When the World is Spinning Too Fast

-By Sunny Bodenhamer

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.”

Psalm 46:10-11

   

Life is beautiful. Anyone who tells you any different is looking through the wrong pair of glasses. If you’re thinking to yourself right now, “what planet did you come from? Life is bleak and cruel,” I get it. I’ve been there too. I’ve gone through tough times where it felt like my heart would never stop hurting, and I’ve said those very words to myself—life is cruel.

Sure, there will always be ups and downs, but if you’re in one of the downs right now, let me just encourage you to stop for a moment. Take a break from the everyday grind, find a quiet place to think, and breathe deep. Rest. If you don’t have a lot of time, that’s okay. All you need is a few minutes to be still. I don’t know if you live in the country or the city, but if you can, find a quiet spot outside or take a walk and look around you.

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

Psalm 62:5-8

Where I’m sitting right now, it’s late afternoon on a cool fall day in Texas. (Well, technically it’s winter, but if you’re familiar with Texas weather, you know that we really only have two seasons—summer and fall. :P) The sun is just beginning to sink in the soft blue sky, casting its farewell rays through the mostly bare branches of the trees, down onto the carpet of leaves scattered across the ground. A gentle breeze is rustling through the evergreen needles of the towering pines. A few wisps of clouds are rolling lazily across the sky, and I can’t help but remember how very blessed I am to be alive. Each one of us has so much to be thankful for.

There’s beauty all around me, but you see, I just had to stop for a moment, look around, and give my soul a chance to breathe. Time flies. Already, a new year has arrived Don’t let yourself be so busy all the time so that you miss out on all the blessings the Lord has in store for you! The beauty is there—if only you will open your eyes and let it in.

God is in control. You can trust Him, and He loves you. He is there for you. Rest in that.

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

Psalm 51:12

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”

Psalm 54:4

Even if life feels too hectic to handle, pray for a peaceful heart, then do your best to slow down and He will pour His grace and peace over you. He is there for you. He is always enough.

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

Psalm 63:3-4

 

Take a moment to praise Him for who He is, and for the beautiful world He created for His children to enjoy. I know for me, that small step works in leaps and bounds to help me gain some perspective when I feel overwhelmed. Search for things, great or small, that you can thank Him for. Maybe it’s that mug of hot coco you’re sipping on right now, with marshmallows and whipped cream. :) Or the last strains of Christmas songs playing on the radio that warms your heart. Maybe it’s the laughter and love all around you as you spend time with family. You could even thank Him for the cozy fire in the fireplace, and the fuzzy socks that feel so soft on your feet. Thank Him that even though the coming school semester will be stressful, it’s an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. Not many people in the world get to go to school!

No matter what you’re going through, there will always be something you can choose to be thankful for. Focus on that instead of the negatives, and it will help you find joy this season. And guess what? Joy is contagious. As you choose to start focusing on the positives, you will help others around you do the same! Never forget that one kind word, one smile can brighten someone’s entire day.

So when you feel like the world is spinning too fast, remember—life is beautiful if we take the time to adjust our focus.

Sunny Bodenhamer is a Christian, homeschooled girl learning to be a light in this crazy, amazing life we’ve been given, reach for the stars, and believe that anything is possible through Jesus Christ. She believes that every day is a miracle full of second chances and beauty, if we stop and take the time to see it. She loves to write, crochet, drink coffee, and hopes to inspire and encourage through the written word.

Is your life overwhelming? What has God been teaching you through the business? What are some things that you’re thankful for? Share in the comments!

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Happy New Year! | 2015 Morning Glory Recap

Happy New Year!

Wow! 2015 was an incredible year of growth both for Morning Glory and me personally!

First of all, in May, an essay that I wrote about Morning Glory received third place in TeenPact’s Jimmy Brazell Community ImpactScholarship—which then was read in front of over 750 people, and caused Morning Glory’s big “growth spurt” that almost doubled its size!

Just a few weeks after that significant event, in June, I was thrilled to announce the launch of Morning Glory’s Blog! This blog has grown a lot as well over the months, and I’m beyond excited to see it start coming to life! This was my idea before the Daily Devotional, but was something that God prevented me from starting until the right time—and I’m so thankful for that!

Starting next week, the Morning Glory devotional/blog schedule will change. The current schedule has devotionals being sent out Monday through Saturday, with new blog posts every Tuesday. The new schedule will result in no Saturday devotional. Instead, a new blog post will be posted on Saturday, not Tuesday.

As a recap, here at the top six posts (because there was a tie for fifth place) published in 2015 on this blog.

