my favorite teenagers. (brag post)

ill start with:   Hunter Cain White.


Hunter is my favorite 16 year old. the cutest 16 year old i know.  he's a great big brother - who loves and protects his sisters and brother. he is a strong hearted king of guy. of course, i think he's an awesome baseball player and a great dancer. he loves people and always greets with a hug. even though sometimes, i call him a "punk"-- he really does have the sweetest heart. Hunter is learning so much about himself and what is means to love with all your heart. Hunter loves Jesus and is learning what a relationship with HIM looks like. Hunter knows what is to put family 1st. Hes an awesome big brother and a great cousin, darling nephew, humble son, and a wonderful grand-son. Hunter is my pride and joy. the 1st born. i am so proud of him.


so, Hunter was at zhs.  he was on the "famous" zhs baseball team, his friends were great. life was good. 
life is still really good for Hunter. he now goes to Silliman in Clinton. he lives with his dad (my brother) Jo-Jo, step-mom Jerry Kay, step-sister Madeline and brother Deacon in Norwood.  it has been a huge adjustment for Hunter but, he has done so very well.  he is a teenager boy, and where some teenager boys would have taken longer to adjust, Hunter has done so well.  at his new school, he was able to be on the basketball team,  the baseball team and now he is in spring training for football!! while on the baseball team he injured his pitching arm and had to sit out for about 4 weeks. his attitude stayed positive and his teammates and coaching staff were super encouraging to him. he was voted on by his classmates for "all around beau" for the sophomore class.  SHS academically was a challenge for Hunter but, now he is holding good grades and even told my sister that next year he will have straight A's. although he misses seeing his friends daily at ZHS, his new friends at SHS have been so great!  oh, and he even got to go to his 1st prom with his darling girlfriend Haley, who is a junior and a golf-pro (go haley!) 
Hunter is also learning what it means to work and earn money. he is understanding that is takes hard work and that nothing is ever handed over. it has not been easy as a 16 year old to "get this" but, hes learning. 
i can see so much growth in Hunter since the move. we all, as his family and support, have learned something from this. 


we are Hunters #1 fans!!!!  

my next favorite teenagers... Alissa Lee and Camrie Marie


Ali and Cami are 15, inseparable, and love each other so much.  i love that they are best friends.  one can't do something without the other.  C&A stick together. i love that they have each other in this teenager world they live in bc i know that i would not want to be a teenager in 2012. they love to dance and act goofy together. they really are the funniest people i know. they don't have to have "the best" and they are thankful. their hearts are so sweet. the Lord has everything to do with this. 


--->Ali is so fun. her sweet personality attracts many friends. she loves cami so much and tends to her like "shes the big sister".
--->Cami is a goof- ball. she loves Ali so much and is thankful that Ali does all the "important" stuff.  Cami's super laid personality is such a blast to be around. 


Cami and Ali live with my momma and dad (their mawee & pawee).  they surely miss living with Hunter but, they make sure that they see him a couple times a week and every weekend. this has also been an adjustment for them as well as the family. they have become little ladies and its been so fun to watch them grow. C&A have been so sweet to my parents. they're learning to cook and help around the house, only bc my momma does not play when it come to house work..hahaha. they are in 9th grade at ZHS with really good grades!!  Cami and Ali just recently made the ZHS cheer team for their 10th grade year. they LOVE cheer. in February the cheer team went to disney world to compete in nationals and got 12th in the nation. i was so thankful to share this experience with the team. they have improved so much in cheerleading. i am so impressed with what they can do!! 
they also looked beautiful at their 1st homecoming dance. they were asked to ZHS and Sillman. Popular! haha.  they looked 15 and not 25. thank goodness. 
along with Hunter, C&A are also learning what it means to work. they are starting to babysit and learn responsibility. they love babysitting their 1/2 sister Katie and are thankful to do so.  C&A have great friends who love them so much.  they are looked up to by their friends bc of their strong desire to want to be like Jesus. Cami and Ali are great sisters, great cousins, great daughters, great grand-daughters and great nieces. they always put family 1st. 

wow. im in tears after writing about my darling heart White kids. i really could go on & on about these 3. they make my heart so full. i wish we could press the pause button -- they are growing up way to fast. im thankful that the Lord allowed me to my their aunt. its been such a blessing. so thankful. i wish i could explain how my heart feels when we are together. pure joy. they have taught me so much about life and hardships, how to balance them and keep your head up. they have taught me that family is a gift from God. a gift. 

