I try not to base my faith on "feelings", but I know when I don't read my Bible consistently and pray often, I don't "feel" close to God. It's like my faith becomes stale and I "feel" like I'm not going anywhere.

When it gets to be like that, I feel depressed. Nothing too serious, but a deep sadness as if a boulder weighs my heart down. I had one of those days yesterday. I didn't really know what to do with myself, but a part of my soul starved for the Word, and I obliged it.

I opened in prayer and expressed my feelings as well as I could to the Lord. I knew that whatever I couldn't voice, He knew.

Then I cracked open my Bible and read 11 chapters in John. It felt great to get back to my Bible. I've read through John before, but when I was reading it last night it felt like the first time all over again.

Something I made for my Tumblr account last night after my God-time.

When I finished reading my heart felt a little lighter. As the evening progressed I  noticed that the boulder from before had been relieved from me, and I felt incredible peace.

When I "feel" I am reassured and my faith is renewed. So while I try not to base my faith on "feeling" I do believe it helps refresh me. :)

Blessings,

~Twyla

I am pleased to announce my return to blogging!

It's been quite a journey getting here after my hectic lifestyle for the past few months. Thankfully things are becoming more manageable.

For the past two years, I cried on New Years as soon as the clock struck midnight. For me, I felt loss as the previous year. It seemed to slip through my fingers like the ribbon of a balloon, drifting higher and higher until it was impossible to retrieve. I grasped tightly to my dreams, my friends, my memories, and the final years of my adolescence.

But this past year, I celebrated. I surrounded myself with people who shared the same love in God as I do. I eagerly awaited the moment when I could pull the string to my popper and release the coils of confetti within it. I brought in 2012 with a smile on my face and laughter bubbling out of me.

A small part of me was sad to let 2011 go, but years are meant to pass, meant for us to let go, meant for us to move forward. That's the attitude I held this time. My high school senior year was overwhelming and full of time-consuming projects filled with stress. I felt like a honey bee trying to endlessly keep up with the work ahead of me, but it was also filled with accomplishment, many new learning experiences, and astonishing discoveries.

This year, I pray that I can willingly follow the steps the Lord has set before me. I want to see what amazing and beautiful things He will show me, what struggles I will endure to grow closer to Him, and how my faith will grow.

I may not be comfortable with everything I will endure or come to, but I'll take it as another new learning experience--an adventure in my faith, and hopefully I will always remember that God has big plans for me and my future. (I just need to make sure I'm patient enough to wait for it.) ;)

I hope everyone's New Year is filled with discovery!

Blessings,

~Twyla