Shine Bright

Who ever knew that making decisions could be so hard? As kids we relied on our parents to make the choices for us, even when we didn’t want them to. They set restrictions on us and we felt trapped in a cage. I’m not a baby we would scream. We don’t need the restrictions of a crib. But now that we are free of our bars where do we go? We have to take steps into a new world full of scary things. People unfamiliar to us come apart of our lives. We no longer have mom and dad to say yes or no. We used to hate the fact that our parents could tell us what to do. Now I find myself trying to crawl into their lap and become a kid again. I am so afraid at times to make the wrong decision. There is so much I could do to mess my life up. Sometimes I wish I could stay a kid forever. And then there is a instance, in my most fearful moment, I see a light. I find some hope. God has prepared me for the future. It doesn’t matter if I make a few mistakes along the way as long as I am moving forward and working for His glory. When your heart is set on God, your choices will please Him. Those hard decisions become easier when you have someone to guide you. We say we don’t need our parents but we need God. And He is the Father of all. No matter how old we get we can curl up in His lap and be a kid again. We can cry to Him, lean on Him for support, look to Him for help, and rely on His strength. Life is rough without that crib keeping us from harm, but it’s when we step out of our childhood and into reality that we find who we are as an individual. It’s when we can start making an impact on the world. It’s when choices get harder, but when those choices are influenced by God always have good outcomes. It is important to grow up because you are a part of a bigger plan. You are a part of a plan that changes lives and spreads light to a world stuck in the dark. Believe in yourself and the power you have through Christ. When life scares you, fall to your knees in prayer. The giver of peace will calm your heart and cover you with His love. Those hard choices will not go away, but knowing that God is using whatever choice you make for His glory takes off some of the pressure. No matter where you are you can be a light, just let God shine.

God Bless,

Rachael

I am beautiful.

I am beautiful.

How often do I actually believe that sentence? I have come to realize that I tear myself down more than I build myself up. Why is that? Because I constantly enter myself in a competition with the world. I compete in a beauty contest that judges all the wrong things. You have to look the part. Dress the part. Walk the walk. Talk the talk. Is there ever a true winner? Even the girls we compare ourselves to have doubts. We are all trapped in a bubble of clothes, media, and make-up. It seems so easy to pop a bubble but once it's popped our true selves show. Popping the bubble of conformity means coming face to face with you we really are.

I am ready. I am done with competing with a world that doesn't see my worth. I AM BEAUTIFUL! I am beautiful because I have a heart for people and love to see them smile. I am beautiful because I show myself through my art. I am beautiful because I want the world to feel the love I feel. I am beautiful because God shines through me. I am beautiful because I am Christ's. No one can replace me because there is only one me. Just like no one can replace you because there is only one you. You are who you are because God knew only you could do the will He has planned for your life. We me fall into the world's trap every now and then , but our Father is always there to pick us up. "All beautiful you are my darling, there is no flaw in you." Song of Songs 4:7. See in yourself What God sees; something beautiful.

Let your light shine

Down the broken rode I went

No love

Just darkness

in a ball I sat with my head down

a black bird came through the night

poking, jabbing, stabbing

me from every angle

I refused to look up and be face to face with my pain

as I sat there curled up in my ball I felt trapped and alone

sitting there in the dark the poking, jabbing, and stabbing continued

until I couldn't stand it anymore

I screamed out and lifted my face

expecting the worst

and I found myself face to face with grace

It was not dark anymore

there was a light shining bright

God had been trying to get me to look up and see the light

see the light that was not shining from buildings in a city

but from my own heart where He lives eternally

I had been covering my light in my despair

forgetting that God is always there

we can never be consumed by darkness

because God is a fire that refuses to burn out

and lives inside of us no matter our spiritual where-about

we may fall down sometimes but it doesn't matter

because God is Father and Lord

He shed His blood so I can proudly say

I am a daughter of Christ

and am loved more than words could ever express



What you get isn't always what you ask for

Dear God,

I pray that this person I really like, will like me back. I think we are perfect for each other and I pray that one day we will end up together.

Dear God,

I pray that you will take away this temptation from me. Rid me of it once and for all. You can do anything so do this for me.

Dear God,

I pray that you would heal me of this illness. You make miracles happen for other people. Why can't you make a miracle happen for me?

 Praying is an awesome way to talk to God. It let's us hear from Him, have a relationship with Him, and gives us a chance to talk to the only one who truly knows us and accepts us. But sometimes we take prayer for granted. We ask God for something but at the same time demand it. We ask God for something specific instead of asking for His will to be done. Now the prayers above are just prayers I made up off the top of my head but think about prayers that you have said similar to these. I catch myself praying like this ALL THE TIME. One thing I forget is that I should not be in charge of my life. I do not hold the pen to my story. Whether it's the plan for my love life, my career, or anything else, I need to just Trust God. Instead of asking God for a specific person to notice me or like me.. I ask for God to keep preparing me for my future husband. To prepare him for me as well. And I pray that when the time comes I will know it is him. Instead of asking God to do something for me as a favor because it's what I want.. I ask that He show me what is the best for me. Instead of asking for hardships to be taken away I ask Him to hold my hand through it. God doesn't just fix everything and He does not grant your every wish like a genie. He created us. He knows what is best: we do not. So trust His plan instead of trying to make one of your own. Let me tell you from experience that human plans never can compare with God's plan.

God Bless,

Rachael

Inspired to Inspire

God has blessed me with so much. He has blessed me with an amazing family who loves me, gifts that I can use for His glory, and friends that see things differently than I do. They see things in me that I don't see. They help me realize things that I never would have. And they inspire me to make an impact on the world. We all have gifts. I have a creative mind, a generous heart, a love for people, and a desire to show love to everyone I can. You may be book smart, be great at sports, or you can speak in front of people without wanting to die of embarrassment. We ALL have gifts we can use. We don't always have to be the ones getting inspired, we can be the ones inspiring. Inspiring people to find love in God and not the world. Inspiring people to believe in themselves and have hope. Inspiring people to be positive and seek happiness. Inspiring people to live life with a purpose and not as a party. This world needs inspiration. God blessed you with a gift. Once you discover it.. don't be afraid to step out and use it.

God Bless,

Rachael

life seen differently

Sometimes I wish I could see life through a child's eyes

have their innocence

have their love for life

see things for what they truly are

I asked a little boy in my swim class what his little sister's name was

he replied with "Princess Autumn"

proud that she was his little sister.

Why can't we have that love?

Putting other's before ourselves..

he didn't just say her name was Autumn

he said Princess Autumn..

treating her better than most people treat their parents or best friend

kids are an example of God's perfect love for us..

not listening to the world.. but just loving because we can

I would say I want to see life through a child's eyes..

but they still fall short..

I want to see life through God's eyes

in His eyes we are all beautiful

in Him is where the greatest love of all is found.

God Bless,

Rachael

Identity

Identity.

The clothes you wear.

The color of your hair.

Are you a prep or a jock?

Are you smart or the class clown?

Identity.

Who are you?

The world tries to put you into a category.

The world tries to tell you who you are,

who you should be.

Identity.

Who am I?

I am a daughter of Christ.

I am quite loud and silly.

I love art and hate science.

I would die for my family and friends.

I love life.

Christ defines who I am.

I can not be put into a category.

Who are you?

What defines you?

Don't let the world decide who you are.

Discover it yourself.

What you will find is different but beautiful.

God Bless,

Rachael