Time Goes By

 ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

This morning I stumbled across this verse from Ephesians and I have scarcely been able to stop thinking about it since. 

Time is such a valuable asset that God has given us, but something I so frequently neglect.

While I do not believe in ruminating over missed opportunities for the rest of time, I believe there is something to be said for reflection.

What if I had used my time more wisely in high school?

What if I had taken every opportunity for what it was worth?

Okay, okay...so no playing the 'what if' game.

But sincerely, contemplate today on how you can utilize every single opportunity for the Kingdom's cause. I want my time to be spent on things that won't disintegrate before my eyes.

There is so much in this world chasing after our time, attention, agendas, and so on...

So in the words of Paul, "Be very careful."

Where You Go, I Will Follow

With blurry vision my eyes scanned the room.

I wanted to remember every moment of tonight, ever hug, every tear, every laugh, everything.

These people, these 81 people, they were more than classmates, 'peers', or any other 'cordial' word.

They were family.

There are few times in life where I have yearned to press pause. Typically, I'm more of the "let's fast forward" kinda girl. Tonight taught me that contentment is a beautiful thing. So often in high school I was not content in any way shape or form. 

As a freshman, I wanted to be a sophomore.

In December, I wanted Christmas break.

In May, I wanted to be on summer break.

As a Senior, I wanted to be in college.

But tonight, graduation night, I was content with being just who I was: a graduate, surounded by my family of 13 years, watching relationships that had been built over more than a decade.

This side of heaven, I will probably never comprehend what a profound impact Hickory Grove Christian had on my life, but I do know that God has used that school and church in mighty ways.

I never did find that pause button I longed for tonight.

Time went on and a chapter of my life closed.

But if I could look every one of my fellow graduates in the face again tonight, I would tell them this:

I want to hear that you have done great things, that you have gone far, accomplished much, fought fair and tough, but most of all I want to hear that you are all about one thing: Jesus Christ.

Love Him, cling to Him, desire Him, seek Him, and build your life on Him.

And most importantly, I will see you in heaven someday, where we can join with one voice, and remember the times we shared.

In a time when it is common to look forward to the next thing, a time filled with so much anticipation, ironically, I challenge you tonight to be content. Soak up every moment and don't let a second pass you by, because this life is but a breath.

Irony

“This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.”

Complete.

Ashamedly, I got a little teary eyed making this video.

But shh, it's a secret until Friday evening 

=]

Memory Lane

As I work on putting together a slideshow as a graduation present for my mom (shh - it's a secret), I could not help but reminisce on time passed.

There were points during this week that my carpet was far from visible due to the massive amount of baby pictures strewn across the floor.

I couldn't help myself, I had to share.

Beach trips with mom = love.

The overalls suit this face.

I always could throw down some watermelon.

CT & I 

The start.

An easily amused child.

I was a purple fan.

Matchy-Matchy

This one's my favorite.

Okay, I take that back...new favorite. 

I still have little Beanie.

You, yes you.

 Going for a hike, still one of my favorite things to do.

 That face.

Loved baking back then too, apparently.

I thought this was appropriate, in light of this coming Friday evening.

Cannot believe that these days are so long gone.

Seasons.

Life As A Lifer

We walked into a very familiar room.

On the first day of kindergarten, as daunting as it was, this was the very place each of our mother's brought us. Throughout our first year of school at a place we would grow to know as home, Hickory Grove, we shared countless memories and milestones in that very room.

None of us imagined that weeks before our graduation we would be sitting in the very seats which we were assigned some thirteen years ago.

But this is, in fact, precisely where we found ourselves on the day to celebrate the Class of 2011 Lifers.

'Lifers' meaning each of us attended Hickory Grove all 13 years of school.

Needless to say, these people are more than peers, they are family.

Mr. Ward, a man very close to my heart, has been there for me through the years like few others. He has prayed with me, laughed alongside me, raced me in the gym, but most importantly he was the man that lead me to Christ some twelve years ago. Throughout the years I have always known him to be by joy-filled headmaster, until he retired at the beginning of my senior year.

Much to my surprise and excitement though, he still made time for the annual Lifer Day!

The day began with magic tricks, handwriting lessons, and Bible verses in child-size chairs...just like my first day of Kindergarten!

Mr. Ward also remembered to present us with the 'Class of the Week' prize...priceless!

Of course, a visit from Mr. Ward would not have been complete without a blow pop!

Then, the whole gang (pictured above) headed to the gym for a repeat of a race that we ran 13 years ago, almost to the day. As we watched Mr. Ward lace up his 'crazy shoes' as he refers to them, we prepared for the race of a lifetime =]

The girls might of given good 'ole Mr. Ward an advantage, but either way, he took home the W. 

The day was filled with laughs and smiles...

...Hugs and tears.

There are few people in this world that I love and respect as much as I do Henry Ward. He is a man after God's own heart to say the least and I would not be the person who I am today in the absence of the role he played in my life.

In light of Lifer Day, I dedicate this post to Mr. Ward, a man of God, who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. 

He taught me countless lessons I will carry through life, but one of my favorites was and continues to be, "Keep a smile on your face and your eyes on Jesus."

That's gold y'all. 

P.S. - JESUS MAKES ME H-A-P-P-Y

=]

He Covers Me

Today was a good day, to say the least.

I love the occasional rainy day, I turned in my very last assignment for all of high school, and I am currently savoring a Hershey's Chocolate brownie. 

Yes, a very good day to say the least.

The reality of ending this chapter of my life is really beginning to sink in and it is beyond surreal.

This has certainly been one of those moments that you wish for a million times over but never believe will actually come.

My last assignment for the year was a Memoir of my life, quite appropriate in my opinion. Each student had to pick a theme to center their project around. I chose "Perfection and Freedom Cannot Coincide," and loved every moment of reflecting on the past years of my life.

While working on the project, I came across a quote by Saint Augustine that I have absolutely fallen in love with!

"That is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections."

How simple and yet profound.

Hard as we may try to avoid it, each and every human being on planet Earth has imperfections. Yet, so often we never take the time to reflect or examine, for fear of what we may find. However, when I stopped running from reality and took to the time to be real with myself for the first time, I saw the grace of Jesus Christ overwhelm my every flaw and imperfection.

He covers me.

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Never. Gets. Old.