Reflections Before Bedtime #6

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Sabbath has been awesome so far. We kicked off the Sabbath hours with the last night of The Grace Tour at the University of Florida.

Today, the focus of the talk was Luke 9:23:
“And he said to call, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'”

The words spoken by Jesus made me reflect. What does it mean to deny oneself? How many things do we do in life that distract us from what really matters? Jeremy Anderson said things that resonated with me, like: we really begin to live when we come to Him who gave us life and has designed a special purpose for us. It isn’t enough to exist and live foolishly. God invites us to live with purpose.

There are three steps: after self denial is taking one’s cross, and then, following Him. Jesus led a pretty revolutionary life. He was all about love, people and compassion. He is love, and He is mercy (those aren’t just attributes–these things define Him).

Part of the most beautiful moments in life are when you see God’s hand in your life, because then you not only see what grace and love are, but you experience them.

Love changes us, and I truly believe that anything good found in us is God’s goodness shining through us. Deep down, we are broken, selfish and confused, but love steps in to save us.

Love implies trust.
Love is not only kind, enduring and never failing, but it is patient, too. Love conquers all.

Tonight, as I thought about this past semester, I am so grateful. It was my toughest semester yet, but God helped me keep it together. I made a lot of changes, and I gave up a comfort zone that was killing my spirit softly. In my later, chosen discomfort, I found unexpected blessings. God answered so many prayers: from grades (I spent the majority of the time in one of my classes feeling like I was learning Chinese, and I completed it successfully, thank God) to requests for peace. I thought about everything that is still unknown down the path, and how in life we need to recognize God for who He is and allow Him to be God in our lives. As an older sister and an independent person, sometimes I can take the leader role a little too seriously, yet in the midst of lessons and disappointments that later turn into blessings, the fog begins to fade, and I always learn more about myself. I see how God works with me and on me; He meets me right where I am. I see my pride, ambition and annoyingness shine through.

In the stillness of seeing myself as I am, I see His love and His little signs that always show me He is there, and He hasn’t missed a beat. I see how His love has transformed me and continues healing me. I see how love is patient, and I am glad it continues to be patient with me.

God wants our obedience and trust. He wants us to have joy and life in abundance. He doesn’t want us to be slaves to anything, and His perfect love drives out all fear. He wants our minds clear, and our hearts full. He wants our hands out; embracing, clothing, healing, comforting and loving.

To be properly filled, a cup should be empty; denying oneself. To be useful, a cup should hold the water inside; bearing one’s cross. To fulfill its purpose, a cup must be obedient to the hand that holds it, the water will flow, and there will be no more thirst; follow Him.

Reflections Before Bedtime #5

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Soon, 2015 will be getting “real” as far as work and grind is concerned. I have been at home reading, storing up sanity and peace for what is to come, and meditating on life (nerdy– I know). I have been listening to people’s plans for this new year. I have been thinking about my own hopes, plans, and not only that, but also the real and difficult changes I want to make in my life.

It has been rainy and chilly. I go on morning adventures with my doggy friend and camera through the acres around us. As I take photos of different things, I am reminded of how I need to refocus the camera and make adjustments to capture what is in front of me just the way I want to get it.

Life is very much like that. It takes a lot of refocusing and perspective. I have had so many thoughts cross my mind recently, like: how I will need to take some leaps of faith to end up where I want to be post-graduation, even if it is not what I had originally envisioned; I never want to date a guy who would command me to type his fellowship applications on a date when my arm is freshly broken, and I have only one functioning hand in pain (I am looking at you Stephen Hawking; apparently, I am still suffering for Jane Hawking after reading her experiences. Why Hawking, why?!); I need to be open to some things for some things to actually happen; I should be less stubborn; I need to learn to pronounce some things in English like everyone else does; I need to be more positive; I need to study my Bible more… there is a lot that needs work, but I am willing to weed the garden and not let some blossoms choke.

Some plans have changed, new hopes have emerged, and things that I once hoped wouldn’t happen are now a reality I am actually happy with (ironic). Sometimes, God has to allow us to break to get us where He wants us, where it is best, and where we can serve with humility and grow without pretense.

One thing continues to be a theme: I keep seeing the impossible become possible (reminds me of that Mandela quote).

This year is going to be exciting, tough, uncomfortable, unique, and there will be sacrifices, but it is going to be AMAZING. 2014 brought me unexpected gifts and surprises, I need to enjoy them and open my heart to what 2015 will give me. This time, with no reservations.

