But First...

           Ah! You guys, I have so much to say! Those of you who know me are totally like, “Yeah Emily, we know. Per usual.” And now I have my very own place to say it all! This is so super exciting! Goodness, I have been thinking so much the past week about what my first blog was going to be about. So much thinking I didn’t do anything more than think about it rather than acting. And then church today seriously shook my core. Huge shout outs to Brad & Kelley today! I was absolutely the girl sitting in tears by myself more than half of service! Haha… what a sap. So here I am, I want to just start with talking to you about WHY and WHAT. I’m slowly making my way through college still, I am far from any sort of English major. That being said, I’m sure you will see multiple things that might just really grind your good grammar gears and so I will apologize now! But this isn’t some fancy dancy blog, this is me blabbing about my thoughts and feelings and hoping that you can find ways to relate.

            I don’t want to lie; I had help coming up with the name Through the Narrow. Ok, I’m already lying, it was more than help. I asked for ideas, described what I wanted to accomplish here and they hit the nail on the head no joke INSTANTLY! (I’m going to owe royalties to them someday because I intend on this blowing the blog world out of the water) Sounds silly that I spent so much energy concerned about the name right? That’s just it though, the name is like a first impression. I want this to mean something to so many of you reading, and of course your friends and family you share it with too!

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is about a journey. And journeys are long, and journeys throw struggles at you, and rewards, and ultimately change your life. This is about MY journey, this is my journey of life, of my new walk with God, of my struggles, of my mistakes that I will no un-doubtfully make because this is real life and we all make mistakes and struggle to stay walking down the NARROW path of doing what is right. “¹³Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14 This is journey and the entrance of my narrow winding path.

So many things have happened in my life since choosing to walk more in line with my faith. Most of which have made insanely positive changes for me. I need to rephrase that… ALL of which have had insanely amazing positive changes for me. I need to tell you though that they don’t always feel positive. My circle of friends has decreased by large numbers. I have such a passion for people and for building relationships of all kinds. Meeting new people and making new friends is something that fills my heart so full. I also tend to hold people extremely close, but I’m still learning that sometimes it’s best to focus on quality not quantity. I have been spending a great deal of time alone the past month or so. I find myself on walks, or at the millpond reading, writing, dazing off. For the most part you guys, I enjoy it. I almost get a proud little side grin when I’m sitting on a bench alone reading my bible. Not because I think the people walking by know what I’m doing or reading, in fact most of the passerby’s probably think I’m a little weird (which is far from the truth… I am EXTREMELY weird), but my proud grin comes from knowing that the big guy upstairs wouldn’t rather see me doing anything else other than sharing what I’m learning in scripture with others. I don’t always enjoy my new found alone time though. In fact, there are times I’ve felt quite lonely.

           

It would be so easy to leave my narrow path, to call up all my favorite drinking buddies. You know, the ones you just get wild with… I would have an absolute blast! Then you wake up afraid to open your eyes because then you have to acknowledge that serious hang over headache and hope you aren’t running to the bathroom to puke up the remainder of memories of what you did with these people that you like to think just do “Oh so much for your life”.  No thank you, although I do miss having their presence in my life because I’m a memory junky… I don’t want to continue filling my life with memories of great times that left me sicker than heck for days afterwards. Don’t get my wrong, I still enjoy a great Dirty Martini, Bloody Mary, or such from time to time. I’m not an angel, but I am however working on my choices. It is easy to succumb to the ways of the world, I assure you these ways lead to self destruction, mindless games, and pain. I want to walk through that narrow gate, the one that leads to life. Eternal life. Just like college degrees and million dollar paychecks, if it were easy then everyone would be doing it. Don’t allow your doubts and fears to leave you on the outside. I’m telling you, you want in on this Jesus stuff.

I think my first ramble was a mild one. You guys, I ramble a lot. Bare with me please! I’m sure sometimes you’ll get on to read my latest blog and be like, “Ok Emily we get it, you’re busy, you love God now, and sometimes you have serious brat girl thoughts and road rage.” But I really hope there are other times you can relate, or know somebody else that could relate that maybe you should share my journey with. Maybe you just read this and are signing me off already and don’t even plan on clicking another blog link! LOL stop I know you don’t mean that!

Hey thanks for taking the time to read! I have so many juicy stories to share with you all. If you’re not yet sure you even like this Jesus dude, stay tuned… You’ll quickly see that he can be the only explanation as to why I’ve made it this far.

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” -Romans 8:13-14