Sorry We Haven't Talked in a While I've Just Been Busy

My friends have gotten way more used to hearing this phrase than I ever wanted them to. My family hears is every time I race away from our weekly lunches on Sunday afternoons. But worst of all I've been saying this to my Creator more often than not. And even worse than saying it in the first place, I can tell that it has taken a toll on my heart. My second full-time semester at college was filled with a lot of great things that have given me great joy but it has not been without stress and hardships and a LOT of heartache too.

This semester I skipped over the running I hit the ground in a dead sprint, and by the end of the semester, you could definitely tell. I started off, second week back from school--philanthropy event, basketball practice every weekday, four weekly meetings and going to class (because unfortunately, that isn't optional). Getting into February meant being less overwhelmed but not enough to feel like I wasn't drowning. March was better, it really was. School ball was over so no practice every day but travel team season had begun and while only practicing two days a week isn't near as much as five, transitioning from assistant coach to head coach was a whole different type of learning curve. Then finally, Spring Break arrived. Over the hump. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. April kind of snuck up on me, but our spring philanthropy event came and went (thank goodness). And then BOOM, its May. Dead Week wiped us all out and before I knew it my friends were all packed up and off for the summer.

And now here I am.

Stuck here with myself and all of my free-time. As I recapped this semester and glancing over my calendar week by week it blows my mind that I could manage the monster that this thing has become. I looked at it just now and I probably could throw up with how overwhelming it just looks, let alone how I felt living it. But even when I look back on how my life has been scheduled down to the second for the last five months I realize something has been missing all along. Things like club meetings and basketball practices were always in the calendar in their respective colors, I knew when they happened and I planned for them as I made sure that they were a priority of mine. But through all of this crazy organized chaos, I never made time for the One who gives me my time to spend. I was so quick to always put my faith on the back burner and now I'm paying the consequence. 

Placing everything before my relationship with Jesus has wreaked havoc on my heart. It has caused a numbness that I never even knew existed. And I believe that it has hindered my ability to serve my purpose for the Lord completely and fully over this last semester, and I would even go as far to say this last school year. I woke up one day and realized that I had fallen out of love with showing Love to others. That is scary, it breaks my heart that my heart no longer breaks for the things that His breaks for, and that is all because I stopped asking for Him to do it. I stopped asking the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His and it shows in my heart. I feel the emptiness deep in my soul. I created it. I choose to put everything else first, and now I'm reaping what I have sowed. 

The hardest part about this semester is how emotionally turned off and tuned out I was. Still, in this moment I am relearning to feel and to live those emotions. I think back to my senior year of high school and I would call that my highest spiritual point in my life thus far. I was connected so deeply to the Lord in such an intimate and personal way and I desperately want to get back to this point, but it is hard, not impossible but incredibly hard. I'm doing my best to try and get back to this point. But the idea that I could fall off the wagon again is incredibly daunting, but I'm still going for it. Over this last semester what little I have written has been mostly about how Jesus is chasing after my heart even when I've run away from His. Well, the tables are turning, and the tides are changing because while I know that the Lord will pursue me for all of my days, there is no reason that I can't chase Him right back. I know that when I make mistakes that the Lord has forgiven them even before they happen but there is a difference between knowing that I am forgiven and changing the way that I respond to His forgiveness. 

So tonight I am choosing to choose Jesus over my calendar. I'm choosing to chase after Him as He chases after me. I know there are challenges ahead of me and while most days they scare me, but I also know that I never have to run this race alone. 

With joy and a willing heart,

Kaitlyn

Being the Busy Friend

It's so funny I actually posted this article (What I Wish My Friends Knew About My Busy Schedule) a year ago today as a senior in high but it's even more relevant now as a college freshman. I LOVE and HATE my busy schedule because of everything that is said in this article. The author explains how balancing her priorities within her schedule and being with her friends is so difficult. And I can tell you first hand that it is hard when I have so many things to do and not enough time with my people. But I have been blessed and I mean B L E S S E D with people in my life who love the heck out of me even when I'm at my max and my cup is completely empty. I remember at the beginning of my first semester having a conversation with one of my now best friends. We had applied for some of the same things and we both ended up getting interviews for two of the organizations I am now part of. I remember talking with her the night we found out if we got into one of the organizations and I got phone call and she got an email. At first I was scared to say anything but when I finally told her that I got accepted she was so excited for me. I was blown away. I had never had friends who would have been excited for me in a situation like this, and it continued on. Sarah has been incredibly supportive of everything I have done this year and I don't think I will ever be able to explain to her how thankful I am for her. But, to my amazement more than just Sarah has been encouraging me on the journey through what feels like the craziest 9 months of whole my life. My sweet sorority sisters have been nothing but a source of support when I'm exhausted and my biggest cheerleaders when I take on a new adventure. And time and time again I am astonished at the fact that there are people who care so deeply for me, in spite of my busyness, in spite of me constantly being late and having to rush off, in spite of being exhausted and running on fumes, they still cheer me on. Wow, what an INCREDIBLE blessing these people are to me.

