Spring Flowers?

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Are you in desperate need of spring flowers? I sure am. I want warmth, sunlight, flip-flops, flowers, jean jackets, and lemonade!

Let's be honest... I am so over winter, and I am so READY for spring.

Aren't flowers just naturally beautiful? The way they seem to exude brilliant colors, aroma, and good feelings. I always feel better when I see flowers on the ground, or when my mom puts flowers on our kitchen table- they just have a way of brightening your day. :)

Why does it seem like winter is lasting forever this year? I feel like I will never be able to put my north face layers away- like I am eternally stuck in boots and mittens/gloves. Do you have a case of winter gloom like me? Is it taking a toll on your happiness?

I encourage you to create your own sunshine today (yes, I am aware that sounds extremely cliche/corny/whatever). But despite the weather, I encourage you to be optimistic. Have a good time with friends, share some laughter, get a few things done that will make you feel good, take some time to yourself. Make today your own "springlike," positive, happy day.

I know we may not be able to magically bring warmth and sunlight, but God can give us sunshine in other ways. It's out there waiting- now go and find it!

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19 (short and simple- but so powerful).

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

Do You Believe in Destiny?

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Do you believe in destiny? Are you a hopeless romantic? Do you let your heart decide your path? Do you have faith that can survive any test?

"I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be."

So maybe our path in life isn't quite as perfectly laid out as this incredible path of rose petals. It's beautiful, isn't it? We sometimes wish that our plan in life was this perfect... if only we could just follow flower petals and end up exactly where we are supposed to be, everything would be so much easier.

But the truth is- maybe it is that easy. Maybe we aren't supposed to see the flower petals, but they are still there. Maybe destiny is like this unseen path, guiding us when we don't even know it. It's hard for me to believe in destiny. It's hard for me to believe in anything that isn't concrete. How can I put my faith in something that I can't see and that can let me down in BIG ways. 

But isn't that what faith is all about? It's about being confident in something you can't see, being sure that destiny, and God, will lead you wherever you need to be.

I encourage you to take a breath, relax, and realize that even though you may not know what is ahead of you... it will be exactly where you need to be. And ultimately, where you need to be is your perfect place in God's kingdom.

Happy Saturday! :)

"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 hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

What does LIFE mean to you?

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I always love these pictures, they are so good at relating huge concepts to general emotions and feelings. They give us examples of the little things that make up the larger things in life.

What does life mean to you? When you think about life- do you think about courage, hope, passion, acceptance, decisions, feelings, dreams, pain, faith, thrills, reason, peace and LOVE?

I think that a majority of us would love to believe that our lives are perfect. But that's not always the case. There are going to be events, people, and days in our life that test us... that challenge us to be a different person. Sometimes, we approach that challenge with confidence while other times we shrink away from it and pretend that everything will simply just 'get better.' I encourage you to acknowledge that God gave you each and every day as an opportunity- and maybe that means turing disaster into beauty. So seize your opportunity today and make the most out of whatever you get dealt. After all, each and every day is beautiful.

It's the hard days that teach us the most about ourselves, that make us appreciate the good days so much more, and that push us to truly rely on our faith. If not for challenges and hardship, would I be able to believe in a God that delivers us from pain and tribulation? So, I am thankful for pain, for challenges, and for hard times.

But, I am also thankful that today will be a good day- filled with incredible people and friends, good worship and community and a few good test scores.. :)

I have to admit that good test scores make me a little bit happier/less stressed. Aren't we allowed to be proud of our accomplishments? :) Be proud of something you do today... and realize that it is God that gave you the power and ability to do so.

"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." 

Psalm 16:11

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

In an Emotional Rut

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The past couple days have been hard. Have you ever been 'stuck' in an emotional rut? Why can't I shake this feeling of discontentment?

What's really wrong- what is keeping me from living freely?

My answer to those of you who find yourself at the bottom- with no way out- is this... THERE IS A WAY OUT! All you have to do is climb a little bit. I understand that climbing a wall that seems unsurmountable does not sound appealing. Believe me, we all look for the easy way out. But the truth when it comes to our emotions is that there is no easy way out. There is no way to put your emotions aside and simply 'get better.'

Last night, on top of intense boredom, I felt like I was at the bottom. There wasn't a specific reason... I just didn't feel like myself. Everything changed when I talked to a few good friends (don't good friends cure everything?)They encouraged me to take a step back, to take some 'me' time. To me, taking 'me' time means being lazy and forgetting about other work that needs to be done. But taking just an hour last night to step back, to take a breather... I realized that I rarely take that time to myself. I am constantly going, going, going... and it takes a toll on me mentally.

So, I took an hour before bed to be alone with my bible. It is truly incredible how God speaks to us through the bible verses that we flip to. I read a story about a woman named Hannah who had to be patient. She desperately wanted a child, but the Lord wanted her to wait. Eventually after years of waiting and relying on the Lord, she had multiple children. Oh, the joys of God's fulfillment. I learned from that story that it is okay to wait- that there are great things planned for my future... I just have to be patient.

Be patient today. God created patience as a way to teach us that the great things in life are worth waiting for.

A cute picture for rejuvenation...

"Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were staving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away."

1 Samuel 2:5

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

Rainy Day Syndrome.

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If you are anything like me.. you have a mild case of rainy day syndrome. Okay, maybe not so mild...

Let's be completely honest. I HATE rainy, dark days.

I am always discouraged when I open the blinds in the morning to raindrops dripping from the windowsill, to sidewalks engulfed by puddles, and to think about my long and lonely walk to class while getting wet. It is hard to be grateful for something that can seem so depressing and pointless. 

Why does God give us these days when we are perfectly content with sunshine and warmth? 

I think the answer is all about gratitude. 

How can we truly be thankful for sun and warmth without the rainy days? How can we appreciate the good days without living through the bad ones? 

So today, I am thankful for the rain. I am thankful that the sun gets a chance to rest, that the snow is partially melting, and that spring is coming soon. I am thankful that not every day is full of sunshine, and I acknowledge that even rain can be beautiful. 

Even rain can be perfect.

Take advantage of whatever weather is coming your way today. If you do get some lucky rays on sunshine, thank the Lord for a healthy dose of vitamin D. If you wake up to rain... appreciate a nice day inside under the blankets with a good movie and some hot tea. If you get snow, get outside and try something new! 

The Lord has a reason and purpose for every day. Be thankful for weather, be thankful for your place on this Earth, and be thankful for the beauty that is God's creation.

"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

Acts 14:17

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan