What I'm currently reading

Over the last few months I have been making an effort to reconnect with God and my faith. I have been battling my own demons for several years and am finally breaking free of the hold they have had on me. There are many things I've done of which I am not proud of, but I know my God is forgiving one. I have been searching high and low for a good devotional for daily reading and happened to come across these two gems while out yesterday. 

"Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer is not your average prayer book. Shirer's aim is to teach you how to pray with a specific and strategic plan. I love that! How many times have you settled down to pray and you feel yourself talking aimlessly. No? Okay so maybe that's just me but I'm sure there are others out there as well who have never quite mastered how to really pray with a purpose and for that I am so happy to have found this book. Not only does it teach you how to pray, but Shirer also discusses how the enemy is constantly at work and details how to fight back with prayer. 

"God, Grant Me Serenity - Devotional Prayers for Mothers" is a small collection of prayers for mothers. I personally like this one because there's a prayer for everything when you need hope, patience, etc. It's also compact which is nice for when you are on the go.

I'm hoping these books will keep me occupied for the next few weeks before bible study starts. If not I have plenty of others on my to-read list. 

Do you have any favorite devotionals or books for Christian Living? If so leave them in the comments below. 

Changes

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;"

- The Road Not Traveled, Written by: Robert Frost

    The time has come to yet again... Transitioning from one point in your life to another doesn't always come with great ease. I have never been one to divulge too much information, but I will say that I have reached the point of acceptance with this impending change. Certainly, I am not in the same place I was this time last year. This is my chance to reassess my goals personally, academically, and professionally. I'm sure this is what was intended for me to get back on track and see the bigger picture. Now, make no mistake I by no means have fallen off track. I will say that these past few months I have somewhat put my life on autopilot. Perhaps I needed a mental vacation. Whatever the case I am prepared to take on life full force. 

No Resolutions

"New year, new me." We see it posted on every social media platform possible as the new year rolls around. Shortly thereafter comes the lengthy to list of changes to come. Why is it so many of us opt to put off the things we'd like to change until later, tomorrow, or next year? Don't wait until the new year to set resolutions or goals. Set goals for now, and live for today.

Retrospect

 "One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."

- Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud, Father of psychoanalysis.

ret·ro·spect

noun

1. a survey or review of a past course of events or period of time.

I stumbled upon this quote a few years ago while reading up on Sigmund Freud, and to this day it has become one of my personal mantras. As of right now I'm going through a major transitional period and it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. That's not to suggest that things have been particularly rough either, I'd say it's been challenging at best. I have to admit I was feeling quite defeated at one point over the course of the past few months, but I'd like to think that I'm someone who has a really healthy sense of self. I've also proven to be very resilient and even when I hit a low I usually tend to pull through with no problem. With that being said I know that my journey up until now does not define me, nor where I will go in the future. I can only continue to progress and one day, years from now I will know that this journey will have been worth it.

The glass is always half full.