#staciestates

[staciestates-blog]

[24]

Autumn: When Death Proves to Be Beautiful.

[staciestates-blog]

Fresh Start

"They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:18-32 NIV

With all the negativity that has been going around (due to school wrapping up, family, friends, work, and whatever else is bugging each and every one of us), I feel the need to bring positivity to the forefront in order to prove that there are still miracles occurring on a daily basis. Let me start off by saying, just two days ago, two days, I was dragging myself through the muck we know as negativity. How did my perspective change so quickly, you ask? God. God has been reaching out to me through these past few dark months of mine in numerous ways. Customers have asked if I accept Jesus as my Savior and if I know God is my Father. Of course, I would reply; I have accepted Him as my Father and Jesus as my Savior since I was about 14 or 15-years-old so acceptance was an automatic response. However, what I didn't realize was God was reminding me how far I had drifted from my beliefs, not to mention Him. Retrospectively, I realize that I was no longer fully aware of my surroundings and I was always mentally and/or physically exhausted; I could never catch up on sleep and, due to my consistently busy schedule, I never had time to relax. I stopped listening to my Christian radio stations, started swearing, was angry all the time, hung out with friends who drink regularly, and was not making any time for God. Two days ago, my coworker posted a Bible plan on Facebook which reminded me how much I missed reading His reassuring words. I downloaded the app she was using and started some plans. Yesterday, I listened to my favorite Christian radio station, K-Love, all day. Now, the Stacie He created, and had already surfaced before, is back.

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." - Psalm 33:1-3 NIV

During those anxiety-ridden months, I became a person I wasn’t. Sure, there were many times in which I had fun and learned a substantial amount about my friends and, more importantly, myself, good and bad. It was someone I wasn't meant to be; it was an earth-focused, Satan influenced persona. I am meant for more. Yes, I will still go out with my friends to sing karaoke and have drinks, but I won't go as often or be unsafe and insecure about it. I won't give into the peer pressure; I won't let anyone lead me to decisions I wouldn't normally make. I will be me: the true me who God created. Because, even though this alternate persona taught me how to become more confident and sure of myself, I still need to focus on God’s aspect that comes with that; I learned how to be that person through other, earthly influences, not by God.

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV

Thus, if you fell in love with the girl I was these past few months, I'm sorry. That girl wasn't the truth: she was in a psychomachy with God and Satan; that girl was a daughter who drifted from her Father and her purpose in order to gain instant gratification, a trap we fall into at least once during our time on earth. So, my friends, go forth and know that I am doing better. There is no need to worry about me any longer. The anger, stress, frustrations, and other worldly emotions that I held for no good reason have rid themselves from my body. To be honest, I cannot remember the last time I felt this at peace and reassured in my life and I cannot wait to spread that happiness and love into the lives of those surrounding me.

[staciestates-blog]

[21]

To think you will never see me through rose-colored glasses, When all I see is gold.

[staciestates-blog]

[19]

Without its hat, a backwards “R”; It is not the clothing of a man. There is a frame and footing lost. Haphazard piping— Bearing weight in rest.

[staciestates-blog]

[18]

No one knows How I feel, See, Think. No one understands My life, Emotions, Words. No one can Experience Three.

[staciestates-blog]

[17]

Each day passes like the rest, Repeats like the past; Becomes blurry: in this, I live; Acts like a refill: Each less precious, held dear, than the last.

[staciestates-blog]

[16]

Novel feelings: Locked, Deep inside. “What about you?” You Spark Me.

[staciestates-blog]

[1]

Summer’s whispers— Grass’ waltz— Trees’ waves— Wonderful movements.

Air’s whirlwinds— Sky’s wails— Clouds’ wraths— Beautiful woes.