But, it's still hard.

I had a conversation just last night (technically this morning VERY early because busy people don't get to sleep) about why I am the way that I am. We talked about why now in this season of my life I am over being busy. I love the adrenaline of the stress. Which sounds crazy because in the moment I hate being stressed, but its true. The rush of being in a rush is my kind of thrill. It makes me feel important. It makes me feel as if I have a purpose. And each time I race and race and race eventually I crash, every time. Because even though the high is great, the low is my version of hell here on earth. When I feel needed I am thriving because I am so willing to hand my self worth over to someone else and say in this moment you make me feel SO good. But when I'm not needed anymore and they stop making me feel so good I don't know how to take back that control. I can't seem to relinquish the control of my intrinsic value from their grasp. And while I have some truly wonderful friends who care about me in a real and genuine way there are people in my life who don't. And when I take all of the pennies out of my already broken self-worth piggy bank and try to let a broken stock broker hold onto it, it never works out. The stress of it all is taking a toll on me mentally, physically, emotionally and I can't do it anymore. I don't want to do it anymore. I don't want to be too busy for the people I love. I'm tired of chasing the thrill. I'm done. But no matter what I do, or try I can't seem to get out of this cycle. It feels never ending. It feels like I'm trapped.

But, then Jesus steps in.

Through this mess of busyness I have created for myself I am thankful that the Lord is teaching me to let go of my desire to let my busyness be my fulfillment. He is showing me what it means to relinquish any and all control of my self worth. And that process sucks, A LOT. Because it is scary, and uncertain, and unknown. And as a human being, especially as a woman, giving up control of anything is hard but it's even harder when it has everything to do with the deepest part of my heart and deals with everything that I am. Holy crap is it scary. But it is worth every scary, uncertain and unknown moment. Because sanctification is so much better than a cheap thrill of stress and my neediness of being needed. My God is changing and pulling at my heart because He wants me to be like Him. That is crazy! The Creator of the universe doesn't need anything, He is Perfect on His own, He needs nothings and no one, and yet He still chooses me. What a beautiful picture He painted for you and me. 

And while I am encouraged by the love and mercy the Lord shows me in my sinfulness I still am nowhere near having it all figured out. But what I do know is that I am excited about the possibilities of what an open schedule can lead me too. I know that there are things that will be placed at my feet. I am patiently anxious about the new relationships I will get to invest in and the brand new things that I can't even think of that the Lord will get to use me for. All because I am intentionally trying to let go of letting my busyness control me. I can't wait to see what He brings, because I know it will be so very good because that is all that He can ever be. 

With excited anticipation for the future and lots of love,

Kaitlyn

I'm Tired of Being Tired

I'm tired. I'm tired all the time.

I'm tired physically. Because sleep is for the weak (or at least thats what they tell us).

I'm tired emotionally. I cry a lot, solely because I am tired.

I'm tired spiritually. I'm at the point where it has become difficult to spend intimate time with my Creator because I am so tired.

I'm tired relationally. I feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get my to-do list accomplished and love my people well and in the end both suffer.

I'm tired...of being tired.

The worst part of all of this, I did it to myself. I have been chasing something so hard and fast for so long that I lost track of all of the time I've lost trying to fulfill something that is frankly out of my control. I have been running hard and fast after validation in something that will matter for a blink of an eye. I have put everything I am, once again, into something that will never eternally define me.

But yet I still chase...

I have taken my focus off the One that I am supposed to be one with and started to run after something that won't ever be enough. And I have to stop. I want to stop, but I can't seem to find the brakes. And truth be told somewhere not-so-deep inside my heart I don't want to stop just yet. I'm so close. The race is almost over. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But will everything that I've done, will it even be enough? Am I enough?

