Smart Card Sunday/ 5 Reasons me-me

So it was nice to just take a little break from the blogs. I've been hanging outside all day long this past week and have not been on the computer a ton. but i didn't forget about smart card Sunday...

Take
your focus
off of how others
see you. Cease
being obsessed
with the need to impress
your friends and your
foes. Keep your concern
on the vision you see in
the mirror. Don't allow
the approval of others
to obstruct you
view of YOU.
- Travis Smiley

I was also tagged at the beginning of the week by Ashley to participate in this me-me "5 Reasons I Love Jesus" meme. So hear it goes...

1. He is always forgiving. ~ This is incredible! I am just now getting back on track from making some poor decisions that I regret and not being as close to him as I used to; and instead of being angry at me for making some bad choices and being farther than I wanted from him for awhile he welcomes me back with open arms.

2. He leads me in the right direction. ~ As many of you know, 7th grade was a hard year for me. My best friend and I got into a huge fight and we haven't really talked much since, which was one of the hardest things I've gone through. But after loosing her, God lead me towards some of my old friends who I now have reconnected with. Lauren and Kenzie are not only a ton of fun but great christian girls. The 3 of us have actually even started a bible study together this summer which has helped all of us grow a lot.

3. He helps me make the right choices ~ Being in middle school you are faced with hard decisions daily and have to put up with much peer pressure. I've already been faced with situations where God has given me the strength to say "no" to my peers and make the right choice.

4. He works in interesting ways. ~ Last week, I was really tired and not wanting to get up and go to church Sunday morning. I was sporting a frown all morning and didn't speak a word on the way there. But as I sat in church listening to Pastor Todd I felt like the sermon was faced all towards me and was exactly what I needed to hear. It just proves to show that God works in interesting and mysterious ways.

5. He has a reason for everything and will always keep his word of meeting all our needs. ~ You know, sometimes it's difficult for me to understand why God allows bad things happen. For example, why weren't we matched with one of the little girls we requested on the last COP list and why couldn't my mom have any kids right after me but could after Sophia. But we just have to remember that God has a plan for everything. Maybe there is a different little girl out there that is meant to be in our family instead of one of the three we last requested. And if my mom had Daniel earlier would we have chose to adopt Sophia? Then where would she be?
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

I have to say, thanks Ashley for tagging me. It really caused me to stop and think! I definitly need to do that more often! =)