6. Lord, Thank You for This Trial Because…

Can’t see past the pain of a trial? God does have a plan for the hurt, and He’s using this in your life. This list of reasons to be thankful submitted by an anonymous guest poster will change your perspective on your trial.

5. 10 Tips for Beating a Crush: Tip 6

Tip 6 in our series, 10 Tips for Beating a Crush, was to avoid things that often cause you to think of romance. Not far behind this one was the similar post, “Why I Avoid Romance Novels and Movies.” Are you surrounded by romantic books, movies, and music? You may be creating a difficult environment for yourself to beat your unhealthy crush.

4. 10 Tips for Beating a Crush: Tip 1

Tip 1 was to change your mindset. How do you view guys? Are you making these mistakes and viewing them through a selfish lens? How do you view your emotions? Changing your mindset can make a huge difference in the way you think about and treat guys.

3. 10 Tips for Beating a Crush: The Heart

All the practical tips in the world can’t help you beat your crush unless you have the heart to do so. This blog post discusses the difference between a crush you should eradicate and a crush you should manage, and explores some of the root issues involved in a crush.

2. 10 Tips for Beating a Crush: Tip 2

You cannot beat a crush unless you beat your daydreams. Are you drowning yourself in romantic daydreams? What are the pitfalls of daydreams, and how do we beat them? Read this post for practical advice on conquering this huge struggle in any girl’s life.

1. When You’re Not Strong Enough

You’ve fought hard. You’ve tried to resist. But you find yourself failing yet again. What does God’s Word say about our weakness? What do we do with our weakness? How do we get back up again? What do we do when you finally realize that you’re not strong enough?

And that was our 2015 Morning Glory Recap! Special thanks go to my faithful team of devotional writers, Beth, Taylor, Abby, Sarah, and Bethany—Morning Glory would not be possible without these amazing young ladies. I’m so thankful for each of you who take time to read the devotional and blog, and I’m especially thankful to those of you who take time to contribute and send encouragement to me and the devotional writing team!

Looking at this coming year, I’m becoming more and more excited about the new things God will do with Morning Glory this year! We’ll see where He takes it. :)

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5 Signs You Have the Right Attitude About Change

The new year is just around the corner—2016! I’m looking at this year, not sure what it’s going to hold, but definitely seeing some major changes that will come. Before I know it, we’ll be launching into the spring semester and all that that entails.

Change can feel good or bad. Most often, we don’t know what change will bring with it, if it will feel good or bad—and the uncertainty can be terrifying.

Last night, my sister and I were talking about change. We both know it’s coming. So how do we prepare for it? How do we be like the Proverbs 31 woman and “laugh at the future”? (Proverbs 31:25)

Here are 5 signs that you have the right attitude going into this new year.

1.     You’re not afraid.

You’re not afraid of the future because you know you can trust God. He has a perfect plan for you that is for your good and His glory (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). Being afraid of change is a sign that you lack faith in God’s promises, God’s goodness, God’s sovereignty, and even His love for you.

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

Yes, it’s normal and human to be afraid of change and the future, but if you think about it, it’s really silly that we ever are afraid because God is in control.

2.     You find your joy in Christ.

If your joy is rooted in Christ, no matter what circumstances come your way—no matter the trials—you will be able to be joyful even in the midst of change. 

It’s very easy to find our “joy” in our circumstances—but that’s not joy, That’s happiness. You can tell if you have true joy anchored in Jesus or just circumstantial happiness by if whether or not you can smile and praise Him even in the hard times.

Finding your joy in Christ means you can glorify Him when everything’s out of order and when everything’s in order. I love the lyrics in Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman.

You give and take away,

You give and take away,

My heart will choose to say,

Lord blessed be Your Name.

3.     Jesus is the center of your life.

If Jesus is at the center of your life, it doesn’t really matter what on earth happens, whether good or bad. If you get married and Jesus is at the center of your life, you will find your marriage far more fulfilling and lasting than if not. If your best friend gets in a car wreck, you know that Jesus will give you comfort and care for your hurting heart.

Jesus is all we need, so if we live like it and believe it, everything will stay in perspective.

4.     You’re busy with ministry.

You’re not sitting around the house crying for the upcoming change. You’re rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty serving God and serving people. 

When you’re busy with ministry, again, change will stay in perspective. Serving in ministry helps you see other people’s struggles and see the bigger picture, which leads to this next point.

5.     You’re focused on others and what they’re going through.

Are you the most important person in the world? Nope. In fact, we’re supposed to consider ourselves the least important person in the world. When we’re focused on others, we don’t have enough time to mope about our own problems and the scary changes we’re facing. We realize that other people are fighting battles worse than ours.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

Do you have the right attitude about change? Which points do you have down, and which ones do you need to work on? Share in the comments! 

