Priceless

I know... It's been a while since I have posted and I am sorry. I've had a lot of things on my plate for the past few weeks and I had to push my blog to the side so I could get those things completed. During these past weeks, though, I've been feeling a little down. I'm have good grades, a great job, great friends, etc. So, why is it that I've been going to sleep at night feeling a little empty and drained (emotionally, physically, spiritually)?

I really didn't know what was going on with me. I mean, yes, I've had a little bit of drama and confusion going on in my life. I have a friend who I am helping through depression and I have a friend, who, all of a sudden, just stopped speaking to me. (I mean, we go from talking every single day to barely speaking at all if any.) It hurts. I know that when helping others through depression, I have to be careful and keep myself happy and healthy. And I have been doing just that. So, I couldn't place a finger on the problem that I was having....

Until this morning...

This morning started as any other. I woke up, took a quick shower and then got back in bed to study a little and relax. It was a Saturday, after all. I was laying in my bed, looking through some notes for my Animal Science class when I got a text from my mom. I thought it was a little weird because it is a Saturday and it was about 9 o'clock in the morning where she is. Well, of course, I opened the text, not really expecting much. What I got, left me speechless and with tears in my eyes.

Because this text was personal and between me and my mom, I won't share it word for word, but I will say that I was finally able to figure out what was going on with me.

You see, for the past few weeks, I was, in lack of better words, putting a price on myself. I was walking around my campus proclaiming that I was to be bought at a price and that you had to prove that you could "buy me", per say. I was degrading myself and others around me. I wasn't being the person that God wants me to be. I wasn't being me.

I was allowing these other people define who I was. That guy who kind of broke my heart? He told me that I wasn't worth the time. The girl who snickered at me in class? She told me that I was a loser. Those students who stared and gossiped as I curled up in a chair by myself with a thick book? They told me that I was a loner and a nerd.

I listened to them. I listened and took it all in until I was believing those things myself. I was beginning to get self conscious as I walked around campus with my books and my geeky clothes and my weird music. I was letting people (some of them who I didn't even know) determine who I was.

And now? Now, I am done with being that girl that everybody thinks I am. I just want to be me; to be the me that God made with His own hands. And you know who that is?

GEEKY.

SMART.

BEAUTIFUL.

CONFIDENT.

COMPASSIONATE

CARING.

OPTIMISTIC.

HARD WORKING.

SENSITIVE.

IMPERFECT.

BRAVE.

IMPORTANT.

PRICELESS.

I. AM. PRICELESS.

I have a value...but, here's the catch: my value is greater than that of the entire world's. God sees me as a treasure. He says, "That is a precious piece and I am willing to pay ANY AMOUNT to acquire it!" How amazing is that? The creator of the Earth said that about me! And He says that about each and every one of you!

I know, now, that it is so important to recognize the value that God gives us. We should never forget it.

After reading that text from my mom, I was so overwhelmed by the love flowing from the Father. I began reading through my Bible and journal, looking at the words Christ has spoken to and through me. Peace immediately began settling through me and I began feeling so much better. I felt stronger, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

So, my words to you are: Don't forget what you are worth. Your Father in Heaven created you with a purpose and He knows exactly what He's doing. He sees you as a priceless treasure and that is how you should see yourself as well. Don't let others determine who you are in life.

This song came over my playlist today and I feel that it perfectly with what I was feeling. The song is "Gold" by Britt Nicole. I love her so much and all of her songs can always make me instantly feel better. If you click here, you can watch the music video. These lyrics speak so much truth, though. You are worth much more than gold. Don't let others decide who you are. BE YOU.

"Gold"

Britt Nicole

Oh, oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh, oh

You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low

What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful

Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling

Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world

Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold

So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine

From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold

(Gold gold, you're gold)

You're worth more than gold

(Gold gold, you're gold)

Well everybody keeps score, afraid you're gonna lose

Just ignore they don't know the real you

All the rain in the sky can't put out your fire

Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world

Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold

So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine

From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold

(Gold gold, you're gold)

You're worth more than gold

(Gold gold, you're gold)

So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved

And don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough

Yeah there are days that we all feel like we're messed up

But the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough

So don't be ashamed to wear your crown

You're a king you're a queen inside and out

You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars

This is for you, wherever you are

Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, oh, oh,

You're gold

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world

Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold

(So hold your head) So hold your head up high,

It's your time to shine

From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold

(gold gold, you're gold)

You're worth more than gold

(gold gold you're gold)

So don't be ashamed to wear your crown

You're a king you're a queen inside and out

Breathless

In case you haven't read any of my Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram posts, I just returned from one of the greatest concerts of my life so far! Passion's Let the Future Begin tour came to Rome, GA tonight. Both Kristian Stanfill and Louie Giglio were present. At first, I thought I wasn't going to go because I didn't know anybody else going. On a whim, I decided to text on my closest friends here at the time, Ashlyn. She enthusiastically agreed to go to the concert with me. I was beyond excited. I spent the entire month of September just rocking out to my Passion playlist.

And then, the day of the concert was upon me. I can't even explain how excited I was to see Kristian Stanfill perform and to hear Louie Giglio speak. I'm going to provide you all with pictures and then I will speak about how much God moved me throughout the night.

God is just so so good to me and everybody else. I was brought to tears tonight while watching these people dance and jump for the Lord and then as the tone changes, be brought to their knees with their arms lifted towards the heavens. It was one of the most surreal moments I've ever experienced.

God spoke to me tonight and I was so humbled in His presence. I treasure those times when I can hear God speaking to me. Kristian got the entire band to just stop playing and we all stood their in the complete and utter silence. I raised my hands toward the heavens and just let the Spirit wash over me. I felt so small underneath God's indescribable mercy.

God created me for a reason here on the Earth. He wants me here. How magnificent is that? God's never-failing love for me always leaves me breathless.

When Louie came out to talk tonight, I was floored. That sermon really hit home for me. It made me remember those times in high school when I thought I wasn't worth it; when I thought that nobody cared about me; when I sank so low, I thought that by ending my life, I would be doing a lot of people a favor. Louie talked about how God wants so much more...IMMEASURABLY MORE...for us. He doesn't want us to quit in the middle of the run. He wants us to keep on running; to keep praying; to keep loving others. He doesn't want us to settle for less than what we are worth. (And, just so you know, we are priceless in His eyes. No amount can ever be large enough for us. We are His priceless treasures.)

Well, I just wanted to leave you all with some song lyrics. We sang this song tonight and it was so powerful. I hope you all have a great rest of the week.

"‘Cause I am found, I am Yours

I am loved, I'm made pure

I have life, I can breathe

I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure

You are life, You endure

You are good, always true

You are light breaking through

Here's my heart Lord,

Here's my heart Lord

Here's my heart Lord, 

Speak what is true."

(Here's My Heart; Passion Worship Band)