{Motivation} Monday

I wanted to start a weekly post about an inspiring quote that was really working through my life at the moment. At church yesterday we started a series called "When to end it" and I have to say it couldn't have come at a better time in my life. Before graduating from college I had this life planned out for myself and I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. I have always been the type of person to set plans and NEVER liked to mediate from them. But what I had forgotten in this whole process was that my plan didn't mean anything if it wasn't God's plan for my life. I was involved in relationships that were emotionally draining, I was friends with people that had no meaning to my life. I was living for myself and not for God. 

After graduating and moving home I hit a rough patch. I started to really question all the things that I thought my life needed (including my relationship) and it wasn't until I finally started to think about myself and what I wanted for my lift that everything began to change. I started to look to God for guidance and healing and I finally opened up my heart to him and let everything go. I let all the hurt that I was feeling about my past relationships go, and the hurt I felt from my job status, and put it all in God's hand. I no longer felt burdened with all the negatives in my life and started to look at all the wonderful people I did have in my life and my support system at home. It had been such a long time since I had truly felt blessed but at that moment i realized how blessed I was. I decided to focus my energy on the wonderful people in my life and the amazing relationship I have with Christ. I do not need a boyfriend to define me or a job title to make me feel better I am happier then I have ever been and I have God to thank for that. 

This quote speaks directly to my heart because it took a lot of strength for me to walk away from a 3 year relationship especially when I didn't think I would ever have the courage to do it. I finally realized my worth and value and knew that anyone who can stray away and cheat is not the type of person that God wants in my life. It took me a long time to understand that it had nothing to do with me or the person I was and all to do with them. I want to make something very clear to any girl who might read this.. YOU are not the reason someone cheats, THEY lack compassion and understanding enough to remain loyal in a relationship. I am a beautiful child of God and I know that one day I will find an amazing man to share my life with that God has picked perfectly for me. You should never need a relationship to define you and if you aren't happy being alone then how do you expect another person to be happy with you.

God has been the most constant person in my life and I have him to thank for all of the amazing things that have happened in my life. I no longer ask God why something terrible happened but instead I understand that it was a time for me to learn from it and move forward. 

My mom has always told me that sometimes God places people in your life as stepping stones to something better. I doesn't meant that that person was not important in your life for the time being but eventually you have to move forward and step onto the next stone knowing what you will and will not put up with in the future. . . I know my mom is pretty awesome :)

I want this quote to help you with whatever is going on in your life at the moment. It doesn't have to involve a relationship with a boy or girlfriend it could be with a family member, a friend or a job. The example that they used at church this morning was about pruning back the sickness and disease of a plant in order to let the healthy part grow. Get rid of the negative in your life in order for all the positive parts to flourish.