I really didn't do much, I didn't hang out with alot of people, I didn't do what people call "normal" for teenagers to do in the summer.Were there fun moments, well of course, but was in the best summer of my life, no.
It might even sound silly, but as I am looking back on it I have come to a place where I am actually thankful for it. I am thankful that my summer wasn't big and grand, I am thankful that I had to go through some stuff, and I am thankful for what I have overcome this summer and what I've learned.
It was rough, it was hard. I often felt very alone and that I had no one and nothing to do, but it was okay and it was necessary because I learned new things and walked with God to higher places. I have learned how I will never treat someone, I have learned how to be content in every season, I have learned how to be joyful despite how I feel at the moment. I have learned that its okay to go through things and it's okay to be okay. This summer I have overcome, I have let God mold my heart to how he wants it. Allowing him to do that, allowing him to root out things, readjust, sometimes it can hurt, but there is no greater reward then knowing that God is having his way in YOU.
I am not perfect, by any means. I have a long way to go, I have more areas to mature and grow in, but why I am thankful for this summer is because at the end of each day God showed me he was there. He showed me so many things and I don't deserve to see them, I don't deserve to see his beauty, yet he opens my eyes to see it.
Its amazing how when you open yourself up to Him to show you things and speak to you, he really does. So many of us go each day and don't even notice the beauty of a sunset, because we are to distracted with meaningless things. God is in that sunset, he MADE that sunset, his beauty is worth more then rubies or diamonds. I used to never think much of something like a sunset, but through this summer God has showed me and reminded me through a sunset that at the end of each day, NO matter what, he still remains the same, and he IS faithful.
This summer God gave me a new thankfulness and new appreciation for the people who surround me and uplift me. I may not have alot of people in my life but I have who God gave me and I am thankful, I am blessed. He has opened my eyes to see his love through these people, he has given and provided for me through these people in amounts and measures of love that my brain can't even handle. All I know is my heart wants to explode because is all I can feel is God's love and joy bubble up.
My 16yr old advice I have to give at the end of this blog is simply this:
- When you have a relationship with Christ, a real relationship with him, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It just isn't. You go through seasons, you fight battles, you get a little dirty, but one thing I can stand and shout from the rooftops because I know its true is this, he IS FAITHFUL and he WILL bring you through. The victory has already been won, its already yours, now fight for it. Seasons come and go, and things shift. Don't loose your joy and never forget who your fighting for and that it is worth it, because he fought for you, he DIED for you, and he didn't even have too.
My heart is FULL.
I am THANKFUL.
I am BLESSED.
As always, XoXo.
-Elizabeth.
