Lent: A Season of Reflection and Growth

Lent is a time to prepare for the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. No matter what you call them, the basics of Lent are the same – prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The 40 days of Lent allow us to reflect on Jesus’ time alone in the desert. This experience was not glamourous or easy. It was a time for Jesus to listen, hear God’s calling, and discover His purpose.

This time of year allows for recentering and focusing, especially on Jesus’ life and the end of His life on earth – His sacrifice. Allow yourself time with your inner thoughts and time to connect with the plans God has for your life.

Common Lenten Traditions
  • Midweek church services to come together as a community.
  • Reflection opportunities – Praying, playing the piano, reading the Bible, or sitting and meditating with God.
  • Stations of the Cross and going to confession in the Catholic Church.
  • Prayer – Improving our prayer life during Lent can allow us to become closer to God. We can do this by reading Scripture, participating in a Bible study, or daily prayer. Continuing and furthering a relationship with God can help us in our daily lives.
  • Fasting – Many times, people give up chocolate, pop, or other foods during Lent. However, Lent can also be a time to fast and rid ourselves of unnecessary “things” to make space for God in our lives. We could fast from gossiping, social media, or something that takes us away from our relationship with God.
  • Almsgiving – This can be many things, giving of your time, talents, and most commonly, your treasures. This is our opportunity to serve others just as Christ would do.

Though these are a few common Lenten traditions, you don’t necessarily need to do them all to participate in this season.

What we are ‘supposed to do’ throughout Lent isn’t actually spelled out in the Bible. The apostles and early church did not actually observe Lent, but rather it became a tradition in the fourth century AD. Just as they did in the early days, though, during this time we can refocus and center our lives while modeling Jesus’ life.

The actions we take during these 40 days are not meant to happen solely during this season. The intent is to build habits that will continue year-round. So, whatever your Lenten traditions may be, remember the reason for the season.

10 Bible Verses to Help You Seek God

Seeking God

Often times we hear girls and young women say they struggle to seek God and His plan. They explain their hardships and doubts, sharing that it almost seems as if there is a wall built between them and God.

Whether you can relate, are lost in your Christian journey, or are flat out uncertain of God, we are here to tell you that you are not alone.

There is so much joy and endless love that comes from God. He heals our wounds, answers our prayers, and forgives our sins, all while loving us unconditionally.

We pray these verses allow you to seek God, open your heart, and break down the wall holding you back from a life of Grace. Our God is faithful, and He is good. It is time to put your trust in Him.

Verses
  1. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. -2 Chronicles 15:2
  2. And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. -Hebrews 11:16
  3. They were to look for God. Then they might feel after Him and find Him because He is not far from each one of us. -Acts 17:27
  4. The Lord says to the people of Israel, “Look for me and Live.” -Amos 5:4
  5. But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. -Deuteronomy 4:2
  6. The hand of our God brings good to all who look for Him. But his power and His anger are against all who turn away from Him. -Ezra 8:22
  7. “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” -1 Chronicles 28:9
  8. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” -Jeremiah 29: 13-14
  9. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. -Psalm 9:10
  10.  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? -Matthew 16: 24-26

A New Season

new season

Change is a process. I learn, accept, grow, get comfortable, and then a new season of life comes. It’s an endless cycle.

I used to view change as a scary thing. I always dreaded it because I am someone who struggles with not being in control. Can you relate?

Recently, I have allowed myself to let go of my constant need for control and let God to take the reins. Just like that, new seasons of life don’t seem as daunting.

I have learned that I can view my next season of life as scary and foreign, or I can view it as a new chapter and an adventure awaiting me.

When we allow God to lead and humble ourselves to give up control, that’s when things change. That is when we can see how much we have grown and learned in our current season. All we have to do is be patient, let Him lead, and live the life He has called us to live.

Change can be intimidating, but staying the same can be just as scary. We have to go through each season of life and all the changes ahead of us to live out what God has called us to be. So, as the saying goes; let go, and let God.

My prayer for you is that whatever your season of life may be, you give up control. Trust that God will protect you, place you in extraordinary situations, and lead you to God-fearing people. If you fall short or mess up, He will pick you back up. Our God is a forgiving and great God. He has a beautiful season of life that awaits you. So go out and enjoy the new.

God Is Always With You

alone

aloneI want you to remember that you are never alone. God is always with you.

Sometimes it is hard for us to believe this statement because we cannot physically see God. I will be the first to admit it can be hard to not feel alone when you physically are alone.

Throughout my first year of college, I had never felt more alone. Looking back, God was there the whole time. I was just choosing not to see Him. It wasn’t until the end of my freshman year that I finally realized it and allowed myself to lean on God. I also realized that He is the only person who knows my past, present, and future. Why would I not trust him?

I am a person who needs a plan. I have always tried to plan every moment of my life, but it never turns out as I want it to. I’ve slowly found that I need to allow God to make the plans and I just need to be still.

During this season of my life, I have found that reading scripture has allowed me to not only feel God’s presence but physically see Him in the little moments of life.

One verse that resonates with me is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

If you are starting a new chapter in your life, gearing up for college, or simply feeling alone, remember God is always there. He will walk with you every step of the way. All you have to do is be still.

Mindset Through a Breakup

Breakup

Breakup

Breakups, what a fun thing to go through? I can confidently say some are easier than others. But, what I have learned is that having a healthy and holy mindset through a breakup is an essential part of healing and moving on!

I once had a dear friend say to me, “healing is not linear,” and it has stuck with me ever since. I love this quote for so many reasons, but the main reason being that I believe it speaks so much truth. Throughout a breakup process, there are highs and lows, peaks and valleys. Some days are easier than others, and that is a simple truth.

I didn’t realize my mindset played a huge role in how I viewed each peak and valley. I didn’t recognize my mindset was a choice. Each morning, I had the opportunity of waking up and choosing to be angry and disappointed or at peace and grateful. It was up to me to choose a healthy and holy mindset.

Six Things to Keep in Mind During a Breakup

Here are my six pieces of advice I wish I would have heard throughout my breakup process.

  1. Give Yourself Time: I used to get upset when people would say, ‘just give it time.’ Looking back, I can confidently say that time has been my biggest blessing.
  2. Surround yourself with good people: I am so thankful I was in college throughout my breakup because I had so many friends that I could lean on. God placed some pretty amazing and supportive people within my life when I needed them most.
  3. Focus on the good: Even though there will be hard days, try to find the good in each day. I went through my breakup during Lent. My Lenten promise was to write down five things I was thankful for every single day.
  4. Lean on God: God is the only person that knows me in the past, present, and future. Why would I not lean on him? Trust me, I know it can be difficult, but God has a plan that is so much bigger and better! So, let go and let God; trust his process.
  5. Journal: Almost every day since my breakup, I have created time within my schedule to journal. I look at this time as a “prayer.” I write down all of my triumphs, worries, and everything in between. Go ahead, give it a try!
  6. Feel your emotions: There is a difference between feeling your emotions and holding onto them. It’s okay to be upset and angry. Feeling that way is part of the healing process. But, to truly move you, you cannot hold on to that anger. Let your emotions come in, feel them, and let them go.

I may not have all the answers, but I hope my outlook and past experiences can help someone walking through a difficult season. I would encourage you to look at this time as a gift from God to focus on your relationship with Him. These are the six things I wish would have popped up on my Pinterest when I searched “how to get over a relationship.’

Remember, healing is not linear, and God always has a plan, even if you may not see it.