still breathing

So it’s Thanksgiving. Although there are not many things we agree on…I’m very grateful for my family. I’m grateful for how different everyone is.

For dad doing the traditional stand around the table to hold hands and pray, while my brother rolls his eyes.
For my german grandma (Oma) still not able to pronounce my name through her thick accent. (Heda instead of Heather)
For my mom still loving me everyday even though I always have a smart A comment to make to her.
For watching my grown up brother with his obnoxious facial hair play Wii like a little boy and loving it.

I tend to generally spend more time thinking about how things could be different if I changed the way I do life. If I acted this way or was better at this then things would work out better. Too much of this leads me to taking freedom for granted. Sometimes it’s such a struggle to choose to live out of bondage and to choose to be free…because it seems like it should come at a price. Something that I need to accomplish. So I waste all this time forgetting what Jesus did. Momentarily forgetting the magnitude of God’s love that He displayed through Christ and suddenly it becomes cheap. Something that I can just take as I want, and leave it behind when I want. How can I forget to be free?

I’m grateful that the Lord is so patient with me. I wouldn’t blame Him for leaving and just moving on to somebody else.

I’m grateful that He chooses to hold on even when I feel my grip slipping and that He’s constantly reminding me that it’s okay to live without chains. That I don’t have to earn it because it’s been taken care for. This freedom is free.

Be Free.

Heather Davis (Gainesville State ‘08)
It’s also funny how this guy who I know through a friend messages me on facebook and simply says “Hey I heard you’re going to Gainesville.”
Really? Did you hear that? Is that the rumor being passed around, or did you just happen to the paranthesis next to my name that lists what college I am currently attending? Silly goose.

Anyways, in case you were wondering I do actually have more meaningful things than this to spend my energy on. I attended the National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta today. 
Props to Miss Lindsey Laney for hooking me up with a ticket. I really enjoyed the break-out groups. There was a list of HUNDREDS of breakout sessions that you could attend regarding all topics. The one Lindsey and I chose was Middle School Ministry.

Middle School ministry is preventive. High school is corrective.
They are beginning to really question the things that used to concrete about their faith. As a kid we’re taugh tons of bible stories and think they’re sweet. Once in middle school we want to know the reasoning behind these stories and why things are the way they are. With that said, to have the opportunity to teach and love and invest in kids when they’re 12 year old can establish the foundation for them when bigger pressures and struggles come along later in high school.