Keep your eyes on Jesus…and your bags

Hi hi hi! I just got home after a LONG, AMAZING weekend that I can’t wait to tell you about, but I’m a little behind in blogging so I’m going to catch you up first!

Last weekend I decided to take a trip to Venice & my backpack with all my things in it for the weekend was stolen on the train (clothes, makeup, bathroom stuff blah blah) I was stoked. 😑 it’s really ironic because without all my cutest clothes & makeup, I wasn’t feeling very beautiful in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

This was a perfect opportunity for me to be mad at God. If He’s so good, why would He let bad things happen? Well, God IS good. Bad things happen because we live in a broken, sinful world. But God works everything for GOOD for those who love Him.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

My bag being stolen was part of the plan either way, but what wasn’t part of my plan was deciding to bring an extra bag at the last minute that contained my camera, purse, wallet, passport & phone. Without that, things would have been a lot worse!! God knew my bag was going away, but He didn’t let the most important things go.

The rest (mostly) can be replaced & He always provides. What girl doesn’t love to shop in Italy?! I also think He taught me something valuable about my perspective of beauty & where I get mine from. I was challenged this weekend to find beauty in myself when I wasn’t wearing makeup or the clothes I had planned.

Beauty isn’t only confined to outward appearance and when it starts to become that, God will slowly take that away until you realize you’re beautiful without any of it.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

I also had a huge heart check & had to ask myself where my treasures were. Was I holding onto material things so tightly & devastated when they were gone or was I able to freely let them go?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21

So yes, having my bag stolen was bad, but the lessons I learned because of it, affirmed the truth that God is GOOD. Thankful for these times & friends like Paige Kerr who pick me up & generously help me in times of need.

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