A Thanful Aunt

When my days start completely chaotic I don't know why I am ever surprised by the chaos that will follow. Today was definitely a day that I would not like to repeat.

My family has season tickets for the Clemson games. We all tailgate and enjoy being together on game days. Today was the 4th home game in a row. The journey to the game began with a niece who had wet her pants. Julia Anne is potty trained, but we still have some accidents every now and then. So, we got Julia Anne all cleaned up at my house before leaving Piedmont for Clemson. I got half way to Easley and realized that I had forgotten my ticket....you know what that means. After Cam and Brooke waited for me for about 20 minutes, we were finally on the way.

Julia Anne absolutely loves the games. She loves cheering and being in the middle of all the action. As Brooke, my sister, was going to get her out of the car, Julia Anne had propped up against the car door and fell face first as the door was opened. It was a nasty fall. So, we ended up in the ER in Seneca to make sure that there was no serious damage done. Staying true to her nature, Julia Anne was a champ and is ok. She walked away with some scratches and bruises, but we are expecting a full recovery.

As I waited in the waiting room while the doctors examined her, I was crippled with fear and anxiety. Seeing and hearing the fall was one of the scariest things that I have witnessed in a while. I immediately just asked for God's peace and provision concerning Julia Anne.

I am so thankful that Julia Anne is ok and that God loves us so tenderly. God met me there in the waiting room. The fear did not disappear, but His peace was sufficient. I am so grateful to serve a God who meets us right where we are and continually picks us up, even after some of the nastiest falls.

I Love the Book!

As I mentioned last week I am reading Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb. Wow, what a book this has been! God's timing is impeccable. I couldn't have read this book at a better time. Not only is the book hitting me square between the eyes, messages that I am hearing at church are also aligning with what I am reading. What are the chances?

Here are a few things that I have been learning lately:

1. This thing called life, it is not about me. It is about where I fit into God's story. I know that you are probably thinking, "Duh, Karis...about time you caught on". I have always had a head knowledge of this, but I have never had a heart humble enough to enter into God's story. I have always wanted to be in God's will so that my desires come to fruition. I think I am getting it...this life of mine was God breathed...and I need to just go with the His flow and allow my desires to become secondary to and shaped by God.
2. Now that I have FINALLY realized that God has a purpose for me in His story, I am much more free to really experience life. It is already worked out, all I have to do is be on board.
3. No matter how much pain and suffering I may have to endure, the ultimate goal is joy, true joy that can only be found in Christ. God will allow me to suffer until I am ultimately satisfied by Him.
4. Letting go of all of the dreams that I had for myself has ushered in more joy than hanging on to what I wanted. Instead of cramming my life full of chaos, I am finding that peace and rest come much more naturally.
5. If I allow God to shape my desires, my hope in Him will only grow. I want the kind of hope that hopes beyond the impossible...the kind of hope that Christ carried on His way to the Cross.

I am truly humbled as I reflect over everything that God has done for me and how little I deserve His gifts. I am enjoying this season of joy, peace and rest.

Just a Suggestion

Every month my mom picks up the Journey magazine for me from her church. I love that she does this for me. It is nothing big, but it is just so thoughtful on her part. I look so forward to the new magazine every month. There were several articles that really got me last month. In one of the articles the book Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb was referenced. So, I thought that I would check the book out.

I read an excerpt of the book online and really liked what I was reading. I picked it up from the bookstore today. I have only read one chapter, but I am anxious to crawl into bed tonight and read even more. I have already been challenged in the first chapter as the author shares why he chose to write the book. The book is based on the story of Naomi out of the book of Ruth. I am excited to see how Crabb will explore how God used Naomi's broken dreams to bring about a deeper, purer joy.

I chose to read this book now because I feel like God has blessed me so much recently. Not that my life is all that different, I just feel God changing my heart and shaping my desires to look more like His. Yes, there are still unfilled dreams/desires that I am waiting for God to work out, but He has really brought me to a place of rest and contentment. I feel like now is the best time to accept my "shattered dreams" and truly reflect on all that God is doing in my life.

So, when you get the time, pick up Journey Magazine for quick, daily devotionals and Shattered Dreams for a challenging read.

Needing to Belong

Since being back in Greenville, finding a home church has become a top priority of mine. I spent some time praying about where God wanted me before I even moved home. There were several churches that ran through my mind, but after visiting and more prayer, I feel that God is leading me to Grace Church.

Grace is a non-denominational church that was started in a home in 1995. It has grown to over 2000 members. The number of members is not what impresses me about Grace. The feeling of community despite the number of people is what draws me to Grace. Grace teaches the Bible and is concerned with disciplining it's members. Grace, so far, seems to be just what I need.


As I have attended Grace for the past few weeks I have connected with some great girls. It is totally God. It is an answer to prayer. As I have gotten to know these girls I have been reminded of how much I missed feeling like I belonged somewhere. I have missed the feeling of true fellowship and a sense of family among a body of believers. I have missed having a "home" church. It is funny to look back to the time when I was deciding to move home. My love for the church in Wilmington was really a stumbling block to me following God back to Greenville. Although I attended church regularly in Wilmington and loved the church, I never felt at home. It is incredible to see God piecing things together for me now that I have made the move. God is faithful!

Tonight I attended an informational class about the membership process at Grace. Joining Grace is quite a process unlike anything to which I am accustomed. Joining Grace involves a four week class that introduces you to the core concepts on which Grace was founded. At the end of the four weeks it will be my decision whether or not I will join. As you can probably tell, I am 99% certain that I will join. I am so excited about the possibilities that await. I am looking forward to belonging, fellowshipping and feeling like I am home, truly home again.