Why?

Tragedies. We hear about them, read about them, and then we experience them.

The girl who died in the car wreck. The dad who has cancer. The toddler who has a bad heart. The mom that had a miscarriage. Tornadoes that ravage a city. Planes that crash into a world trade center and kill thousands of innocent lives.

It's horrible. It's tear-jerking. It's somewhat sickening.

Every person or family has their own tragedy, but it seems like every person or family asks the same question. "Why?"

"If there really is a God up in the sky, why would he let something like this happen?"

I have asked these questions many times, and I think I understand now.

If there is evil, there must be good. If there is a darkness, there must be a light.

If all we ever had was good, then we would be satisfied. If nothing bad ever happened, we would never need a hope. We would never need grace. We would never need Jesus.

Tragedy isn't evidence for the absence of God. It is evidence of how much we need Him.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...

-2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Skit Guys-God's Chisel

It's not about us.

So, I attended a Tenth Avenue North concert this past weekend. I have been to one concert in my life which was seven years ago, and the only reason my family went was because it was free. I thought to myself, "Tenth Avenue North is pretty well known. They have a few songs that I like. I know some people attending. Why not go? This could be my only chance." My brothers and I hopped in the car, went down the block, and due to "technical difficulties," stood in line for an hour-and-a-half. (You know, getting the full experience.)

Now, I was not like some people. "THIS IS THE BEST BAND EVEEEERRR!!!!!" I heard a few of their songs on the radio and thought, as my brothers put it, they were "a cookie-cutter" band. They weren't unique in their style. Ha. I was even doubtful that the lead singer could sing live.

Woah. I got a wake-up call.

First off, they were amazing live. And that boy could sing! Secondly, I was introduced to more of their music which was really good. Though, they sound better live than on the recording. Just sayin'. Thirdly, God used it to greatly impact my life. Not only could the lead singer sing, he could preach too.

After some up-beat songs and awesome worship music, Mike(the lead singer) began singing their song "You are More." He came out to the crowd, jumped on some chairs, and proceeded to speak. He told us WE ARE MORE. More than our broken promises. More than our past mistakes. So many times we look at us. But it isn't about us anymore. It is about what Christ did for us. That is what makes us who we are.

You see, I have this thing about condemning myself. I distance myself from God because I don't think he can accept me anymore. BUT I AM MORE. God has already accepted me and bought me. I am a child of God. I have to wake up every morning and tell myself that. I am no longer "Brooke." I am God's daughter. He chose me and payed a price for me. All of my mistakes are washed away by His blood.

It's not about me. It's about what He did for me.

This Crazy Life We Live

Hello, blog and you somewhat creepy bloggy world. It's been a while.

Life has been its busy/upside-down/filled-with-doubts-and-fears/not-so-good/lovely-and-glorious/discouraging/beautiful/awesome self. And the more I live of this wonderful life, the more I realize only one thing is consistent.

The more I mess up, get back on my feet, struggle through to the next day, soar, then fall down again, the more I realize only one thing is unchangeable.

The more I think I have it all together and then find out I am in shambles, the more I realize only one thing is unshakable.

It's His love for us. It's that one thing that keeps me going day to day. When I am in the dark and can't see my next step. When I feel like I am failing and can't go on. When doubts fill my mind and all I see is that which surrounds me. It's His love that I depend on. It is the knowledge that I belong to Him.

Today I flipped open my Bible to Psalm 73 and it was absolutely what I needed today:

21When my soul was embittered,

when I was pricked in heart,

22 I was brutish and ignorant;

I was like a beast toward you.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

that I may tell of all your works.

-Psalms 73:21-28

Lean on Him and He will bring you through it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_jrjd2agU