Even if I make it out of this semester alive there is always the possibility that I won't have done enough. There is always the chance that even when I give everything I am I will never be enough. But the best part of all of this is I don't have to be. The most beautiful thing about the Cross is the fact that I continue to run away from it time and time again, and even then Jesus still chases after my heart.

My heart.

My broken, empty, unworthy heart.

And He says to me, "You are enough because I Am enough."

You know, I always thought that after God showed me how faithful He is I could never even think about running toward anything but Him. But He knew that I would, and He knows that I probably will again. And still He shows me immeasurable Grace. What an incredible thing.

There is a sticker on the inside of my laptop and it says,

"And if not, He is still good" Daniel 3:18

Hopefully when you buy laptop stickers you take the time to fact check any bible verses because I certainly did not. While I did see this sticker and understand that it speaks truth about who He is and His faithfulness I did not know what the actual verse said.

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Daniel 3:18 *for real*

What a gut check, let me just tell you. As I chased my own "golden image" I lost sight of the true reward I already have. But as I reread this verse I know that it points back to nothing more than how great my God is. I am so thankful that I serve a God who would save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace and in the same way save me from myself and my brokenness time and time again. Even when I turn away from Him He extends an unwavering hand of grace, love and mercy. When I run from Him He runs after me. How thankful am I for that.

Overwhelmed by never ending grace and love,
Kaitlyn

Trading My Plans for the Lord’s and Why It’s the Best and Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done

Giving up control has never been one of my favorite things, but is it anyone’s? On this journey to become more like Christ I am learning what it means to leave my desires at the Lord’s feet. And while this is by far one of my most difficult daily trials, it gives me an immense peace. Giving the Lord control of my life leaves so much room for everyday joys that I would have so easily missed while always looking forward to tomorrow.

In this stage of life everyone is constantly asking, “What’s next?” It starts senior year with the, “Where are you going to school?” and “What are you majoring in?” Then it evolves into, “What do you want to do?” And after that it turns into “What’s your ideal age to get married?” or maybe, “How many kids do you want to have?” I’m sitting here, barely 24 hours out of my first full semester of college and thinking, “Why do I have to know the answer?”

One thing I have gained from leaving these questions unanswered is an incredible freedom. Freedom to focus on the present and learning to be content. Freedom to let go of the worry. Freedom to ignore the, “Well everyone else is…” Freedom that only comes from trusting that God’s plan is way more awesome than mine could ever be. I know this, I believe in God’s faithfulness because He showers me with it daily. My God is so gracious with my wondering and ambitious heart that He did flip my plan upside down. Because He loves me that much He decided that He wanted to show me that His plan is so much sweeter than anything I could ever think of.

Leaving my plan at the feet of the Cross means that I get to fall in love with teaching more and more every time I think about my future classroom. Setting aside my ambition for Spirit lead humility means that I get to focus on loving my friends deeply and intimately instead of frantically crossing things off my to-do list. Trusting in God’s plan for my life is SO HARD. It is a battle I have to fight with myself every morning. But slowly I am starting to win the battle for my heart to start to look like His. And while I do deeply desire to leave my plans at the Lord’s feet there are some days that I lose this fight. Sometimes I do get caught up in my busyness. I do get caught up in the “What’s next?” But thank goodness that’s my God’s grace is unending and never failing because man oh man would I be in trouble.

The other hugely important lesson I am learning in setting my plans aside is something I never really wanted to admit to myself. Learning to leave my plans at the Cross is one thing, trusting in the plan that is thrown my way is another. But, understanding that sometimes while the Lord’s plan is always perfect it is not always painless. Understanding that God’s plan for me is amazing and perfect and completely better than my own is getting easier. But learning to deal with the heartbreak and hardships that come with battling my sinful nature is something that I still have yet to learn to grasp. One of my favorite bloggers, Stephanie Mae Wilson, wrote about this and it touched my heart so deeply. In her blog Stephanie talks about how even though God has said “Go” it doesn’t make the unrest and uncertainty go away. But when we trust in God’s plan we know that through this unrest and uncertainty the not-so-easy will be so worth it.

Tonight I ask that you pray for me as I learn all of these things, as I learn to continuously leave my perfectly planned out life at God’s feet and place my trust solely in His faithfulness to me. And in return I will pray the same for you. Wow, how great is our God that He loves us enough to trade our plans for His.

With lots of joy and a peaceful heart,
Kaitlyn