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.  Eph. 6:4

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor. 13:7

30 is here.

30 is here. i was surprised by what was supposed to be a friday evening family dinner ended up with lots of fabulous friends as well. it was such a joy to see some of my favorite people all together. i was overwhelmed by the sweet gifts and a jar of $ for my next Haiti trip. we ate and danced the night away that ended at Teddy's (a world famous blues bar).  i had so much fun and i'm so very thankful!!!

im 30. its fun.
wow. a year goes by so fast.  this past year was so fun for me. pictures are fun too.

 im 29. 4/28/11

 a little bday buddy. Levi James..4/28/11

april:   D-now weekend with some amazing teens.

 fun evenings with fun friends.

started doing some furniture painting. i love other peoples junk.

april-may:  coached these darlings in softball. we were considered "most improved"

spent most of the days with my most favorites.

 may:  bayou country fest with these nerds.

 oh crap, i just cut my hair.

june--HAITI with Respire Haiti.

 loved to gressier neighborhood kids. they made my trip! 

met and loved on Gabrielle. alot.

wanted to take her home. still do.

finally met michaelle. now, she belongs to megan!!

im a doula. its such an honor to experience birth.

taught the missions class for VBS @ Feliciana Baptist Church. loved this!! 

july:  went to youth camp with fbc. camp was great and i learned that i really do enjoy teenagers. they were such a joy to be with!! im so thankful that i got/get to share life with them!  we ended the week off with an atlanta braves baseball game on July 4th.

 

got over a fear. rode it 4 times. that was enough.

 july:  Disney World. 20 years later. my 1st time was when i was 9.

 same goofy hat that i wore at 9.

in august:  beach with family and friends. oh, so much fun!

the white girls at the beach. 

spent lovely days with Genevieve.

ACL

love wins.

.

  september:  i went to austin with lana for acl. got to hug katheryn davis, see stevie wonder and lots of new bands. and i got a new tattoo.

had to get glasses. and .. beth moore conference with amazing friends.

 lsu football with sweet friends.

Thanksgiving week. Haiti again to serve alongside Respire.  an awesome week was spent serving the people of Gressier. this trip was life changing in so many ways. 

Patot. she has my heart.

national champioship. lsu lost but. we had a great time!

loved being able to share this time with C & A

feb:  disney again with zhs cheer team. 12th in the nation!!!!

i love my girl friends.

feb:  mardi gras ball for princess carley fudge with beautiful friends!!!

Easter Sunday was very special bc Addie got baptized. 

and.... im 30.
im single.
i love what i do.
my family is the bomb.com
im healthy.
i love.
i try to serve to my best.
Jesus is my hearts desire.
im thankful for family.
my friends are lovely.
if i ever complain, you can punch me.
i love seeing others serve.
my church is real.
im simple.
Jesus is my remedy. 

a letter to Genevieve

beloved Genevieve,

every time i have started to sit down to write this letter i can barely do it because i start to cry. i know, you're probably thinking, "well, Lord have mercy. why?"

well, it because when i think of you, i always think of my Hero. when people ask me who my best friend is, i always reply with Genevieve Mclin Hopkins. shes my grandmother. SHES MY GRANDMOTHER.

i always have a since of pride when i tell people your my grandmother. like i should sign autographs because we carry the same blood. how proud am i to say that im Your granddaughter. im the granddaughter of a Queen.

