Okay, let's be real friends; the Bible is quite an overwhelming book when you think about it. Two different testaments and a multitude of books to choose from in each one. Not to mention the chapters within each book as well as the verses within each chapter. That just overwhelmed me a little bit to type that all out. It can be a lot! There are many people who don't even know where to start when it comes to getting into His word and striving to know Jesus more. It can be a huge factor that hinders one from adventuring farther into their faith. We've all been there.

Spring gave a convincing false start last month in Chicagoland. It was the first of March, and I found myself outside in the shining sun, enjoying a mild 60° breeze. After three months spent licking icicles (which have since returned,) I was unable to resist nature’s charms—shed a quick tear for global climate change—and took a walk in the woods. After about a mile, I stopped to sit on a split log and looked up into the sky. Gazing into the vast blue dome rimmed in still-naked black oak branches, I took a deep breath and thought, “I am so glad I exist."

A lesson on choosing to see the good.

Every time I look at the bright blue sky, I see a swarm of tiny, black gnats.  As I shift my eyes left and right, they follow me. It’s as if each oddly shaped little bugger is fighting for the spotlight in the center of my vision.  It’s distracting; it pulls my focus away from cloud gazing and onto the annoyance of the squiggle that interrupts my line of sight.

You know how seeing a picture can bring back memories?

I saw a photo recently that reminded me of a time in my life where I felt my lowest. It was a photo of myself and a few friends the day after I had a major anxiety attack. At the time the photo was taken, I had been living in Southeast Asia for almost 4 years as a missionary. I was involved in wonderful ministries, had amazingly encouraging friends, food to eat, a place to live, etc. Life was good. From the outside.