"You did what?!"

Confrontation isn’t something that most people enjoy. I mean really, who likes having to tell someone that we think they are doing something wrong. No matter how you chose to go into the confrontation, no one likes it. It is just not a fun subject to talk about. I do believe that confrontation is something that we all have to do sometime in our life, and it shouldn’t go unmentioned.

      For most of us confrontation isn’t something we can avoid. The way you confront someone is so important. You can choose to send a letter, write an email, call them on the phone, or confront them face to face. Although some of those choices might not be the best way to handle the situation. When writing an email words don’t always come out the way you plan. People can read way into the message and create something monstrous when you were only trying to resolve the problem. Phone calls aren’t foolproof but you can hear the tone of voice: although, you can’t see the other person’s facial expressions.

       When confronting people I chose to use the method of face to face. You don’t have someone reading in to what you are saying, you can see their face and you can be real. This has to be the hardest method to use. I know for me I don’t want to come out sounding like the bad guy, or the one throwing all the blame. I just want to get in there tell them what I think and it be all better. Really, I don’t think that it too much to ask. I know from experience that is not what always happens though.

      Confrontation takes courage and an open heart for anything that might come out of the conversation. No one likes drama and avoiding that is hard, especially in these wonderful high school years. No fear, it is quite possible. Going into the confrontation conversation, make sure you know what you are going to say. You don’t have to write it out, but have an idea. That way you won’t butcher a relationship that might already has some tension. Confrontation, in the end, could be just the thing you need.

"In reading great literature..."

C.S. Lewis once said, "In reading great literature, I become a thousand men, yet remain myself." This quote can have so many meanings for different people. For C.S. Lewis I believe this quote meant so much more than just random words coming out of his mouth. When he reads he can be whoever he wants to be. He can take himself into another world and make himself a thousand different men. Yet, when he is finished with the book he is still himself.

       I would assume from reading this quote that C.S. Lewis would say that reading books is something beneficial for you. It’s not like watching television; it’s a whole new world you can explore.  Reading can take you places that you have never been before. It can open up your imagination. There is really no limit when you are reading a book.

     Personally, I love reading. It’s the one time out of my day that I can escape. I can read any genre of book and live in that time. Reading can be the most exciting thing I do all day. I know, I sound like a total nerd but I have a love of imagining things. I love just being able to get into a good book and drown in the story line. If you don’t read I encourage you to at least try.

      I have read many of C.S. Lewis’ books and he is brilliant; the way he uses metaphors and describes objects and places. We both seem to have a shared love of reading. It takes us places that we could never go unless the author wrote the story in that way. It’s so exciting to get a new book and dig into it. That is when we truly become, “a thousand men, yet remain myself.”

College. College. College.

Being a senior we all know what’s next; college. Going to college has always been an exciting idea for me. I have always been the one ready to get out and explore the word without my parents being right behind me. We all want that sense of freedom and college is the way we slowly gain that freedom.

    I think the part we most forget about when striving for that sense of freedom is responsibility. All of this college stuff is a little scary to me now that I am so close. Whenever I need something, such as toothpaste, I’ll have to go buy it myself. I know that is just a petty thing but in reality it’s one step closer to me and adulthood.

    This college process has already got me stressed. While looking for that perfect school, filling out college applications, and finding time to go on college visits, I am also trying to maintain my grades for scholarships, raise my ACT score, balance band, drama, family, friends and my boyfriend, all while keeping God first. Needless to say, I am way beyond stressed and it probably has to do with my lack of saying “NO!”

    I am hoping that this year just less stressful as it progresses. I have my first interview for college tomorrow and I am a little nervous. This is one of the biggest decisions of my life and I want to be in God’s will. I am also really excited as I get closer and closer to the point of college choices. I know that this is a change that we all have to go through eventually and I am ready.

Face Time with God

Chapel on Monday’s is my new favorite thing. I really enjoy starting off the week with Jeffery Dean, our new campus pastor, sharing his thoughts on what God has placed on his heart for that day. It really jumpstarts my week and makes me feel as if this week could be the greatest week of my life. Okay, that’s a little over the top but I still have a good feeling about what’s to come in my life.

     Jeffery Dean gave us all journals to take notes for our thoughts. I am such a note taker so this pretty much made my day. He spoke on face time with God, asking each of us to ponder the thought of where we are with God. It is crazy to know that where I am in my relationship might be so far away from where other people are. It got me to thinking that I want my classmates to feel the closeness that I feel with God. It breaks my heart to know that we go to a Christian school, where our teachers teach us Godly morals, where the Bible is the number one text book, and there are tons of students here that don’t have a personal relationship with God.

     Jeffery Dean’s message really got me thinking. I don’t spend enough face time with God and I believe it shows. It saddens me because I want to shine God’s light through my everyday life. I want people to see me and see something different; something that they want to have. Jeffery Dean told us a story about going to a swimming pool surrounded by junior high cheerleaders. We can only imagine. When he jumped in and was underwater it was silent. How many times do I just sit and listen? I feel like that answer is never.

       The time I spend daily on facebook or texting everyday could be spent with the Lord. God doesn’t want all of your time; He just wants a few minutes. That has to be the hardest thing for me in my, what I call, busy schedule. Just a few minutes of face time could make all the difference in the world. I really think Jeffery Dean is going to change chapel as we know it. I really believe this year will be the best one yet, and not just because it happens to be my senior year. I am so excited to see what God has in store.