Was there a reason?

Yesterday, a huge kink was thrown in the middle of my plans. I had carefully and meticulously created this plan for my final year as an undergraduate. One more semester at Tech, a semester on an internship in Washington D.C., and then GRADUATION! However, it has come to my attention that this may not be possible. At first, I was distraught and depressed and then angry with myself, and then confusion set in. I was so depending on these plans to work and then they just, simply, didn't. I found myself seeking solace in phrase that so many of us have used, "Everything happens for a reason". However, thanks to a very wise cousin of mine, it was brought to my attention to really examine this situation and that phrase. So I did, and here is what I found.

What happened is not the end of the world but it does, indeed, suck. With that out of the way, I found that NOT everything happens for a reason. Now, now...don't get offended and stop reading. Don't lie, I know some of you are huffing and puffing already.

"How can you say that not everything happens for a reason? Don't you believe in the power of God?!"

Let me begin with this statement: Some things in life suck really bad. And this is how I know there is not a reason for everything. To imply that there is a reason for everything, would mean that God is the one making everything happen. This is not true. Cancer does not come from God. Car accidents do not come from God. School shootings do not come from God. These things are work of the devil and come from the hatred he has for our God and for us.

Let's look at another example to move into another point. "Accidental" pregnancies. God does not impregnate someone. He did that once and He's not going to do it again. I don't mean this to be offensive to anyone, because here is my second point. God can take these misfortunes in our life and turn them into beautiful things. A baby is a beautiful gift from a bad situation. Get my point?

God does not do things to prove a point to us or to teach us a lesson. He is good...ALL THE TIME! It is when we give Him our pain and suffering that we see blessings arise.

I think Bill Johnson said it best: "It's the spirit of stupid that gets on the brains and hearts of God's people and they just accept whatever happens as being the will of God."

Johnson tells us that these bad things are NOT the will of God. So why do they happen? I don't know. We have to be willing to admit that. We may not ever have an answer but we cannot blame God..even if it is by saying "it was for a reason." It is the enemies plan to make us blame God.

Let me leave you with this. Bill Johnson said, "It is foolish to have an opinion on something when God is not speaking." We must stop having the opinion that "it was for a reason" when it just wasn't. HE is a God of promise and HE is good all the time. All gifts are from God...and He doesn't give bad gifts! He is so good that He is incapable of giving you a bad gift.

The fact that my plans didn't work sucks. But if I give it to the Lord, He will heal this disappointed heart and I will sing of the gifts He has given me, instead of moaning about the pain satan has sent my way. I will not let the enemy win by blaming my God!

Who I am...

