it's not me

I knew it would happen. It was only a matter of time...
I knew I would neglect this blog...

It happens alot though in life...People get busy, focused on things that pertain to them, and begin to neglect even the most pivotal things in life.
I think this happens to me every semester. I get sooo caught up in school, grades, softball, grades, school, that I forget my family, my boyfriend, and even my God.

Over and over again through the past few weeks, the same things has been placed on my heart... the theme of this blog; Soli Deo Gloria. Softball has been going so great this year, and there are alot of factors that play into why. But aside from it all, the true reason is Christ. without His gift of talent in which he has given each girl on the team, we wouldn't win. If He didn't give our coaches the personality, drive, and passion that He did, we wouldn't win.
But even outside of softball, this notion of giving God glory has been laid on my heart. College is hard. Its harder for some than others. I do alot, I have alot of responsibilites, and I always seem to get things done. I could try to say that the reason behind it is my "awesome" time mangement skills, or my "smarts," but in all honesty, its not me, it's Christ.
He is with me. He helps me get through the tough times. He keeps me calm through the stressful times. He has blessed me with an awesome support group, an awesome family, an awesome boyfriend, and an awesome team. He has given me the skills and talents to be able to do all that I do. Lord knows that its not me that makes it all possible. I am certain that if it were left to me, I would have either quit softball or have a very poor GPA.

But, even with all this understanding that all that I am is because of gifts from God, and all that I do is because of his blessing, I still forget about him. I still get caught up in trying to make the grade, play outstanding; I still get caught up in trying to be everything, the best in everything. Let me speak from experience, this is the most exhausting thing to try to do on your own. It leaves you tired, beat down, alone and feeling worthless. It's impossible. It just can not be done. ALONE. It cannot not be done alone.

With Christ, it can be done. With Christ we can face our biggest challenges with confidence.
One of my favorite things about Christ is that no matter what, He loves me. To Him, it doesn't matter if I give up a walk off grand slam in the conference championship game. To Him, I am precious. I am loved. What great joy is it to know that even if you fail in all of your wordly responsibilties, at the end of the day you can rest in the fact that Christ loves you. What comfort and confidence this brings me.
It doesn't matter if the rest of the world hates me, I am loved by the creator and ruler of the universe.

All that I do is because of Christ.
All that I am is becauuse of Christ.
All that I accomplished is because of Christ.
He loves me. I love Him.
He deserves the glory and praise, because this life is not my own. what I do is not for me, but to, in some way, bring honor back to Christ and to show his love.

Thank you Lord for the success that you have given my team. I pray that through it we bring you glory and honor. May your name be lifted by my performances. May your loved be showed through my actions.
amen.