Live Like That

On my way to church a few weeks ago, I heard a song that, quite honestly, convicted me to the point of tears. No, I'm not being dramatic either. I'll include the lyrics at the end of the post.

As Christians, we're supposed to be the light of the world. You know that song you sing as a kid..."this little light of mine..." DON'T HIDE IT. Seriously, we're supposed to be different - not weird different, but different! 


How different am I?


He did everything for me. He gave me life. He LOVED me first! When I was unlovable, when I wretched, when I was ugly - He still loved me. I want to reflect that selfless love.


When people see me coming or talk about me or after I die, I want people to say - wow, that Angela girl, yeah, she loves Jesus. She has a heart for God. I fail...so often, you guys, I fail. I have a temper, I am impatient, I get frustrated, annoyed, etc! But I want everything I do to reflect my Jesus.  I want to show people that I'll only pass by, through my testimony, that God is amazing. I want to show people that I know that Jesus cares. I want to live out my faith by my actions. 


Live like that. What an amazing concept :) 


I hope this song is a blessing to you - I know many have heard it, but maybe this time - read the words with a fresh perspective. And...live like that.


- A

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

"Live Like That" - Sidewalk Prophets

Plan B

I was inspired after talking with a friend last night to write about this...


What on earth are single people in their mid-20's supposed to be doing?? Let's face it...it can be socially awkward sometimes! This is what normal people do: Graduate High School, go to a 4 year college, find the "perfect soul mate," get married at 22, find a job, work for a few years, and start popping out babies. Don't believe me? Get a Facebook. 


Then...there's the "Plan B" people. Those who didn't find their "soul mates," better yet - not dating! - don't know what they are doing, can't find a job, etc etc! We didn't meet expectations, now did we? Quite honestly, I think there's more of us out there than the "normal people."


I struggled with this for a long, long time. Especially because my family would always say "there's a guy out there for you somewhere." "Praying you'll meet someone." "Any special interests?" Or something of the like - quite honestly it wasn't something I wanted to hear (though they had good intentions). Then I thought I had found "the perfect soul mate" but turns out, I just dated the wrong guy for almost two years :) Don't get me wrong, he is a great guy! I still love him dearly and the Lord taught me so much through my relationship with him - I wouldn't change it for the world. But now...I'm single. What do I do now? I'll tell you what I'm doing now and this is what I tell all my single friends out of college...embrace it! 


What do I mean by that? Your life is yours (within some reason - obviously. God has a huge part in that). You are free to go travel if you want. You are free to pick up and move. You can change your career without thinking of a family. You can start grad school and not have to worry about financially paying for more than one person. There's so many pro's to being single! God has a plan for every person who is in this stage of their life. So, why not just enjoy it!? 


After my boyfriend and I broke up, I started going out to eat every Thursday night with a friend from High School. We call our Thursday night dinner's PrequelNight. Why? Because Thursday is the prequel to the weekend. She has become one of my closest friends and has been very instrumental in helping me deal with this breakup. I also randomly went to New York City with one of my best friends from college! Just go and do! I promise you - you will be so rewarded with knowing that you put yourself out there and you are living in the "now" instead of the "what if's." 


I've kind of strayed from my original point. I got tired of being scared of the future. I know I'm not the only person out there that feels this way. Why should I be so scared of something that hasn't happened yet? Besides that, I am a child of God! I just want to encourage my friends and people I don't even know who are stuck in this awkward "where I do fit in stage" of our lives....just embrace it. Life is so fun! Don't worry about the small things and let God write your love story, your life...and just go...and do :) I promise you - you won't regret it. You'll live a full life, even if it's not the one you expected.


- A 

I Got This

Oh my. 

Seriously - what I have gotten myself into? My broke self cannot even afford to put gas in my car! Tuition costs that much and my paycheck...well, it isn't that much. This is going to be a lesson in complete trust in God. No joke, you guys. 

I've been doing some serious praying about how many credits to take, how often to take classes, how I'm going to afford this....oh my gosh. But worrying about all this is not going to help! I do way too much of that about everything and I refuse to be a victim to the "what if's." I'm a strong, independent woman and with God's help - I'm going to own this. Even if it's one class at a time every 8 weeks. 

I think I'm still in shock that I'm doing something that I've had on my list of "to-do's" since I was about 18. Gosh, do you know what that feels like? On the brink of accomplishing something you've only been talking about for years?? I'm a big dreamer and schemer - I won't lie. Dream big and plan accordingly. 

Next up....Europe. But that's in about 3 years.

- A

Start of Something New

I have finally - finally - stopped talking about going back to school and gotten my butt in gear. I am going to take a summer class online and start taking two classes in the fall. I plan to be finished with my MBA by December 2013!

I'm going to be specializing in International Business. I've always wanted to get an MIS (MBA with a specialization in Information Systems) degree, but the school I'm going to doesn't offer that. International Business sounded the most interesting and would open the most doors for my career. I can still get certified in all the Microsoft applications, which is a goal of mine eventually.

So...my plan...finish my MBA...MOVE AWAY! :) 

Maybe even out of the country. I have so many options and now my dream job is more of a possibility. I want to work for the government and this degree will definitely help, as well as the experience I am gaining with my current job.

I am so tired of being bogged down and feeling stuck. I am so proud of myself for going back to school - even more proud of myself for financially doing this on my own. It's not going to be easy at all! 

I guess I should get back to work, huh? 

- A