Who holds you? Who tells you that you're pretty enough or smart enough or that you're good enough? Is it your boyfriend? Is it your parents? Is it your boss? Is it your friends on Facebook that "like" your new profile picture? Or is it your Father?
Our society, especially women in our society, are searching for all of those answers to those questions in the wrong places. There's only one entity that matters, who says, "you're good enough just as you are - broken, alone, insecure, scared - you know why? Because I AM good enough for you." that's God our Father.
People, us women, search for the answers to the wrong questions. "Why am I single? Why am I alone? Will someone, like a boyfriend or husband, love me and hold me close? Who will protect me? Who will be my knight in shining armor that will come rescue me and sweep me off my feet?" Get the idea? We ask ourselves these variations of these questions over and over and wonder why we're lonely and need someone to just wrap their arms around us. But, you know who does answer ALL (and I MEAN) all of those questions? God our Father does, once again.
You see, God as our Father is enough. And, if we're still asking ourselves all of those above questions, we're still missing out on all that He has to offer. He has ALREADY DONE ALL OF THOSE THINGS!!! If you think that your future husband or boyfriend is going to fulfill all of 1 Corinthians 13, keep your spirits high (I'm doing the same thing haha) but just know, God is ALREADY all of 1 Corinthians 13!!! He was 2000+ years ago and He still is today! It's amazing how "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Do you see?!?!? He's WAITING FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW HIM!!! That's why we're still here on this earth until we all face Him on Judgement Day. His followers are here to spread this good news to those that don't know about Him yet! God's waiting for YOU to come around.
Ok, sorry, I got a little off track, in a good direction, but now back to what I was saying.
So if you're still waiting for Mr. or Mrs. Right, just realize that God's Fatherly qualities answer all of your questions AND He's actually the one waiting for YOU. He's the only one that can truly satisfy our desire for love and rid us of our loneliness and hopes for a relationship because a relationship with Him is the only relationship that truly matters.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Wives "submit" to your husbands...
The passages in Scripture that deal with this phrase have caught my attention recently, not only because of my recent resolution but also through various Bible studies in church and talks with friends.
So far, I have found that the word "submit" does not bode well with the majority of today's female population. I feel this is because most women today are built, raised and taught to be strong, independent, confident women. I see no shame in that, I commend it actually. However, only to the extent that being powerful and self-preserved can often deter women from being submissive wives, which causes today's strong-willed women to be offended. I think it's logical. Some may say that the Scriptures in the Bible are obsolete and the language is old and outdated. Yes, this may be true, but that does not mean the Bible should be tossed out completely. In fact, the Bible in its entirety can be applied to every day life, even the Old Testament, when looking at the whole picture.
But that's beside the point. My point is that instead of focusing on the word "submit," which most women have a problem with, what about replacing the word with "sacrifice?" Wives sacrifice to/for your husbands. We see wives and moms do this every day! Moms sacrificing their time, energy and sleep to maintain their household and their kids. Wives going out of their way to make dinner for their husbands when they come home from work or cleaning the house on the weekends. Wives sacrificing their desires to be a teacher or nurse or whatever to stay at home and focus on their family and be a stay at home mom. Wives sacrificing their extra savings to put their kids through school or buy their kids new clothes so they don't feel out of place at school. Get the picture? Wives ALREADY submit, but they just don't like their sacrifices being called submission.
I think that when most people (male and female) think of the word submit, they automatically think of dictate or command, like "Kristen, make me a sandwich" or "Kristen bring me a drink." But, being submissive in a relationship is not like that. Yes, it can be demanding and it can be work but it's not like a slave owner ruling over a slave.
A good husband would love his wife so much that he wouldn't want her to be making all these sacrifices, but both understand that's what needs to be done to maintain the household (Proverbs 31:15-27). So he realizes a good time to step in and chip in with the household chores or look after the kids or pay for a day at the spa.
A good wife will stand by a decision the husband makes no matter how big or how small (whether it is to eat that extra candy bar at dinner or to take out that extra loan on the house) because her "husband is respected at the city gate" (or amongst peers and the community) - Proverbs 31:23.
A good husband would love his wife so much that he would support his wife's independence and allow her to be the confident, strong-willed, powerful woman she is "lack[ing] nothing in value" (Proverbs 31:11).
