As the pages turn

I used to read the last page of books first, but I've learned the unknown is often better for us.

Sometimes you just have to take things chapter by chapter.

One thing that's so great about ending the chapter in a book is that it often ends in suspense and leaves you wanting to continue on reading to the next one. And, even though the ensuing chapter tends to pick up where the last one left off, it also starts something new and different—hence the need for progressing through the numbers.

However, there are some novels that kind of skip around a bit, and the following chapter doesn't seem to relate much to the one before it. Those are also interesting to read, though, because somehow or another it ends up intertwining with the previous chapters to make one big story.

And I love stories.

Keep reading.

We each have our own stories in life, and we are constantly going through different chapters. Some of them continue on from the ones before them, while others seem to take on their own novel lives all at once, and we find ourselves standing like deer in headlights with no idea of what is about to hit us.

But that's what makes these chapters so great, because each turn of the page is completely unpredictable.

Today was the last day of my summer, and I guess you could call it bittersweet. Sure, I will definitely miss the days of reading in my pool and having an enormous amount of free time, but I'm also excited to take on this new year and new chapter. Each school year is different, because I'm blessed (even though sometimes I might want to use the word "cursed") with so many incredible students. One of my goals in life is always to find the good in people, even when they seem unlikeable, and I do the same with my students. I have no idea what this school year will bring, but I do know that I'm going to find something good about every single day of it.

God doesn't make things happen in our lives without purpose, and He's the genius behind each of our novels. Each chapter he takes us into is full of mystery, and I think it's a good thing that we don't know how these stories are going to end or even what the next page will hold. He's the only one who needs to know that.

I have no idea what the last page of my novel says. In fact, I'm pretty clueless as to what the last page of this next chapter holds. Or the first page, for that matter.

But I can't wait to turn the page and find out.

It's about time

I love people.

Life is not meant to be lived alone, and I think that's quite obvious by the enormous amount of people who make up the population of the entire world. I realize huge crowds full of random strangers can often be frustrating (such as traffic, overcrowded concerts, and malls during the holidays), but that's because we don't actually take the time to get to know those people. All we know is that we have agendas, and they aren't part of them.

And that's sad.

There was a time in college where I somewhat isolated myself from a lot of people, and I can tell you right now that doing so is not a good idea by any means. It's so much better when you have others in your life there to walk with you in both times of goodness and darkness and to offer you encouragement when the storms just seem to keep pouring down on you. Even now, I live so far away from most of my friends and family, but I've been making greater efforts to make sure I spend as much time with them as I can, because every minute on this earth is precious. We don't know how much time we have left here, and I want my time to be worth every second.

And spending time with others spreads love that needs to be shared.

Share time and love.

When we're with people, it's definitely a lot easier to show them God's love than when we're apart. God has called us to love others. The good Word says in 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." I think those first two words are so significant: Above all. How can we truly love people deeply if we aren't spending time with them? Jesus loved the world so much that He died for all of its sin, and He spent time with these same sinners before He was nailed to the cross. And He wants us to spend time with Him, too.

My dear friend Michelle says, "You make time for the things you want to make time for," and that's truth. Sure, we have limited hours in the day, but there are sacrifices that can be made to be able to go grab a cup of coffee or some froyo with those who really might just need your presence in their lives. You never know just how much of an impact you can have on another by offering a lending ear to a friend who needs to talk, a word of encouragement for a friend in need of a wise heart, or a hug for a sister who just needs to be held for a few minutes. The truth is that every single person in this world matters. No, you can't touch or change the lives of all of them, but you sure can impact those around you who might need you the most.

And all you have to give them is a little bit of your time.

God loves us and died for us. There's no reason why we shouldn't die to ourselves a little bit to spread that love to others. This world is full of so much hate and selfishness, but spending time with others in the name of love can overpower that. Love will always win.

And it's about time we start proving that.

Melted perfection

Even something seemingly imperfect can actually be perfection to someone.

I ran a 5K this morning and was pretty excited after I finished about the Fla-Vor-Ice I knew would be at one of the tents. I mean, what's not to love about frozen goodness in the form of sugar and artificial flavoring in a variety of colors? Exactly—nothing.

When I finally located them, my excitement soared. Now, I know after a run in the heat we experience here in the greatest state in the country that water is actually the preferred source of hydration one should use. I think I grabbed a cup after I finished (though most of it I poured on me rather than in me), but I just can't pass up the opportunity to savor some Fla-Vor-Ice. Simply put, it's frozen goodness.

Even when it's not frozen.

Yummy, melted or frozen!

When I arrived at the tent, Justin, the friendly RunOn! employee, informed me that, yes, he had the treats, but they were not actually frozen. They were just in the liquid state. I looked down at the ice chest and saw them and suddenly really didn't care.

"Could I have a pink one, please?"

You know, that ice pop in a tube might not have been icy, but it still did the trick. I was glad to be able to enjoy the high fructose corn syrup and whatever else is in there. It was melted, but to me it was still wonderful.

There are times in life where we become like these unfrozen ice pops—we aren't exactly in the state we are supposed to be, but that doesn't mean we are completely hopeless. God can certainly still use us even though we are far from perfect. The beauty is that He will make us perfect. If He needs us to be solid and frozen, He will get us there. But, if He needs to use us when we feel totally melted, He will.

Because, to Him, even when we are melted, we are still beautiful to Him.

Obviously life will not always go the way we would like. We can't always have frozen Fla-Vor-Ice. We aren't going to be as perfect as we'd like. But the good news is that God doesn't need us to be perfect in order to serve Him and show His unending love to others. Just like an imperfect ice pop, the flavor is still there, and He will always be there with us every step of the way.

Come just as you are—whether melted, frozen, broken, or well put-together—and He will love and embrace you all the same.