August 19, 2013

LET'S BE REAL.

spend time with God
Let's be real, sometimes I try too hard. Sometimes I write too much, sometimes I open up a new post and have no idea where I'm headed with it (like right now).

But sometimes, I find that just sitting down, focusing on writing and nothing else actually helps me focus, helps me concentrate, and helps me process all that's going on.

I want to tell you guys so much. I want to sit down with each of you, perhaps over some mint chocolate chip ice cream (I'm craving that right now, not gonna lie), and just spill my heart out. I had the chance to pray with a fellow Children's Ministry team leader (and unofficial mentor) last week and really felt the power of prayer. Let's be real for a second, though. I never thought I would be one of those pray-out-loud-kinds-of-people. I prayer journal at night, say my pretty much scripted grace once a week with the family (we take turns), and will say grace on my own (sometimes--I'm guilty and need to work on that one). But praying out loud for the upcoming "new" Sunday School year? Praying for the church, the children, the families, and the teachers? That was something I was not used to and yet it was so powerful and it makes me want to join a Bible study of my own.

That's right. I'm not in a Bible study--does that make me a bad Christian? I know it doesn't, but I also know that it's good to be in community with fellow believers--like blogging is and has been for me. And while I love each and every one of you (yes, even you who is reading but hasn't commented yet!), I also learned the importance of face-to-face relationships last week. So I'm going to start praying over that one. Unless one or two of you are interested in maybe doing some sort of Bible study thing over Skype or Google Hangouts? Just throwing that one out there...

So where am I going with all of this? To be honest, I just feel like I have so much to say and yet for certain reasons, I just don't feel like I can. It's tough because I want to be real, I want to be honest, and yet I also am going through a point in time where I feel like I need to be patient and wait--a waiting period in my life that I never planned for and one that seems much too long in my opinion.

So there you have it. A little piece of my mind. A little reminder to myself that everything takes time, that prayer is powerful, and that life goes on.

Except not my cravings for mint chocolate chip ice cream. Nope, still got that one.

18 comments

  1. :)

    It just may be time for a new season in your life... time for new things. That's what it's sounding like!

    I'm curious to know what is going on in that last paragraph, but I suppose it'll all become clearer with time. I guess that as readers, we'll have to be patient as well. :)

    --Erika
    http://www.chimerikal.com

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    1. You are so right. So very, very right. And I so wish that I could write about all of it, but things are still up in the air and I don't feel write writing about things that aren't certain yet (for reasons beyond just "I don't want to").

      Here's to the both of us being patient, girl! :)

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  2. Oh girl, I'm definitely up for a Bible study via Skype or whatever if you're interested! I've been hoping to do something of the like for a while. I'm with you as far as God doing so many things in my heart that I need to continue to pray through before sharing. He speaks in the secret place and keeping it between me and Him means I will return to Him and depend on Him to keep speaking there rather than turning to my closest friends or blogging circle. It's hard but all will be revealed in due time, and He'll encourage you when to share!

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    1. That sounds like fun to me! I honestly haven't put much thought or prayer into the Bible Study yet, but if you have any ideas (I don't even know how to start something like this!), I'm open to hearing them! :)

      And I love what you said--there are definitely times and places in life where I think God calls us from sharing and I'm glad you not only understand but know the feeling. It's hard because I want to say so much, but I also know that now's not the time.

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  3. It really is such a blessing to study God's word in community. I hope you find exactly the group you need in this season of life!

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    1. Me, too! I really do hope I find the right group and Bible Study to be a part of! :)

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  4. This post of yours is really encouraging me to spend more time in prayer, both with others and in prayer journalling. This last while I have only been praying on my own, but I have foud that there is just something powerful about writing my prayers down like they are letters to God. Well, actually they are. I actually got a prophecy recently that encouraged me to do so. Thanks for encouraging me some more!

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    1. Thanks, girl! Reading this comment of yours encourages me to keep on praying. :) And I completely agree with you about writing our prayers down. I've been doing it for the past four-ish years and have thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. I'm a writer and introvert so I'm glad to have found the form of communication that not only is easiest for me but is an amazing experience, too. That, and I love going through my old prayers and seeing where I was at and where I am now. :)

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  5. I really love this post - it's such an encouragement. It's hard to be patient for God's timing, but a good reminder to know that He works on His time, not ours :) Thanks for such a sweet post!

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    1. Thank you, Meghan! It is definitely hard to be patient and wait for God's timing (that's something I'm learning and experiencing every day and why my blog's name is what it is) but you're right, God works in His timing, now ours. :)

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  6. love this, kiki!! i, too, have recently been learning the importance of godly "real-life" relationships, and focusing maybe just a little less on "virtual" relationships. it's a hard thing to learn, and sometimes can be hard to put yourself out there and find some good, godly, uplifting, "real" friends, but it's so so worth it when God brings friends together to help each other deepen and grow in their relationship with Him. <3
    praying you find some "real" ;) community to study His Word with!!

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    1. Thank you! I so get you when it comes to balancing real-life relationships with virtual ones. I so treasure both, but I've been feeling a real tug to add more of the real-life relationships to the mix. I've been really praying for the right Bible Study to join because I know how important it is to have people in your life that you see and can talk to face-to-face. Thank you for reminding me that putting myself out there is worth it! Taking the first step is always the hardest for me, so it's nice to know that it's worth it. :)

      Thank you for the prayers, girl! They're very much appreciated.

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  7. As long as I can eat some Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Ice Cream while we talk! :) I totally understand all of this. I'm not in a Bible Study as well. I haven't been in one since I graduated college. I actually lead one as well. It was one of the greatest things and I looked forward to it every week. Community is so important to our lives. I'm thankful for friends who care and we keep in touch, but a community in a bible study setting is something deeper.

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    1. Ooh, that sounds yummy, too! :) I am so grateful that you know and understand where I'm at. That is so cool that you were part of a great Bible Study and even led one! I bet that is an amazing experience and a life-changing one, too!

      And you're right, community is important. In my opinion, that's one of the reasons why I feel God created blogging. :)

      I'll be praying that you find the right Bible study, girl!

      p.s. I don't know if you know this, but I think you might be a no-reply commenter (which basically means that I can't send my replies to your comments straight to your inbox). I know that some people prefer it as such, but I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't! :)

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  8. I'm not in a Bible study either... in fact, we are not even in a church right now... does that make me any less of a Christian? I don't think so. I'm with ya on the mint chocolate chip ice cream. :)

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    1. No, it definitely doesn't make you any less of a Christian! I think it's easy to think that it does (especially when I compare myself to others), but in the end, being a Christian is all about your relationship with Jesus, right? Anyway, here's to the two of us finding the right church + fit and following Him! :)

      And YES. Mint chocolate chip ice cream sounds so good right now--you don't even know...

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  9. Girl I totally want to encourage you to join a study. One with all sorts of people, not people just like you. There is so much to learn as you live life with people you never pictured being friends with. I love it! I adore the 4 ladies that I'm in community with on a regular basis. They keep me grounded and accountable. And while I have tons of other people around me, those are the ladies who call me on my crap, and encourage me to keep pursuing Christ.

    You got it girl!

    Patterned Love

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Naomi! My family was a part of a Bible Study growing up and while it wasn't always my favorite (especially as I reached middle school), I know that it was good for my parents. So yes! I do know the importance and have been praying for the right fit. :)

      Your Bible Study group sounds amazing! Having people to talk to face-to-face and know that you have each other's backs is so great--that's something I've definitely learned over the years!

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