poem

I'm posting twice in one day! What??

I shared this free-verse poem that I wrote before. But that was back in 2009, and I doubt most people remember it, and I want to share it again. So, here it is. (and by the way, it is basically my personal testimony put into a poem) Enjoy! :)

Finally Free
by Emily Sweigart

Sin was my best friend
He showed me all his treasures and promised they would satisfy
I trusted him, believing he was the only one who could make me happy
At first I said, "Yes, this is what I need! I'm happy with my life."
But soon I began to feel empty
I questioned my friend, wondering if there was more to life than him
He did not answer

That's when I realized that sin was no friend
He was my enemy
I struggled to break free, but the harder I tried, the tighter he gripped me
I cried for help, but no one came
Sin began to bury me
He buried me deeper and deeper, until darkness surrounded me
I was dead

Suddenly life flowed into my body and I saw a light shining in the darkness
A man appeared in the midst of the glow
His hands and feet were nailed to a cross, and on his head sat a crown made of thorns
He said, "I have done this, even this, for you."

Sin told me not to believe the man, but I did not listen
This man had given me life, how could I not trust him?
Then I was carried far, far away from sin, and placed at the foot of the cross
I looked up and saw the man, bleeding in my place

Suddenly the cross was empty, and the man stood by my side
He said, "I have conquered death, and so have you. Come, follow me, and I will give you everlasting joy."
I took his hand and ran with him, finally free

A few life lessons

God has placed some pretty amazing people in my life. I definitely don't deserve to have so many wonderful friends and family, who genuinely care about me. I've learned quite a few valuable lessons from them (even from simply watching the way they live), and I have benefited from their advice more than once. Here are just a few examples.

If you think about one particular circumstance excessively, you'll start to focus more and more on that, and it can lead to anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. Just relax and try to focus on Jesus. -Thomasson

Ask yourself if this is from God. Sometimes God lets you go through something hard so that later on you can help others who are going through the same thing. -Josiah

There's nothing wrong with randomly breaking into song or dancing, no matter where you are. -Jessie

You can make time for the people you care about, even when you are slightly overwhelmed by your busy schedule. -Cara

If you listen to the advise of those wiser that you and truly want to grow, you /can/ change. Stop telling yourself that you can't! -Marissa

You are going to be okay. -multiple people

update + Month of Thanksgiving

It's been a while since I wrote. A lot has happened, yet not much in my life has changed.

Last Monday I took a spontaneous road trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I began near Stone Mountain and ended near Blowing Rock. The views were so amazing, I stopped at pretty much every overlook area. Here are a few pictures. They don't do the real thing justice by a long shot.

It was good to spend a day alone admiring creation. Would have been more fun if I had someone to share it with, but I can't have everything.

Oh, right it's the Month of Thanksgiving. I'm gonna just copy & paste my FB statuses.

#1 I am thankful for doctors who can give me a diagnosis & medicine to hopefully help me feel better.

#2 I'm thankful for delicious fresh veggies to eat. Don't know what I'd do without my daily salad.

#3 Today I'm thankful for the lovely fall weather in which I'm going on a fun road trip with Thomasson.

#4 I'm thankful for a day to be alone and reflect on some things.

#5 I'm thankful for my oven and my love of baking. Also thankful for my enjoyment in sharing my baked confections with others. (because I definitely could not eat everything I bake!)

#6 I'm thankful for a good night's sleep, even though it was only 5.5 hours. 

#7 I'm thankful for the super exciting phone call I received yesterday from Massage Envy, in which they told me I'm hired & I start work on Wednesday!

#8 I'm thankful for the opportunity to try new things, like a hookah bar (which was definitely interesting, but fun) and a mojito (which was actually quite tasty). Yay for trying new things!

#9 I'm thankful for coats, scarves, gloves, and other warm clothes to wear in layers when it's cold outside.

#10 I'm thankful for the glorious 67 degree weather today.