maw, my memories with you have been stored up as treasures in my heart. i can't even begin to pour out my feelings towards you because i might burst with joy. Thats exactly what you are Pure Joy. a perfect example .you are the most joyful person i know. its contagious. your constant smile will light up the room where ever you go. people run to you because you show them Jesus and do it so well. your strength as a mother to your 12 children has set a beautiful example to teach us to be strong for our own families. your faithfulness to the Lord has shown me that you can't survive without Jesus. your life has taught me that Jesus has to be the center. you have lived that example and your descendants are so very thankful for your love for Jesus.

i love that you make me feel so special. like im your favorite among the 29 of us. how have you been able to do that? how have you been able to love all of us the same? its because you know the true meaning of LOVE. you know how to love. you know how to be loved. you know and love well because Christ lives inside of you and He LOVED YOU first and your love in return shows us, all 29 of us, JESUS. you always point back to Jesus. you have taught me to love and to love like Jesus. thank you maw. thank you for being so faithful. even in the bad times, at every crossroads, you decided to follow Jesus. In the dark times, and in the good times, you are a woman of God, and that has defined your life.

at times you were larger than life to me. you have been so good to me. you have held my hand. let me cry to you. let me sleep with you. rubbed my back and my feet. let me take care you and you take care of me. you have let me hold your hands. your hands that have worked so hard. you came to my ballgames and i always wanted to play extra good when you were there bc i wanted to make you so proud when honestly you could have cared less about the game, you just wanted to see me play. you always had a meal ready. biscuits for days. sweet tea like nobodies business. avon goodies stored in boxes and you never got mad when we piddled with them. chap stick and gum are always a must. the blue house on 19 has a ton of memories. the railroad track and the woods before it was a place for many clubhouses. you never fussed when we probably didn't have any business back there. dancing with you is a FAVORITE of mine. you're the only 89 year old i know that can still cut a rug! hearing stories about your childhood, when you met pawpaw, and 12 kids later always amaze me. i love how even though your kids are all grown you still tend to them as they are still young. that shows that you always need your mom. no matter what. i love the relationship between you and my momma. that teaches me, kelli and jojo to always have a strong relationship with momma. no matter what. i love when you tell me stories about your mom. i love how you let me take care of you. you let me cut your hair. pick out your outfits when we go to town. you even let me pick out your new glass frames recently. now, thats a day that i will treasure forever!!! one of the best days in my 2011. i love how you support me on my mission trips through prayer. and how when i am away your prayers are the ones i feel the most because i know you are praying for me. i love how on birthdays and holidays you give what we need like panies and lip balm...instead of what we want like junk. you always have given to us whats best. i loved going to church with you as a young girl and sitting next to you in church. i can remember you singing your heart out to the Lord. your hospitality, your kindness, you generous heart has been far better than any amount of $ in the whole world. you have taught my heart to be kind. to be faithful. to be generous .. the list goes on. and for that i am forever thankful.

when i think about you proverbs 31:10-31 comes to mind.

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate... i outlined this in red because its your favorite color..and its YOU!

im so thankful that God made me your granddaughter. im so glad that He knew that i would need YOU. maw, thank you for always tending to me and my heart. thank you for believing in me and my ideas. thanks for holding my hand when times are tough. thanks for always being there. thank you for walking in the ways of the Lord and for teaching me Jesus. you are so loved. i can only hope that one day i will be just like you. YOU ARE MY HERO!!!! im so blessed because of you. im thankful to our Father who created us to be family. im a stronger person because of it.

i feel like i could write for days about you. and the letter still not be ready to give to you. oh mawmaw Genevieve, you are so dear to my heart and its completely full.

God is good. im thankful for you my beloved grandmother/mawmaw/gen/queen

yours forever. merry Christmas.

your granddaughter jessica kayde white

a quote.