I am grateful for every day that I get to try to grow and improve my severely flawed self, for every day God’s will unfolds in my life, for every day I give and receive what money can’t buy, for every day a dream comes true and a new one is born.

/In this place that has no name,
I can’t remember why I came;
Then I hear you whisper low,
One more mile to Jericho/

/Nothing is ever what it seems,
When you live inside your dreams;
The walls will tumble/

Jericho, Hilary Duff

[Image from Tumblr]

Khoshbin Quotes

Compiled by: Gabriela Yareliz

I find a lot of inspiration in the Khoshbins. Manny Khoshbin never fails to remind all who look at his success where he came from, and he continues to give back. He is all about positivity, faith and perseverance. He always reminds me that life is about the things that can’t be taken away from us and that seeds of hard work, sacrifice and faith allow the reaping of great rewards.

I leave you with Manny Khoshbin:

Never give up.

[Quotes from @MannyKhoshbin]

Monday Inspiration: January 12, 2015

“She quietly expected great things to happen to her, and no doubt that’s one of the reasons why they did.”
Zelda Fitzgerald

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Happy Monday! Not much light is coming in through the sky lights today; it is dark, cloudy and rainy with a soundtrack of thunder. On Friday, I attended a very inspiring memorial service for a young woman I never met. The way people spoke about her was lovely. She touched so many peoples’ lives. It certainly made one reflect on how one lives life, how fleeting life is, how unnatural death is, and everything one person can leave behind.

Several close church friends are moving to California, which has also been a lot to take in. Lots of changes. I finished the Jane Hawking book. By the end of it, I just wanted to weep. I started reading Nick Vujicic’s book about meeting his wife, Kanae Vujicic. It is interesting to read two love stories involving people with what many would call a rare disability. Both men, while having a condition, have chosen to live so differently. Stephen Hawking and Nick Vujicic couldn’t be more different in the way they approached life. It was Stephen Hawking’s birthday not long ago, and I find it ironic that the fact that he has lived as long as he has lived defies all science and expectation. Compassion, which he despises and sees as pity and a religious sentiment, is one of the reasons he is who he is today. He is a miracle.

Anyway, perhaps I will write up my thoughts about The Theory of Everything in another post. For some reason, the desire to see the inconsistent and romanticized film has faded. I have had enough of Stephen Hawking.

I am currently hiding out with my dog because of the thunderstorm. It is definitely a knee sock and blanket day. When I don’t wear makeup and I catch my reflection somewhere, it somehow takes me back to former years. There are little parts of us that remain the same forever. Have you ever caught one of your own expressions, and it reminds you of your face when you were a kid? Sometimes, I feel exactly the same, timeless, ageless, whatever.

I am off to juice, console this doggy friend and keep reading Love Without Limits by the Vujicic family. A love story between two positive, sacrificing, wise and faith-filled people is so beautiful. While the Hawking “romance” (if one can even call it that) fills any chest with tightness and dread, the Vujicic story fills a heart with joy and hope.

This week, don’t underestimate the power a positive outlook and faith can have on your life. Don’t ever forget you have choices, and your choices determine what will come next; they really do.

[Images from Tumblr]

Friday Glee: January 9, 2015

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Happy Friday! It has been a good week. I got a wedding invitation from a good friend (so exciting), I am 3/4 through Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawking, and I fixed my last academic schedule. I hope you had a great week. Many started work and classes this week. The busy routines begin, but Friday has come to rescue us from the grind.

“I want you to stop running from thing to thing to thing, and to sit down at the table, to offer the people you love something humble and nourishing, like soup and bread, like a story, like a hand holding another hand while you pray. We live in a world that values us for how fast we go, for how much we accomplish, for how much life we can pack into one day. But I’m coming to believe it’s in the in-between spaces that our lives change, and that the real beauty lies there.”
Shauna Niequist

“Every majestic oak tree was once a nut who stood his ground.”
Proverb, Unknown Origins

“The best project you’ll ever work on is you.”
Sonny Franco

“There’s a lot I’m dreaming about for 2015, but one thing I know: whatever I do, I want to do it with the people, near & far, who’ve shaped my path to this point. Friendship is God’s greatest evidence of himself here on earth.”
Shauna Niequist

[Images from Tumblr and Webstagram]