oh hey blog.

Hey world.
It has been awhile. I thought about writing through a whole update of my life - but that is unnecessary. No need to pick up where I left off. I'll just dive into right here and now.
So, let's talk about Daniel. Actually, first let's talk about why I want to talk about Daniel.
See, for the past couple months people would say to me, "Steph, hey! How are you? What's going on?" It's nice of them to ask me that. I usually would reply, "Oh my goodness! HELLO! I'm doing so good. Ya know, I'm just working and going to school. Just trying to live day by day." 
It's a classic conversation that I have had so often. You see, the day by day was my cop out for this real scenario. Imagine someone said, "Steph, how are you? what's new?" This would be my heartfelt response: "OH MY GOODNESS!! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING WITH MY LIFE!!!" Then my face would turn pale and my eyes would bug out and I would just stare at them until they told me what to do with my life.
That is what living day by day meant.
Then just a week or so ago I started reading the book of Daniel. I just wanted a change of pace, so I decided to read about the great Lion Befriender for awhile. God had way more in store for me than just reading the classic tale of the Lion's Den though. To be honest - I haven't even made it that far into the book. I have been to caught up in the second chapter. Just this one particular section:
Daniel 2:17-18
"Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery..."
Did you catch that? Our great hero Daniel - the dream interpreter - went to his friends and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven. Daniel knew he was in over his head, and he needed help from his God in order to interpret these dreams.  
God used these verses to bring my little mind to a screeching halt. Here I have sat for hours, days, weeks thinking about my future. Where should I go to school, where should I work, where should I live - round and round these questions would go. Then add in what should I have for lunch, should I run this 5k, what shoes am I going to wear - my head was constantly turning question after question over in my mind. (Someday we could talk about how sad it is that they weren't even noble questions concerning how can I help the world - no, these were all selfish questions. Typical.)
After I read about Daniel's plan of action I realized I had something mixed up in my plan. There was nothing wrong with my decision to live day by day. However, the problem was arising when instead of seeking the mercy of God to solve the great mysteries of life I was seeking myself to answer all my questions. 
I am so very thankful that God brought this to my attention. He knew I was running out of wisdom. He knew how much I needed Him to make my decisions. Praise the Lord for allowing us to seek Him and let Him guide our thoughts and actions. He is a wonderful Father to His children.
So, now if you ever hear me tell someone I am living day by day don't worry. Instead of my face turning pale and my eyes bugging out I will be thanking God for the grace to live day by day and to seek His mercies every morning.