The Story of The Starfish

This morning, I wanted to share with you all a beautiful, empowering story that I've heard so many times, especially on adoption blogs. Anyone can make a difference!

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

It's This Simple

Not a single one of us is perfect. So give yourself, and others, a break! Be the friend you know they deserve. Take the time out of your busy schedule to be real, and love someone for who they really are, imperfections and all. Learn to give second chances. Honor and glorify God each step of the way, and if you make a mistake, no worries. Live up to His standards the best that you can, and your good to go. 

These are guidelines on what it means to be a true, dedicated and faithful friend to someone.

It really is this simple! :)

Achieving Goals... 3 at a time!

Hey all!

Today, I'm so excited to tell you about something new I've decided to do. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you already do it, but I'm brand new to it today and totally excited!

It's called 3 in 30.

Here's an excerpt from their lovely website to tell you what it's all about:

The 3 in 30 Challenge was created by Meghan Tucker {The Tuckers Take Tennessee} and Ashley Pichea {L.I.F.E. by Ashley Pichea}.

Meghan and Ashley saw a need for encouragement and accountability among their online friends in regard to making goals reality.

Do you have a wish-list, a to-do list a mile long, or even a bucket list?

Join the 3in30 Challenge and learn how to check those tasks, projects, and dreams off your list one at a time!

 I don't know about you, but this sounds like a fabulous idea to me! Each month you pick 3 goals to work on. It's takes 21 days {supposedly!} to build a habit, so after 30 days, you should be doing great. There are weekly link-ups and you can always tweet about it with the hash tag #3in30. :)

I'm all about helping other people, and this is a community activity where everyone works to encourage each other as we accomplish our goals!

So, here we go. My 3 goals for this month are:

1. To be successful at keeping up with reading the Bible 45+ minutes each day. 

I'm signed up for the Bible in 90 days program at Mom's Toolbox, and it starts tomorrow! Each day we are supposed to read 12 pages out of the 90 days Bible, or rather, 45-75 minutes. It's a big commitment, but honestly, I'm psyched! We are in mentored groups, there will be lost of encouragement, and I just hope I can keep up with it. I'll be doing all my reading first thing in the morning, if possible.

2. To start the Couch to 5K program and keep up with doing it 3 times a week.

I've always loved exercise, and this is something I really want to do. I tried to convince my mom to do it with me, but I don't think she's going too, so I'm flying solo here! I don't need to lose weight, but contrary to my mom's beliefs, EVERYONE needs to exercise to stay healthy! This is a nine week program, where you build up your endurance by doing a running and walking routine 3 times a week. Honestly, it doesn't sound so appealing right now, especially in this heat, but I know I want to do it, and if I don't do it the first day, it's not going to happen!

3. Finish all my school work before July 23rd.

Summer has been amazing, but I've been putting off all the work I have to do before I go back to school. I go back on August 10th (NO! A month from today!), and I would really love to accomplish the reading and note taking of 2 books, plus a project, plus some memorization before the 23rd. I know it's a lot, and it will be a challenge, but I don't want to wait any longer! I want to get it done with, because on July 24th, I may or may not decide to go to the beach with my family, and I don;t want to have to worry about it there. I'll really have to crack down to get this done, but it will be so rewarding to be finished and have my last 2 weeks school work free before going back. {I could use some encouragement on this one!}

I'm really excited to be participating in 3 in 30 this month, and I know the accountability factor will be great for me!

{I'm off to take notes then do my run/walk, hope your having a Happy Sunday!}

6 Months Later...

Guess what?

Today is my 6 month blogiversary!

Can you believe that? I certainly can't!

How on Earth has it been half a year since I wrote my first blog post on January 9th?

I've met so many wonderful ladies through blogging that I am so happy to call friends!

Blogging has been an amazing, completely positive experience. I've learned so much through all of your beautiful blogs, and that's been awesome!

In those 6 months, I've written over 150 posts. Wow! I'm just truly awe-struck at the fact that I have sat here and blogged my heart out to you girls over one hundred and fifty times. It's been life changing!

I so hope that no matter how long you've been reading, you've been able to gain something, anything from my blog. It's my goal to encourage all of your hearts in your walks with Him!

Just know that I love and appreciate all of my sweet readers and friends (This means YOU) so much! 122 followers as of today. What a blessing!

I most definitely would not be here today, blogging, if it weren't for my truly amazing "new" friends who have encouraged, inspired, and uplifted me every step of the way!

As amazed and happy as I am about the past, I'm even more excited for the future here at Faithful Always! In honor of my 6 month anniversary, I'm moving!

From Blogger to WordPress.

WordPress is awesome! I already have two site on WordPress, plus I've transferred and designed many other blogs successfully using this platform. The only downside to being your own designer/professional to do the migration is that you kind of just do it whenever you can. So it might take me a lot longer to get my own site up, but hopefully in the next week or two I'll be rocking WordPress.

In the meantime, things will stay the same on this blog. I'll keep posting and hopefully encouraging all of you sweet ladies, and then one day you'll stop by for a visit and we will officially be rocking WordPress!

