Just Another Weekend?

As a college student, a three day weekend home can seem like just another weekend to relax and enjoy family and friends. Unfortunately, in our culture, even a weekend like Easter has become that to many families - simply time to gather with family and enjoy good food and pleasant feelings.

In my devotion times lately, I've been indulging my imagination a bit more than usual. One of the things I like to do most is to put myself in the place of a character in a Bible story. This week, I took the luxury of spending nearly 45 minutes spinning a story of what this weekend of the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection would have been like for me, had I been there.

As the story progressed, I found myself increasingly confused by the situations around me. I think I got so into the setting in my imagination, that I forgot how the story ended. Jesus being taken from the Garden of Gethsemane sent my thoughts into a wave of worry, wondering what was happening. I started to doubt - hadn't I given everything to follow this man? What would happen if he was brought down by the government? What would happen to our group that followed him? Would we be in danger? How would our beliefs ever last beyond just our generation?

And then the beating and the crucifixion. I won't walk you through my entire imagined story, for it's very personal. Mixed into the crowd as just another face, and yet feeling the pain and shame that He endured with every mocking. Hiding my face as I stood at the foot of the cross, longing to step out and speak out against what was happening, but holding back in fear. Going home from there, and sitting in the dark, sobbing. The next two days, going about my daily activities with no interest or desire to continue living.

And then the news from the disciples. Skepticism. Doubt. Wishful thinking. What dreamers they were! They needed to accept reality. I don't believe all that. But I do need to walk by the tomb anyways, put the customary spices and such. Might as well go today, check out these rumors.

And then, I see a man. In the garden. Maybe I'll ask him what's going on. He says my name - I know. It's him.

My name. The name He's given me. Spoken softly, intimately. Has He thought of me all throughout this weekend? Even through His great pain and sorrow, even through death - was He aware of me? Of the pain and need I would one day experience, and of how I would rest confident in this death and resurrection of His? Surely, He was. As He hung on the cross, His thoughts drifted to me. To the image of me crying, sitting on the bathroom floor. To how He would be with me in that moment, and in each after it.

In His death, and life, God was glorified. May my life also bring glory to Him.

A Blue Day

A Blue Day by Rebekah G featuring a box pleat skirt

Shoes, Friends, and Other News

Things I'm excited about today:

shoes!
being home in 24 hours
riding horses on Saturday
Seussical!
having friends from school meet my family
good friendships
sitting on the roof at the CCF house
getting some extra hours of work done
spring weather (even rain - as long as it stays warm!)
the song Sweet Home Alabama

I've been on a shoe hunt. I need summer sandals that are church-okay and sufficiently casual. If you know me, you know that heels are out of the question. Thankfully, cute, flat sandals are currently in style! Here are some cute options I've found - opinions are welcome!

1. from Target 2. also from Target 3. found at Famous Footwear (free shipping and 15% thru April 23rd!) 4. another Famous Footwear selection
5. found at good old Payless Shoes Source (idk if I could pull these ones off, but they are CUTE!) I've also been wanting these next two, but probably won't get them. One, because I can't stand spending much money at all on shoes. Two, because I really don't need them. And three, because both are pretty fad, brand-name type shoes, and I usually veer away from that type of thing style wise. :) But here they are:

Chacos!
TOMS! Terrible photo, but I love these so, so, so much!

I have also been on a mission looking for men's shoes, for a certain someone who has holes in the bottom of the only shoes he wears. Ahem. This is not nearly as easy (shopping for boys never is), but I have some decent options so far.
All from Payless:

Not sure I could handle these ones - I think Zeke has the same exact pair. :)
Here's another color variation, similar shoe:

And if he refuses everything else, this is my last ditch option:

Also, if you took that seriously because you own shoes like this . . . well, I hope you are a grandpa. If you aren't, then we should talk. Call me. Please.

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you today. :)

Friendship

In times of trouble, God has not forgotten me. When I can't feel His comfort or compassion, and it seems to dark for any of His light to shine through, His body of believers comes through. His love is in them, and it's been shown to be so fully as of late.

Parents: they are the best. I love them a lot, and it is so encouraging to know that I don't have to be all put together before I can come to them for comfort. They understand me so well.

Gretchen: I don't think I've ever had such a beautiful, self-less friend. She has made me promise to text or call her at anytime of the day or night if I need a friend. And the craziest thing - we've only been friends for a couple of months! God has worked in her life in great ways already, and continues to do that daily as she lives out her love for Him.

Audrey and Gretch

Dani: S.A. and future roomie - she's basically the greatest. Dani is a rock in my life, and her hugs are needed on a regular basis in my life. I can't believe we lived in the same town for 5 years and didn't know each other. . . I sure was missing out.

Audrey, Allison, and Jen: They live together, and kind of all go together in my mind. Each has different strengths, which makes them such a wonderful group of friends. Jen is full of encouragement, compassion, and attentiveness to those who are hurting. Audrey is full of life and adventure, always up for a good time and laughter. And Al is the thinker, who loves to talk about life and learning and the deep parts of what goes on in our minds and hearts. I love them all so dearly.

Danielle: She disciples me, and I couldn't have asked for more. Wow, what a godly young woman! She encourages me in so many ways, and is an inspiration when it comes to trusting God completely and having Him rule every aspect of life.


Meegan: She's Australian, which is basically enough to tell you all about her. :) She is a woman of great wisdom, and also crazy fun, all at the same time. She's always willing to fit me into the busy schedule she keeps, and has an unshakable faith and confidence in her Savior.

(on the far left, with the thumbs-up)

So yeah. God's been pretty great, especially this week.