What I Believe

I believe that a good, hard work out can turn any day around. Especially the kind that leaves you sore for days. 

I believe that crossing a finish line of a race is one of the best feelings in the world. 

I believe that the most solid friendships can withstand silence without awkwardness. I'm working on becoming more comfortable with silence, myself. 

I believe in one on one convos, heart to hearts, exchanging prayer requests and life updates. I think there's power in being fully known and fully loved, and that's why there's such power in Jesus' love. 

I believe in celebrating with those who are celebrating, and providing a shoulder, a tissue, or ice cream for those who are weeping. I believe in being present through ups and downs, and finding the beauty in both. 

I believe in cubicle dance parties. 

I believe in mid-work-day coffee runs. 

I believe in daily Bible reading. I believe it changes you. 

I believe in vulnerability, and authenticity. If I fell on my face and learned a thing or two in the process, I want to share that. I don't want to pretend that I never fell in the first place. 

I believe in Stitch Fix. I swear half my wardrobe is from them. 

I believe the scary things are almost always the things worth pursuing. 

I believe in online friendships. I may not have met my boyfriend through the internet, but I sure met one of my closest friends.

I believe in the freedom of grieving. I believe grief is an emotion that doesn't need explanation or rationalization. Sometimes we grieve an unexpected medical bill, sometimes we grieve a death, and sometimes we grieve a dropped container of brand new raspberries. Regardless of the circumstance, I believe there's healing that comes from allowing yourself to grieve. 

I believe in the beauty of joy. I believe life is worthy of celebrating, whether it's new love, new life, or finding 5 bucks in an old pair of jeans. I believe that life is hard, and joy reminds us of all that we have to be thankful for. 

I believe that humans were created for fellowship with God. I believe we were made in His image, intended for holy communion with a holy God. 

I believe genuine love requires genuine choice, and out of love for humanity, God gave us free will. I believe that Adam and Eve were given a choice, to seek after God or to seek after the knowledge of good & evil for themselves. I believe they chose the second option, and with that, sin came into the world. 

I believe God grieved for our sinful world, the world that He created out of love. I believe that He loved us so much, and so desperately desired relationship with us, that He sent His only Son to be born of human flesh. 

I believe that Son is Jesus, and I believe Jesus came and died on a cross to take on the punishment of every sin ever committed in our world. I believe His death displayed God's infinite mercy, removing the punishment sin warrants. 

I believe that after 3 days of laying in a tomb, Jesus rose from the dead. I believe that through His resurrection, God's unimagineable grace was poured into our world. I believe that because Jesus lives, we too can have new life. I believe that because He overcame sin, we can have restored relationship with God through Him. 

I believe that salvation can't be earned, and right standing with God can't be worked for. I believe that righteousness and eternal life are gained simply and only through faith in the work that Jesus accomplished on the cross. 

I believe that when a person asks Jesus into their life, they receive Him as their personal Savior. I believe what happens in that instant is that He takes up residence in them, and His Spirit lives inside their heart. I believe that with His Spirit, anything is possible. I believe that because of His love, lives can change in an instant. 

I believe that because mine did. 

I believe that I don't have it all figured out. I believe that some questions aren't answered until heaven, and I believe that's okay. I believe that my God can be trusted with the things I don't understand, and that it's okay to admit I don't have all the answers. 

I believe that pictures always add a little somethin somethin to a blog post. But I also believe that it's okay to have a wordy, picture-less post every once in a while. Especially when you're struggling with consistent blogging as it is. 

So there we have it, a list of things I believe. 

Happy Humpday, friends! Would love to hear what you're believing in today. 

<3