Running after His heart.

For me, the name of my blog has multiple layers. Obviously there is the figurative Sami, running after God's heart. Running after His heart to do what He wants her to do. Running after His heart so she can learn to be more like Jesus. Running after His heart so that she can desire the things that God would want her to desire.

And then there's the literal Sami that literally goes running.

During sophomore year I took a class called DAYO. It was an acronym that stands for Dancing, Aerobics, Yoga, and Orienteering (or in lay-man's terms walking.) My DAYO teacher was the essence of a drill sergeant. She pushed us HARD on our walks. We usually were running more than half of the time. And while most people HATED our walks, I fell in love with running. It became a thing for me. My rhythmic breathing as I my feet slap against the pavement. The complete in-the-zone feeling. Going nowhere and everywhere all at one time. And being alone with God. I do some of my best praying and basking in God's glory when I run or walk.

Today was a hard day. I think I failed my math final. I found out I might potentially be in some financial trouble. I am getting sick. And yet, when I went running, I was able to give it all to God and just breathe. Under a pink and blue sky, painted by our Creator I communicated to Him my troubles, my worries, my imperfections and gave up whatever control I thought I had.

-Slap, slap, slap- Breathe in, breathe out. Give it to God.

I can't do this... I can't do this, I can't do this by myself.

Thus, He comes in and makes me new. I've been asking my Father to break me, I think He's answering my prayers. So even in all my brokenness, I'm happy.
Broken is beautiful.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Happy April!

As I wrap up my first full month of blogging my heart is filled with peace. There is no other way to describe it. The weather, with all its ups and downs, certainly parallels my April. There were times of snow... times when I didn't think I was going to be able to get up for even one more day. There were times of rain, difficulties/struggles/nagging thoughts about school and other to-dos. And of course, my saving grace, were the sunshine days. Days where nothing got me down. No word or course of action could change the joy that I had in my heart.

It's interesting that we so much desire to be joyful all the time. We are called to "rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice" (Phil 4:4) This means that no matter what trials we may be facing, no matter what mountain we are climbing, no matter what valley we are walking through, we are called to find JOY in the Lord. Do not confuse this with happiness, for happiness is a fleeting feeling, while joy should be apart of who we are. We have been given the gift of salvation, God has a plan dear sisters! He will guide us through the hardships. He would never bring us this far to leave us. So let's rejoice. Let's dance and sing for our Father. Let's run and fly. Let us be bold. Let us DO HARD THINGS. I'm learning that when I push my doubts, insecurities, troubles, etc. to the side and focus on the people around me, or at the very least focus my attention on God, it doesn't seem all that bad. Perspective is a jewel. Figuring out what's really important, that's a diamond!
I'm learning that to be a woman of God I must be modest in so many more things than just my dress. I'm learning from you, my dear sisters, about ways to prepare for my future as a wife and mother (God willing.) You all have blessed me so much, you have no idea. Thank you for an amazing April. All of your blogs, all of your insights, all of your troubles and triumphs, they have helped me. As I've began to get to know each and every one of you I feel completely blessed to have this amazing tool, the internet. For without it, I wouldn't know any of you, not one. And some of you have become an important part to my life, so I thank you for your blogging friendship :) I thank you for your acceptance to the blog world. I thank you for your wisdom and most of all, for your prayers. You are all beautiful young women of God, and I can't wait to see where May takes all of us!!

Speaking of May... tomorrow (for me) is May 1st!! A mere hour and a half from now sparks the beginning of the National Day of Prayer. I will be praying for all of you :) I encourage you all to take the time out and pray, for five minutes or for five hours. Whatever you can manage. God calls us to prayer, it may be hard and not yet quite part of your routine, but man... is it worth it :) God is amazing my dear sisters, let us devote some of our time to Him, let us speak to Him and let us hear what He has to say back. Prayer is powerful!

I love you all and pray this post finds you in good health and spirits!!
-Samantha

Becoming a Godly Woman (oh boy!)

Lately it has been on my heart to become more of a Godly woman. It's not that I'm a horrible person compared with the world's standards, but when compared with God's standards? I could use a little help (yes, that's an understatement.) Thus, I've been watching more carefully what I wear, I've been trying to help out around the house, and I've been trying to watch the words that I say. I want my words to be edifying to the body of Christ and also non-believers. There is obviously SO MUCH MORE to being a Godly woman, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

Today I worked on helping out around the house more. I'm not feeling too well today, stemming from not feeling so well yesterday, but I managed to get out of bed long enough to assist my mommy in cleaning the windows in the house. Afterward I did some laundry and did the dishes. And then I ran to the grocery store to pick up some food for dinner. I actually FELT better. Who would have thought that such small tasks would make such a big difference physically and spiritually? As I was washing the windows I kept thinking about the house that I would one day be washing windows in. And my heart was filled with desire.

As followers of Christ we have higher expectations, higher standards. We should have bigger dreams and goals too. God can do sooo much with us if we just let Him take control. If He can turn my lazy bum into a daughter that actually HELPS around the house, He can do anything. Honestly. Our God, is an awesome God. And I know I say that a lot, but oh thank ya Jesus, it's soooo true!!

P.S. We had our first BBQ of the season, YUMMMMMMMY :D

Everyday Niceties

God led me to the perfect job four months ago, and I still marvel at His match.

Four months ago, I was nearing the end of my savings account. After not having a job for about three months, things were pretty tense around my household. My parents were worried I wasn't going to be able to continue paying my bills, plus they were a wee bit tired of my lazy bum sitting around the house doing nothing. (Not that I can blame them!) I began actively searching for a job at the end of October and gave the situation entirely to my Father in heaven. I knew with my previous two jobs I had gotten "all on my own" and hated them immensely. So, this time I made the heart decision to do it God's way. I've been happy with my job ever since :)

Today was another perfect reminder of how blessed I am to work at Staples. I was SICK. I don't know why, but I knew that at any moment I could barf and I had a massive headache. But I went into work anyway, because I feel guilty just thinking about calling in.

As soon as I walked in the door people were asking me what was wrong.
For an hour and a half they twisted my arm until I finally agreed to go home early. (:
These people care. It's truly amazing to me and I thank God daily for my job.

In retrospect I can look back on these past four months and actually SEE what happens when I trust God. Fantastic things happen :) I pray that I can continue to do His will instead of my own, because things work far much better when I go with God.

Anyone else ever had this epiphany?

Well, I'm off to bed to get some more sleep. I have tests tomorrow :( That I haven't studied for... oh dear, maybe that's why I'm sick! :P

In His Love,
Samantha! :)