When You Notice Life

I have a teeny tiny addiction to Pinterest. If I have a spare moment, I'll scroll through and be like "okay, what cute everything can I find that I can't afford?" and that continues for like thirty minutes. Like I said, teeny tiny.

But, that said, I do like to find quotes and poems that could inspire my next failed attempt at calligraphy or pottery or laptop background. So like literally ten minutes ago I came across this gem. So, ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the inspiration for this post.

To be totally honest with you, I have no idea where I want to go with this, but we'll figure it out.

I recently started to wonder if people stare half as much as I do. 

I enjoy noticing life.

It can get really weird but also really beautiful.

When i found this quote, I was like "what the heck, how cheesy can you get??!!" Then I realized it was totally me...

Noticing beautiful people and things that make them even more beautiful, wow y'all.

And then there are the not beautiful things you notice. The things you hear people say about other people that make you wonder what really happened, but no matter what happened, you are still going to have the thought of that person doing the not beautiful thing. And then there are the people that twist beautiful things into not beautiful things. 

It's heartbreaking.

To be a Notice-er you have to endure both.

amirite y'all, there was really no structure, form, or meaning behind this, I just wanted to throw that out there. Because that what I do. I say something, and maybe someone notices, maybe not, but that's cool.

A Word for Those Who Struggle with Pride...Myself Included

So, I made a new friend this past week. I had 'known' him for the past year, but I officially met him on Wednesday the 17th. He is a beautiful, 6'3" guy who happens to know he's good looking as well. He also seems to be someone, like myself, that might have a pride issue. I had just met him, and I called him out on it. (Sorry about that btw)

Dear New Friend,

 I'm not actually sorry about calling you out, I'm just sorry that I wasn't displaying Christ's grace when I did. I fully figured out that I had a pride issue in May 2015. I lost something that I thought I for sure wouldn't lose. Low and behold I did and let's just say I wasn't all smiles. God is working through me on that. Boy, let me tell you, He's humbling me. So when just you and I were talking about striving for perfection and the disappointment when it's not achieved, I was actually calling myself out on it as well. Not just you. You were literally describing my thought process and that's why I spoke up.

I also have a confession for you. I apologize for what I thought about you before I actually knew you. I thought you were a jerk, and someone who loves when girls are all over him. The former, you are not, the later I don't know yet. But I don't know yet, so I'll let you show me rather than me judging without knowing. Sorry about that, I'm working on it.
Thanks for showing Christ's love. Thanks for being confident in all that you are and never letting circumstances defeat you. You are inspiring and and cool. I'm glad we're friends now. And thanks for teasing me, I need it. {I will be at lit class this week btw ;)}

Pride is a problem, and even if you don't think you are actually struggling with it, then it's all me and maybe you can help me get through it. I guess that's it, I'm praying for you, and I am also so grateful that we are friends now. Keep loving Jesus, you little supplanter.

-A Friend Who Understands and is Working Through it Too

One of the many beautiful things about Christianity is that it is not based on works. God specifically tells us that our relationship is not based on works so that our boasting will not be in ourselves but in Christ.

I can't tell you how thankful I am for that truth.

I am prideful and I hate it, Jesus work in me.

That is my prayer.



-Belle

A Letter to the Little Sister

Dear Little Sister,

I want you to know something. Now, I may not communicate it well because let's just face it, I write from the heart and it might not be that eloquently said. Here goes.
Life is hard. Feelings are hard. Dealing with me is hard. Sharing  doesn't always mean you are caring. Stealing clothes, not cool. Using my make up, also not cool. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The day you came to the world totally changed my life. I guess I didn't realize I had a pride issue until you blossomed into this girl who could play any sport, catch any eye, and were pretty much showing me up in anything I had done. But, you know thats cool. I want you to know that I am proud of you. You are inspiring. You are beautiful. You are annoying. You are sassy. You are insane.

You are so loved.

I know I don't tell you enough, but, I love you and that will never change.
I am sitting here thinking of the all the times I have had to get you out of trouble or try to protect you only to realize you are capable. I'll probably never tell you that in person because I will always want to protect you. That's my job, whether you like it or not.

Thanks for being my friend.

Life is way cool when you are with me. Laughing at things and people and only understanding each other through laughs and squeals. Thanks for that, because I won't get it anywhere else.

Ask me, I've been there.

You probably don't remember but I went through stage at your age where all of the girls my age hated me. I don't know why, but they did. It was hard to not have a best friend, and even harder to know that you were unwanted. But the worst pain of all, breaking off the friendships, that you knew were toxic, where you had made promises to be in each others weddings. (I was 12, get over it) I can still name off the girls who were my friends, but then weren't. Then there were the years where you feel as though you are in love with a boy, but trust me, don't place all your time and attention on a boy. You'll end up with regrets, missy. Ask me anything, I bet I've been there.

Run to Jesus.

Run to Jesus, full speed ahead. And if anyone is fast enough to keep up with you, challenge each other to run faster. I am realizing more and more the beauty in a friendship rooted in Jesus. It is so refreshing and so  needed in the world today. Jesus is always the answer. Always pray, always. Always read your Bible. Know God. Seek and you shall find.

Be who you are because you want to.

Never change yourself for somebody, to be accepted, to be liked, to be noticed. None of that is important. What's important is that you be you, and if you change, change because you want to. If you change, change in a way that glorifies God.

You aren't your mistakes.

As simple as that. Lay down your life to Jesus. Your guilt and your shame, lay it all down at the foot of the Cross. It's a blessing to know the love and forgiveness of Christ. We aren't our mistakes, we are children of God.

Oh, and did I mention I love you?

Thats all for now, hon'
I love love love you and don't you forget that.
And yes, I will be turning on your fan tonight before you go to bed because thats just what I do. Deal with it.

With love,
Your Big Sister






(In our case the little sister is the little one, and the big sister is the big one. Convenient, I know)