Wake Up

I wake up today
and say I am free

I wake up today 
and say I am clean

And this is true,
and you can learn this too,
if you go to Calvary.

And look upon the cross
which bore, 
the sin of you, and I, 
and more.

The sin of all the world was placed,
there on that tree.

And so I wake up today
and say I am free.

Lipstick Story

I've been struggling with my outward appearance for a while now. Others could tell me I was pretty, and I didn't believe them. Not really, anyway. But I'd take the compliment and move on. I tried to work best with what was hanging in my closet and folded in my dresser. I tried to pay more attention to colours and textures and patterns. It's been fun, and has helped me feel confident in what I'm wearing and how I'm presenting myself. I think that's what I wanted: Confidence.  

Over the past four days I have been wearing lipstick and it has given me just that: Confidence. The first time I wore lipstick was four days ago, for Prom. The lipstick is a light shade. I feel like it's not really noticeable- it's something I just do for me. To feel and believe that I am beautiful. It gives me confidence. For Prom, I also got my nails done, which helped me discover that I like having my nails done! I like nail polish and I like wearing lipstick! These things help me to feel beautiful. I like feeling beautiful.

Now, I'm enjoying these things. I like to imagine what might help me feel beautiful in university: lipstick or some other small thing I haven't discovered yet. These harmless, small things have been so nice to experience and experiment with.

Colour of the Day: Green

I went on a walk with my sister today; through some trails nearby, around the pond too. As we walked, we talked and I kept noticing all the nature we were passing through: the moss growing along the bark of a tree, the shoots of green blades sprouting up alongside a bubbling creek, the buds of yet-to-be-seen would-be flowers at the tips of naked branches. 

Once you stop and make an effort to listen to the life around you, realise just how loud the creek and birds really are. The Psalms say that creation glorifies the creator and I believe that because of everything I've seen today. And I can't wait to see it all again tomorrow.    

The Glory of Easter

Jesus is alive!!! 

He has defeated death and the grave! 

He is greater than any idol! 

We are saved by his blood, which was shed on the cross for us all! We are clean!

Because of this, we can do what Hebrews 4:16 says: "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." 

Oh what a joyful day! What a glorious truth!

Thank you Jesus for your blood!

arms were created for hugs

 Today was a good day. And what made it so was the last few minutes of my last class. 

I was packing up my things and putting my coat on. I had made decent headway on the prompt I chose and felt good about its direction. I asked a nearby friend how her prompt was going as I wrapped my scarf around my neck. 

She told me and I nodded in encouragement. The bell went and she asked if I had to rush off anywhere. I told her I didn't- just had to get to my brother in the parking lot. Then she asked if I could give her a hug. I immediately told her I could and I did right there.

Guys, it felt so good to hug another human. She was the one who asked for the hug, but I needed it too. I didn't want to ask her why, I was just grateful that I could provide her what she needed.  

That's what I'm thankful for today.