior pastor at FUMC Grapevine and in 2011 he suddenly passed away. For most of my years in youth, Ken’s wife Kenda was my Sunday School teacher, and she always told us about how one of Ken’s favorite scriptures was Romans 8:28 and every day when the clock read 8:28, he would recite that scripture. And if he was in the room with his family he would make everyone stop what they’re doing and pause to recite the scripture with him. The first time Kenda invited our Sunday School class over to her house to sleepover, we were all minding our business, hanging out, and sure enough, at 8:28, Ken said something like “everyone look at the time!” and in unison we all said “All things work together for the good to those who love the Lord, who have been called according to his purpose.” And that scripture has stuck with me forever. Love the Lord, and He will protect you.
9. I want you to think about the best friend you’ve ever had, or even the best friend you wish you had. Think about all the things that make them the best. Now that’s the kind of friend you should strive be. John 15:13 “Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
10. Dogs truly are a man’s best friend. They are the best companions. Somehow they just know when you’re upset. They get worried and try to comfort you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up in the night and gone to find my dog Josie and spilled out my guts to her like a complete idiot. She may not understand what I’m saying, but she listens.
11. What you see in others is a reflection of yourself. If you choose to see only the bad things in people, that’s a reflection of your character. Choose to see the good. This isn’t always easy for me. But if I ever catch myself thinking negatively about someone, I try to switch my train of thoughts to think about reasons why they are good.
12. Comparison is the thief of joy. I know it’s so easy to get on social media compare yourself to the people you see. You might see someone on an awesome trip in Hawaii while you’re sitting at home on your couch. But sometimes going to your favorite coffee shop with a good friend can be just as awesome as traveling the world. It all depends on how you look at it.
13. You are never too small to do big things. One of my favorite quotes is “Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” That is so true. Dream big and never give up. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
14. Have faith in God, and you will have the strength to overcome anything. Faith can move mountains. Jeremiah 17: 7-8 “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
15. Some of the most beautiful things in life are moments and feelings. You might not remember an entire experience, but you will remember how you felt in that very moment.
16. It’s okay to be afraid. So many things in life come with fear. Just remember that it is all in God’s hands and that at the end of the day you will be okay. Joshua 1:9 “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
17. If an opportunity doesn’t exist, create it. This one reminds me of my dad. He grew up with 2 older sisters and a single mom and they struggled to get by. At a young age he was working a job, not so he would have money to go out with his friends or buy cool clothes, but so that he could help his mom pay the bills. When he got older and started a family, he wanted to create a life for us that he didn’t have as a child. My parents built our family with opportunity and hope, and I think they have done a wonderful job.
“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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
18. Love is one of life’s greatest gifts. Not only do we get to experience amazing love on earth with the people in our lives, but we get to experience eternal love from God in our hearts now and forever. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will never die, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
19. Family is important. There was a period of time in my life where I always chose my friends over my family. I would blow off plans with my sisters when a better offer came along. I can choose to be upset over those choices I made then, but instead I am making up for lost time now. My siblings are my best friends. And don’t even get me started on my parents. Out of all the people who I let see the worst side of me in those dark days during my freshman year, my parents are the only people who stuck by my side.
20. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Think of random acts of kindness. The simplest things can change someone’s whole day or even their whole life. And I know you hear that all the time, but it’s so true. The best way to shine your light, is to simply be kind. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (my favorite scripture)
21. These people sitting beside you, are your friends for life. Some of my very best friends today are the friends I met and grew up with at church. They are the people who you can always count on when you have a problem, need a prayer, or just need a good laugh. Your friends through Christ are your friends for life. The closer we draw to God, the closer we become to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
22. You Belong Here. And I don’t just mean where you physically are right now. I mean wherever you are right now in your life. No matter what you’re going through, no matter what upsets you about the past or scares you about the future. Whether you’re at the top of the highest mountain or at the bottom of the lowest valley, it’s all part of your journey. Philippians 1:6 “He who began a work in you will carry it on to completion.”
When I reflect back on my 22 years of life, I can’t help but feel thankful. I have experienced some really deep valleys, some super high mountains, and through all of that and everything in between, God was on my side. And He is on your side too. And so am I. So I just want you guys to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, or if you don’t have a dog whose as good of a listener as mine, I am always here for you. And so are the people sitting in this room. The adults and the students. We are all here for each other. And I just want to say thank you to all of you for being a part of my life, whether you’ve been a part of it for a short amount of time, or for 22 years, thank you.
This season of life has been full of uncertainty, but today, I could not be more sure that I am exactly where I need to be. “Perhaps you were created for a time such as this.” Esther 4:14.
No comments:
Post a Comment