It is well with my soul

"At some point we must be okay with how things are. As un-perfect as things may be, we have to develop this gratitude in our hearts that says Lord in spite of it all, I thank you! What happened to the praise in the storm? What came to diminish our faith so much that we no longer think our lives have any good left in them? When did we become such a complaining and ungrateful people?"-Kaitlyn Pope

These were just a few of my thoughts Sunday night that I never got around to posting. Around 9ish Sunday night statuses on Facebook began flooding with the news of a young girl from my high school who passed away. At 4:56pm she posted her last comment on her status indicating that she was sick. Within hours of experiencing flu like symptoms, and saying she is having grandma's soup she dies. Just like that her life is over(well this side of it at least). She was my age, and immediately I thought to myself "that could've been me". Sunday could've been my last day. Yet here I am, Wednesday night still breathing.

But am I living? What does my life, on the inside, really look like? Am I maxing out this little bit of time I got? Because believe it or not, this life on earth is short. So what are we doing with it? Are we living to our fullest potential? Are we content in what we have or is it never enough? Do we waste our days complaining while people like Jessica already took their last breath?

If not for ourselves, why not for them? Why not for all the people that no longer have a chance? Can't we determine within ourselves that we will keep them in mind? Next time we want to waste a day! Next time we want to complain about something so stupid! Next time we want to live life as if it's promised! I don't know about anyone else but if for no other reason than the fact that I actually still have life, I want to max out 2015! I plan to live this year with enough praise, fight, strength, persistence, joy, love, encouragement, etc for myself and anyone who didn't make it. Jessica doesn't have the opportunity to still make a difference every day, but I do.

In 2015, "it is well with my soul" will be my anthem. No matter what comes my way, I have determined within myself I will withstand it. Why? Because it could be worse! My life could've ended before it ever really started! So this year is for you Jessica! This year, my prayer is that every time my lips even start to complain or fuss God will remind me of your life and your passing. This year I vow to do better. What will you do?

Until Tomorrow,

Kaitlyn