Childhood Memories

I have a summer job as a babysitter this year.  I watch a six year old girl and her 12 year old brother.  The girl just finished kindergarten and now knows how to read more or less, so she loves showing it off! Today we went to the library to sign her up for their summer reading program and have been reading all day since.  It's so much fun watching her sound out words and struggle through the books as she shows off her new skills.  I remember being her age and going to the library every summer so that I could do exactly what she is doing.  It's fun being on the other side of the spectrum this time.

As much as I enjoy watching her read and helping her do it, what I find the most fun is the fact that I have the opportunity to read the Bible to her.  Every ten minutes she reads is another box on her sheet with the summer reading program.  She wants the prize at the end of the summer more than anything, and listening to me read to her counts as time for her sheet.  She goes to a Christian school, but her family doesn't go to church.  That means that she won't hear about God at all this summer.

I noticed on her bookshelf that she has a Kids Day-By-Day Bible that takes about 10 minutes to read a day.  I saw my opportunity to change her lack of God-time in this.  She is willing to listen to the Bible because she gets to mark off time on her sheet, but I get to teach her the True Word of God.  I'm so grateful to the Lord that He has placed me in a position to share His love with His children.  Praise Him!

...And Getting Older

I've begun to learn recently that my plans and thoughts are worthless in the long run.  I don't say that for pity or in a depressing way at all.  But as I've gotten older I've learned that each day brings new challenges and new lessons for my life.  These are all preplanned by the Father for my future.  Therefore, I can't really have any plans in my life because everyday is going to change them up and turn my life around.  This isn't to say that I can't dream and hope and pursue my interests, but ultimately I have to trust God more.

Lately, I've had to delve that trust a little deeper into my God.  Some things that I thought were going to be constants in my life have become lesser, and new things are taking their places.  I don't understand why God is changing my life, but the best guess I have is that my life isn't on track with God's plan.  I think I've spent a lot of time chasing down my dreams and not chasing down God.

A few years back, I would never have made that realization.  That's part of getting older.  My mind is maturing and my spiritual maturity is developing as well.  Now I have more focus on the important areas of my life such as the Lord and His plans and His kingdom.  Earthly things are still of interest because this is where He put me, but they aren't as important as they once were.  I know God is leading me to a wonderful future where I can share His name and help His children, and I can't wait! This growing up and getting older thing used to scare me, but I'm excited now to see where I'm going! I have faith that it is exactly where I need to be!

Growing Up...

A few days ago some friends and I had the classic summer night. You know the one you see in the movies where the main characters stay up late, ride in the back of a pickup truck and look at the stars, eating junk food, and remembering good times while looking forward to new ones? That was us. It was a night I will never forget.

But looking back on it, I'm amazed at how far I've come. A few years ago I would have been scared to death to do something so carefree and thoughtless. But that's part of growing up I guess. You have to learn how to change and let go and expand. I guess I didn't realize how much I've grown as a person until recently. Soon I'll be facing life head on and taking all new chances. I can't wait.

I only pray that God has my future in line. I know He does but sometimes it's hard to believe it. I'm still struggling with what He wants me to do in certain areas of my life, but I trust He has a plan. I don't understand it, and I certainly don't think anyone else involved does either. But that's okay. Because its in God's hands. While I'm growing up, He's still the same. What a comfort that is!