One Day I'll Learn

You know the saying, "When God closes one door, He opens another?"

Yeah, well I was a little skeptical, but BOY was I naive.

A few months ago, I applied for a full-time baking job at one of the most well-known bakeries in town. I had frequented this establishment for years, knew the staff and owner, loved the product, and long story short-
I was led to believe that I had a shot and then got dumped in an e-mail.
Ouch.

So, for a few months now I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself until this past week. A good friend of mine gave me a book to read on fasting and stumbled upon this-

This passage of the book might as well have punched me straight in the windpipe. It reminded me of a sermon that my old youth pastor gave at a D-Now back in 2008. The theme for the weekend was "Work Hard" as if you are working for the Lord in all that you do. I'm not going to lie to you guys. I had been hardcore slacking at work. I didn't like it. I didn't want to be there. I was a terrible example to the staff under me... and I'm still not the best. But one of my coworkers asked me why I was different this past Valentine's week. I had worked 16 hours of an 18 hour day and still had a smile on because I knew that this "axe that I carry" is going to carry me to where God has planned for me to be... and that's what I told her and lately I've seen that her attitude has changed at work too.

Today I got several unexpected phone calls- about 3 different full-time baking jobs... and another opportunity at a restaurant opening in the next few weeks. So, I have some interviews to go to and a WHOLE lot of praying to do. When God closed that one door, He opened four others. It's so awesome how God works for us, and through us.

Lucy

Weekend in the ATL

This is going to be a quick one, so here goes:

Things I learned in Atlanta this week-
1. My parents are infinitely cooler than I give them credit for.
2. The CNN Center is in ATL. No, I don't watch the news, but this means I was possibly in the same city as the ultimate silver fox, Anderson Cooper, whom I love so much that he may one day be the namesake of my future son. Just kidding... but really :)
3. I absolutely love IKEA as much as I always knew that I would.
4. One can spend copious amounts of money on random items in IKEA that only individually range from $.99 to $3.99.
5. H&M is not all that it is hyped up to be.
6. Where Passion City Church gets its name, which leads me to...

Things I learned at Passion City Church this Sunday-
1. PCC is passionate about worship, ministry, it's causes (End It Movement), reaching Young Adults in ATL, and ultimately and most importantly- about reflecting Christ.
2. Chris Tomlin and David Crowder are amazingly talented. I've been reading Tomlin's books and listening to these guys since middle school so I guess I forgot how effective they are in leading worship. It really made me miss our old praise team. Leading worship during Primetime at BHBC (WAY back in the day,) was one of my first service outlets and I just thank God for what He did in me through the community there.
3. I should really just jot down all of my sermon notes because Louie Giglio is LEGIT, but in summary of his sermon:
Uninhibited worship is a reflection of one's wide-open awareness of what all God has done for us. Uninhibited worship glorifies God.
Glory is God's infinite and intrinsic weight and worth. It is lofty, mysterious, and emanates from God.
God and His glory are the thread connecting each of us to all of eternity. His glory connects all that was, is, and that is to come.
Grace connects us with the glory of God, without which would be unattainable.
When we fulfill our passions and gifts, we sync with the glory of God.
In order to worship God effectively and without inhibitions, we must reduce ourselves to a mere speck beneath the thread of God's infinite glory. 

Heavy stuff, right? It was a great experience and really made me excited for what we are trying to do in YAC right now. Hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!

Happy Monday!
Lucy