Thoughts of a 20-Something Woman

This weekend I was given the opportunity to volunteer with the Miss Amazing Pageant. I got to spend the entire day with girls and women that have physical and mental disabilities. These girls showed me what true beauty looked like. In our culture, we are so blinded by what the television shows and magazines deem as "beautiful." Beautiful means flat stomach. Beautiful means flawless skin. Beautiful means smart. Beautiful means long and skinny legs. Beautiful means perfect hair.  Beautiful means gorgeous eyes.  Beautiful means white, straight teeth. Beautiful means giving yourself to a guy. Beautiful means being popular. Beautiful means being a runway model Beautiful means being outgoing. Beautiful means never making a mistake. Beautiful means being perfect. Perfect . Perfect . You have to be perfect. Smile bigger...but not that big. Wear more makeup...actually---wear less . Wear a dress. But not too short ...and not too long either. Lose weight. But

I had the privilege of attending the Simply Youth Ministry conference in Indianapolis this past weekend with my co-worker, Shari. God absolutely blew my mind at this conference. I do not believe that our relationships with Christ are based on feeling, but I believe that God gives us seasons in our lives where we are able to feel His presence. Feel His arms wrapped around us. Feel His touch in our heart.  My relationship with Christ is not based on feelings, rather it is based on the truth that God is always with me---even when I don't feel Him. Even when I don't see Him. I trust that He is always near, He is always holding me, He is always listening. But every once in a while---in the middle of our lives, God does something incredible. He gives us a taste of His presence and we feel Him. At this conference, I felt the presence of God. And it was healing. It was beautiful. It was refreshing. James 4:8 says,"Come near to God and He will come near to you." What an a