The line between trusting and doing

Life is great until something goes wrong. And then you pray about it. But how much are you supposed to "do" in the meantime?

I recently faced a situation with my vehicle. Long story short, it's in my Grandmother's name but I have sole possession and make the payments. She passed away a few months ago so the contract is null. I have to figure out some kind of solution for this situation. (PS - "situation" = understatement!)

So I've been praying - not really for anything specific. I mean, I would REALLY like to keep the car. So of course it's mostly, "Lord. I want to keep the car. Please help me figure out how I can do that. If I can't keep it, then please tell me what I need to do. Just, make a way." So I'm asking Him to make a way for this to all just work out.

But I can't just sit on my hands and wait. Can I? I mean, if I trust that God's going to work this out for me in some way, shape, or form, then what more do I need to do? I prayed! I handed it over to God!

You contending with me? You contending with me?!

My Dad is full of scriptural wisdom. As much as I read the bible, I can't seem to be able to quote scripture. But I'm okay with that. I need to look things up. It doesn't mean I don't know anything. I digress. So Isaiah 49:25 says, ..."For I will contend with him who contends with you."

I was complaining about work and how my hours are constantly cut and I'm sent home early. Ah, the perils of being "the new girl." It wasn't so much complaining as it was whining. I was concerned that my paychecks wouldn't be enough to cover my car payment (let's save that stupid mistake for another day, shall we?). And he told me, "The bible says that God will contend with those that contend with you." I kept saying, "what? what?" because I thought he really said something like "God is content with those who are content with you." Totally different, right?

So I started thinking about it, and I realized that God really does say "vengeance is Mine!" (Deuteronomy 32:35). It's kind of funny in that not-so-funny way. I never thought of avenging my lost wages and my hurt feelings, but it's just more proof of how much God loves me and wants the best of everything for me.

Blow my mind

I don't think it's possible that God could ever cease to amaze me. I have some amazing news, but first, a story.

Several years ago in college a professor pushed me into teaching composition. Prior to that experience, I had always planned to be a travel writer. As it turns out, I absolutely love teaching first-year writing. I have since decided that I want to be a college teacher, nay, a professor. A master's and doctoral degree are both necessary in order to receive the esteemed title of professor. So I applied for grad school at my college. They didn't exactly want me. I can only speculate on why, but I have since accepted that maybe I just don't belong there. My favorite professor then started pushing her alma mater to me and eventually convinced me to fly to Florida and visit the school. I did, met with some really nice people in the department, and fell in love with the campus. Since returning from that trip, I prayed constantly and focused my attention to work and my graduate class. So, enough of digressing.

I'm pretty sure you can figure out my news...but...I was just accepted to the University of South Florida!! Should I choose to attend, I will be living somewhere in the Tampa Bay area and will be studying in the Rhetoric and Composition program. "HOORAY!"

I know that the Lord has amazing plans for me. Plans that I can't even begin to understand. I'm so grateful that my concerns matter to Him. Thank you, Father, for showing me such love and compassion. I cannot wait to start this coming chapter of my life. I continue to pray that You blow open doors. And blow my mind. I know that if this is part of His perfect plan for me, that He will make a way for me to go to Florida - financial worries be darned. Can't wait.

ANOTHER new blog?

I'm no stranger to blogging. Like most bloggers, I've had something like five or six blogs? I can't seem to stick with them though. It's like I'm window shopping and I never try anything on before purchasing. Then I get home, wear the item twice, and decide it isn't for me. Blogging is exactly like that for me. I was never the girl who could keep a journal on a regular basis. Throughout my adult life I tried to remedy that particular shortcoming, but it never worked out like I hoped.

Since I really despise "Introduction to me and my new blog!" posts, let's just move on: paradisaical. Paradisaical (pærədɪˈseɪɪkəl, for my phonetic-freak-friends), means attributable to paradise. It is also a synonym for wonderful. Hence, while life may be wonderful, It's [also] a Paradisaical Life. Clever, no? I thought so.


You see, sometimes life just plain bites. And sometimes it's pretty freaking awesome. Every single day I'm trying to remember that just because something didn't go my way, that just because I'm not in the greatest mood, that just because all I want to do is crash and burn, my life is really amazing. Sure, I carry some baggage (I used to joke that not even Southwest Airlines would let my bags fly free because they were too heavy), but it's nothing I can't handle with some help from above. 

I know that my troubles are not many, and that God doesn't give me anything I can't handle. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though a, b, and c aspects of my life aren't completely great right now, I know that everything has a purpose, and unto everything there is a season. God has a plan and my life - good times and bad - is amazing because I have Christ in me. Can you imagine what life would be like without Jesus?


I know many people who do not believe in God and do not go to church. I used to be one of those people. I wouldn't trade my life with Jesus for anything; I know that my reward is in heaven with my Savior.