Phanatic

As sad as it may seem to day, it is a rare and beautiful moment when you can say that you have a genuine fun and relaxing time with your family. Things always seem to get in the way of our various attempts, whether it is school, paychecks, job requirements, gossip from friends. You know, the basic stresses of a typical day with the people you love the most. 

But, I can honestly say that going to the Phillies game last night was one of those times. Not that I don't always have fun times with my Mom, Stepdad, and Max, but when we are close to home, we always seem to get interrupted. Work calls. Max is on the Xbox with friends. Someone is complaining. The other is lost in conversation with a random aunt or uncle. It is rarely ever simply peaceful.

Last night, we all ate crab fries and explored the Xfinity center. We laughed at the man in front of us because he had a unique laugh. We compared colleges and debated which one of the cousins had the best food at school. We ate hotdogs the size of our face, and pretzels with more salt than the Dead Sea. We watched the fireworks afterwards and tried to predict when the finale was going to start.

It was just simple fun. With family. 

When was the last time you and your family just had simple fun? With no distractions, expectations, or stresses added in the mix?

Sunday Funday

Here's to another Sunday Funday post!

Actually, I had a pretty fantastic week, if I do say so myself.



On Monday, I spent almost all night with my brother and cousins on the boat once I got off work that morning. The only reason I posted this picture is because it perfectly describes my brother and I's relationship. He is being annoying, and I am being obnoxious--so therefore I hit him.

On Tuesday, I had a lovely day off jetskiing and beachin it with Megan, Fenwick Island style. Oh, and we made it to the West Ocean City Chick-fil-a only a few minutes before they stopped serving breakfast. Can we say, HECK TO THE YES?!

That same night I was reunited with my long lost friend Daisy. We sat in Panera Bread for a good two hours, and then in Starbucks for another half hour, just catching up. And somehow, we ended up in Kohl's. Now, I am not much of a shopper mainly because I hate spending money, but boy oh boy, did I go all out. Okay, well not really. They were having an awesome sale, and only spend $50 on 4 sweaters, a jacket and two scarves. Almost everything was under five bucks.

Nothing really excited happened the rest of the week. I just worked a lot (big surprise there). But I did manage to have a fun night-swimming adventure with Kelsey, Abi and Maggie, complete with late night pancakes and That 70's Show.

In other random news, we started a game of Assassins at work today. I have my target--and no I am not telling who they are. All I know is, I have to find her away from work, and kill her with water gun in five days or I'm out. I'm trying to get creative. And a second random note, I finished the first book of Harry Potter, and now I am in the middle of the second one. I'm trying to get through all of them this summer.

And, that's all I have. So, yay for Sunday Funday and...... the end.

Sunday Funday

First, enjoy another hilarious picture from the Hey Christian Girl blog.

Anyways...

I've come to the realization that this little blog of mine get neglected. And, in all honesty, I really need some way to keep myself writing, because it is one of the few ways that I do, in fact, keep my self mentally and emotionally sane.

So, here's to another little experiment (one of many that I have tried to maintain on this blog), so a weekly post that I have to cliché-ly entitled Sunday Funday. I didn't really feel like putting much thought into a weekly post, so if you have something that is much more creative and catchy, please tell me.

Anyways, the point fo Sunday Fundays: just to reflect on the past week and give light to any random thoughts from the week.

So here go;

Well, first and foremost, happy Father's Day! I am blessed beyond measure to have two wonderful father-figures in my life: my dad and my stepdad. And I am even more blessed to have a heavenly Father!

Although, in the restaurant business, Father's Day morning has to be one of my least favorite days of the summer. Gobs of people just keep walking through the door, and there simply is not enough man power in the kitchen to keep up with the 18 orders being printed out. Insanity, I tell you. Pure insanity. I feel like a headless chicken every Father's Day morning because if I am not getting drinks or running food, I am searching for stolen toast, apologizing for the time-consuming omelettes, or heating coffee in the microwave because it isn't hot enough. Needless to say, I took a nice 2 hours nap in between shifts today.