Finally, a woman who is to be a good wife, will make sacrifices, like dropping her own desires and wants, to benefit and bring glory not only to her family but also to her Lord. She will stand by her husband for richer and poorer, sickness and in health, til death parts her, even if it means making some sacrifices along the way.
See, being in a relationship is not about being beckoned upon or having to wait on the male figurehead. It is about making sacrifices, compromising when necessary or needed and working hard at making the relationship work. Both spirits, whether strong-willed or timid, must be considered equally important in the relationship, even if the male is the head of the household.
So far, I have found that the word "submit" does not bode well with the majority of today's female population. I feel this is because most women today are built, raised and taught to be strong, independent, confident women. I see no shame in that, I commend it actually. However, only to the extent that being powerful and self-preserved can often deter women from being submissive wives, which causes today's strong-willed women to be offended. I think it's logical. Some may say that the Scriptures in the Bible are obsolete and the language is old and outdated. Yes, this may be true, but that does not mean the Bible should be tossed out completely. In fact, the Bible in its entirety can be applied to every day life, even the Old Testament, when looking at the whole picture.
But that's beside the point. My point is that instead of focusing on the word "submit," which most women have a problem with, what about replacing the word with "sacrifice?" Wives sacrifice to/for your husbands. We see wives and moms do this every day! Moms sacrificing their time, energy and sleep to maintain their household and their kids. Wives going out of their way to make dinner for their husbands when they come home from work or cleaning the house on the weekends. Wives sacrificing their desires to be a teacher or nurse or whatever to stay at home and focus on their family and be a stay at home mom. Wives sacrificing their extra savings to put their kids through school or buy their kids new clothes so they don't feel out of place at school. Get the picture? Wives ALREADY submit, but they just don't like their sacrifices being called submission.
I think that when most people (male and female) think of the word submit, they automatically think of dictate or command, like "Kristen, make me a sandwich" or "Kristen bring me a drink." But, being submissive in a relationship is not like that. Yes, it can be demanding and it can be work but it's not like a slave owner ruling over a slave.
A good husband would love his wife so much that he wouldn't want her to be making all these sacrifices, but both understand that's what needs to be done to maintain the household (Proverbs 31:15-27). So he realizes a good time to step in and chip in with the household chores or look after the kids or pay for a day at the spa.
A good wife will stand by a decision the husband makes no matter how big or how small (whether it is to eat that extra candy bar at dinner or to take out that extra loan on the house) because her "husband is respected at the city gate" (or amongst peers and the community) - Proverbs 31:23.
A good husband would love his wife so much that he would support his wife's independence and allow her to be the confident, strong-willed, powerful woman she is "lack[ing] nothing in value" (Proverbs 31:11).
Finally, a woman who is to be a good wife, will make sacrifices, like dropping her own desires and wants, to benefit and bring glory not only to her family but also to her Lord. She will stand by her husband for richer and poorer, sickness and in health, til death parts her, even if it means making some sacrifices along the way.
See, being in a relationship is not about being beckoned upon or having to wait on the male figurehead. It is about making sacrifices, compromising when necessary or needed and working hard at making the relationship work. Both spirits, whether strong-willed or timid, must be considered equally important in the relationship, even if the male is the head of the household.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
2012 New Year's Resolution
We all know people resolve to be more fit or lose weight at the beginning of the new year. Some can hold out until March, (since the Ithaca College Fitness Center is PACKED until Spring Break) but others will most likely give up on their resolution by February. What about the rest of the year?
I enjoyed reading Twitter posts by numerous "celebrities" and other people I follow that reinstated how New Year's resolutions are more than just a goal that can be dropped in a few weeks. A resolution is something that should be continuously worked on daily, like an evolving process. Though Creationists may not like me using that word, we all do evolve, grow or mature, "micro-ly," not necessarily "macro-ly." (thanks SCS' UTT class).
Therefore, I resolved that this year, I'm going to focus on being more of a Proverbs 31 woman. Below are the verses that refer to "The Wife of Noble Character" (NIV). I will probably do another blog with my interpretation of these passages later, but for now, I will just say why I chose to make this my New Year's resolution.
Last year, around the summer time, I realized my resolution was simply to continue to follow Christ and the will He has for my life. (Yeah, it took me 6 months to realize what my New Year's resolution will be for 2011). Towards the end of the year, I found myself being selfish, thinking: "I want this" or "I want that." I got caught up with what other people around me had - boyfriends, husbands, kids. I'm almost ashamed to say it but it's true.
