Tonight we decided to go into town to get food because that’s what happens when Dad is gone, and Mom doesn’t want to cook. I didn’t complain because this healthy person loves fast food.
I was reviewing my summer goals the other day and noticed I was supposed to blog everyday. My immediate excuse for that is well, it takes time to type, properly outline, edit, and market a GOOD blog post. Then I saw I’m supposed to be writing out just my daily thoughts and what I’m learning anyway. So I already failed at this goal, so is it too late to start at the beginning of August???
Hey, better late than never.
Tonight we went into town as I was saying. Hunter always takes the front seat, and Mom was driving obviously, or like I’d be alive to write this. So I was sitting by myself in the back, but I actually didn’t mind that. Also, thank goodness for drive thrus. All you gotta do is stay in your pajamas and throw on a pair of flip flops, and you’re good to go! You don’t even need to brush your hair or do anything!
Anyway, I was sitting there, and while I love living where we live, we’re like miles away from town. So I just had to sit there. And I’m fine with that. Most kids my age don’t know how to not be entertained. But then my data came back because when I was at my grandparents, their internet broke. And I had to use my data. Three days later, it was all gone. And my parents make it go off when I use my limit because the year before when I was at my grandparents’ house, I went over big time and racked up an extra almost hundred dollars on the phone bill…
Okay, where am I going with this? Well, I ended up going to YouTube because I’ve got little to no self control, and since I’d gone practically a whole month with no data, I wanted to use it. So now it will probably all be gone tomorrow. But I’m actually glad I used it because here’s my point in this rambling.
I’m guilty of loving my pop music, but lately I’ve really been loving Christian music. It’s so much better for my soul than that pop crap, but I probably won’t STOP listening to pop music. But the more I listen to Christian music, the more I want of it. So I decided to listen to some of my favorites on YouTube, and Mom let me use her earbuds, so while Hunter played that ridiculous Pokemon Go game, I just sat there. And listened. And reflected on the beauty of this world and God.
Some people say there’s nothing to look at in Iowa. I used to think that. But now I would say, Are you blind? Or are you just not looking hard enough?
Sure, this picture may not be filled with vibrant colors and masterful sunsets, but look at it! There is still so much beauty there, and between the beautiful truths being recited in those songs to staring at the glorious sky and sunlight shimmering through the clouds… I was in awe. And I just sat there quietly. Praising God for life.
This summer has been a lot of fun, but it’s kind of been an emotional roller coaster for me as I experienced overwhelming joy at how amazing God is, deep sadness as I grieved for this world and all the many problems in it, anger at sin and this country’s ridiculous tolerance of it, and just anxiety at the things to come. But then I’m reminded of Psalm 46:10.
I think one of the very first Bible verses I memorized was John 3:16, which is one I still love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Then I’m pretty sure it was Jeremiah 29:11:
“‘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.’”
And then I think it was Psalm 46:10. “Be still, and know that I am God.” And that was the verse I was reminded of tonight. I was reminded that I can’t be obsessed with myself and my agenda. I can’t let the troubles of this world tear me apart. It grieves me, and that isn’t bad, but I can’t get lost in it. I must remember that God will take care of things.
I also needed to be reminded that it’s not bad to just stop what I’m doing and take in God and give Him glory for everything. Sometimes you need to stop and reflect. And I got to do that. I probably used a bunch of my data, but it was worth it. It gave me some time that I desperately needed to renew my mind, and that is why what you listen to, what you read, and what you watch are very important. Whatever you feed your mind is what your mind will become; I’ve never been more sure of that. And I only started realizing that when I started to feed my mind with meaningful things and began to realize the other junk was distractions.
Anyway, I hope you’re all having a good night. If possible, make some time tonight to just be still. And know that God is God. Remember that even when you’re not facing a lot of problems. Is there anything I can pray about for you? Tell me in the comments. When do you stop and meditate on God’s goodness?
