J.O.Y.

Joy is a really fun topic. Or concept. Or emotion. Or way of life.

The acronym stands for J-esus, O-thers, Y-ou.

Jesus comes before everything and everyone. Everyone else comes before you. You humble yourself and put it last. (Am I allowed to call 'yourself' 'it'? Well I just did)

Anyway, now that I'm in college (haha) I'm having to learn some serious time-management skills, of which I am seriously lacking. Like, a lot. Honestly my biggest problem is my lack of focus and motivation. I get on facebook too often because I don't "feel like" doing work. Which is silly. I'm learning to prioritize. Sort of. I will learn how to prioritize. Eventually. I pray. I think the concept of JOY is a nice start.

Obviously for me Jesus comes first in everything I do. No matter what I'm doing it's all for the glory of God. Now, Katie, is getting on facebook every 2 seconds for no reason instead of doing work for your classes really glorifying to God? I do believe that the answer is 'no'. And I do believe that I am correct. The further behind I get the less I want to do work because there's always more to and the more I think about it the more it stresses me out. But I just have to do it. God wants me to work hard. He wants me to learn how to manage my time wisely. He wants me to glorify Him.

So then what's next? Everyone else. I guess it's kind of confusing, talking about all the work I have to do for my classes and studios and whatnot, trying to put others before myself. My school work has to get done. If I really have to do something, I can't blow it off to go hang out with someone. HOWEVER, if one of my friends contacts me and they really need something, I will of course drop everything and be there. It's sometimes difficult, though, to focus on what you need to instead of waiting for someone to call you for something. It's right to put other's needs before yours, but not when it comes to their school work. You do your school work, they do theirs, and when all that's done, anything they need that you can give them is theirs (since you can't give them their schoolwork/homework/tests. Did that make sense? I have no idea).

Last, and, in fact, least: you (me). Humility. Swallowing pride. Kneeling before the throne. Taking care of yourself after everyone else has been cared for. Let people skip you in line. Let someone else have the last piece of cake. Give someone your only pen or hair bow. Hold the door open (don't just hold it for the person behind you: step back and let people in). Give your friends (or your not-friends) the comfy chair.

Care.

I guess this is what's been getting to me lately. I really do honestly and sincerely care about people, and I always have. I just have a heart for people who need something that I have the capacity to give them. I love listening to people talk about their struggles because it gives me room to help them and share God's love with them. It's always fun for me to ask someone how their day has been, and get an honest answer that gives me a break down of it all. Just sitting and listening can be one of the most rewarding things ever.

Basically, you have to get your priorities straight. And I'm pretty sure every time I've said "your" I've mean "my". Same difference. It goes for anyone, I suppose. I know that I need to decide what's important, what's not, and when it is or isn't. Who's important? What relationships (in addition to the one with God) are worth putting serious time and dedication in to? How do I balance school work and a social life, with God as the head of all of it?

I suppose that's just it then. When God's in control, you can't go wrong. As long as YOU (I) are obedient and YOU (I) do everything that's pleasing to God, your (my) life will be filled with peace and fulfillment.

Side note: I would appreciate prayers for my life, as well as those of my friends who shall be unmentioned in this blog. May God do great and powerful works in each of our lives.

Song of the Moment: "Lay 'Em Down" by NEEDTOBREATHE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PN-BMHi5L8&ob=av2e