#WriterWednesday: One Year Ago Today

According to Facebook, one year ago today I had just returned from my beach vacation with my sisters and Mom.... On this blog, http://chellyzlife.blogspot.com/2014/05/living-that-beach-bum-life-my.html the pictures tell a story of love and friendship between my sisters and I.

One year ago, I was in the same boat. Living at home, looking for just the right job but willing to do just about anything to have a job in general, and working on my book. Today, I'm still in the same boat but now I've finished school and no longer owe Saint Leo anything, not a dime or ounce more of my time. Yesterday, I finished my novel after 3 years of strenuous work and self-doubt. Lately, I've been a little down at the fact that I've realized so many girls I know now are married and have started families of their own (including girls from high school who mocked me when I told them that I believed true love is real).

Isn't it funny how things change but things also still appear to look the same?

Yet, things have changed.

I got smarter.
My heart grew a bit harder and eventually stronger.
I finally let go and walked away.
I accomplished one of my life goals of graduating from college.
I accomplished another by writing a book that will speak to millions.
I may not have a job but I put positive efforts toward my future every day.
I've become more merciful toward others because I've gone through similar things.
And in the midst of all these things, I've learned that trusting God is the only real thing I can do.

Until next time, remember: I'm living proof that grace always wins. -Matthew West

I'd love to hear how you've grown as a person in the comments below. Any change big or small is proof of growth. Celebrate it.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

Writer Wednesday Book Review: Jesus>Religion by Jefferson Bethke

I just stopped crying. It's a long story but it all started with one simple question from my sister in a not-so-nice tone of voice, What work do you have to do?

I've struggled for years with a fear of not being good enough. Recently, it's been magnified by the relationship with my family. Like I said in my last blog, they treat me as if my work doesn't matter, doesn't count for anything at all because most of the stuff I do, I do for free.

This isn't going to be a blog about all that I do because this blog isn't about me. Like I said, this blog is a review of the book, Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke.

I've always struggled with the fear of not being good enough. Not good enough to my family because I don't have a paying job, not good enough for a guy because I have high standards that include not giving everything away on the first date, not good enough for a job because I've already spent eleven months without a part-time job and still haven't been offered or hired by one since my skill set for a normal job is a bit lacking in the conventional sense of the word. Not good enough for people who decided to walk out of my life or stop making an effort in our friendship. Not good enough for social media because my selfies never get retweeted.

Jefferson Bethke is one creative follower of Jesus I greatly admire and knew that his book would not disappoint. This book made me cry multiple times because with each page, I came closer and closer to leaving a religious mindset behind and came face to face with the real Jesus.

The Jesus who doesn't want what we do but just wants you. According to Bethke, in order to meet Jesus, we have to stop trying to be good enough and just go to him as we are: "I had a feeling of utter quiet and peace. I din't hear those words in my ears, but felt them whispered into the depths of my bones. Immediately, relief and the epiphany that I hadn't surprised God rushed over me. I hadn't caught him off guard. When Jesus went to the cross, he saw all I'll ever be, all I'll ever do, and all I'll ever want outside of him; but he joyfully came and got me. He looked down and said, "I want that one."

Bethke even talks about how there should be no major separation between sacred and secular anymore because everything that God created in this earth is good. (Genesis 1). Therefore, there should be no reason that a Christian always must listen to Christian music or only a select group of secular songs. Everything in art, politics, food, animals, plants, and trees are all good in and of themselves.

Everything we do can be done for the glory of God. It can be anything from writing blogs, making videos, doing PR work, cooking, cleaning, working on cars, being a CNA, being a singer, and even writing stories. All these jobs matter to God. The only thing we must take into consideration is that we shine with a borrowed light that is meant to be a beacon pointing the way back to Jesus and God. For example, Bethke points out that even the moon shines with borrowed brightness.

I'm so grateful that I have Jesus because he sees all that I do and doesn't ever remind me of something else I need to do for him in order to be happy with me, he just loves me. He just pursues me. He just comes and sits with me just the way I am: a creative chick with a destiny for greatness. The only reason I am able to do these things is because all talents come from God. And I'm so grateful for mine, and even more grateful for the fact that no talent is greater than any other. Every talent is a beacon of light pointing back to the Maker of Talents, the Great and Powerful One.

So please check out Jesus>Religion by Jefferson Bethke. It's not at all a waste of your time or like any other Jesus book I've read. If I had to liken it to anything, it's like a letter from an old friend that arrives just in time. One that reads:

I see you.
You matter to me.
I believe in you.
Don't give up.
I love you.

Until next time, remember:" I may not be as tall, as tan, or as talented as someone else, but that's okay. Nobody will ever be a better me. I'm anointed to be me. I'm equipped to be me. Not only that, it's also easy to be me."-Joel Osteen. Be You, Ladies and Gents. Jesus wants you to know that by being YOU, he calls you fearfully and wonderfully made.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~