Recently in Faith and God Category

The Sunrise

Picture
One of the biggest problems for me is sleep.  I have had insomnia since I was eight years old, and when sleep is required in order to function and make good grades at school, it can be especially frustrating to lie awake at night, wishing I could fall asleep. 

Sometimes there is an issue that is bothering me, and that is the real cause I cannot sleep one night.  Maybe I am worried about a test.  Maybe I am concerned for a friend.  Maybe I am simply worrying because I am a worrier, which can be a problem.  Sometimes I can't sleep at night because I'm worrying that I can't sleep. 

I feel almost a sense of despair when I see the gentle iridescence of the sun slowly peeking over the horizon at about six in the morning, and I first begin to realize that I truly have not slept all night.  But if it is a day where I do not have anything going on, and I am free to sleep all day if need be, then the glow of the sunrise can be a comfort.  It causes a sense of peace and serenity to wash over the room, and it can bring warmth to my heart.

I found a verse today that gives me the same sense of tranquility as a gentle sunrise, and I would like to share it with you.  I don't know who is reading this, but maybe you too have a problem with worrying, with sleeping.  If you do, maybe this verse will give you the same level of comfort as it does me. 

Soak in the Lord's presence.  Let Him rain down peace in your life. 

Psalm 4:8
In peace, I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Poor stop sign...

Today was typical of the bizarre weather of my city.  When I woke up, everything was covered in a fine layer of snow.  By fourth period, everything was completely blanketed, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drive home from school because of the ice.  By sixth period, I walked outside with surprise... it was fifty degrees with no snow in sight.  However, we had hurricane force wind, when the breeze was almost completely still two hours before. 

In fact, we were going to have our school's Homecoming tonight, but the opposing team is located an hour and a half away and was too afraid to drive a school bus in this weather.  Scary, isn't it?
Picture
For example, here is a picture of the outskirts of my city.  The dust is covering the horizon to the point that you can't see much beyond the first couple of buildings.  It was ridiculous. 

After dinner tonight, my mom and brother and sister and I were riding in our car when my mom saw something that made us gasp with shock and hilarity.  We ended up turning around and pulling the car over to the side of the road so that I could take a picture. 

Picture
A stop sign had been blown over by the wind.  That is how bad it gets where I live.  Do not move here, any prospecting home owners. 

Remember that Tony Romo light decoration for our front yard that I wrote about a week or two ago?  Well, Tony Romo has been flat on his face for most of the day... the wind keeps knocking him over. 

I live in one of the top ten windiest cities of America... and I think in one of the top twenty of the world.  However, I enjoy the fact that nobody really lets it get them down.  Sure, people may complain a little, but there are still a few hundred thousand people who live here with no intention of moving away.  The sign will be re-cemented to the concrete tomorrow.  The leaves and tumbleweeds will be swept out of people's front lawns.  The dust will finally clear out of the air, and we will be able to breathe again without tasting grit in our mouths. 

Everybody has problems in their lives, but just like this wind, it will clear up eventually, and it will be okay again.  Just have faith, and stay strong in the Lord.  Romans 8:28 says that all things will work out for the good of those who love God, and I take that to be the truth. 

PictureBut there is one good thing about the wind.  It stirs up the dust and gives us pretty sunsets each night. 

And just like that, if you trust in God throughout every trial in your life, your hardships will turn into something beautiful in the end, something that glorifies Christ. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,