So, in order to take the focus off me, I'm putting my attention back onto Christ to become even more of a woman of God. My relationship with Christ is the only relationship that truly matters. Through this and God's grace, I am confident God will reveal to me new aspects about being a single-woman, a child of His, a future wife and future mother (all Lord willing). The Lord has already shown me how His Fatherly attributes simply wrap His arms around me and hold me. And, being identified in Him, as His child, will help rid me of my selfish desires. I know He will supply a Godly man that I can selflessly serve and love for the rest of my life and experience His love in more ways than I can even imagine (but only according to His timing, not mine).
As my first step of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman, I believe the Lord has put it on my heart to pray for my future hubster every day to remind myself that it's not just about me. I should lift him up to start building our foundation of prayer for our relationship and prepare my heart for what's ahead.
Contemplating these verses and delving into what they really mean to me as a woman of Christ are the stepping blocks to preparing me for being hopeful about starting a life with a new companion.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(Though, I know the world is coming to an end sometime soon, if God doesn't see the timing for me and the hubster appropriate on earth, keeping the focus on my relationship with Christ will prepare me for an even better relationship!)
Ephesians 5:22-24 says "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church...Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."
- It JUST clicked for me. If wives are supposed to submit to our husbands and the husbands are supposed to be love their wives like Jesus loves the church, then we're ultimately submitting to Christ! "Lightbulb...." - Despicable Me
I enjoyed reading Twitter posts by numerous "celebrities" and other people I follow that reinstated how New Year's resolutions are more than just a goal that can be dropped in a few weeks. A resolution is something that should be continuously worked on daily, like an evolving process. Though Creationists may not like me using that word, we all do evolve, grow or mature, "micro-ly," not necessarily "macro-ly." (thanks SCS' UTT class).
Therefore, I resolved that this year, I'm going to focus on being more of a Proverbs 31 woman. Below are the verses that refer to "The Wife of Noble Character" (NIV). I will probably do another blog with my interpretation of these passages later, but for now, I will just say why I chose to make this my New Year's resolution.
Last year, around the summer time, I realized my resolution was simply to continue to follow Christ and the will He has for my life. (Yeah, it took me 6 months to realize what my New Year's resolution will be for 2011). Towards the end of the year, I found myself being selfish, thinking: "I want this" or "I want that." I got caught up with what other people around me had - boyfriends, husbands, kids. I'm almost ashamed to say it but it's true.
So, in order to take the focus off me, I'm putting my attention back onto Christ to become even more of a woman of God. My relationship with Christ is the only relationship that truly matters. Through this and God's grace, I am confident God will reveal to me new aspects about being a single-woman, a child of His, a future wife and future mother (all Lord willing). The Lord has already shown me how His Fatherly attributes simply wrap His arms around me and hold me. And, being identified in Him, as His child, will help rid me of my selfish desires. I know He will supply a Godly man that I can selflessly serve and love for the rest of my life and experience His love in more ways than I can even imagine (but only according to His timing, not mine).
As my first step of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman, I believe the Lord has put it on my heart to pray for my future hubster every day to remind myself that it's not just about me. I should lift him up to start building our foundation of prayer for our relationship and prepare my heart for what's ahead.
Contemplating these verses and delving into what they really mean to me as a woman of Christ are the stepping blocks to preparing me for being hopeful about starting a life with a new companion.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Friday, November 11, 2011
What's in a name?
The title of my blog was pretty easy for me to select for 2 reasons. 1) The name Kristen actually means "follower of Christ" 2) Being a follower of Christ is my overall life objective but also my main focus for the year 2011. The verse that has really stuck out to me the past few months is:
Luke 9:23-24 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up their cross daily and FOLLOW ME. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
I have been extremely and utterly blessed to be given the name Kristen. A name or title is something that we all have to live up to. After 23 years of having this name, I have only scratched the surface to discover what this name truly means. This past year has opened the flood gates and has really challenged mean to actually live up to my name and find out what it looks like to be follower of Christ. So let's recap this past year, shall we?
About this time last year, I had NO desire to go to grad school right after college to get my MBA. I knew I would be going to get my MBA at some point in time, but I REALLY didn't think it was going to be right after school. I thought I would work for a year, make some money, see what's out there and then go back to graduate school. Seems logical right? I mean, people do it....
