Paige Aleah

The Lord works in such beautiful ways. Right when we think we have it all figured out, He shows us through His love and grace that we definitely, in fact, do not.

A weird topic has been on my heart for the past few days. It is something that I really feel as if the Lord is trying to teach me, because I am as guilty of this as anyone. It is the topic of emotions and unconditional love. How often do I allow my heart to lead my path?  I realize that this is not a bad thing but too much of it can be. Yesterday in choir rehearsal, Dr. Bonner started talking about something very similar to this. In a weird way, it really encouraged me and made me start to think even deeper on the subject of being unconditional and not always relying on what my emotions are telling me.  He was talking about music and how over the last few decades, it has become much more simple. But not only have the notes on the sheets gotten simple, but the words that are sung are not as deep as they once were. A few decades ago, songs in the church were completely from scripture. Most of them did not have any words added or taken away, it was pure scripture from the Lord. Present day, we have a different type of worship. Instead of singing of things in scripture, we express our adoration to our savior. Although this is not a bad thing at all, and expressing our love for Christ is of high importance, I think it is valid to say that we have started to stray away from the pure teachings of the scripture. Have you ever experienced when you are reading through your Bible and all of the sudden you remember a song that you know, and you are able to sing exactly what you are reading? I LOVE it when that happens. It allows the scripture to never leave our hearts and our minds. Our society has started this new trend of inviting people to "come as they are" which is something that Christ did His entire life while roaming this earth. From an evangelical point of view this is something wonderful, but I am talking to the followers of Christ that do not drink the milk anymore as a baby would. I am talking to the followers who have followed Jesus and have matured in His understandings. Myself included, need to realize that submission to the Lord is not only just when we feel like it. Submission to the Lord is for the rest of our lives. Submission to the Lord can be something very emotional. But even when we don't feel like it- we still need to be keeping our heads high, singing the deep scripture that the Lord so beautifully gave to us- and roaming this earth being set apart by the love of Christ.

There are days when I wake up and I can't open my Bible fast enough. I am so hungry for the word and for what the Lord has for me on that day. And honestly, there are days when I am tired, and so anxious about all of the worries of the world, that sometimes I feel as if it is by pure duty that I have to open up the word. Why? because my emotions tell me so. But the good news is, the love of Christ is unconditional.

My point is- as followers of Christ- we are called to love and show the love He gives - every single day- no matter what the cost or how we feel.


Galatians 5:16-17
"But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."

Mom and Shea drove back to school with me. what a blessing. Every time that I have company while I am driving that long drive, I realize how much more enjoyable it really is. I hate driving alone. ah.

This visit has been different from the rest. Usually when mom and Shea come it is all about shopping disneyland and touring whatever California has that Arizona doesn't. But this time, I was just so busy.
I think mom and sissy spent more time in my apartment than they would have liked to but my mom blessed me in such a tremendous way. She totally deep cleaned the place, washed a ton of my laundry and my sheets, and dusted vacuumed .... everything ! It was suuuch a blessing. I don't know if my mom will ever realize the kind of love I got from that. She can be so selfless and it is so admirable.
I should also mention that we went to Panera twice for their new mac N cheese with some tomato soup of the side :) and also Cherry on top...  twice :) 
I miss them already.