Callings, Dreams, Signs.

Call it what you will, but when something is on your mind, your heart, and in your face more regularly than it simply being a coincidence, there is something to be said about it.

This is something I have come to realize about North Carolina.

I have always had this fascination with North Carolina. I have never been there, I haven't really seen pictures, I don't have any ties to this place, yet I find myself drawn to it. The books I tend to choose take place in the South, mostly North Carolina. I watch my favorite YouTuber and she is from North Carolina.

I have this overwhelming love for the South that I can't figure out where it spawned from. I love the idea of a small beach town with quaint streets, happy people who know your name, small shops.

There is no reason for me to want to go there besides a calling. From God. Why else would it come up so much? Why else would I be so enraptured with there? I fold letters for my company and find that every time I decide to be observant of the city it's being sent to, I see North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, I see them often.

I am also working on a novel that I have set in Georgia and North Carolina. I have never been either of those places but it feels right.

What do you think this mean?

I am not ready to pack up all my belongings and move there on a whim, however, I am going to continue and be more observant, and see if this is one of those signs that need to be answered.

These pictures depict exactly what I have in my head when I think of North Carolina.

The scenery, the lazy and beautiful afternoons on the porch.

I searched Google Images for North Carolina Scenery.

Put on Your Shades...

because I'm DANCING in the Flames!

In the immortal words of Lady Gaga. The song "Edge of Glory" is about about one's final moments on earth, before a person dies (Revealed by Gaga, in an interview with Google where she explained the song).

I have loved this song since it came out, when I was ignoring my faith and when I didn't have God on the brain at all. However, now that I am working on m faith journey, I have put most songs to the wayside. If it isn't growing me in my faith and in a positive way, I don't have much desire towards it.

However, this morning while I was telling God that I was feeling strong today, that song popped into my head. Especially that line.

Put on your shades because I'm dancing in the flames.

So, I decided to have a conversation with the Lord about how I need a little bit of a push from Heaven for some of the things that I am not really been able to handle on my own. And, as many things go with me, I went on 100 tangents in that time, and ended up realizing that one of my favorite verses from a song from long ago can actually be very faith related.

And that is understand that flames, fire, sparks, issues, can all be equated with the devil, demons, and personal struggles. However, with God's love and faith in our hearts, we are able to dance through the flames. We are able to recognize that there are struggles and hurts and strife in our lives, but we can still make a difference, call out for help from Him, and allow ourselves to see the good through the smoke.

I just felt like this was an awesome analogy, and one that I made, which means its going to stick much more. I feel as though that can be me motto.

I may be in the flames, but I am dancing.

Photo found here 

That's the relationship I want with the Lord. I want to work towards a head space where my first thought isn't anger, sadness, hurt, etc (though are all good emotions to work through), but it's asking God to stand by me through this; whatever this may be.

I heard somewhere, that God is like a helicopter over a parade, and we are watching it happen. We can only see the section of the parade that is directly in front of us, whereas God is above it all. He sees the beginning, the middle, the end. He can see the order of events, when they start, how long you will see them... He sees it all.

This is why it makes so much sense to put your faith in God. He can see it ALL! He can see your drive home from work tonight, He can see when you will fall in love, He can see your life laid out just as He has it planned. Why wouldn't you ask Him for guidance? That is why there are signs, instincts, gut feelings. Those things are going to be the best indicators in the direction that He wants you to go.

If we stumble and choose something that may not be in His plan, He has made room for those mistakes too. He knows it's hard sometimes, He believes in us, He supports us, and He is there to guide us when we ask for it and He is there to sit back and wait until you figure it all out.

Put on your shades world! I'm dancing through the flames of doubt and hardships because I have Him, God, the Lord by my side and in my heart, and he is going to keep on playing that music.

God Bless!