HEEeeeEEeeELLLOOOOOO (Horton Hears a Who Reference)
I always start these blogs by disclosing and apologizing for being inconsistent.
So, for traditions sake, sorry.
Glad that is taken care of.
Oh... Life. A lot has happened since my last blog (nearly a year ago :D EEK) and I am not going to bore you with all of the details. But in case you care, In short and no specific order...
I still live in Tulsa
Sometimes I try new recipes and make Micah's friends eat them
I am 9 months away from being done with school forever
You can just call me Mrs. Madison Petersen MSW (soon)
I officially signed up for a half marathon (EEK)
I have an amazing job
God's favor is abundant
I am secretly glad fall is here (although I love summer)
my husband is cute and has a beard
and my dog smells like something died.
P.S. I should be doing school work right now but somehow I ended up here...
If you are extremely close to me, you know that A LOT more than that has gone on, but that is not the important part of this message. Thank you to everyone who has invested in me during this past season, You are so important to me and I thank God for you. You know who you are. :)
I will refer back to one of my previous blogs, titled "Overcome." I have been reminded that growing up, once again, is hard. But the reward is worth it.
God has taught me a lot lately about:
Making decisions
Following His voice alone
Trusting Him with my future
and not letting fear be the deciding factor.
A lot of really TOUGH, but IMPORTANT life lessons
Learning to be an adult and rely on Him alone.
There has been times where I questioned my calling, questioned my present, questioned my past... rough stuff. But again, not the point of this blog.
In the midst of all of these really important lessons, decisions, and transitions I can't get away from the simplicity of God's love for us. Sometimes I think that we over think our lives... at least I do...
"What am I going to do to serve you God? I can work harder, I can suffer, I can force myself to just do this for a while until I can be ready to do what you have called me to... I'm your FAITHFUL servant" BLAH
when really God is saying,
"Madi- Listen to me. I have a plan for you, it's good and far better than you imagine, and you don't have to stress or figure it out,
JUST BE OBEDIENT,
listen to my voice, step by step, I will not lead you astray, I love you, CHILL OUT."
*I definitely have not mastered this, I don't know who has, but I share this with you to encourage you and strengthen you in hopes that in return I will grow*
I was at Yoga class today and the instructor challenged us (in a typical post modern fashion) to really live in the moment, be present, not be caught up in the past or the future but to just breathe in the present moment because it will never be the same again. Deep right... I always use the "meditation" times to pray during these classes and I was once again reminded of Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."We get so caught up in our future plans, our past mistakes, or our current failures that we forget to simply be.
Be Still.
Be thankful for what God is doing in our lives RIGHT NOW
(Not distracted by what might happen in the next 4 months)
Be joyful
Be with God
Simply Be.
Still.
It is in this stillness that we can hear God! It is in this stillness that we can find rest. I think the fall season is such a good time to remember this. The weather is changing, there is a freshness in the air that reminds us that all things pass away and new things are born. Its quite beautiful actually.
So as the leaves fall, and life seems hectic and busy, and as troubles come your way remember to take a second and be still. Trust God. Trust that you hear His voice and do not hear the voice of another. Follow Peace. Don't freak out and micromanage your future.
And drink some Chai Tea because it is seasonally delicious
You are an Overcomer.
John 10:3-5 "...the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