But I can't say that the rest of my week has been too interesting. I mean, yes, it was very productive. My oil is changed and a new bank account is opened. I am almost done re-reading the first Harry Potter. I spent some nice hours on the beach. I successfully located the new Panera Bread in Rehoboth (I was dumb and couldn't find it). I baked awesome tie-dye cakes for Connor (14) and Jared's (12) birthdays this week. I learned three new songs my guitar. And, I bought the new Ed Sheeran Album. All is good, but I still have a lot I need slash want to do.

Oh! And I had a small adventure. I tried soft crabs for the first time. They aren't my favorite, but, I can say that I tried.

Got a lot to look forward to this week though! Boating, jet-skiing, Chick-fil-a, hanging out with Daisy, and finally starting the online women's Bible Study called Stress Point.

Well, I have another 7:30 a.m. shift tomorrow and then I'm off to the boat with my lovely cousins. Adios chicos!

"Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation..." - S.C. Quiet

Comfort.

There is one specific quote that I can not seem to get out of my head lately.

As spoken by the ever so wonderful Francis Chan, "But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.”

I admit it: comfortability--if that is even a word--is something that continuously I struggle with. The feeling of "being comfortable" is something that has been bred into our teensie-weensie American minds as not only appealing, but desirable. It is dream of most people to live a leisurely and "comfortable" lifestyle. And this definition of comfortable is one that includes money, privilege, and accessories.

But honestly, the more and more I read the good book that is my God's word, the more I see this large clashing of ideals, and the more I start questioning my own source of comfort.

I could easily write a lengthy list of "items" that make me feel comfortable on this Earth.

Paychecks. Large pillows. Dogs. My favorite television show. Beach days. Heart-to-hearts with friends. My laptop. Driving in my car.

But here is the issue with that list: they are temporary, and it creates such instability and such a roller-coaster of emotion.

When my paycheck is a lot smaller than expected. When my favorite television series ends. When it is too cold to go the beach. When I get into arguments with my friends. When my car breaks down. When my laptop dies.

In an instant, my comfort disappears.

God is called, out of many different names, our Comforter. And that is no small task, because we have been taught to transfer our comfort on such superficial ideals, that God is kicking and screaming in the background saying, "You really don't need all that! I have your back! Trust me, you can be comfortable with me!"

In Luke 12, Jesus is speaking to the crowds, and one man comes up out of the crowd and asks Jesus to intervene for him, and tell his brother to split his inheritance with him. Jesus replies with a parable, and says, "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God." Further down, Jesus is giving more commandments to his disciples and orders them, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Do you see? The fact that we are not basing our comfort in God is not the main issue here. Yes, it is an issue, but not the most monumental one.

No, the fact that we base our sense of comfort in worldly items and ideals is a problem because it proves our heart does not truly long for Jesus. Our desire to want "things" proves that our heart is grounded in those "things" and not our true Comforter.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34)" Does that sting you a little bit, like it does me?

Where is my treasure? My family. My job. My friendships. My bank account.

I have stored so many "treasures" in these places that I have lost the treasure I once placed in God's hands.

I base my comfort on things that will fail me over and over again, yet God is still clinging onto those last few treasures I gave him. And he is screaming my name to give my treasures back to Him, in a place where they will not wear, tear, or damage. At all.

Social Net-hatings.

I'll admit that I spend just as much time on Facebook and Twitter as the next person. I find it mostly entertaining, and occasionally helpful, to log on.

But if it weren't for the small sense of necessity that these essentially stupid websites hold in my life--you know, the Facebook group for prayer requests, the event invites, the connection to my long distance family and friends--I would delete them all together.

I already deleted my Pinterest. That website was fun, but had absolutely no need in my life.

