Encouragement and perseverance.

     I started a new devotional book this week called Get Lost by Christian author Dannah Gresh. I'd read a couple of Dannah's books before and always been encouraged by them, so when Get Lost came out recently I ordered in on Amazon right away. This book is wonderful and has already been such a positive influence for me, and I hope to blog more about that soon. But for today I just wanted to share this brief but wonderful quote that I found in the book:

     "The fact that God created you is your worth." -Dannah Gresh

     This quote just struck something in me, and since I've read it I've been pondering over how amazing it is. What a simple and brilliant concept- the fact that God created us is our complete worth. Ever person on this Earth was created as apart of His plan. No one is an accident or mistake. We all have the power to do wonderful things during our lives, and we can do those for God's glory! The next time I start doubting myself in any way, whether it's in behavior or appearance or anything really, I'm going to try and remember this quote. It all comes down to the fact that all of us were created, and that should be more than enough to satisfy us. Another reason why I love this quote is I feel like it can apply to so many situations!

     In other news, I wrote in yesterday's post that I had a really rough first couple days at my second summer job, which is at a day camp. My schedule there wasn't what I'd asked for, and I was working afternoons instead of mornings. This proved to be a problem because I was signed up for nights at my retail job, so I was rushing from one job to the next and I had no down time at all. Tuesday night I had a breakdown and cried and cried after I got out of work. After that I was determined that I was going to quit my camp job, but when I went to work yesterday I realized that I was having a much better day. I didn't have to rush off right after work to my retail job, so I was more relaxed and calm, and I found that I was in a better mood and I was also enjoying the kids that I work with a lot more.

     I have talked to my boss at the camp to make sure that next week and for the rest of the summer I'll be working mornings- so days when I have shifts at both jobs I'll have a nice break in the afternoons to rest at home or at the beach.  I have a feeling that this break will make all of the difference for me, but I've also come to accept that if it doesn't, I'll have to quit my second job. But if I do quit, I'll know that I gave it a better try then just two days. I have a tendency to quit a lot of things that I start. While sometimes it might be necessary, (such as if I find soon that I just can't handle two summer jobs) I also think it's good to try to follow through on your commitments. Perseverence is a word that I keep telling myself to get through this difficult first week. 

     Stay tuned tomorrow for my first post of the Summer of Something New blogging challenge!


     xoxo Miss ALK