The dark is just a canvas for Your grace & brightness.

I would say it is about time I had a few disappointments come up in my life. Relationship troubles, hard work going unnoticed, homesickness, not getting the things I want, whatever the case. They’re things I can be thankful for.

I am thankful for a rough week.

Because when life is peachy – I admit, I am completely guilty of putting God on the back burner. When I’m smooth sailing, I forget the world doesn’t revolve around me, I forget why I’m living and who I’m living for. I forget about my constant dependance on God. The most important relationship in my life suddenly becomes less of a relationship, and more of a burden.

But in times like this, when the weight of the world seems to be on my shoulders – I reflect. I take a step back and see the bigger picture. I remember it’s not all about me. Life won’t always go the way I plan it – and no matter how hard it is to understand – the author of my life has things written out beautifully, beyond anything I could ever imagine. It just might be hard to know that in the moment.

It is refreshing to have my heart tested. To have a heart that could be jealous, lonely, disappointed, or angry – and instead let faith allow me to look deeper. That because of my faith, my heart wears the armor of God, and instead of all those things, He can fill my heart with grace, with love, with understanding.

It’s hard not to be ashamed – or feel like a lousy Christian – when my heart sure doesn’t act like it’s filled with the grace it knows. But that’s just a reminder that I’m human. They’re reminders that on my own, I forget what I want my life to reflect.

Whatever’s on your heart, don’t forget who you belong to.

Love, Riley

He works all things for the good of those who love Him. -Romans 8:28