As the new year begins I can't help but to smile with joy for the excitement to come. God has great things planned for everyone! A part of my new year "resolution" (I guess you could call it that) was to start a blog. God is doing great and amazing things in my life, and there is only many more to come.
One BIG thing coming up this summer is that I am continuing God's call for me and my life. This summer, July 11th-21st, I will be heading to the beautiful grounds of Kenya. Yes, I am talking about Kenya as in Africa!! I know, I know, I am 16 years old, but God has made His call and His will clear to me more and more with every passing day. Since the 7th grade I have partaken in five full mission trips to eleven different places (Texas, Arizona, Haiti, England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Louisiana).
My purpose become more and more clear to me with every step, every breath, every smile, and every tear.
I tend to get a lot of mixed reactions from people when I tell them about my upcoming trip to Kenya. Some are happy for me and thrilled about the adventures that are to come. Others are nervous, and think that I will attract some disease. And some question why I need to leave the country in the first place and think/say it's a little ridiculous. I answer/respond to all those questions and comments with a smile and say, "I'm just following what God has called me to do." Some understand, and some don't. And those who don't, I just see it as God working through them and He is working through me.
Call me crazy, but I am homesick for places I've never been; I'm craving relationships that have yet to begin, and I'm longing to be the woman God created me to be. I'm in love with places I've never been to and people I've never met.
I am NOT just only 16. Age doesn't matter; anyone can be the hope, the joy, and the change someone needs in their life to get them going.
I fail God daily, but I am only human and God does NOT define us by our sins. (Thank goodness for that, because if He did, I'd be in deep, deep, deep water!) I've gone done paths I'm not proud of and I've done things that I am ashamed of. But guess what...God keeps pulling me back and saying to me, "Court, this is just one page of your story, I'm not done with you. Amazing things have yet to come, and amazing things are still to be done. Just don't give up."
Every time a page is turned in my story, as I grow older, I realize how much more joy and happiness I have in my life when I am following Him, and living my life on His purpose. That those sins, those things that keep me from Him, don't even begin to compare.
So that's what I am doing, and that is what I intend to do. To live my life for Him and not hold onto the struggles that could hold me back if I let them. Every single minute you spend regretting something is a minute wasted because that minute could have been spent in love, in passion, and in hope.
Love & God Bless,
Courtney Gail <3
I LOVE that you are blogging! Love this post and the journey that He has you on...and the fact that you are following his leading. You have been blessed in so many ways - a great church, great mentors in your life, great people that have loved you and given you opportunities to serve, LOTS of opportunities to hear God's word (retreats, youth group, sermons, books, spoken words from others, etc.). Praying you continue to keep reaching for truth and will honor God with your words and actions!
ReplyDeleteKeep posting/writing! Love this (and YOU!). just sayin.