Not 'lost'... simply 'waiting to be found'!

Don't you find that sometimes you literally just spend your whole life looking for something?

That perfect skirt? The one that fits just right around the waist, matches with every item in your wardrobe, comes to just the right height above the knee and has the perfect balance of fit and flare. Well that's what I'm looking for, anyway!

Or maybe it's something that you've lost. That Taylor Swift guitar plectrum that you took out of the packet yesterday then took downstairs to play guitar with, got distracted on the way and now can't find anywhere? Maybe that's just me again...

But as I stood outside my bedroom door trying to think where on earth I could have put that plectrum, I had a little revelation. Does it really matter? I know it's got to be around here somewhere. I can just go grab another one out of the packet and play with that for now.

I don't mean 'Go ahead and have no respect for your belongings!' I simply mean, we live in a land where we have plenty. What is the use in fretting over something small that we've lost, when there are five others sitting in the packet?!

If we spend all our time pining over the things we haven't got (a boyfriend, more money, longer holidays, THAT skirt etc) or the things we may have lost (close friends, a boyfriend, a guitar pick etc) then we lose sight of what we have got, right here, right now.

Right now I have...

• The most amazing friends a girl could ever ask for
• The freedom of singleness to follow God wherever he calls me
• Enough money to live comfortably on
• Enough Holiday time to really appreciate my family's company (without that extra week where I start wanting to kill my brother!)
• An entire wardrobe of wonderful clothes
• Five more guitar picks in the packet...

The list goes on.

Sometimes the things we lose will be lost forever, but that is God's will for us and He knows best.

But sometimes, just sometimes, the things you lost will turn up in the most unexpected places, when you've given up searching and you've simply handed the matter over to God.

One of these days I may just slip my hand into my jeans pocket and discover my plectrum lurking in there. It isn't 'lost'... it's simply 'waiting to be found'!

Until then, I have enough to be getting by with. So I need to learn to be content with that.

God Bless,
Eve xx

Not one or the other

Do you ever feel stuck in-between? Neither here nor there? I do right now.

Tomorrow is my 17th birthday and I'm really feeling like I'm in that terribly awkward inbetweeny part of life where I'm not yet an adult but I really don't think I can be classified as a child anymore. Height-wise that was the case long ago!

I guess it's reminding me that God doesn't call us to a life of comfort. We are not called to just act like sitting ducks in the river of life, occasionally mentioning Christ whenever another 'unsaved' ducky floats past, and being content that God is out there 'somewhere'. No. We are called to keep moving, not to get comfortable but to constantly seek more of the Lord, occasionally going against the flow but always desiring a closer relationship with him, by pressing into his spirit.

I was once informed by a wonderful preacher, named Danielle Strickland (look her up... she's insane!), that comfort is a sin. Anything that holds us back from fulfilling God's purpose for our life is a sin and most of the time concern for my own personal safety and security is what holds me back from doing my best for the Kingdom. I don't remember the part in the gospels where Jesus says 'Give me five more minutes in bed and then after a full fry-up we'll get some healing done!' Following Jesus' example, we should always be willing to drop everything and go to the ends of the earth to be salt and light as soon as God gives us the word. I'm not sure that we're ever meant to be 'comfortable' with this idea, but we should be prepared.

I guess it's not so bad being stuck in the middle. It means I can't be classified as one thing or another. A rather freeing thought in some repects. It gives me the opportunity to be who I am called to be by truly surrendering this time to God.

Exciting? I think so!

I also went into this cute little Christian Book shop today and picked up a couple of books on some interesting topics, so I'll keep you posted.

God Bless,
Eve xx

What's in a name?

'Whats in a name, for a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...?' - Shakespeare

Words hold power. Real power. Just think of the bible. Simple words that have affected people around the world for centuries!

Speaking of words, and potential misinterpretation, I thought my brother just said 'Ow, I just licked myself in the face!'. Turns out he actually said 'hit' himself in the face. Would have been exciting if he actually could though. We could make millions... 'The Tongue Slap Kid'! Anyway, back to the point.

Well, as I haven't been on here for a while, I've really lost a bit of focus about what this is all about. Having read a whole load of other people's blogs I have been well and truly inspired. There are so many beautiful people out there! Check this out for starters... Fernweh Magazine. This blog magazine has only just started out and it needs all the support it can get right now, so if you like what you see then do comment and encourage the wonderful young ladies who have started this initiative.

Also, in the least stalker-ish way possible as I don't actually know this woman, but how beautiful is this girl and her wedding... My Suitcase Heart?!

In the months ahead I plan to put more links on for other blogs that I enjoy reading, so hopefully anyone who reads this will be able to see some of the things that inspire me and warm my heart.

Well... onto the real reason for this post. Ladies, (and maybe even any gentlemen who are curious and happen to be reading this... Welcome!) I need your help deciding on a new blog title. I'm not sure whether or not the current title really encapsulates what I want to get across through this blog.

