Challenge

My favorite songs right now are "How He Loves" and "10,000 Reasons." They both reach past all the ugly walls around my heart, and make me feel. I am reminded that God's love for me is more magnanimous than I will ever understand. It is higher, deeper, stronger than anything I could ever imagine. My favorite part of "How He Loves" makes me yearn to love God and love others the way God loves me.

"And we are His portion and He is our prize, 
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, 
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss, 
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, 
I don't have time to maintain these regrets, 
When I think about, the way..."

"10,000 Reasons" reminds me that there is so much more than just my pettiness in life. In the end, none of the frustrations are that important, the gossip is meaningless, the clothes will be ugly in 100 years, the desire to make everyone happy means nothing if it is not for God. I am absolutely positive that in a week, I express or internalize at least 10,000 things that frustrate me. I have gone beyond venting, and have become a complainer. Complaining is ugly and in no way glorifies God around us or in us. Instead, I have set a goal. I am going to express 10,000 things that I am grateful for. Maybe it'll change my outlook.

In all the frustrations of life, I sometimes forget the greatest member fighting alongside me. I become so wrapped up in myself, that I go without reading my Bible or praying for very long times. I ignore God's quiet whisperings that He loves me and wants a real relationship with me. I put my ultra-reinforced walls up around my heart, pretend to be tough, and shut everyone out. I isolate myself from the negativity, but also from the positive and beautiful things God has for me. I am determined to love others, and to turn my whining into praising!