circumstances

          The Lord tells us in Esther that He has called us "for such a time as this."  My "this" happens to be in the midst of a rough year ((tests and friendship problems and family stuff, oh my!)).  Really, God?  I kept telling myself, "next year," as in next year, when I'm in high school, I'll make good, lasting friendships; next year, I'll be apart of Your plan.  Middle school just isn't my time".  Well...God wasn't a fan of that particular plan, and He made sure to make me aware of that.

          Maybe it was the extra hour-and-a-half of sleep I was blessed with through a faulty alarm clock, but I walked into school with a new set of eyes. I realized that circumstances aren't the enemy. We can waste our whole life trying to wait our circumstances out or attempt to change them, when really, He puts us into these situations to draw us closer to Him and shine His light.
          Earlier this year, God used a series of extremely difficult events to bring me closer to Him, and now He is working through me to bless others around me.  Today, I subconsciously found myself holding doors, complimenting strangers, and volunteering to help people out--whether it be buying their lunch or carrying their bags.            
          Middle school is a hormone jungle and people are flat out mean.    While this isn't an enjoyable experience for anyone, that is all the more motivation to shine His light to others.  I once heard a quote, While you're waiting for God to open the next door, praise Him in the hallway.  Right now, my hallway is literally hallways, and for my "such a time as this," I will utilize it to bring God glory and make the best of it//3.24.14