Well, I decided to accept the offer to be in Niagara Falls the summer after my senior year without knowing what I would do after that. I figured, "Well, if I figure out what I'm doing for the summer, that's like a baby step to figuring out what I'm going to do the next year for the rest of my life." Sounded good to me! Baby steps, just baby steps.
*Sidenote* The decision to work with the Niagara Power proved to be SUCH A BLESSING. I learned and grew a lot working with the them and the Kern's, who manage the team from their basement. I won't go into much detail now but maybe in a future blog.
After I decided to spend the summer working with the Christian baseball team (seriously the PERFECT combination for me), there were some ups and downs. Who said figuring out God's call for you was easy?! Because I feel that once you've received God's call and decide to follow after Him in that way, that's when the devil really tries to get at ya (more explanation to come, probably in the blog with more details about the Niagara Power).
So after deciding what I was going to do for the summer, I spent that Christmas break looking into MBA graduate schools. I SERIOUSLY did some research. I studied for the GMAT the past Christmas break and without coming to any conclusion about what I would do after the summer. I went back to school, still not doing what I would be doing come August 2011.
It wasn't until I got back to school that I distinctly remember, being in my room one Friday (I believe), getting ready in front of my mirror and feeling God say, "Kristen, you should get your MBA at Ithaca." I was just like, "wait, what?!" So then, I tossed around this idea. When I was looking into other MBA schools, I always figured that I would apply to Ithaca because it was a one-year program, I didn't have to take the GMAT and because I knew the professors and people here. I always considered the Ithaca College MBA as a back up, never a first choice.
But, after talking it over with my parents and praying to God about it; this is where I felt God was calling me. Just to test the waters and see if this is really what God wanted me to do, I applied.
Needless to say, I got in and am happy with my decision (thus far). The program is rigorous (finance, accounting and decision analysis or 3 numbers classes in one semester, who would PLAN for this?!). I definitely feel there is a difference between undergrad and graduate school; like all I do is work and go to class and do school work. Yet, thankfully, I still have friends, a church family and God that can get me through this year (or semester in the least). I don't know why God has called me exactly to get my MBA here and now....but I trust that whatever He has up his sleeve is the right decision for me. Thankfully, this decision is actually what my parents suggested from the get-go. So it's reassuring to see how God incorporates and supplies some of our needs and desires that the world requires to fit into His plan for us. *QUOTE* The world's plans shouldn't fit around God's plan, the world's plan should fit into God's plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Though I still don't know exactly what I'm going to be doing for a job, I'm still looking around to see what's out there. For right now, I think my focus is on my studies and SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY being a light to the people in my MBA program. They need Jesus' light just as much as people in Africa, right. If this program and these people are my mission field, then I pray that they can see God's love through me and that I am able to "let [my] light shine before others, that they may see [my] good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Luke 9:23-24 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up their cross daily and FOLLOW ME. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
I have been extremely and utterly blessed to be given the name Kristen. A name or title is something that we all have to live up to. After 23 years of having this name, I have only scratched the surface to discover what this name truly means. This past year has opened the flood gates and has really challenged mean to actually live up to my name and find out what it looks like to be follower of Christ. So let's recap this past year, shall we?
About this time last year, I had NO desire to go to grad school right after college to get my MBA. I knew I would be going to get my MBA at some point in time, but I REALLY didn't think it was going to be right after school. I thought I would work for a year, make some money, see what's out there and then go back to graduate school. Seems logical right? I mean, people do it....
Well, I decided to accept the offer to be in Niagara Falls the summer after my senior year without knowing what I would do after that. I figured, "Well, if I figure out what I'm doing for the summer, that's like a baby step to figuring out what I'm going to do the next year for the rest of my life." Sounded good to me! Baby steps, just baby steps.
*Sidenote* The decision to work with the Niagara Power proved to be SUCH A BLESSING. I learned and grew a lot working with the them and the Kern's, who manage the team from their basement. I won't go into much detail now but maybe in a future blog.
After I decided to spend the summer working with the Christian baseball team (seriously the PERFECT combination for me), there were some ups and downs. Who said figuring out God's call for you was easy?! Because I feel that once you've received God's call and decide to follow after Him in that way, that's when the devil really tries to get at ya (more explanation to come, probably in the blog with more details about the Niagara Power).
So after deciding what I was going to do for the summer, I spent that Christmas break looking into MBA graduate schools. I SERIOUSLY did some research. I studied for the GMAT the past Christmas break and without coming to any conclusion about what I would do after the summer. I went back to school, still not doing what I would be doing come August 2011.
