Remade.

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

One season.

Be careful not to judge someone based on one season in their life.

I read this somewhere the other day and it really resonated with me. How often we so quickly judge someone because of their present situation or because of one choice they make. We don't know their story or situation, yet we feel that we have the authority to judge them. We have all made bad choices, and we all will continue to at one time or another. How fortunate we are to have a God that forgives us and doesn't hold against us the wrong things we do. How can we take that grace and turn around and make assumptions about someone else? It doesn't seem fair now that you think about it, huh? We pass the homeless person on the road and assume they made choices that got them there, that it was their fault. This is not always the case. People end up in situations that they could not control all the time. I know that I have judged people for the situation they are in or because of a decision they made. My heart overflows when I think about how blessed i am that the Lord hasn't changed His opinion of me because of stupid things I have done, or choices I have made. How undeserving I am of love so great, so pure and relentless. I hope that we will all take a step back before we judge a person. Think about what choices you have made and how the Lord has forgiven you for them. Don't assume you know the story, because in all honesty, you probably don't. Love people because God tells us to. Remember, He loved you first.

Plans.

If I ever left this town
I’d never settle down
I’d just be wandering around
If I ever left this town

If I wasn’t by your side
I’d never be satisfied
Nothin’ would feel just right
If I wasn’t by your side

‘Cause I’m not easy to understand
But you know me like the back of your hand
I’m your girl and you’re my man
And we’re makin’ plans

We can go on and on
Won’t ever feel too long
I’ll always call you home
And we’ll go on and on

‘Cause I know you like the back of my hand
Got a heart of gold and a piece of land
I’m your girl and you’re my man
And we’re makin’ plans

ell-oh-vee-ee.

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out weather your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever be apart. Because that's what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love", which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over after being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

You can't explain love. It just is. You can't capture it or bottle it up. It isn't for resale. You have to experience love to know and truly understand why it is people desire it so deeply.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you! You know who you are. :) You are one of my closest friend and I love you dearly. Over the years we have changed. We have grow up, matured, become real adults in the world. So much has happened in our lives in the time we have been friends. Together we have learned that life is truly amazing. We have graduated into the next phases of life together. We have had our fallouts, but through it all, we have remained strong. Our friendship has become more than just sleepovers and shopping trips. We have come to counsel one another, to be there through the hard times. We have fallen, but also held each other accountable. Our views of the world and of life have shifted dramatically in these past few years. I look back at those two girls sometimes, and wonder where they went. How quickly we have grown up. It's so amazing to me that God knows exactly what we need. He brought us together at just the right time, and look at how far we have come. One minute we are jumping up and down in the salad station, and the next we are 3 years older. It seems as if I blinked and everything changed. We have discovered so much about ourselves and life over our coffee dates. So often, I thank God for you. You have been there for me in so many hard times and helped me through years of trials. You are such a genuine person with a beautiful spirit. You have become a confidant woman full of energy and joy. I am so thankful that I am able to be a part of your life and even more so that you are a part of mine. God has given you so many talents and it's so neat to see Him working through you. Looking back, I don't know what I would have done without you in the past few years. We continue to grow, both together, and apart. Our lives are just beginning. God has so much in store for both you and I, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish. You have been so available to me, and I just want to thank you. I love you so much and I can't believe you are 23 today! Happy birthday!