My name is Samantha Jo Berry. My daddy named me and I love it. However, apparently, an Austrailian rock climber has it too and I get a lot of Facebook requests from random people. I'd like to meet her one day. My mom and dad are amazing...they're still as much in love today as they were the day they got married, and I think that is pretty darn special. I'm the middle child of 3 girls and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm the only one blessed enough to have a big sister and a little sister. The best of both worlds. I love my Lord and Savior so much that sometimes it physically hurts. Mostly it hurts because I still don't understand how He can love me so much despite all of my flaws.
My favorite bands (currently) are The Cab, Paramore, and of course THE Taylor Swift (also know as T. Swift to me....because I think I'm cool enough to call her that). Music is pretty darn amazing and I've never met someone who didn't fully agree. I'm not musically inclined, though, and I find that pretty unfortunate. I would really love to learn to play the piano because I tried guitar and it hurt my fingers. Pansy? Yes.
I grew up on 80 acres of land and I despise living in the city. It's loud and smelly and I miss the stars and listening to the coyotes howl at night. I used to have my very own goat ranch and I know you're really jealous of that. I'm a freckle-face which is ok until they multiply in the summer. Not cool. I'm pale...naturally and irreversibly. I've heard all the jokes: Casper, Snow White, fluorescent, ghostly...but my grandmommy used to tell me I was lily white and covered with angel kisses. So beat that.
I'm one of "those Twilight people". Besides the Bible, I have never read such a beautiful example of pure love. That was kind of a sissy thing to say. I'm really not usually like that. Only recently have I become a romantic and I kind of like it. I'm not going to say I'm different from most girls because all girls say that, thus making us all the same in our habit of "being different". It is irritating and hard to keep up with. So, I am just me and yes that does include girl-like tendencies. I am easily irritated, and I have decided this is because of my Irish-blood. I have been known to have rage blackouts and speak without thinking. This is a problem for me. I'm not someone you want to argue with because I don't play fair. However, I do not enjoy arguing. Confrontation bothers me immensely. Thus, I am sweet to people I cannot stand in order to avoid any drama. I may not like you but I sure as heck want you to like me.
I love getting good grades and I am easily upset when I don't get an A. I really don't see this as a flaw. I am a horrible driver. I've already destroyed 2 vehicles...whoops. I enjoy mail...real mail. I love it when people come up with random nicknames for me and I enjoy giving people random nicknames. I love the way it smells right before it storms. It smells like a mixture of rain and excitement and I love it. I am a summer girl. I love everything about it. The heat, the trips, sno cones, late nights...it's all amazing.
If you act stupid, you will irritate me and I will walk away and pretend like I do not know you. There is no excuse for intentional stupidity. FYI...this does not impress a guy and if it does then that is not a guy that you want. Mmmmk? I also hate baby talk. Unless you are talking to an actual infant or toddler, do not coo or giggle. This is not necessary and only makes you look foolish. As you can see, I am quick to judge. Sorry about that, but the above still stands.
I was in FFA in high school and I love it and I still "believe in the future of agriculture". I am a healthy person. I rarely get sick and I have to be close to death to go to the doctor. However, I have had some really odd ailments and injuries. I have had shingles and I broke an ankle by falling through a trampoline and a foot by slipping on a magazine. The shingles are because I stress out really easily. I used to get panic attacks often but have since learned to control them.
Oh! By the way, I am a Red Raider! Wreck 'Em Tech! I am very proud to be here in Lubbock though I did hate it at first.
I am an 80-year-old woman trapped inside a 20-year-old body. I enjoy going to bed early, waking up early, coffee in the morning but not after 8 p.m., gardens, reading long and substantial books, playing cards, talking about "the good ol' days", sending letters for no particular reason, old-timey music, comfortable shoes, rocking babies to sleep, cooking for lots of people, cleaning for company, and talking with complete strangers. I am going to rock being old, because, honestly, I already do. Old people love me. I think it's because I am "one of them"!
I am disgusted with the education system, the welfare system, the judicial system...oh wait most all systems. Less government...more power to the people! That's what I say. I am NOT participating in this recession. You have fun saving your money for no apparent reason only to have Obama snatch it away. I am going to stimulate the economy and have fun doing it. With that being said, I am praying for Obama. I really do hope he becomes exactly what this country needs. I think he has the potential to be an amazing president and I, personally, love the fact that he is a minority. I think it's time this country unites as Americans and not as black, white, yellow, purple, whatever. We are on the verge of another civil war and that's not something we can survive. Off the soapbox now.
I have some really awesome friends and family. I am very blessed. I have an innate fear of being forgotten and/or abandoned. It has kept me awake at night before and still continues to do so from time to time.
I hate guacamole. Don't put it on my plate....I will send it back. My favorite foods are grapes, sandwiches, and cereal. I'm just that simple. My favorite color is green and I really can't explain why.
I believe that everyone has the power to change the world. I believe that my cousin is already changing it. He doesn't believe that but one day he will. I believe that Taylor Swift has the loudest voice of our generation right now and that she could change negative attitudes if people would just give her a chance. I'm older than her and I already look up to her and I so does my little sister. I'm glad she hasn't succumbed to the horrible things of this world. I'm proud of you without ever having met you, T. Swift.
Well this is me in a nutshell...I'm pretty random. I don't know what I want and I sure as heck wouldn't know how to get it if I did.

A little ranting never hurt anyone...