It wasn't until I got back to school that I distinctly remember, being in my room one Friday (I believe), getting ready in front of my mirror and feeling God say, "Kristen, you should get your MBA at Ithaca." I was just like, "wait, what?!" So then, I tossed around this idea. When I was looking into other MBA schools, I always figured that I would apply to Ithaca because it was a one-year program, I didn't have to take the GMAT and because I knew the professors and people here. I always considered the Ithaca College MBA as a back up, never a first choice.
But, after talking it over with my parents and praying to God about it; this is where I felt God was calling me. Just to test the waters and see if this is really what God wanted me to do, I applied.
Needless to say, I got in and am happy with my decision (thus far). The program is rigorous (finance, accounting and decision analysis or 3 numbers classes in one semester, who would PLAN for this?!). I definitely feel there is a difference between undergrad and graduate school; like all I do is work and go to class and do school work. Yet, thankfully, I still have friends, a church family and God that can get me through this year (or semester in the least). I don't know why God has called me exactly to get my MBA here and now....but I trust that whatever He has up his sleeve is the right decision for me. Thankfully, this decision is actually what my parents suggested from the get-go. So it's reassuring to see how God incorporates and supplies some of our needs and desires that the world requires to fit into His plan for us. *QUOTE* The world's plans shouldn't fit around God's plan, the world's plan should fit into God's plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Though I still don't know exactly what I'm going to be doing for a job, I'm still looking around to see what's out there. For right now, I think my focus is on my studies and SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY being a light to the people in my MBA program. They need Jesus' light just as much as people in Africa, right. If this program and these people are my mission field, then I pray that they can see God's love through me and that I am able to "let [my] light shine before others, that they may see [my] good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Feel The Power
This is the story of how I came to work with the Niagara Power baseball team last summer. The Niagara Power is a Fellowship of Christian athletes affiliate team in the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL).
Well, when person after person AFTER PERSON kept asking, "What are your plans after graduation?" I simply answered, "I don't really know. It's up to where God leads me." Seems faithful and hopeful enough, right? WELL....I soon came to realize if I want God to have His way in me, I'm going to have to pull my end of the bargain! That's when I actually started searching for jobs, filling out applications, sending emails to find contacts, etc. After realizing this and actually DOING something about my future (all with the hope of God's will in my life), I was given an opportunity to attend a FCA meeting in Rochester.
Now, Rochester is less than 2 hours away from Ithaca. I spent the summer before my senior year there interning for the AAA minor league baseball team there (they're affiliated with the Minnesota Twins). I LOVED my job, which then made me love the city, which then allowed me to go back about every month the fall semester of my senior year. This meeting in Rochester would be my 4th time in Rochester in 4 months.
We met and ate at the Outback Steakhouse, where the President of FCA, Les Steckel, spoke. He encouraged those that attended to continue reaching out to high school and middle school athletes around the area and build relationships with them. (I love FCA and am a proud supporter of FCA. I was pretty heavily involved with the leadership of the group throughout my time in college). Attending this luncheon was a great way to see more of what FCA does and how it operates. Because of my involvement with FCA throughout my four years of college, I figured it was worth looking into - maybe going on staff or becoming a huddle leader. Plus, if I'm doing God's work doing this job, why wouldn't God want me to look into it?
At the end of this meeting, I met a tall, bald, friendly man named Cal. He was the designated greeter and the man that got me to come to the luncheon introduced me to him. He introduced me to Cal because it sounded like he needed a Business Marketer. (That's what my major was in college, so yup! That's me!) Cal's eyes lit up. We started talking and he told me how he was the General Manager of a collegiate baseball team in Niagara Falls. (SO COOL!) My eyes lit up. He said he needed some help this summer and they have an internship available but not one with "six-digits" (he kept repeating). I told him how the past summer I worked with the Wings and he was blown away. He wanted to sign me up right now to work with the team, where the players on the team could either have a relationship with God and become a pastor OR just wanted to play ball and didn't really want to talk about God. The Christ relationship with the guys on the team could vary extremely. It was a great ministry, no doubt about it. But, I was hesitant and was not fully sold on this idea of spending another summer working long hours at a baseball park (which I really do love) and getting little pay. I went to this luncheon thinking I was going to get a full-time job opportunity (Mary, my future psychic actually predicted it). So this was not what I was looking for. He gave me his card, some pocket schedules and their program to let me see what they did. I looked through them and I was seriously impressed that a dinky college baseball team in Niagara Falls could pull this off. I thought they are actually a bigger administration than what I came to realize.
