a memory to spur the heart.

As I was reading this morning, I had a flash back to senior year of highschool, yearbook class. My favorite teacher Mrs. Hues, a believer of Jesus and a strong woman of faith. One that I looked up to in so many ways. I remember sharing with her my favorite bible verse at the time.

1 Timothy 4:12 'Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.'

I remember telling her that I wanted this to be my "life" verse. and today i am again reminded of her response.

"That is a pretty powerful verse Noel, it must not be taken lightly. There is a lot of responsibility if you are claiming that over your life. Make sure you think about each of those things individually and live them all out."

Shrugging my shoulders, I went about my day...my week...my years...until thinking about that conversation again this morning as I was reading 1 Timothy. What does that really look like for my life? Have I been being that example to those believers around me? Will my Father in heaven be proud that I called this my life verse so many years ago?

As a senior in high school, I knew little about the bible. I knew little about Jesus, the Holy Spirit and little about our Creator of the Universe. I did know that They were Truth. That was enough. Enough to be rooted in my soul. I look back over the past couple years and i see a lot of mistakes. A LOT. But i see a greater LOVE that covers all those mistakes. I see a greater LOVE that has comforted me. healed me. helped me. guided me. rescued me. disciplined me. forgiven me. Its beautiful.

I am at a stage in my life where I don't want to be looked down upon because of my age. At a ripe 23 years old, i know and understand that I still have A LOT to figure out. A LOT to understand but i can say with full confidence that I do have the most important thing figured out....JESUS. He is enough. He has always been enough. He will always be enough. I know that I will continue to make mistakes but I can't help but want to be an example of God on earth. I understand that is what I am here for.

I am thankful for growth, for more knowledge and understanding, for hope. I am thankful that I don't have to have it all figured out. That i don't have to know whats next. I am thankful for trust. For faith. FOR LOVE.

God is good. so good.