Caitlyn S.

Today, Caitlyn speaks to us about trusting God’s hand when bad things happen, a book that has touched her soul like no other, and the fact that God uses broken people.

Caitlyn S.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: An inspiring biblical passage that has been really speaking to me recently (and for a long time before) is Romans 8:28. “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.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Right now, I am trying to understand why God allows bad things to happen when He does.  I know that there is always, always a reason for everything that God allows to happen to us in our lives. I guess that I am learning to focus on the outcome. God will always work out things for good.

“I guess that I am learning to focus on the outcome. God will always work out things for good.” 

Profession: I work a weekend receptionist job at a car dealership.

A one sentence bio of yourself: A daughter redeemed by the Father.

When did you first encounter God: I have grown up in church. My parents are the children’s pastors at our church, and for as long as I can remember, God has always been a part of my life. I think the first time I really, genuinely, wholeheartedly experienced the presence of God was at church camp in the summer of 2016. I have never been the same since.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season: God has blessed me with Jesus-loving friends who encourage me to seek the Lord even when I cannot feel Him.

Just read/currently reading: I am currently reading Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst. Oh my dear goodness, this book just absolutely speaks to my aching heart. No other book has ever touched my soul like this one, and if you have never read it, you should completely consider it. You will finish it feeling, refreshed, loved, and invited.

“No other book has ever touched my soul like this one…”

Top three essentials: My journal, my babies (my puppies and my kitty), and flowers, flowers, flowers.

How did God speak to you recently? I think God has been speaking to me through a friend who has left me. He doesn’t want anything to do with me. And for a long time I just thought, ‘Did I do something? Is it just me? Am I not good enough for him?’. I believe that God saw that I was becoming so occupied by him that I was forgetting God, so He took my friend away from me. Maybe one day, we’ll be friends again, but right now, God needs to become first again. I recently read a quote that said, “God will wreck your plans when He sees that your plans are about to wreck you”. I know that God works everything for our good.

“God needs to become first again.”   

Hobby: I love to make flower crowns. They’re always overflowing with happiness.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: 

Study the Word. The more you read God’s word the more you will know and you will fall in love with Jesus more and more with every word you embrace.

Surround yourself with Godly people. When you have God-loving people constantly reminding of God’s oh-so-goodness, it will be just a little tiny bit easier to remember.

Try your very very best to avoid putting yourself in tempting situations. I understand that sometimes, we cannot help it. We’ve all fallen short of the glory of God, but it’s a whole lot easier to resist temptation when you specifically avoid it.

Favorite person in scripture: My favorite person in Scripture is either David or Abigail. David was truly a man after God’s own heart, and it is absolutely inspiring. Of course he did fall short of God’s glory, but he is proof that God uses broken people. Abigail was so selfless and kind. Even when David killed her husband, she was as kind and forgiving as ever. That took a lot of bravery and I admire that.

“[H]e is proof that God uses broken people.”

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to see that God can take brokenness and bitterness and turn it into joy and praise.

Favorite season: My favorite season is fall. The weather is just absolutely wonderful and the falling leaves are so beautiful. Spring would be a close, close second. The flowers that grow in the spring remind me of God’s love and goodness. He can make anything beautiful.

Favorite holiday: My favorite holiday is for sure Christmas. God is just so evident everywhere you look, from the lights and decorations, to the love and kindness people so freely give.

“God is just so evident everywhere you look […]”

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: On Christmas Eve Eve, my whole extended family have “the Nail Christmas Party”, as we call it. We play Dirty Santa and everybody looks forward to the “green punch” my Aunt Gina makes.

On Christmas Eve, my immediate family and I open presents from each other and then we eat lasagna and turtle pie and watch Christmas movies.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven: I think I’ll probably ask God why He loves us so much when we absolutely don’t deserve it.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: One thing that I want to raise awareness about is depression. A lot of people think it is a choice, but really often, people aren’t able to control how they are feeling. It is a serious disease, and it’s entirely treatable.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? If I’m being completely honest, I’m sometimes in my bed before 9 a.m., which is pretty unfortunate, but everybody needs their sleep, right? But on those rare and wonderful occasions when I don’t, I am usually reading or writing in my journal, or talking to my family, because spending time with them is my favorite part of the day.

What is on your nightstand? Okay, so my nightstand is kind of my “catch-all,” so there is a ton of stuff just piled up. But it mostly consists of books and water bottles.

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO