faithful.

Today was an interesting day, to say the least.

6 years ago today, one of my friends was killed in a car accident.  I spent a good amount of time today just thinking about his family and the people all over the place who miss him every day.  I know that the Father's ways are higher than our own, and that He has a rhyme and a reason for everything.  However, it still is hard for my very human head and heart to understand at moments.

Even in the midst of the melancholy today, however, I was just bathed in God's goodness.  His faithfulness was proven to me over and over again - in the smiles of strangers and the kindness of friends, all completely unaware of the reason for my subdued nature today.  I have been blessed with love today, by those who didn't even realize that they were blessing me, and while I didn't even realize I needed blessing.

I just got back from home group, which was, once again, great.  I just love so much that I get to share this time every week with Courtney, Liane, and Jeff.  The conversation that the four of us had in the car on the way tied in perfectly with the conversation our whole group ended up having.  I just feel like I am learning so much right now, and I'm being placed in the presence of people who are allowing and encouraging me to learn even more.  Today we talked a lot about fear, and the ways in which faith can help us combat fear.  Something that Jeff said really resonated with me, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since.  Basically, he pointed out that our identity lies within Christ - we are children of the King.  If we could fully grasp and live in that fact, fear would be irrelevant, because the identity of 'Child of the King' is enough to instill ultimate confidence in us.  It's such a beautiful truth.  I am a child of the King.  Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world - loves me as His daughter.  Why do I spend so much of my life in a state of fear?  It's not the way I was meant to live.  I need to embrace my identity as daughter of the King and live a life of love and confidence.

...Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth 

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; 

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, 

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! 

Great is Thy faithfulness! 

Great is Thy faithfulness! 

Morning by morning new mercies I see. 

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; 

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!...

He is so good...