It wasn't the smile...

     It wasn't the fact alone that she smiled.
     It wasn't the the way she laughed.
     It wasn't the words she said
     It wasn't her
     It was the fact that she could smile
     It was why she was laughing
     It was what she didn't say
   
     The fact that in such a difficult trial, instead of showing a face of sadness and pain, her face radiated with joy.
      The fact that in such pain, her laughter still came from the heart.
      The fact that she wasn't complaining about what she was going through, but speaking praise to God.
      It was Christ shining through her

    That's what stands out.
    That's what shining the light of Christ looks like.

    Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

    James 1:2-4, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. "


      We all go through trials.
      But it's very rare to find joy in trials... but it's what we are called to do. And when we do...we shine a light greater than any light there is.

In everything. EVERYTHING.

I know, I know...I haven't posted in forever...
I've been busier then ever. (Doesn't everyone say that?)
I took my first CLEP for college yesterday...and passed! :D So I got one 'free' day before I start 2 more weeks of intense studying for my next CLEP. :)
Anywho...I'm just amazed at how much God has been working in my life lately. I couldn't get through life without him. He IS my stronghold in time of need, and wow...when you have him. You don't need anything else!
A little over 2 weeks ago I was having a really bad day. I mean I felt like life was awful and I was...really upset to say the least. And it dragged into the next day.
Then something happened (to which I had been dreading) and I totally lost it.
I sat in my room and cried for an hour. 
Then I came across this verse: "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope" -Romans 5:3-5
I realized that God has a purpose for this trial. And with his help, I could get through it.
And I just gave it all to God. I cannot describe how much better I felt after that. I felt like the world just...fell off my shoulders. It was amazing.
When things seem hard...God has a plan. And if you trust him in everything, if you don't try to get through it alone...He will bring you through it. :)
I came across this quote; "Do you trust God enough to thank him for something you will never have the privilege of understanding?"
Do we? Sure we trust God in the easy times, sure we thank him. But when things get tough, do we THANK him?
I don't understand everything that has happened or is happening in my life. A lot of things I never will...but there's a reason. And for that, I thank God. :)
And the things I have seen the reason for, or at least part of the reason, I am just amazed. Amazed at how God uses something that seems so hopeless at the time, into something beautiful. :D

Just something to think about. :)

Psalm 33:1-5,
"Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
   it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
² Praise the LORD with the harp;
   make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
³ Sing to him a new song;
   play skillfully, and shout for joy.
 ⁴ For the word of the LORD is right and true;
   he is faithful in all he does.
⁵ The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
   the earth is full of his unfailing love."