"A lot of people thought by coming here, after i have seen lots of things that people have here and i don't have in my home land HAITI i was going to hate Haiti or be regretful that i was born there. But i want you all to know that being here in the states makes me love my country more than ever. Cause we have nothing and we are the most happiest people in the world and here people have everything they want and they are most of the time the most miserable people on hearth. Why is that? It's just because my joy comes from the Lord and not from stupid material things and most american people's joy is based on money and other stupid stuff. I am so proud more than ever that i am HAITIAN and yes of course i will go back to HAITI"- michael arris (a friend of mine from Haiti)

after reading this all i could say was "wow, this is so true..and so sad."

im so thankful to able to read this quote and truly believe that material things in life are only temporary. im learning how to understand what it means to store up our treasures. treasures as in relationships and investing in others, making yourself available, saying Yes to whatever the Lord has for you, opening your heart to opportunity, and allowing yourself to be loved.

we must live a life of joy that only comes from the LORD and not only have or do things that make us happy.

The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad! Psalm 126:3

Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always).
1 Thessalonians 5: 16

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.Psalm 16: 11

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
Romans 5: 3

Therefore with joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12: 3

[The Lord God says] And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing to Zion; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 51: 11

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32: 11

I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. John 15: 11

...For this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.Nehemiah 8: 10

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118: 24

im thankful for techno.

so, this week after working late already i have come home to watch Passion 2012. my bed time this week has been about 2am. its been good. i've been to Passion a couple of times (i'm about to be 30 so that means i can't go anymore..i'm to old) and conferences like these really get you excited about heaven. 45,000 people worshiping the ONE true God. whoo hooo. its exciting.

i've learned that there are 27 million slaves in the world today. that's more than history.ever. the leaders of Passion are challenging everyone to raise 1 million $. some think its impossible. i'm going to believe it. there are 6 different organizations that they're raising the $ for. i'm going to join them and be apart of something to raise awareness of slavery in the world today. please join me?

https://secure.268generation.com/dosomethingnow/give/freedom

my goodness. as i'm writing this. i'm listening/watching session 4. i just watched, with tears streaming down my face, musicians (from all over the world) sing "how great is our God" in their own language. holy moly. just a little bit of heaven. it was BEAUTIFUL.

here are some truths/notes that i've taken over the last couple sessions.

*on the alter of our praise let there be no other name--JESUS son of GOD.

*the Cross was enough.

*how i love YOU, love YOU JESUS.

*Christ deserves every single ounce of who I am.

*link up with HIS purposes on Earth

*don't deny the power that raised Jesus from the dead.

*let Jesus do His power.

*the enemy wants to bury me-but based in the authority of who Jesus is- there are not going to be any funeral arrangements. JESUS came to raise us up!

*Jesus is here for us.

*beauty for ashes.

*awake sleeper and rise from the dead.

*Jesus doesn't condemn. He stretches out His hands and touches.

*Jesus is the gospel.

*we can be alive in Him.

*what the law was powerless to do. Jesus did it.

*YOU revive me.

*all my deserts are rivers of JOY.

*YOU are the treasure i could not afford.

*i'm alive.

*the war is over.love has come.Your love has won.

*Your will.Your way.its my joy to say.

*daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace- Jesus...Luke 8:43-48

*He stopped long enough for her.

*you can not go unnoticed.

*He made himself available.

*He made her clean.

*He came so that He could be touchable.

*let us draw near.

*Hes the master. we can't explain everything.

*you're faith has made you well.

*reach out and grab hold.

*clean me.

*Jesus is going to use rescued people to rescue people.

*we are His workmanship.

*we are saved by grace for a purpose.

*how can i be used?

*He set me free--how can i make a difference?

*we don't need to fear what HE defeated.

*FREEDOM

*don't fear the darkness, take the light into the darkness.

*the enemy is NOT going to win.

*show me what i can do, i have a responsibility. for Your glory.

*Your river carries me home.

* IT REALLY IS A GLOBAL CHURCH.

IT REALLY IS A GLOBAL CHURCH

turn your eyes upon JESUS.

2011

JAN:

*the whole month was pretty much spent at my sisters loving on david patrick. what a joy he has been to our family. i think my sister is still in shock over HIM.

* oh, and i had blonde hair.

FEB:

*on 2/2 my best friend delivered a baby boy Jonah Paul Wax. it was an exciting day for friends and first time g-parents.

