Theme Verse & Quote

This last Sunday my uncle did an overview of 1 Peter in Sunday school. I had been looking for a verse to claim through this time and as soon as Uncle Eric read this verse, I knew God had written it just for me. "...Let him glorify God on this behalf." That phrase really struck me...God does everything in our live's for a purpose...but it is our choice how we respond. I have decided that no matter what happens with my foot, I want to glorify God with how I live and respond.  

I have been reading Cary Schmidt's book "Discovering Your Destiny". (I would highly recommend this book to anybody looking for a good solid book on discovering what God wants you to do in your life.) As I was reading the chapter on going through trials and how we are to respond, this quote stuck out to me. We won't enjoy every situation that God places us in but God has a purpose for everything. The hardest part is trusting him and knowing that there is a purpose and a lesson for us to learn to grow and mature us into who He wants us to be. 

This is my theme verse and quote as I go into surgery #20. Please pray as I go in for my medically induced nap at 10:45am. I will try my best to keep everybody updated. 

(Thank you to my dear friend, Ashley, for these beautiful pictures!)

It's Finally Here!!!

2016. It's here. It's now. I have been looking forward to the year of 2016 ever since middle school. 2016...the year I graduate from high school...the year I can work summer staff at camp...the year that I go off to start the grand adventure called college...and many other experiences and responsibilities that come with being an adult. 2016.

Ok...2016 is here....now what?

As I have been thinking back over the years, I have begun to realize that I missed out on a lot. I was constantly looking forward to 2016 that I missed the little things. Sure, I have lots of memories of the big things but I don't remember many of the small things: the times that a family member or friend did or said something to brighten my day, the horrible puns my brother said that would make me laugh and want to slap him both at the same time and all the times of just sweet fellowship with my family and friends (even if they were filled with short jokes and blonde jokes). I was constantly looking forward to 2016 that I didn't thoroughly enjoy life...I didn't pay attention and remember the little things.

James 4:14 says "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

All those years that I spent waiting for 2016 are now gone, they have "vanished away". Life is short! We don't know how much longer we will be on this earth. It is only by the grace of God that we wake up each morning. Every day is a gift from God, a gift to be cherished.

I want to challenge both you and myself to pay attention to the little things in life...the little blessings. Maybe even buy a journal and write them down so in years to come you can look back on the little things, the little rays of sunshine. Don't do what I did and waste precious time living in the future, looking forward to a certain date, year or event. Live in the present. Pay attention. And don't forget to thank God for the little things in life.

~Ruby James