Wowza, I'm Blessed

If I'm going to wrap myself in gratefulness, I might as well do it sufficiently. 

Tonight (Thursday, because I write ahead) is one of those nights where gratefulness abounds. It's in the quiet moments that I get caught up in all the little things God has done for me. 

I love that I am the kind of person that marvels at the tiny details, and finds excitement in enjoying little blessings. I'm thankful for that. I think it makes life worthwhile.

Today, I appreciate the blue fleece blanket my grandparents gave me; the pink (pink!) Of Monsters and Men vinyl I finally snagged from the record store (vinyl review coming soon!); finally figuring out how to make those gnifty photo overlays; writing my novel and getting absolutely caught up in my characters; Lorde's music; my truck; a red velvet cupcake candle; the newspaper; a bookshelf full of stories; God's grace; my family; words.

So maybe I'm a little caught up in all the details.
I can only help it will make me a happier person, a better writer.   

Inspired

A couple days ago, I sat down to blog. You know those days where you just stare at a blank document (or canvas, or wait in silence) and just can't seem to produce words, art, or music? That was me.

There's such a remarkable difference when I'm inspired. Today, I am dripping with inspiration and joy.

I want to do everything - write songs; pen my novel; clean my room; get lost in the mix CD I just made; take photographs in the garden; celebrate life. It's joyous and delightful to enjoy expression - we can create because we were made in the image of our Creator.

Today is going to be grand, I can already feel it. I might have gotten off to a slow start since I woke up late this morning (on account of staying up til three last night, typin' out 15 pages of my novel).

On this glorious Friday, I am celebrating all things purple and floral, my record collection, breathing and being alive. Oh, and music and words. Those, too. Thanks, Lord, for the beauty of inspiration.

Grace

I was randomly scrolling through Facebook, looking at pictures of people, so many people, and it just suddenly occurred to me how much God loves us. I know that sounds remarkably cheesy, especially if you're not interested in God (or don't believe in Him), but to me, it's such a relief.

My word of the week has been "grace." Grace has many meanings for me -- it is the name of one of the central characters in my novel; it's a name I hope to use for my future daughter; and it is what I am under now that Christ has set me free.

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. ~ Romans 6:14

I'm under grace. And sometimes I forget that. My sins have been pardoned, my burden is gone. Maybe that doesn't sound especially remarkable to you, but praise God, the Lord has opened my eyes to see grace afresh. I've been struggling with that for weeks now, but now I see God's infinite compassion.

In other news, today was End It Day.

27 million slaves still exist in our world today, and my sister and I joined countless others, from David Crowder to Carrie Underwood, in raising awareness for the End It Movement by marking our hands with red X's. Whiiich my professor asked me about, so there ya go: awareness.

Well, farewell my cozy corner of the Internet, I'm off to go write now. My novel awaits! HUZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH