Blessed and at Rest

This weekend was incredibly refreshing. 

The past few weeks have been quite busy and stressful, and spending some time visiting some of my college friends was just what I needed to get my mind off of all I have going on. 

It was a great time of road trippin' with one of my closest friends, reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, happy reunions with my boyfriend, and many humorous moments with his buddies. 

Throughout my time away I kept noticing the importance of having godly friends, and how big of an influence our friends have on our lives. I have been blessed with many incredible people in my life. I haven't always appreciated the friends I've been given like I should; too often I take the people in my life for granted. 

This weekend I had some good quality conversations with some pretty awesome people. It's a blessing to have people in my life that I can have legitimate conversations with about things that matter, about God, life, and lessons learned. I am so thankful for so many people who have been an encouragement to me, who have challenged my faith and taught me things without even realizing it. 

Spending time away with everyone this weekend just encouraged and refreshed me, and left me feeling super thankful. I am quite blessed with some incredible people in my life, who make me smile, laugh, cry, and learn; people who sacrifice their time, energy, and own agendas for me, who love me no matter what; and for them I am extremely grateful.

~

On another note, last week I found myself in a strange mood slump. I wasn't acting like myself, I felt inadequate and like I couldn't do anything right, and was just quite easily irritable. For no reason in particular I found myself getting so annoyed by little things and the people around me.

One night I just felt so stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. I was encouraged by a close friend, and was reminded of the fact that I'm not perfect, I'm gonna make mistakes, and no matter what, God is always good and full of grace. I received an excerpt from a devotional, which stilled my frantic mind: 

"Grace defines you. As grace sinks in, earthly labels fade. Society can label you on an assembly line… But as grace infiltrates, criticism disintegrates. You are who God says you are. Spiritually alive. Heavenly positioned. Connected to the Father. A billboard of mercy. An honored child."

These sentences, packed full of truth, were so refreshing. It doesn't matter what other people think of me. It's okay if I fail. Because I am going to. Everybody does. What matters is that I'm trying, and that I am who God says I am. Saved by grace, changed by grace, defined by grace, and growing in grace. A billboard of mercy. An honored child.

Think about it; we are honored children of the most majestic, powerful King. The King who loves us, cares for us, and gives us rest. I was given this verse, which I had never come across before, but when I read it, it filled my heart with an indescribable peace…

He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms 
and carries them close to his heart. Isaiah 40:11

Immediately after reading this verse, I was calm. It painted an incredibly vivid picture in my mind. I imagined God holding me tight in His arms, hugging me close to His heart. And I was reminded that He's got this. He's in control. I don't have to worry, I simply have to trust. Because He's holding me in His loving arms, and I am an honored child of the King.