Days like today make me wonder why I live the life I do or what the purpose of it all truly is. I have two short days until Spring Break and I wish the week would SLOW DOWN! Crazy? Indeed. Do not be mistaken, I am in desperate need of a break, but this next week will not resemble much of a break. Today I have realized how unhappy some people must be. Professors in particular. I have come to a point where I no longer feel as though someone wants me to learn, but more so they want to torture me. It is as though they have a personal vendetta to make all future college students suffer as they apparently did through school. I am no longer learning...I am going through the motions. I wake up, go to class, cry between classes, eat, go to work, go home, and do homework. Fun? No. Memorable? Yes, because I will never forget how the "best years of my life" were pure hell. Shouldn't this be fun? Shouldn't I desire to stay inside this bubble forever? Perhaps, but for the time being. I am miserable. This has made me wonder if I have messed up somewhere along the way. Have I followed the Lord? Is this where He wants me? What am I missing in this world? Where is the message in all of this? Where, my Father?!

I don't know all the answers but here's what I do know:
Life is temporary and that truly is a gift, grades don't matter to the Lord-He will not ask to see your report card, I just have to do my best-everyday, life is hard-but we wouldn't learn if it wasn't, professors have a great big stick up their butt but be a light that might change that grumpy demeanor...and most of all, despite failing a test or messing up on a paper...my Jesus loves me. He is holding me despite my desire for worldly things such as a 4.0 or a pretty piece of paper saying that I am intelligent enough to make a decent amount of money. The Lord never requires a degree to do His work...so why am I so wrapped up in getting one? Am I going to use it for His service? I hope so! But for now...News Writing still sucks, Research Methods is dumb, and Sales is pointless and I want to be able to enjoy my Spring Break!

Seeking approval.

Lately, I've noticed a clear and distinct pattern in the way we act as human beings. More so, I am referring to our constant need and desire for approval. I've come to notice that it is innate within us to not only want but to physically and emotionally NEED the "atta-boy". We search for people who will forever build up our egos but we seem to be attracted to those who we have deemed to have more authority of the subject of how much we mean in this world. Everyone has that person. That person they admire and look up to. That friend that just seems to have it all and who we've considered to have the only opinion that matters. Surely, if they say that we're good or wonderful then it's true because everyone wants to be them. We often compromise who we are in order to impress this person. This brings me to my real point--Why do we not feel this way with our God? I have often heard the words "I am not good enough for God." Truth be told, none of us are. However, why not try? Why have we given up so quickly on pursuing our Father's approval? Have we considered it too hard, or are we afraid that He might ask us to do something challenging? Whatever the case may be, I have found myself to be a poor example and a disgrace. God is the one person who will never consider me anything less than beautiful, wonderful, or amazing, yet He is never the one I work to impress. Who am I glorifying with my life? Honestly, not the One who gave me this life. I am not honoring the One who died so that can spend eternity in Paradise. I pray that my need for popularity would die. That I could learn to accept the furnace.

In the book of Daniel, we are told the story of Meschach, Shadrach, and Abednego. These men were Jews in the time of Kind Nebuchadnezzar's rule. Kind Nebuchadnezzer was a man very much in love with himself and was determined that his kingdom should be as well (and most were, he was very popular). He declared a law that whenever the music sounded throughout the city, all would bow down and worship him. Not long after, news came that Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego were not following the law. The king thought this surely could not be true! These men were his top soldiers, and his friends! He called them before him and asked them if the accusations were accurate. Without hesitation, the men confirmed the rumors. They went on to explain that they would only serve and worship their God, no matter the consequences. They were sentenced to death my burning in the furnace. The kind was outraged and ordered the furnace to be heated seven times normal. The fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers who threw the three men in. Soon, the king was astonished and shocked to see four men walking around in the furnace. He ordered them out of the furnace to see that they were completely unharmed. They went on to explain that their God has saved them.

This story is the perfect example of people dying to the will of man and to live completlely for our Lord. I pray that I could do the same.