Natalie Grant~ Alive
"Who but You, could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies and dream of me?
What kind of Love is writing my story till the end with Mercy's pen?
Only You.
What kind of King would choose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars to win my heart?
What kind of Love tells me I'm the reason He can't stay inside the grave?
You. Is it You? Standing here before my eyes, every part of my heart cries
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy's overcome; Death has lost and Love has won
Alive! Alive! Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before
I am His because He is alive!
Who could speak, and send the demons back from where they came with just one Name?
What other heart would let itself be broken every time till He healed mine?
You. Only You could turn my darkness into dawn; running right into Your arms
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy's overcome; Death has lost and Love has won
Alive! Alive! Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before
I am His because He is
Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing
Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries
The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy's overcome; Death has lost and Love has won
Alive! I am His because He is alive.
Alive!"
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Once
once upon a story, there was a girl.
there was a girl who liked simplicity more than anything,
who liked beautiful words and big ideas,
but found that writing with simple words
from her simple heart
made more sense to her than anything.
once upon a story, there was a girl who'd dreamed so much of being a writer,
that she used to practice every day.
her journal was filled with beginnings and endings of stories.
but she never seemed to know what the middle should be.
once upon a story, there was a girl who realized
the middle is really the most important part,
the realest part.
but the middle should be discovered slowly:
ever so slowly;
with beautiful, tiny pieces at a time.
once upon a story, the middle was her life.
a lovely, sometimes awful thing that told the real story of the girl.
a beautiful picture of a simple life changed through grace
from a Father who loved her more than anything.
once upon a story, the Father changed everything for the girl.
once upon a story, a girl loved life.
once upon a lifetime, that girl was me.
there was a girl who liked simplicity more than anything,
who liked beautiful words and big ideas,
but found that writing with simple words
from her simple heart
made more sense to her than anything.
once upon a story, there was a girl who'd dreamed so much of being a writer,
that she used to practice every day.
her journal was filled with beginnings and endings of stories.
but she never seemed to know what the middle should be.
once upon a story, there was a girl who realized
the middle is really the most important part,
the realest part.
but the middle should be discovered slowly:
ever so slowly;
with beautiful, tiny pieces at a time.
once upon a story, the middle was her life.
a lovely, sometimes awful thing that told the real story of the girl.
a beautiful picture of a simple life changed through grace
from a Father who loved her more than anything.
once upon a story, the Father changed everything for the girl.
once upon a story, a girl loved life.
once upon a lifetime, that girl was me.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Dreams
I didn't used to realize what a dreamer I am. I used to think that I had a few plans for the future, but no dreams that I held tight to. But I realized the other day that I do have dreams, a lot of them. I dream of getting into LSU and majoring in interior design. I dream of having a successful job, of being known for my designs. I dream of working and living in Austin for a little while. I dream of living alone there for a few years as a single girl, in my own apartment. I dream of my wedding. I dream of actually being married. I dream of having kids, lots of them, several boys and a couple of girls. I dream of quitting my interior design job, moving from big cities to a small town, and owning a big white house on a big piece of property, far from any roads and with big, open rooms and big windows to let in the natural light. In this big house, I dream of a crazy, happy, simple life. I dream of several big dogs constantly running around and a big, overgrown garden, surrounded by big, beautiful trees. I dream of a swing under a tree in the front yard where my kids will play in the evenings. I dream of this life. It's been my dream for a long time, and I've never realized it.
Then, the other day, I started wondering if this really is God's plan for my life. I seriously questioned myself for a long time that night, and it was painful. I had to realize I had dreams, had to realize that they would all be so very changed if this wasn't His plan, and had to give them all to Him. It literally felt as if I was reaching inside of me, physically detaching a part of myself I hadn't even realized was there, and handing it to God. It hurt. A lot. I hadn't realized how hard I was holding on to them. But I felt relieved after. I felt scraped clean of my expectations and ready for anything God had planned for me. I still hope at least parts of these dreams happen. It's a beautiful dream, right? But I also realize that my life will be equally amazing no matter what His plans are. I'm looking to Him now for the plans of my life, for the dreams He has for me, because they aren't dreams to Him. They're my beautiful future, and He knows already what it's going to be. He's already waiting for me at the end of it. Even if it's painful and not beautiful to me at the time, my future will be glorious because it will be HIS plan, not mine.
"From where You're standing, Lord, You see a grand design that You imagined when You breathed me into life. And all the chaos comes together in Your hands like a masterpiece of Your picture perfect plan. And when I'm lost in the mystery, to You my future is a memory, cause You're already there, You're already there, standing at the end of my life, waiting on the other side; and You're already there, You're already there. One day I'll stand before You and look back on the life I've lived. I can't wait to enjoy the view and see how all the pieces fit..." ~Casting Crowns, "Already There"
Jeremiah 29:11"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Then, the other day, I started wondering if this really is God's plan for my life. I seriously questioned myself for a long time that night, and it was painful. I had to realize I had dreams, had to realize that they would all be so very changed if this wasn't His plan, and had to give them all to Him. It literally felt as if I was reaching inside of me, physically detaching a part of myself I hadn't even realized was there, and handing it to God. It hurt. A lot. I hadn't realized how hard I was holding on to them. But I felt relieved after. I felt scraped clean of my expectations and ready for anything God had planned for me. I still hope at least parts of these dreams happen. It's a beautiful dream, right? But I also realize that my life will be equally amazing no matter what His plans are. I'm looking to Him now for the plans of my life, for the dreams He has for me, because they aren't dreams to Him. They're my beautiful future, and He knows already what it's going to be. He's already waiting for me at the end of it. Even if it's painful and not beautiful to me at the time, my future will be glorious because it will be HIS plan, not mine.
"From where You're standing, Lord, You see a grand design that You imagined when You breathed me into life. And all the chaos comes together in Your hands like a masterpiece of Your picture perfect plan. And when I'm lost in the mystery, to You my future is a memory, cause You're already there, You're already there, standing at the end of my life, waiting on the other side; and You're already there, You're already there. One day I'll stand before You and look back on the life I've lived. I can't wait to enjoy the view and see how all the pieces fit..." ~Casting Crowns, "Already There"
Jeremiah 29:11"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Anticipation
Is it weird that I'm reallllly looking forward to the next five years of my life? I'm technically a senior this year, although we'll be taking a year out between 12th grade and graduation to get jobs and do extra classes we need before college. So therefore, I have five years until college graduation. And I'm seriously looking forward to it. I can't wait to get a job this summer and do some easier courses next fall. I think 2013 going to be pretty good. And THEN. College awaits! I really think I've made up my mind to go into interior design. Everything about it absolutely fascinates me. In fact, I'm starting up a new blog, (http://lightandloveandbliss.blogspot.com/) mostly to repost some of my favorite design pictures I've found, maybe lay out a few room ideas that keep popping into my head, and possibly document a little of the journey to becoming an interior designer. It sounds lame, but one of my main goals in life to be the next Mrs. French (her Pinterest is amazzzing- http://pinterest.com/tracif/). Keep in mind, this is a startup new blog, it looks awful now, but I plan to do some big things with it. I have a friend who has a friend who designs blogs as a side highschool job, and she is amazing. I might have her help me with it! Anyway, I really think the next five years are going to be incredible. I really can't wait to go to college. The classes I'm looking at taking look like a lot of fun and super interesting. I'm looking so forward to being on my own, making new friends, and starting my own life. Who knows what the next five years have in store for me? I sure don't, but I can't wait.
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