But, besides the fact that these websites can be a waste of time, they also open up a countless amount of doors for negativity and boldness.

With each scroll down the page, I see endless insults, curse words, and selfish statements being publicly posted online for all to see.

Sometimes I wonder what the purpose behind each post really is.

Is it socially connect with your friends and family, as it is supposed to be? Or is it to get a little more attention? Make someone else feel just a little bit worse? Get that anger out? Or all of the above?

I am guilty of doing such. I admit to posting things for the wrong reasons.

But, now, it has gotten to the point where I log on and feel nothing but discontent.

I really just wish that people would think for a moment about what they posted. It would honestly make Facebook and Twitter a much more pleasant experience.

Is it relevant? Is it helpful? Is it too personal? Is it going to hurt someone else's feelings? Let's think a little bit before we make everything too hostile to log on.

Job and Finals.

I know that these upcoming weeks aren't looking too exciting for most of you. In fact, I am sure that if you are a college student, the busiest part of your semester is beginning, or maybe you are in the midst of the most demanding storm yet. 

I read the book of Job last week, and it surprisingly--but sure not coincidentally--helped me put this week into perspective.  I, like you, have an insane two weeks. I even sit here now putting off a presentation and an exam, both unfinished and taking place tomorrow. But, strangely enough, I am currently so at peace and so calm, because I think of Job. 

Granted, I realize the college final exam week does not compare to the sheer disaster Job had to endure. While we have fast approaching deadlines and impossible time lines, Job had no family and essentially nothing to live for. There, honestly, is no comparison. But, the mental stress and exhaustion is still present. And the need to rely on God is still as necessary.

“But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.” - Francis Chan

We aren't called to be comfortable. Everything is not supposed to play out perfectly, and it never will. So don't expect it to. We are called to be put in situations where we will fail if God doesn't help us. 

If it was up to me, I would sacrifice my grades for comfort. I would sleep instead of staying up late to get in some last minute studying. I would watch TV because it is more fun then memorizing lists definitions. I would hang out with my friends rather than sit alone in a study room because I love people. If it were up to me, I would be comfortable.

Think of Job. Although he had nothing going for him, and people telling all of these wrong things. He tried his hardest to understand what was going on. He refused to curse God, even though he was encouraged by his wife to do so. And in the end, he was blessed because he stood for God, even when he complained, because that is what he is called to do.

Now, you are probably thinking, what does this have to do with me and my horrible, awful finals week?

Think about it. Like Job, you have people telling you wrong things--like skipping a few hours of studying to hang out with them. Like Job, you probably have people pressuring you to do the wrong thing--like not studying and accept a lower grade. Like Job, you are confused--wondering why you have such a horrible exam schedule. Like Job, you are tired and hurting--your stress, lack of sleep, and overall exhaustion just makes for a very unhappy college student.

Now, here is the real question. Like Job, are you leaning on God?

“When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice.” - Francis Chan

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Think about that. Have you begun to put your due dates and exams schedule before the command to rejoice? I know for a fact I have. Have you convinced yourself that being consumed by your problems is a legitimate excuse to forget that God is still there? I know I have.

Actually, I know for a fact that if if God didn't graciously bless me with the energy, mental determination, and overall desire, I would literally fail these exams. 

After looking back on what I read in Job, and looking forward to the hectic two weeks I have in front of me, I realized I was missing something. God. So I asked, and I received, and now I am peaceful. Yes, I am stressed, but I am not unhappy.


So here is what I suggest.


Relax. And just talk with God a little bit.


Tell him how stressed you are. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him that you are confused, and that's okay.


Then, take a break. Drink some coffee. Dance around in your underwear to Call Me Maybe. Call your Mom. Read a Psalms.


Study some more. If you feel stressed, read another Psalms. Then talk to God again.


Don't be afraid to eat junk food, and bring a sleeping back to Starbucks.


It will be okay, I promise.


 Lean on God, he has your back.