game day outfit

Now before you roll your eyes at the title, let me explain.

So it's "Football time in Tennessee"!!! Meaning, among other things, A LOT OF ORANGE - everywhere! (never a bad thing if you ask me)

Girls on campus (no, I will not exclude myself out of this category) talk about the 'game day outfit' all week. Dresses are preferable, and yes, I will confess that this is an outfit that has been planned out for a while.

It is with this in mind that I reflect on the words of God, as recorded by Paul in Colossians 3. There's a word in verse 12 that grabs my attention: clothe; and it's the list of words following after the word that has made me think on this verse.... for about as long as I think about my 'game day outfit' if we were to be honest.

Compassion. Kindness. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Love.

(I have a clever slash ridiculous way of remembering these 6 traits, ask me if you ever want to know.. I prefer to think it's clever...)

Let me go ahead and state the obvious- that what you clothe yourself is visible. I feel like that is a fair statement to make. So when Paul writes, saying to clothe yourself with these virtues, I believe that it is with the purpose of making them visible in our lives.

Visible.

Just as visible as the perfect combination of orange and white I will be wearing today.

It would do the people I come in contact with today more of a service if I was kind, compassionate, humble, gentle, patient, and loving than just by displaying my love for the VOLS. People today need this (Philippians 2:4). They need love, compassion, kindness, etc. and I pray that that is just noticeable as what I'm wearing.

This could definitely be a ridiculous way to make a point, but it really hits home for me.

Have a great day! Enjoy the start of fall football!

GO VOLS!!!

eating the elephant

Here's to breaking the silence.

It's a Thursday evening in Knoxville. I just cooked a delicious dinner (well... I cooked), my roommate is asleep on the couch, and there are textbooks in my room that need to be read. So of course I want to blog!

This Saturday is the start of 'football time in Tennessee', Boomsday, and a visit from my parents!

I've learned a lot so far this semester.

I've learned to trust more in the Sovereignty of God.

I've learned that the life given to God means it's given to Him in service in all aspects.

I've learned that I am not as good as I think I am when I'm placed in undesired circumstances.

I've learned that eating an elephant begins with one bite,continued by one bite at a time.

I've learned how to tweet properly.

I've learned how to throw a softball (depending on who you ask).

All these things that I've learned I've been taught. Often taught in uncomfortable ways.

Taught, without knowing it in the process.

Forcefully,

painfully,

graciously,

sovereignly,

Taught.

Thing is though, personally, I don't think I have passed these lessons. While I'll ask for a teachable heart- I resent lessons 'delivered' in less than pleasant ways; lessons that I experience through tears, instead of smiles; disappointment, instead of a sense of accomplishment.

And it's been a struggle. It still is. But I'm thankful that I am on some level, aware of the teaching that is occurring. In summary of this blog and of these thoughts-

Psalm 32:8

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you"

What a promise!