Maybe if I tell you my vision and plan for this blog from now on, then you may have some ideas. I want this blog to be a safe haven. I want me and other people who want to post or comment to find refuge in this blog. I want to document my life; the good and the bad. I want to share. I want to inspire. And I want to testify to the fact that no matter what little events happen on each individual day, that we are called to a life of happiness and joy... eternally.

I'm thinking maybe 'Happily Ever After'... What do you think? Please leave a comment below.

God bless,
Eve xx

A Fresh Start.

To say it's been a while would be like saying that amputation is only a flesh wound!

For that, I am truly sorry. Life has been just a little bit fraught. My final year of school, friend's birthdays, mad family life, running on a low spiritual tank, and the hubbub of a hectic Christmas have all coloured the last few months of my existence.

I wish I had time to explain, but seeing as its all in the past, and this is only meant to be a short break from doing my English Coursework, I'm going to look ahead. I have no intentions of making any New Year's Resolutions, as I know I will only disappoint myself, and I don't want to start getting legalistic with my life

Starting from the ground up, this year I'm going to let Him decide.

This doesn't mean that I get to sit back and relax, but rather that I just need to get better at time management. Rather than losing hours that seem to whizz by with work and friends, although those things are important, I want to wake up and know in my mind that every day is an opportunity. If I get my head down and work conscientiously to the best of my ability in the time that I set myself, then I will discover freedom. By being efficient with my work time, I can relax during down time, and really make time for the Lord. I want to hear his voice again.

I've been told that your final year of school is the hardest year of your life, in terms of workload and prioritizing time. I do not find this hard to believe. With the constant pulls of life, I need to make sure that my foundations are secure. I've heard it said that it's OK for the top to wobble as long as the foundations are secure. God is my rock. Let me never forget that.

So here they are. The things that I want to work on this year. They're not rules, and they're not goals. They're simply a way of me being more aware of myself and making the most of my time in this world...

1. Read my bible -  This has become something of a rare luxury during school time, but I want to make this a necessity. How can I travel the road if I haven't been looking at the map? Learning one bible verse a week is also a great way of being armed with the word, so this is something I want to get better at. Maybe I'll try and post a verse on here each week, with a thought... we'll see how that goes!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

2. Challenge myself academically - Could I hand-on-heart say that I tried my absolute hardest on every piece of work I handed in last term? No, probably not. Accordingly, this year I want to challenge myself to work my absolute hardest on every assignment that I'm given. I want my work to be a good reflection of the gifts that God has blessed me with, and to glorify him through it.

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. - Hebrews 13:21

3. Create - I believe that creativity is something that God has blessed me with. Not just in an artsy, craftsy way - although I do have a ridiculous amount of love for cute fabrics, buttons, and recycling old stuff - but also in the way I live my life. I'm not great with routine, and I don't want my life to get stuck in a rut. Instead, I want to constantly be working on my friendships and relationships with others, creating and discovering new ways to enjoy myself, have fun and appreciate every blessing God gives me.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms - 1 Peter 4:10

4. Read - As I am looking to study English Literature at university, books should be rather an important aspect of my life. As an unashamed lover of Austen, I'm not keen on branching out into other genres but it's something I've got to do if I want to have the rounded basic knowledge required for university. In this way, I aim to be armed with some form of literature at all times, in order to read as many books as possible this year... Does 52 sound too ambitious? We'll see...

A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. - Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. - Jane Austen

Nobody minds having what is too good for them. - Jane Austen
The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. - Jane Austen

5. Persevere - I hope that 2012 is going to bring a lot of good times, but I also have a feeling that things are going to get tough in a few months time. May I never give up, but always remain firm in the face of adversity.

We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. - 2 Corinthians 4:9

When troubles come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy - James 1:2

6. Worship - For Christmas, due to the wonderful generosity of my parents, I got a beautiful guitar. It's definitely one of my best presents ever. I have not managed to name it yet, but suggestions would be much appreciated! I'm teaching myself, so progress is slow, but I want to be able to use my guitar to worship God whenever I get a free moment. Not only do I want to worship in song, however, but also in my words and actions. Let my life by one long song of praise.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Romans 12:1

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. - Acts 20:24

7. Listen - Finally, as I said earlier, I want to hear God's voice in my life again. With all my recent business, the still small voice has been rather drowned out by the noisiness that I have allowed into my mind. I'm quite a talker, as pretty much anyone who has met me will testify to. This year, however, I want his voice to speak instead of my own. As big decisions come up in the future, I need to hear what God has to say about it all.

"For I know the plans I have for your," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. - Proverbs 16:9
Well there you have it... I don't have a word for them yet. I was thinking 'workpoints', but that doesn't have quite the right ring to it.

Do feel free to hold me accountable to this blog post, as although I may not appreciate the 'Did you really try your best on that essay?' at the time, those are the questions I often forget to ask myself, yet need to be answering.

Thanks for reading,
God Bless,
Eve xx