Remember

PSA: I am sorry that I haven't posted in 10 days. Ridiculous I know, but I was lacking in ideas. I would start writing and stop in the middle and never finish because I didn't know how... a severe case of writers block for sure, BUT the good news is I finally could start and finish a blog in one sitting (or that is my plan as I start writing this)

I spent Sunday evening at Insideout North Point. There is absolutely no place I would rather spend my Sunday's. Such a cool thing for me to spend time with my small group and worship to kick off the week. Justin spoke on a series about Remembering. We have to intentionally remember things. If we don't go out of our way either to take pictures or write things down, chances are we won't remember an event that happened in the beginning of the year at the end. I think that we all know in a world spinning a million miles a minute especially in high school it is hard to value moments for what they are worth. For me specifically, I like to take a lot of pictures and that is my way to remember things.

We are in the presence of an amazing God, who never abandons us in our highest and lowest moments. I think that we sometimes forget in our weak moments that He is here cheering us on and with us in all of our moments. The forgetfulness we experience, just like the forgetting of memories, is taken advantage of by the Devil. Satan sits around waiting for us to forget about God in a weak moment. I think that often times our forgetfulness is used exactly to Satan's advantage and works exactly how he plans. I can think of a handful of moments where in my weakest moments when I feel like God doesn't have my back how easily it is for Satan to tempt me.

What we were challenged to do is to write down things God did for us in the past year and what He is doing for us in this year. I am going to present you with this same challenge, I've already started!

To help do this, I have two suggestions. I received both of these gifts for Christmas. One is a Gratitude Jar. Check it out here.The lady who started the gratitude jar just began to reflect after one of her recent mission trips. There are lots of scientific reasons why we should comment and write about our gratitude towards the people surrounding us and the things that give us those feelings of gratitude. Gratitude allows us let loose and enjoy every passing moment. Gratitude creates authenticity. The jar is designed so that you will write down gratitude notes and place them in the jar so that you will feel free and your heart will enjoy the moments you are in. The second is a book. The 365 Q&A book. Every night before I head to bed, I write in the book. There's a different question everyday. Not all of them are deep and not all are so carefree, but this book has gifted me the opportunity to answer these questions and remember the situation or spot I was in as I wrote the answers to different questions. I can use this book for 4 years! Super cool item and am so thankful to have it.

I've been hesitant to post in 2015 because I am afraid that a bad first blog in 2015 doesn't foreshadow for a year of good blogs. I've finally found some inspiration and this is just the start. A good first blog means a good year ahead. I have big hopes for withasunnyside this year and can't wait to experience them with you all by my side.