Misconceptions

"It is a common misconception that the Christian's walk of faith is strewn with flowers and that when God intervenes in the lives of His people, He does so in such a wonderful way as to always lift us out of our difficult surroundings. In actual fact, however, the real experience is quite the opposite."

As you obviously noticed, my blog sat in a dormant state for quite a long time. I could say that I didn't feel "the spark" anymore...but that is far from true. There were so many times that I wanted to put down my thoughts for all to read, yet there was always a hesitation that prevented me. Thus, I remained quiet.

For the longest time, I thought a Christian young woman needed to have all the right answers, read certain books, watch certain movies...frankly, I had to live in a box of expectations and stereotypes. If I felt "contrary" to that box, I knew I had better not admit it. I had a "standard" to uphold.

Last year was a very rough year for me. I went through a lot of pulling and prying; I had so many questions and very few answers. I had some bouts of what I would call depression and if not for my family, my God, and some close friends, I can honestly say that I have no idea where I would be. I struggled with finding just where I was supposed to be going in life, especially when what I planned on (marriage and a family by age 20) wasn't staring me in the face. But as you can see, I didn't share these thoughts with you all.

It is a common misconception that Christians have an always rosy, always put together life. I don't. I used to be ashamed of that.....but not any more. He revealed to me that I do not have to send a supposed image anymore. I can share when I am struggling with God's presumed silence (notice I said presumed; I know he never is), or when I feel like admitting that I do yell at a bad referee call every now and then. I am not ashamed to say that my life is rough, slightly confusing, totally heading in another direction that I didn't foresee and yet, because the Lord sits on His throne, I can be at peace. Both in knowing that He has the answers and that I can always be myself. He will give me the wisdom and mercy to know how to word what I want to say. Because why am I here if not to point to Him.

So you might get bored with some of the posts I do. You know, how I am finding joy in work situations and struggles in college ones. But that is how I put aside misconceptions.....and my closest, dearest friends know that is something I dearly love to do. =)