*there were also lots of slumber parties with the nieces and other friends that we LOVE.

most weekends for the next couple of months were filled with family fun!!!!!!!

*i had a friend boy that was hanging around as well and he added alot of fun to our lives. we are no longer bf/gf but, he still hangs around and i don't mind his friendship.

*with the new dart house and the new dart boy i really could not stay away from there!!!

MARCH:

*we celebrated kelli and dads birthdays.

*slumber parties were still happening and softball started. bc my sweet sister had her hands full with baby boy, i was picked to be the coach of evie and bella's team. i was EXCITED!! i love the game of softball and teaching a bunch a 8 year olds sounded like a blast so i gladly stepped up to help out. i loved it!!! we didn't win every game but, if a trophy for "most improved" were to be given out, we would have been given it.. i loved every minute of the season. it was a joy to coach these girls..there were no major injuries except for one to the eye. mrs. evie claire was playing pitcher and a line drive to the eye. it was a scary moment for all of us but, everything was fine and she played the next game!! she proved to be very tough.

*addie played t-ball and most of the time really could careless to what was going on... but, she loved running the bases!

*hunter is the best baseball player i know. seeing him play brings so much joy.

April-May:

*cami and ali made ZHS cheer and were so excited! (like they weren't going to make it) they have turned out to be amazing cheerleaders and im amazed by all the flips & flops that they can do! im soo proud of them and the sweet teens that they are!!

*my cousin drew, aunt sib and uncle lane came in from Cali. its always awesome to see them! after they stayed here for a week or so, they took my queen back with them to Cali for the rest of the summer. i was sooo sad to see her leave but my cousins in cali were so thrilled to spend some time with her. im thankful she got to go.

*we fished alot in april. most were catch and release. fishing is a family favorite and we all seem to be pretty good at it. thanks to our amazing daddy!!!! we did some camping out as well. family memories that will never be forgotten.

*softball was still going on and we probably had only won one game by this time but, it didnt matter to us. we were having fun!!

*josie rosie turn 3 and oh my, she is a hoot.

*i turned 29 on the 28th and sweet baby levi was born. what a fun day!!! eryn and matt are such fun parents. im proud of them!

*i was asked to be apart in a d-now weekend at feliciana baptist church and i met some amazing girls that weekend. still to this day i get to see them often and share life with them. its been very challanging and ive learned so much from them. the Lord has used them to show me so many things. its been fun to hang out with teenagers!

*we played our last softball game in may and only lost by 2 to the best team in the league. needless to say. i was super proud of my girls! GO OILERS!

*i spent ALOT of time with my family during these months. WE always have a blast together and i didnt want to be anywhere else except with them!!!!

JUNE-JULY

*june 3-11 was spent in gressier, Haiti to serve alongside megan boudreaux and respire haiti.

what a trip. words can not explain the love i have for this place and the people. (i wrote a post about this trip ... read below)

*june 30-july 5 was spent in tennessee with a bunch of teenagers. justin, the youth director at fbc asked me to be a chaperone and at 1st i was scared to death. i honestly did not want to do it. im intimidated by teens for some reason and i knew it was going to be very challanging. it turned out, i love teens and i learned a ton from them. it was a great trip!!! im super thankful that i got to go!

*my cousin mikki had casen cooper. and hes a little doll baby.

*july 20-26..Disney World with shan, kaitlyn and kaitlyn. it really is MAGICAL. so very thankful for the trip.

*brother turns 35. (i think)...and he also had some test run on his thyroid. most likely will have his thyroid removed in 2012. he seems to be confident about this and is putting his trust and worry in the Lord.

August-September:

*august 7-14. laguna beach with family and friends. deacon came with us this year and he did awesome. this is something that i always look forward to. its always so much fun hanging out on the beach all day with all the kids and laughing our heads off!!

*i was able to do some "doulaing". super thankful for the experience.

*tropical storm lee hit so, we went mudriding.

*friday night football with shan--"we love the coach".