So for about half of the car ride home to Ithaca, I didn't have the radio on or anything. God and I talked, just the two of us. It was silent in the car but in my head, we were going back and forth about this.
Something inside of me just said just give it a shot. But the other side of me, the side of me that was more run by the world and my earthly desires to get a full time job after graduation and be successful, said I should look for something bigger. When I talked to Sherrie (Cal's wife and the team's general administrator), we talked for about 30 minutes and I thought we hit it off really well. The side of me that thought this is a great opportunity and just go for it said, this is a PERFECT opportunity for you! But the other side of me said, it's not good enough. You should be doing something more. I even was kinda discreet about my phone interview with my parents because I thought they would also want me to do more than this job. It turns out they were supportive but wished more of me. So let me just say, God works in mysterious ways.
He showed me that getting my MBA is a good idea and that this opportunity is a good experience before going back to school for another year. Somehow having this peace allowed me to be confident in this decision to do what I love and work for another baseball team for little pay and long hours. Cliche but true-there's more to life than just money.
So I went to Niagara Falls and fell into the hands of the most gracious family. I saw and experienced the most positive, faithful, family dynamics that I've ever seen! Especially in a world where the majority of families are broken. I can't even muster up enough words to describe how blessed I am to know this family, all four generations and in-laws of them! Being in this family for a short time of 2 months gave me hope for what families, my future family, can be like (not that I don't like my family or anything). To be so prayerful, communicative, close knit, supportive and relational. Of course there's always issues in any family but this family showed me how if God is at the center, issues and obstacles can always be overcomed and worked through. Even within he marriage. That's why serving this family was such a blessing.
It's kinda funny how the biggest thing I learned from this past summer was not how much it takes to run a baseball team, run concessions, tickets, promotions or merchandise, but how to manage a family and a household.
I did gain valuable work experience about working in the baseball and in ministry. But, I also think I gained more wisdom and knowledge about the spiritual and emotional that transcends all earthly work experience.
Well, when person after person AFTER PERSON kept asking, "What are your plans after graduation?" I simply answered, "I don't really know. It's up to where God leads me." Seems faithful and hopeful enough, right? WELL....I soon came to realize if I want God to have His way in me, I'm going to have to pull my end of the bargain! That's when I actually started searching for jobs, filling out applications, sending emails to find contacts, etc. After realizing this and actually DOING something about my future (all with the hope of God's will in my life), I was given an opportunity to attend a FCA meeting in Rochester.
Now, Rochester is less than 2 hours away from Ithaca. I spent the summer before my senior year there interning for the AAA minor league baseball team there (they're affiliated with the Minnesota Twins). I LOVED my job, which then made me love the city, which then allowed me to go back about every month the fall semester of my senior year. This meeting in Rochester would be my 4th time in Rochester in 4 months.
We met and ate at the Outback Steakhouse, where the President of FCA, Les Steckel, spoke. He encouraged those that attended to continue reaching out to high school and middle school athletes around the area and build relationships with them. (I love FCA and am a proud supporter of FCA. I was pretty heavily involved with the leadership of the group throughout my time in college). Attending this luncheon was a great way to see more of what FCA does and how it operates. Because of my involvement with FCA throughout my four years of college, I figured it was worth looking into - maybe going on staff or becoming a huddle leader. Plus, if I'm doing God's work doing this job, why wouldn't God want me to look into it?
At the end of this meeting, I met a tall, bald, friendly man named Cal. He was the designated greeter and the man that got me to come to the luncheon introduced me to him. He introduced me to Cal because it sounded like he needed a Business Marketer. (That's what my major was in college, so yup! That's me!) Cal's eyes lit up. We started talking and he told me how he was the General Manager of a collegiate baseball team in Niagara Falls. (SO COOL!) My eyes lit up. He said he needed some help this summer and they have an internship available but not one with "six-digits" (he kept repeating). I told him how the past summer I worked with the Wings and he was blown away. He wanted to sign me up right now to work with the team, where the players on the team could either have a relationship with God and become a pastor OR just wanted to play ball and didn't really want to talk about God. The Christ relationship with the guys on the team could vary extremely. It was a great ministry, no doubt about it. But, I was hesitant and was not fully sold on this idea of spending another summer working long hours at a baseball park (which I really do love) and getting little pay. I went to this luncheon thinking I was going to get a full-time job opportunity (Mary, my future psychic actually predicted it). So this was not what I was looking for. He gave me his card, some pocket schedules and their program to let me see what they did. I looked through them and I was seriously impressed that a dinky college baseball team in Niagara Falls could pull this off. I thought they are actually a bigger administration than what I came to realize.
