Father's Day

Father’s Day.

A day to celebrate your dad.

For the role model he is, for all of the sacrifices he has made, for all of the love he has shown you.

If you would have asked me three years ago if I ever would have done any of these things, I probably would have just laughed at you. My dad and I never really had a typical “father/daughter” relationship when I was growing up. We fought, we yelled, we basically just couldn’t get along with each other. I know most people think that this is just typical with a teenage girl and her parents, but this was different. When I went to college, we didn’t fight any more because I wasn’t around him, but instead I just built up a lot of anger towards him.

I was angry because of all the fights, all of the mean things he had said to me and to others, I was just mad. I wouldn't say that I ever hated him, because after all, he was my dad and I loved him. But neither of us really showed that love.

So, three years have passed, and I have grown a lot. I can say that I have truly experienced the hand of God work through me and my dad. I am so thankful that God restores and heals broken relationships and that God answers prayers. I wouldn’t say that our relationship is perfect by any means, but things are definitely changing.

I hugged my dad for the first time that I can remember earlier this year and I cried after it. Not because I was sad, but because I was so incredibly happy. Happy because I was given a second chance with him, happy because we were finally able to communicate with each other, happy because I knew that things were changing.

So today, I celebrated my dad. For all that he has done for me and for my family. And today, I am thankful. For my dad, for second chances, for restored relationships, and for family.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you!

My Choice

Many people say that the Christian music industry is boring.

That it all sounds the same.

That the artists aren’t very talented.

However boring it may be, even if it does sound the same, I still listen.

I listen because it speaks to me.

I listen because God works through the artist and through their lyrics to challenge me, to move me, to heal me.

I cannot imagine where I would be at in my faith if it weren’t for Christian music.

When I’m struggling with something or just having a bad day, I can just simply turn on the radio and find the local Christian station and everything seems better.

Suddenly, I am given hope and peace.

So, no matter how boring it is, I’m still going to listen.

Not because it’s what Christians should do, but because I want to.

It’s how I learn. It’s how I mend. It’s how I grow.

Taking Chances

I saw the movie Something Borrowed tonight and it got me thinking.

Thinking about life and what’s worth taking a risk for.

Thinking about what really matters in the end.

And just in general, thinking.

The movie is about a girl (Rachel) whose best friend (Darcy) is engaged to a guy that Rachel went to law school with.  Rachel was in love with this guy all through law school but would never tell him, but six years later Rachel confesses her love to Dexter and long story short, he’s in love with her too but has to make a choice between her and Darcy.

Rachel had to decide what was really worth the risk during the movie. She had to decide whether she wanted to take the risk and hope that Dexter would too or if she wanted to ignore her feelings and live with never knowing how Dexter truly felt. She got hurt along the way, but in the end it all worked out. (Of course it did…it’s a chick-flic)

Anyways, the dilemma is…do you take the chance or not? I have a huge fear of failure and rejection, so many times I have found myself ignoring the feelings and just going on with life. But now instead of facing rejection, I face regret. Is it better to face your fears and hope for the best? Or is it better to just try to blow it off and act like you don’t care?

This is so hard for me because I want to be happy and I want to be with someone that makes me happy, but I just can’t bring myself to put my feelings out there. To just lay it all on the line and trust that what’s meant to be will work itself out.  To take a chance and have a little bit of faith.