Living Life with a Longing Heart

Lately, I have been going through a ton of changes in my life: My brother left to college, I stopped an awesome class I loved, a good friend of mine moved out of state for college, going through some relationship problems, and so many other changes going on. My first reaction to all this going on was: ' How can all of this end? I want all these changes to go back to how they were, etc.' I really struggled with these changes and challenges. I cried a ton, hated everything going on, wanted time to just go back a couple years. Finally I was convicted by a couple people in my life that this is just how life is. Yes, changes and challenges are hard... But through it all, God is with us and has amazing plans ahead. Through all of this, He has been teaching me a ton. A few things that He has taught me is listed below: When I start going to college, I need to be aware of my family. I need to love and pay attention to them, even through my busy schedule... Because they are going ...

When I was younger, I was always wanting boys attention, talked about my new and recent crushes, or talked about different guys being cute or "hot". Never once did I go a day without thinking about this stuff. I worried all the time about what boys thought of me, but hardly ever thought about what God thought of me.  The beginning of this past summer, I was convicted on this area of my life. I dug so far down the pit, that the only thing I was really caring about was what others (ESPECIALLY what guys) thought of me. It was very unhealthy, and it became a huge idol in my life.  I was confused and didn't even know where to start... I continually pray about it, and thought, "Man, I really need to change. This is not at all satisfying. All I am doing is worrying about my relationships and thoughts about guys. This is extremely unhealthy, and I need ONLY worry about what my Heavenly Father thinks about me." I was convicted that the only approval I needed right n...