Can I thank You enough for this week of renewal, reminders, revelations, and all other good things?

I was reminded of a lot of truths this week that I had long forgotten. Although I've been to baayf every year since I was a sixth grader, I think this year (which was my last) was the most spiritually enriching.

I realized the full weight of how unhealthy some parts of my life were. And because those parts connected to the innermost parts of my self, they affected my whole life, and thus my walk with God.

What I was reminded of was such a simple yet complex concept. It is the bandage for all our bleeding weaknesses, the chicken soup for our weathered souls. God is Good. It is that short, 3-worded statement that blows my mind away. How?

We all have problems, worries, and burdens, whether it be about family drama, the health of our loved ones, financial issues, or whatever. And we all know how those things can tear us up and apart. But we also know that God is Good. The word "God" can never fully embody His character, but it can help our finite minds to understand a little bit more about Him. He is all-powerful. He is in control of everything, of anything, of all that is imagined, of all that is unimagined. Simply put, He is God. And as for "Good," God is just it. He is the very definition, the very source, the very epitome of Good. Jesus declares in Mark 10:18 that "No one is good- except God alone." And in this goodness, God reveals more of His character of love, mercy, grace, compassion. Because if God is good, then He wants what is best for us, and if He is omniscient, He can do all that is best for us. Thus, when we have someone who is in control of everything and is the origin of all that is good that loves us, we are in the best situation ever.

Of course, growing up in the church, you and I "know" all of this. It's been ingrained into our minds. But for me, I often find it hard to believe what I "know." As strange as this may initially sound, there is a subtle difference between "believing" and "knowing." I've struggled with this many times before. I always say, "if only I had more faith" to cure this conflict. But, as Dr. Gregg Watson once said, it's not about having moree faith. If you have faith, then well you have it. It's about acting on that faith.

BAAYF was particularly powerful for me this year but not because of the typical crazies. It wasn't the worship, the speakers, or the seminars that woke me up, like in past years. Rather, it was being hit in the face with God God God everyday. It was fellowshipping with other sisters. It was listening to other people's struggles. It was talking about my own struggles. It was praying for my friends. It was seeing how God was touching their lives. It was not necessarily finding the formula to solve my problems, but to know about all the encouragement and support I have with me along the way.

And so, sincerely and deeply understanding the truth that God is Good was able to do it for me. He is the Creator of all things good. He frickin created the very happiness we get from simple joys like food lol and deeper ones like relationships. It's so ridiculous for me to not be able to really try to love and honor Him, with this knowledge.

God is like crrrazyyy in love with us. Isn't that amazing? Despite our hideous flaws and faults, He looovesss us. We can't do any more or any less to make Him love us more or less, because His love for us is already infinite. It's just lkdjfskl haha mindblowing. Idk.

This was a very good week for me to just try to get back on track and in touch with God. If you can, pray for me to keep this strength and remember these rediscovered truths and lessons.

Thanks, and God bless :)