*cami and ali cheer games..

*lsu games. the tigers had a GREAT season and on Jan 9th they play for the championship!

*ACL with lana. so dang fun. austin was a blast! and i even got to see kathryn davis!

*had a couple camp-outs under the moon.

*hunter decides to go to Silliman--go wildcats. he was excited about his new move and showed us that he could do it! its been different for him and he is learning alot. im very proud of him.

*cami and ali went to their 1st dances. both and zhs & shs homecoming. they were beautiful!! "PLEASE do not grow up"

OCTOBER:

*evie and bella turned 9. they are the funniest girls i know. they got their ears pierced and im pretty sure they were the happiest girls in the world on that day!

*more football.

*saw mutemath play. holy moly they're good.

*SYTYCD tour in Nola with friends. so much fun and watching them dance made me wanna quit my job and take dance lessons all day everyday!

NOVEMBER:

*needtobreathe came to the varsity. i shared this night with rebecca blair. we had such a good time!

*thanksgiving week was spent in gressier, haiti with a group from FBC. this trip was super special. super special.this week showed me that its possible. anything is possible. hearts were changed forever.

*hunter turned 16. i feel old.

*watched hunter play basketball for silliman. so fun.

*mom and dad have been married for 39 years and mom had a bday. they are so loved!

DECEMBER:

*worked alot.

*focused on advent.

*spoiled my nieces and nephews.

*deacon turned 4. he is my favorite 4 year old!!!!

*david patrick turn 1. he is my favorite 1 year old!!!

*wrote a letter to my grandmother. she is my rock.

*christmas eve was spent at my sisters and all 10 of my aunts and uncles were in town. it was a beautiful night and lots of tears were shed. tears of JOY that is. kelli read a few letters that were written to maw. we read the story of Jesus' birth together and thanked HIM for family. *Christmas day was at moms where we read letters to maw as we all sat around the table. tears. tears. tears. she is one special lady and we are all so very thankful for her. it was a beautiful time. im thankful for family. they make my heart full. THANK YOU JESUS.

2011 was spent mostly with family. it was the best. i have the best. they are the best. im so thankful for them and i am the person i am today because of them. they are the iron that sharpens me. they encourage me in Jesus' name. they carry me. they make my heart smile. they make my heart full. im thankful and extremely blessed to be the daughter of baba and pepper white. the sister of kelli/david and jojo/jerrykay. the aunt of hunter,cami,ali,deacon,madelyn,evie,bella,addie,josie,and david patrick. and the granddaughter of my queen, Ida Genevieve Mclin Hopkins. im thankful.

.. so i copied this. but wanted to share it.

Pursuing Meaning
	Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:16
	Most people aren't looking for ways to make their life as pointless as possible. Everyone wants to have a life with meaning. We all want to feel like we are worth something. Some of us find worth in what we do and how we look, but we all long to be found worthy. I have found plenty of ways to do useless things. Instead of preparing for a Bible study, I watch reruns of my favorite TV shows. Instead of praying, I aimlessly surf the Internet. Not all that is "useless" is necessarily bad. For example, instead of helping someone at home, I often go for a run outside, which is important for my physical health. But does it help my spiritual health, if I am avoiding service in order to do it? The problem comes in when I don’t hold firmly to God's Word--I get my priorities out of order. I compromise my standards in order to look good and make people accept me. My desire to be physically fit sometimes outweighs my desire to serve God. But all these acts are futile if I am pursuing them for the wrong reasons. My worth is not based on what people think of me but on what God thinks of me, and my faith and service to him. Why is it that the ideals of this world seem to have such a hold on us? How do we make sure that our lives are not worthless? In this race of life, how do we finish strong? We hold onto the Word of God. We step outside of ourselves and serve those around us. Instead of looking for ways to make yourself look better today, whether that's physically or otherwise, look for someone in need around you. Spend your time ministering to that person. Then you will find that your work is not in vain or useless. If you are following Jesus Christ, your central purpose each day is to live for him. "Hold firmly" to him--the word of life.