Every day of your life you are confronted with decisions. It could be a small decision like “What am I going to wear today?” or something more serious like, “What college am I going to go to?” And now that I’m 16 and on the fast track to independence from my family these decisions are becoming more real and this scares me quite a bit. 

I thought it was fitting that we discussed pressure at church because there is so much pressure to make certain decisions in my life. And knowing me, I become easily influenced by the opinions of others and it usually directs me to things that are not of God’s kingdom. 

For example, one big pressure is to do well in school. And I feel like a lot of that pressure comes from my peers/teachers. Sure, doing well in school is important and getting good scores on AP’s, SAT’s, etc. are important too, but I don’t want to place my pride in something that won’t last forever. I just think it’s quite silly that we stress about things that we’re not going to remember five years from now. 

I want to be pressured by God. Pressured to be humbled to the point of death. Pressured into being a servant to the people around me. Pressured to be disciplined and diligent in my work because I know that it serves as a witness to my unbelieving friends and family. The pressures of this world won’t let you become a good person, if anything it just creates more selfishness. 

Life isn’t about me, it’s about my God and how He sacrificed everything He has to give me the life I live. I have amazing friends, family, and teachers. People who care for me and encourage me to be the best that I can be. I need to sacrifice and commit everything I have to Jesus. He’s the only one that knows my future, so why stress out right? Use your weakness to shine God’s glory (:

I know I have a purpose in my life. And even though that purpose is a bit cloudy, I”m going to continue to seek God’s kingdom and not the desires of this world. He’s never failed me because I can see how He’s been working in my life. 

So to sprinkle in a bit of optimism in my recent “I hate school” attitude, here is a list of things I’m thankful for this week:

• Encouraging letters from Ms. Kleinberg. She’s on my list of favorite teachers now. 
• Chivalry.
• Choir sisters and our game, even though I think I’m losing. 
• Chocolate.
• Dogs.
• Hanging out with my daddy.
• Sleepover talks without a sleepover with Jessica and Monica. 
• Churchhhh.
• Sore legs (because it means I worked out.)
• Jam sessions with Leidelle, Jules, Lawrence, and Charlie. 
• Journalism <3
• Text messages. 

It’s crazy how I question God’s control in my life when He’s really been all around me. Never once did He ever live me alone. 

Romans 8:38 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.