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Too Many Failures?

-By Sunny Bodenhamer

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

Psalm 103:10-14

I used to think that God didn’t really understand. I used to feel like I was a burden to Him. A pain. I would pray about something I was struggling with, for strength to overcome it and forgiveness for that sin, and then before I knew it, I was doing it again. Then I would realize it, and think to myself, “God must hate me. I’ve failed so many times, He must have given up on me by now.”

Every time those thoughts entered my mind, I could feel the chasm grow between my Heavenly Father and my heart.

I knew that He loves me unconditionally, and that I wasn’t going to lose my salvation just by messing up—I knew He’s not that kind of God—but that was only head knowledge. I came to realize that I didn’t really believe it in my heart, in my soul, deep down where it really counted. I’d grown up in a Christian home with wonderful parents who had taught me those things all my life, but that wasn’t enough. I needed to take hold of my faith as my own, not just something passed down to me by my parents.

Looking back, I remember imagining God holding each one of my failures over my head, looking down from above, just waiting for me to fail again because He couldn’t wait to punish me even bigger this time. I imagined Him saying to Himself, “Look at all this she’s already done, and there she goes again! She’s really going to get it this time!”

But friends, that is a lie straight from the pit that Satan had been feeding me, and I listened! I had been doubting my Savior, who loves me so much He died for me on that cross!

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

I was not perfected in His love. I didn’t understand it. I feared punishment, and while yes, it’s true that God is just, and there are consequences to our sin, it doesn’t bring God pleasure to punish us. In fact, it hurts Him to see us make wrong choices and to suffer the consequences. He wants us to succeed, just like any loving father would desire their child to succeed in life.

 “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so GREAT is His LOVINGKINDNESS toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, SO FAR has He REMOVED our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

Psalm 103:10-14

(emphasis added)

Did you get that? Do you see it? He knows we’re human, and we’re going to fail and disappoint Him, but He has compassion on us, because we are His children, and He loves us no matter what. My eyes are tearing up right now, just writing this. I am so overwhelmed when I take time to be still, to remember all He has done for me and how much He loves me.

I can’t help but think of the Casting Crowns song “East to West”:

“In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, cause You know just how far the east is from the west: from one scarred hand to the other…”

So remember today, you are loved more than you will ever know, no matter how many times you fail, no matter what you’ve done, don’t be afraid to come before the Lord again, and ask for forgiveness and a fresh start.

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark.”

Psalm 91:4

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and he delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”

Psalm 37:23-24

(emphasis added)

Notice this verse says “when he falls,” not “if he falls.” He knows we aren’t perfect and He knows we never will be until we see Him face to face in heaven one day. He understands. He delights in you. You are His beloved child. Rest in Him; believe these truths. Don’t ever doubt His love, as Satan wants. He is holding your hand every step of the way. Believe that in your heart, not just your head. This is so important. The more you doubt and allow Satan’s lies to get in your head, the farther it will drive you away from your Heavenly Father, and that is the worst place to be.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord…”

Jeremiah 29:13-14a

Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him. He wants to help you. Maybe it’s time you let Him, by believing He loves you unconditionally.

Sunny Bodenhamer is a Christian, homeschooled girl learning to be a light in this crazy, amazing life we’ve been given, reach for the stars, and believe that anything is possible through Jesus Christ. She believes that every day is a miracle full of second chances and beauty, if we stop and take the time to see it. She loves to write, crochet, drink coffee, and hopes to inspire and encourage through the written word.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your failures? What has God taught you through those times? Any stories or thoughts? Share in the comments!

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3 Ideas for Serving Jesus

By Taylor

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, then vanishes.”

James 4:14

In my devotional this morning on Morning Glory’s Daily Devotional, I talked about how our lives are so short, and because of that we need to strive for Jesus all of our days. You may be wondering, “What are some ways I can do that?” Here are some ways that have really helped me glorify Christ in some things I do.

1) Volunteer.

Giving up my time to serve others and selflessly serving Jesus through them and shining His light to bring others to Christ.

2) Pray.

Seek God throughout His word and through communicating with Christ and ask Him for some ways that will allow the gifts He has given you to shine for Him. Pray to God and ask Him if He is calling you to become an active missionary in your hometown, or even another country!

3) Serve with Your Gifts.

For example, offer free babysitting for some young families at your church! I know from personal experience that this can be an amazing blessing to parents. What an amazing opportunity to serve Christ!

I hope these tips spark some ideas of your own for how you can serve Him through your gifts! Philippians 2:1-11 is a great scripture to find out some characteristics of Jesus.

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