Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

While in the midst of studying for finals, starting my final thesis papers, and handling my normal homework load -- some will ask why I am taking time to blog while I should be hiding out in a cafe or library hovering over my books. And to those who were going to ask that or to those who are now curious because I have brought it up - I assure you this post is part of my English paper. So you see, I am killing two birds with one stone.

For my English project, we were given a poetry anthology from which we were asked to pick a single poem. Without knowing what it was for or why we would need this poem, I picked "To Everything There Is A Season," a passage from Ecclesiastes. It stuck out to me immediately because I have read this passage before and I adore it. We went on to learn that we would have to teach the poem of our choice to the class during one class period. No more, no less. So as I finally sat down to work up my lesson plan, I realized how big of a meaning this passage has. I dug into every line, looking for clues and studying the careful choice of words. I compared four different versions: King James, New King James, New International, and New Living. I dug into the history of the book which lead me to Solomon, the author of this book. Which leads me to the point of this post.

Solomon. For those who don't know about Solomon (which was me up until an hour ago), here is some of the history I have acquired from my dig. He is believed to have written three books: Ecclesiastes in his older age, Proverbs in his middle age, and Song of Solomon in his young age. He was crowned King in the first chapter of 1 Kings and his reign takes up the first part of 2 Chronicles.

Solomon was wise. Every book I've read and website I've come across says that he was KNOWN FOR his wisdom. In the first chapter of 1 Chronicles, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted and it would be his. Solomon, being a man of character, asked for the wisdom to rule and to know right from wrong. God was so pleased and told Solomon that "since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you my king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given [to] you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions, and honor, such as no king before you ever had and none after you will have" (2 Chron 1:11-12).

That could be the coolest thing in the Bible!! Solomon was patient and had his priorities straight. He did not want money or fame, he wanted wisdom. And because his priorities were straight, God rewarded him big time. This is such an example for us. When we pray, we should ask the Lord for things like wisdom and the ability to tell right from wrong.

I may not have it all figured out but I do know this: money is fleeting. When judgement day comes, the amount of money you have will not be the determining factor on if you are let through the gates. In fact it won't even be the slightest of a determining factor. Those who asked for things like wisdom, the ability to love, and to have a joyful heart will be the ones walking past you into the kingdom of heaven of you rely on worldly items like money.

So in conclusion, I'd say it is pretty cool that I am about to be able to speak the Word of God to my class this week. I'd say it is pretty cool that God called me to select this piece of writing to dig into. I'd say it is pretty cool that God is working through me.

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grace

ps. prayers please!!! finals are hard and stressful and time consuming but summer is so close I can feel it!!

Ode To The Good Days

here is an appreciation post for the good days.

early last week, after finishing one of the many tennis practices that have been on the agenda, I took a moment to dump some thoughts into my tumblr:

Today, the first thing I said when I got into the car was, “today was a good day.” You know I think there is a lot to be said for this. We spend so many days waiting to get back in bed or for the day to be over. We wish away time waiting for some day in the future. When one single bad thing happens, we classify that day as a bad day. So here is a recognition post for a good day. Here’s to stringing together more good days. Here’s to a lifetime filled with joyous good days.
--Ode to the good days (4-8-15)

so once again, as I got in bed tonight after another crazy day -- this thought crossed my mind again. "Today was a good day."

this week was a good one. a really good one. this week I felt like myself again. I didn't feel like I was changing to be someone for someone or something else. I got to spend time with people who really make me happy. and I got to do things I love.

happy heart going into this week y'all. 

here's to making everyday a good day. 

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grace

ps. checkout my week in pictures here!! 

Scatter Brained and Reflective

hello my loves:)

these past few weeks have been probably the craziest of my school year thus far so here is a crazy, scatter-brained attempt of a glimpse into my life at the moment.

with dozens of tests before spring break, i was cramming non stop like a mad man. right after i finished my last exam, my family and i hopped on a plane and headed straight to the big apple. man oh man, was that heaven on earth. time flew there as well, the days all seemed to run together due to the amount of fun we were having.

after we got home from the big city, we celebrated my birthday on the 22 and then classes resumed the following day. i dove right back into all the craziness. among the many things, tennis season is now well underway and making me a bit crazy. with practices every day and my own weight training / fitness regime thrown in, i am beyond exhausted. i pretty much go from the classroom to the court to my desk and then fall into my bed at night.

to top it all off, i'm in quite a reflective period at the moment. things are falling into perspective for me and i'm learning more about myself than i ever thought was possible. not that this has been easy by any means, but i have faith that this will only propel me forward on this crazy journey.

now that we're in the final, home stretch for summer, i am hoping things will calm down (as i type this i realize the irony in the fact that this is merely the calm before the storm and that i will be forced to face final exams before i even begin to picture myself laying by the pool). i'm ready for some time off and the opportunity to pour more of my time into things i love.

God is good, y'all. we can never forget that.

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grace

Oh, The City

Surprise!

I just got back from my favorite place on earth (NYC!!) & I'm still over the moon. I had the best time with my family and made a few friends along the way.

We stayed for six days, covering everything from the suburbs in Jersey to the Upper East Side. I am feeling more like a New Yorker everyday!

I would love, love, love it if y'all checked out my pictures by clicking here. It is my online photo journal of the trip!

lots of love!

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grace

Color

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grace

No Time Like The Now

I want to do such big things in this world that my heart literally hurts.

I want to change people. Change the way people look at eachother. At the world. At life as a whole. At themselves. At their goals.

My heart is literally on fire to change this world somehow -- even just a little bit.

Let me let you in on a secret. I have no earthly idea how I'm going to do this. Not a clue. And honestly, at this point, I don't have a plan.

And I'm scared. And I'm confused. But I've never been so excited.

There literally is no time like the now.

So here is to taking every single day and making it something that counts. Lukewarm is no good. There will be no blah days.

Y'all -- we are not getting younger. There literally is no time like the now.

/// "You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own." Michelle Obama

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Grace

Proverbs IV

It's back!!

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

If you remember, Proverbs discusses wisdom a lot. By the time we reach the eighth verse, the word 'wisdom' is mentioned four times. 

Verse five is something to live by -- "get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them." We are told again to "get wisdom" a few verses later. Clearly, that is a major message in this passage. 

Whenever I study the word, I always take notes in my Bible. That way, whenever I go to look over something again or just flip open to it, I see what I was thinking when I first read the passage. 

Next to verse 10, I wrote "God is so so wise." Just that phrase kind of struck me. It sends me into this place where all I can do is just be in complete awe. Like the fact that our God is smarter than any scholar, any scientist, anybody. The fact that the most brilliant in this entire universe knows me, know my name, listens to me, and is indeed routing for you and me is the most wonderful thing in the world. Nobody could do or say anything to even come close to amounting to his knowledge and love for us. If that isn't empowering, I'm not too sure what is. 

Verse 23, yet another to add to the list of verses to live by. ((maybe I should just make a page for verses to live by??)) "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This statement has so much power behind it. We are instructed to guard our heart, to keep it safe because it is the center. Everything we do comes or should come from out heart.  

The next few verses tell us to keep our eyes ahead, to be careful of our paths, and to not turn from evil.

Safe to say Proverbs holds a special place in my heart.

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Grace