Recently life has been a whirlwind of changes, activities, and adjustments. Now, it would seem that things aren't much different from how they used to be but that's not true. For starters, all I wanna do is sleep. Now, what's that about? I have no idea and it drives me crazy. I'm seem to be exhausted constantly which is not making homework too easy to complete. I'm assuming this is normal (cause that makes me feel better!) and that it will get better. Guess we'll see....:)
But more importantly I have also been dealing with some separation from God. I haven't been leaning on Him like I have in the past and I miss Him. God noticed and He didn't want me to slip away without a fight so this is what He did. Let me take ya back to the beginning of this plan... last year when my friend and I were having Bible studies together we saw she needed a new Bible so we went looking. She had recently been using a version of the Bible that is more of an interpretation than a translation so I introduced her to the NKJV. We looked at multiple Bibles and settled on a Women's Study Bible that we both fell in love with. I talked to my mother about buying one for myself but the Bible was just too expensive at the time and so I put that thought away. More recently, my roommate and I were studying some passages together and I looked over at her Bible to help and realized that she also had... wait for it... the Women's Study Bible!! I went on to tell her how much I loved that version and hoped to get one some day and then I just thought that conversation was over. Well last Friday I went to my mail box and I had a package to pick up. "Well this is weird... can't be from mama, I'm gonna see her in just a bit... hmmm" (My thoughts went something like that...) Anyshway, I picked it up and noticed that there was no return name just an address from my hometown. I opened it and tears immidately came to my eyes. A brand new copy of the Women's Study Bible and it had my name engraved. I've never had a Bible with my name on it... I could have collapsed right there. My friends had tried to send it secretly but unfortunately (for them) I had never told anyone else I wanted it so... well I just put two and two together.
I was moved by their Christian generosity. And their kindness will shine in my life forever. Praise God. Praise God for He knew what I needed and that this act of goodness would push me to grow, to be better. Now I will shine brighter because Jesus shone in them.
Shine Always,
ShelbyJean