So for about half of the car ride home to Ithaca, I didn't have the radio on or anything. God and I talked, just the two of us. It was silent in the car but in my head, we were going back and forth about this.
Something inside of me just said just give it a shot. But the other side of me, the side of me that was more run by the world and my earthly desires to get a full time job after graduation and be successful, said I should look for something bigger. When I talked to Sherrie (Cal's wife and the team's general administrator), we talked for about 30 minutes and I thought we hit it off really well. The side of me that thought this is a great opportunity and just go for it said, this is a PERFECT opportunity for you! But the other side of me said, it's not good enough. You should be doing something more. I even was kinda discreet about my phone interview with my parents because I thought they would also want me to do more than this job. It turns out they were supportive but wished more of me. So let me just say, God works in mysterious ways.
He showed me that getting my MBA is a good idea and that this opportunity is a good experience before going back to school for another year. Somehow having this peace allowed me to be confident in this decision to do what I love and work for another baseball team for little pay and long hours. Cliche but true-there's more to life than just money.
So I went to Niagara Falls and fell into the hands of the most gracious family. I saw and experienced the most positive, faithful, family dynamics that I've ever seen! Especially in a world where the majority of families are broken. I can't even muster up enough words to describe how blessed I am to know this family, all four generations and in-laws of them! Being in this family for a short time of 2 months gave me hope for what families, my future family, can be like (not that I don't like my family or anything). To be so prayerful, communicative, close knit, supportive and relational. Of course there's always issues in any family but this family showed me how if God is at the center, issues and obstacles can always be overcomed and worked through. Even within he marriage. That's why serving this family was such a blessing.
It's kinda funny how the biggest thing I learned from this past summer was not how much it takes to run a baseball team, run concessions, tickets, promotions or merchandise, but how to manage a family and a household.
I did gain valuable work experience about working in the baseball and in ministry. But, I also think I gained more wisdom and knowledge about the spiritual and emotional that transcends all earthly work experience.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Life exposed.
Whoa. So yes, this is my first blog. This is kind of a big thing for me. I've been following friends throughout their world travels, their ups and downs of life...basically all the journeys God takes them on through their blogs. I've enjoyed reading them; battled through the inner-conflict of making myself take the time to read their blogs in order to know what's actually going in their lives. At first, it seems like another thing to do (because I seriously have SO many friends with blogs) because I've been swamped with time these past few months. But, after reading them, hearing their voice through their words and feeling like I'm there with them, I guess I've decided to do the same. (Relationships go both ways, right? If I know everything that's going on in their lives, how will they know what's really go on in my life?)
So here you go. My very own blog. Facebook is getting annoying because of all the changes. I really like twitter because you can say whatever you want (in 140 characters or less) but it doesn't give real nitty gritty details. In blogs, you can also say whatever you want and only the people who really want to read what you have to say will read it.Who will actually read my blogs? I don't know. But, I've got some thoughts dwindling in my mind (amongst other things like finance and accounting) that I want to share with those who are willing to hear it (or read it).
I just spent too much time doing this because I should be reviewing for a big finance test on Thursday. But after, that's done and over with, I shall return (or maybe I'll take a study break sometime this week to fill you in on the past few months...we'll see).
"This is the day, the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" - I challenge you to do the same.
So here you go. My very own blog. Facebook is getting annoying because of all the changes. I really like twitter because you can say whatever you want (in 140 characters or less) but it doesn't give real nitty gritty details. In blogs, you can also say whatever you want and only the people who really want to read what you have to say will read it.Who will actually read my blogs? I don't know. But, I've got some thoughts dwindling in my mind (amongst other things like finance and accounting) that I want to share with those who are willing to hear it (or read it).
I just spent too much time doing this because I should be reviewing for a big finance test on Thursday. But after, that's done and over with, I shall return (or maybe I'll take a study break sometime this week to fill you in on the past few months...we'll see).
"This is the day, the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" - I challenge you to do the same.
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