09.11.2018 | by Haley Foster, Communications Coordinator
Hey River of Lifers!
For those of you that haven’t met me yet, my name is Haley and I started working at River of Life in March. I’m the communications coordinator at ROL, which basically means I try to think of fun, creative ways to interact with all of you via our social media, these blog posts, our newsletter and bulletins, handouts, posters, graphics and other things you see around church.
The ‘About Me’ Section
So now that you know my name and what I do; here’s a few facts about me so we can really get to know each other:
- I have a 7-month-old rescue dog named Oliver and I am obsessed with him.When I got him, he was very unhealthy and malnourished, but that has definitely changed, and he’s gained about 30 pounds since I adopted him. I fondly refer to him my million-dollar, mystery mutt. Because I have no idea what breed he is, and he had a ridiculous amount of health problems when I first got him, so we were at the vet every week (he loves his vet, her name is Anastasia and she spoils him rotten).
- I have AMAZING friends and family. I come from a family of four. It’s me, my mom, dad and my younger sister Kyley. We’re super close, have a family group chat on every platform you can possibly think of, and I talk to them every single day.
- I have always been a Christian. For as long as I can remember I have believed in God and the amazing things He has and will accomplish. If you ever want to get into my spiritual background, let me know.
Cast Your Anxieties On Him
I have been actively trying to step out of my comfort zone lately, in hopes to expand my faith and help me on this path I’m starting out on here at River of Life.
Because I am going more and more out of my comfort zone, I have been getting a little nervous. Partially because of the pressures I’ve been putting on myself; but mostly I’m anxious because I’m afraid of failure, and trying new things can be scary. Let’s face it, the ‘unknown’ is intimidating. While I was having these feelings, one of my friends reached out to me (on Sept. 3) about the anxiety she’s been feeling in her life. While I was talking with her, I sent her the following verses in hopes that it would help her:
1 Peter 5: 6-10, “6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
And let me tell you, God was killing two birds with one stone when He sent me that verse. She and I had completely different problems, but somehow the same scripture ended up helping both of us.
When God Smacks You With Scripture… AGAIN
For my 23rd birthday in April my sister went all out. She got me this beautiful candle holder, a manicure, and a journal. However, because of how busy my sister and I are, I didn’t actually get my birthday present until mid-August. Not because we didn’t see each other, but because every time we did get to meet up, Kyley would forget my present (she’s notorious for doing this, just ask her friends). Anyway, I love this journal. It gives you a daily bible verse, and it’s just really cute. So I’ve been trying to journal more about my faith and what’s been going on in my week. On Sundays I map out what’s happened to me the past week, verses I’m reading, and anything else I think is important.
I was journaling on Sunday (Sept. 9), and writing about my friend’s anxiety, and my prayers for her. Talking about what I experienced when I felt God was reaching out to both of us through scripture. I wrote that while I felt better, and less nervous about the projects I have coming up,
“I still have a lot of questions that I’m hoping will be answered. Questions both in my faith journey and in life. But God set me on this path for a reason and I’m excited to see where it takes me.”
I wrote all of this without looking at the “verse of the day” on top of the page. When I finally read it, it said this:
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Wow! Am I right? Just WOW! Not even a minute after I was writing about how I was slightly anxious about the unknown path God has laid out before me, He puts THIS VERSE in front of me. God is so good you guys. Even when you think he’s not listening, when you’re suffering from anxiety or depression… When you’re going through the worst year of your life, the worst week, the worst day, just stay on your path; because he has a PLAN for YOU, because GOD LOVES YOU. How amazing is that?!