Finding Joy

"People who make a difference in the world get excited for one smile.

They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one

wound. They aren't determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they're

satisfied with small changes. Over time, those changes add up. Sometimes they

even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world."

I saw this quote and immediately asked myself, 'Is that how I am living?'.  We are called to love and serve and teach one another.  We are called to be His hands and feet and make disciples of all nations. 

This is something that has been really heavy on my heart the last few months.  When asking myself,  "what do I want to do with the rest of my life?" or "what is my purpose on this earth?" I was never really sure of the answer.  I was always frustrated and discouraged that I felt 'stuck' in my situation and did not really see progression or hope in my future.  I finally realized it was because I was looking in all the wrong places.  I was looking for my joy, purpose, and contentment in worldly things.  I was so focused on having the perfect career, starting a family, and building a life for myself.  The Lord took ahold of my heart and opened my eyes to my own blindness.  It is not in these worldly things that I am going to find joy. It is not in myself that I am going to find 'success' and a purpose.  Since I let go of control and have allowed Him to work it has been incredible.  I am constantly in awe of his faithfulness and his perfect timing.  He is doing HUGE things, and I am so excited to see what he has planned. 

I now know I want to strive to live my life serving others.  I want to get excited for one smile. I want to be able to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound.  I am fully aware that not at all by my own merit will I be able to do any of these things.  I want to live my life being His hands and His feet.  I want to submit myself to His plan and let Him work.  And I definitely cannot wait to see what He is going to do.

I am starting this blog because I want to document this journey.  In my times of doubt and worry I want to be able to come back here and remember how powerful His love and mercy is.  I want to remember how it feels to be so confident that His plans are far greater than my own.  I hope that through this journey and this blog that I am able to allow him to transform me.

Thanks for supporting and encouraging me through it all

Emily