June 30, 2023
Do you ever feel like absolutely nothing is working for you but rather against you? Life everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong and there is nobody there to stop it. Like a snowball of not so great events is headed down a mountain getting larger by the minute? Well let me just tell you, I felt these emotions 100% this past week. As I explained in a previous post, this past week, we flew up to New York to drop my brother off at college. Being the first born, there were already nerves about dropping him off and then just to top those nerves, we missed our flight to get there on Saturday by literally fifteen minutes. We stood at the terminal gate and watched as our plane to New York pulled out and all though it was pretty disheartening and frustrating, we made due with the circumstances and continued on. Once we figured all of the ticket issues out, we ended up on a flight a couple hours later which in the end worked out just fine. We were then able to spend some good family time together before saying our goodbyes to Owen on Monday. (Side note: isn’t it amazing how most times when we feel like something is totally screwed up, it usually ends up working for our good in the end!) Now after that little experience headed to New York and dropping Owen off at West Point, we were wore out. The emotions were not quite in line as we had just said goodbye to my older brother for a couple weeks and all me, mom, dad, and Saylor wanted was to be home. We were scheduled to fly out Tuesday at one, so as most do, we got to the airport three hours early this time (because we had already missed our flight there lol) and were feeling good about getting home by four that afternoon. Just a quick three hour flight and we would be back in the comforts of our house. Or so we thought. We got all through security and to the gate when come to find out our flight had been cancelled so, we had to exit the airport and go all the way back to the ticket desk where we got the bad news that there were no flights leaving until Saturday. Let me just be honest, when we heard this news tears started to well up in my eyes. All I wanted was to be in my own bed. We had to get home before Thursday because my dad had to work. But we did not know what to do, when I tell you we looked like a top of the line research committee, I am not lying. Mom, dad, and me found a seat in the airport and were looking all over the internet for a ticket home. I am talking trains, ferry boats, other airports, everything was sold out. We then decided we would have to drive home, all fifteen hours which if you know my family is not very comforting taken how impatient we all are but it was the only option. However, what are the chances that all rental cars were booked, and not just in New York. We looked in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, literally everywhere surrounding the state of NY were booked. We even looked into renting a UHAUL to get home but, all booked. This was the moment my entire family just about lost it, we were out of options. How were we going to get home? I am not lying when I say we were stuck in NYC. It was at that moment, I went to the bathroom and prayed that God would give us some sort of way out, some way to get home and as He does, my prayers were answered. I went back to meet the rest of my family and happened to come across a bus system that had four open seats. 100 dollar tickets a piece to drive us from NYC to Atlanta GA (a 16 hour drive). We were a little skeptical but It was the only choice so we booked our tickets to board the so called “Wanda Coach” in non other than Chinatown, NYC. From there, we got an Uber from the airport to Chinatown because our bus was scheduled to leave at 10pm so here we are pulling our luggage through the big apple waiting to board our only ride home. Finally ten o’clock came and we got on the bus (Wanda Coach). There we were on our way to Atlanta snacks, blankets, books, and each other on hand.
I say all of this to say, our plans do not always align with those of God. In fact there are a lot of occasions that we as people wish had a different outcome but we have to trust in uncertain times such as this that God will take care of us no matter what. I am not saying the bus ride was great taken the long time sitting and the fact that we were all sweating because the A/C stopped running. However, we made it home. God answered my prayer and even though it was a day later than expected we arrived safely and made some everlasting memories.
It is through times like this that God runs both big and small tests to see our trust and faith in Him. He knew all along everything was going to work out, but wanted to see how we watched it play out before us. In conclusion, I want you all to take something away from this funny but not so funny experience I had. God is bigger than any trial we will face in our lifetimes. He has a plan for you and me both and even when it doesn’t line up with what we want to happen, we must trust that He sees the big picture and we only see a small portion.
I found this quote and it spoke big to me, “you may not see it yet, but God has the right piece to make the puzzle of your life fit together perfectly.” Psalm 33:13 states, “The Lord looks down from Heaven, the son holds all sons of man.” He is in control, holding you in the right of His hand. Find faith in this truth and trust His path.
June 18, 2023
As I sit here today I have no words to express how thankful I am. I find myself sitting here today after just going on an amazing vacation and seeing some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, celebrating Father’s Day amongst my most favorite people in the world; my family. I say this not to sound like I am bragging or boasting about what I have, but rather to explain how grateful I really am. God is so good even in the midst of our hardships because while it may look like my family and I have it all together, let me just give you a small glimpse of some of my trials these past few weeks. Lately, it has felt as if more and more people are getting sick and hurt. Cancer, sickness, accidents, and mental health struggles just to name a few. When we are what feels to be overcome with these physical and mental alignments it can feel like there is no hope. I know for me I sometimes will find myself really questioning God, why does life have to be this way? Why do we have to face so much hurt? It seems like all we have to cry out is WHY? However, God calls us to look past the why and instead focus on the what. What does He want us to use these testimonies for? In what ways can I make a difference by sharing what I have faced in my life here on earth?
The good news is, this isn’t our real home. John 14:3 says, “And if I go and prepare and place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Earth is not our forever, it is temporary and most certainly not mine or your final destination. if we accept Jesus into our hearts, heaven is then our true home base. Life here can seem so all over the place, we experience so many emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety, happiness to anger in the span of a few seconds. Now let’s be real for a minute, life here on earth can seem pretty great sometimes. Maybe for you it is going on vacation, hanging out with friends, or going to get pizza. At times it can feel like we are living our best life, but let me promise you, Heaven will be better. That all being said like mentioned before, life can also feel really bad. Just think about the homeless communities, those facing abuse, the rise in crime, and so much more. With all of the hurt and pain we feel on this earth, it leaves you and me with a NEED to believe in something better. Which in our case, thanks being to God, is Heaven. By remembering and reminding ourselves of this perfect living place daily, it can help us walk each day on earth with more joy and hope for the future.
Revelation 21:4 states, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, for the old way of things has passed away.” When we step foot into the golden gates of Heaven, all pain and suffering will be no more. Therefore, as 1 Peter 3:14 says, Dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.” From here until our last days on this Earth, I challenge you to live like you believe Heaven is real. Tell others the good news that this is not our end, but the beginning to an even better life. You and me both are will reach our final destination on the day God calls us home, so live like it, live each day for Him and be excited for what our future holds.