"Unusual" by Francesca Battistelli

This song is not a recently released song, but I really needed this song when I was struggling with being myself. (see post here for details) This song talks about how all of us are unique and unusual- and we should be okay with being different. Don't be afraid to be unusual, and to stand up for Jesus! Here's the lyrics:

Everybody laughed at you

For doing what you're supposed to do

Standing up for what is true

Got your feelings hurt tonight

You must be doing something right

You're so unusual

I think you're beautiful

You're so unusual

Gray is now the status quo

Black and white's not in you know

You're the zebra in the pony show

You wear your faith just like a light

I'd say you're doing something right

Standing up for Jesus' Name

Just let them call you strange

I call you brave, unique and set apart

A master piece, a work of art

Living out what you believe

Being who you're made to be

I love to see the way that you are so

Unusual 

I think you're beautiful

You're so unusual

Oh, for heaven's sake

You're unafraid and unashamed

You're so unusual

"It Will Be Okay" by Lysa TerKeurst

This book has a great message. I know it's a story picture book, but I think everybody should read this book. ;)

Synopsis

In a dusty shed, on a rickety shelf, hidden in a cozy packet, lived a tiny seed. 

Day after day, Little Seed watched as the Farmer came into the shed. The Farmer's strong hand would reach into the packet, and He would say, "I have a good plan for you," each time He selected a seed. 

Little Seed knew the Farmer was good and kind, but he did not want to leave his home. 

Little Seed liked living inside the cozy packet on the rickety shelf in the Farmer's dusty shed.

He did not want to go.

Review 

The age range for this book is baby to 100! ;) I think everybody should read this book. It is about a lonely Little Fox, and Little Fox meets Little Seed in the seed packet. They become really good friends. 

Growing up brings changes and sometimes fear. Little Seed and Little Fox are facing fears, changes, and brand new things. 

They discover that God is with them and will help them get through the rough times. God is like the Farmer. The Farmer always tells the Little Seed, "It will be okay." Another phrase I like is "...the Farmer is good, and the Farmer is kind, and He was always watching over them." 

What I really enjoyed about this book was the message in it. There are things in life that we don't want to do, we don't like it, or it's change. However, God wants to lead us towards something new. Even if it doesn't seem good at the time, His plans are always good.

In the end, "it will be okay." :)

Be Yourself

from Pinterest 

Being yourself. I think this is a very important topic, especially for tweens and teens.

Often in our culture today, we seem to get the impression to conform to what others think. We want to be "cool" or "normal". We often want to be like most other teens. We want to dress like they do, read what they do, act like they do, watch what they do- the list goes on and on.

I myself, dealt with some of this in my late tween and early teen years. I was afraid to stand out, to be different.

One day, it finally dawned on me what I was doing, and I started being myself.

I could hardly believe how changed I felt. I was real with people- I showed the real me. :) Being yourself is an awesome feeling. I personally felt let out of a cage- free! I felt like I could breathe again, instead of feeling stifled.

I am no longer afraid to be who I am, who God created me to be. No two people are the same- we're all different. God has shown me and is showing me who He says I am. I am chosen, I am not forsaken, I am His, I am loved by the Creator of the universe.

It was a few years ago, that this all happened, and I cannot even begin to express how awesome it's been to just be myself. I am okay with standing out. (I sometimes even enjoy standing out) ;) As Believers in Jesus, we are called to stand out, to be different. We are in the world but not of it.

Leviticus 20:24 says, "I am Adonai your God, who has set you apart from the peoples." (TLV) We are called to be set apart- not like the world. Set apart, for our Savior, who gave everything for you. For me.

I pray this post reaches someone who needed to hear this.

Be yourself. Be who you were meant to be, who God called you to be. Don't care what other people think of you. God cherishes you for who you are. You're set apart for Yeshua! He loves you the way you are. Be you. Be real.

Enjoy the Little Things

Enjoying the little things. This is something I've been trying to remember to do lately. June is already over, we're already into July! Time goes by so fast. (especially summer) ;)

Sometimes, especially as we grow up, (or get older), we get busy, and we lose track of all the little blessings God sends us in our lives. I've noticed in my own life, when I get busy with school, life, etc., I lose track of what matters most. Like when your brother draws you the most adorable picture, your sister leaves a note on your nightstand, a favorite flower in bloom- whatever is special to you. We often seem to overlook or ignore these special moments.

God gives us blessings, and often times they're little blessings. Don't lose these moments. You'll never get them back. Instead of worrying and stressing, focus on the good things. The special things, the meaningful things. I don't want to look back and realize I wasted the precious moments.

Don't let life pass you by. Sometimes when life gets overwhelming, we just push ourselves to get through the day, week, month, even year. What I've noticed is when I let this happen, I look back and think, Oh, if only I had enjoyed the moment! Life goes way to fast- don't lose it, don't waste it. Focus on what matters most.


Take a moment and count your many blessings today. :)