Thanks so much for your readership, friends! I'm so unbelievably blessed by all of you, and so thankful that He led me to blogging this past January!

So, I'm interested to know: Why are you a reader at Faithful Always? What one thing do you love most about my blog?

Blessings, Girlfriends!

Crazy Things....

I'm sure you all know (and idolize!) Beth Moore.

Right?

I've been trying to get a copy of her book, So Long, Insecurity from the library forever, and it's still yet to happen!

Today, I discovered some of Beth Moore's videos....

Specifically this one. Maybe you've watched it before, but maybe not in a little while. Watch. Listen. Take it in.



Wow.

Isn't that amazing?

What a testimony Beth now has. She obeyed that seemingly crazy command from God. She stopped caring what other people would think about her brushing that man's hair. She had faith that brushing his hair was what God wanted her to do.

And it was.

Now let me tell you... no matter how much I want to be this amazing Christian, I'm not. I'm far from perfect, and I'm far from obedient. I most definitely would never have even gone near that man. I would have brushed off any feelings that I should brush his hair.

I'm just being honest here. And I'm sure you feel the same way as I do. Because honestly...
I'm selective. I'll listen to God, hear what He wants me to do, and then decide whether or not to do it {not}.

But that's not how it should work.

Experiences like Beth's in that video are precious. They are proof God is there. They are tests.

Without God, no one would have been compelled to reach out to that man. No one would have been touched by Beth's unbelievably kind actions, and therefore God's love, either.

God tests our faith through experiences such as that. He forces us to get out of our comfort zones and see the world in a new way. He forces us to do something we would have never considered.... and if we trust in Him enough to do it, we will be rewarded.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ {Matthew 25:21}

He's going to keep us safe. He's not going to purposely hurt us in any way with one of His "tests". At the end of the day, it might not even matter to us that we didn't do something "crazy" God asked us to do.

But we will have missed out on a wonderful opportunity to show Christ's love to others. And even more importantly, to trust in Him and follow the plan He has for us!

So next time God urges you to do something, take a chance! Go for it. You won't regret it, and you'll learn something special about others, about God, and about yourself.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." {James 1:2}

Sometimes, looking "crazy" or "weird" is a good thing. No matter how radical the calling, if it is part of His divine plan for my life, I would be honored and yes, even proud, to be considered weird. What about you?

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July, Friends!

Hope your holiday is awesome! In between all of your fun, food, and fireworks, be sure to give thanks! Today is America's birthday, the day we were all freed. Aren't you so grateful for all the people that fought {and are still fighting} to give you a safe, wonderful, and happy life here in America?

We really are so blessed, and we don't even know it!

I'll be hanging out with my family today, watching fireworks, maybe making some s'mores and watching in awe at this beautiful place God has allow me to live in! {Thank you, God, for America!}


There is nothing I love more than fireworks. Nothing. I'm amazed by them every time I see them. I crave them. The color, the light, the noise, it's all just one big beautiful reminder. I could watch for hours on end and never get tired.

Here are some gorgeous photos (from Pinterest, not my camera!). Take a look, and embrace the now!

And because I couldn't resist...

Come on! How cool is that?

How did you celebrate this special holiday?

Inspiration By Song {#13}

Happy Sunday, Friends!

Hope you are having a beautiful, fun, and safe weekend! Today, we have 2 beautiful songs to inspire us, one by Hilllsong United, and one by Brandon Heath. Really listen to the words. These songs are amazing!

I wanna see the broken hearts

Finding hope in God above

I wanna know I'm doing all I can

So with this life, with all I am

No matter what the cost may be

I pray to see Your love become our cause

I won't stop believing

You alone are, You alone are God

In You there's freedom

Your love brings me to my knees again

We're gonna bring an anthem of love

We're gonna live for You now

This perfect love, I can't explain

This way of life that has no end

Your mercy satisfies, it's all I need

My purpose found in You alone

To love the lost and bring them home

We were made to glorify our King

I won't stop believing

You alone are, You alone are God

In You there's freedom

Your love brings me to my knees again

We're gonna bring an anthem of love

We're gonna live for You

May Your love become my every thought

I wanna know the sound of Your heart

I wanna live for You now

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

Sing You, You bring me life

You bring me hope

You're all I need

I wish you could see me now

I wish I could show you how

I'm not who I was

I used to be mad at you

A little on the hurt side too

But I'm not who I was

I found my way around

To forgiving you

Some time ago

But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph

I saw me and I had to laugh

You know, I'm not who I was

You were there, you were right above me

And I wonder if you ever loved me

Just for who I was

When the pain came back again

Like a bitter friend

It was all that I could do

To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing

I figured out I can sing

Now I'm not who I was

I write about love and such

Maybe 'cause I want it so much

I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I

I should let you know

I am not the same

But I never did forget your name

Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing

In amazing grace

Is the chance to give it out

Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now

I wish I could show you how

I'm not who I was

What song has inspired and uplifting you this week? I would love for you to link it up to be featured in next weeks Inspiration By Song! Be Blessed! 

P.S: Don't Forget: The My Memories scrapbooking software giveaway ends tonight, so if you haven't entered, be sure to do so!