Encouragement from God

These past three days I have been at high school retreat at my school. High School retreat is when the Senior class takes on a leadership project and plans a retreat for the whole high school and is in charge of the whole thing.... from food to small groups, transportation and games (I go to a private Christian school with only about 300 in the high school). This was my second year and I must say it was 10 times better than last year! I actually felt God's presence....I felt it.

The first day I got there, Wednesday, me and my friends really didn't want to bet there and honestly I was really struggling with having a good attitude. I felt really self-conscious not wearing makeup (see my previous blog post) and Wednesday night I was considering just borrowing my friends makeup and putting some on the next morning. But, when I woke up and went in the bathroom the next morning, all the girls mirrors were covered with posters that had Bible verses and quotes written on them about how beautiful we are because we are a fragrance of Christ. There was a senior girl in there explaining that none of them were wearing makeup or fixing their hair and they wanted to challenge us to do the same, and focus on our true beauty that shines from the inside out.

That was God.

He knew that I needed that bit of encouragement because I was struggling so hard and come on, we all know it can be hard to look your best with 25 girls sharing one bathroom! So that day most girls did take their makeup off and threw their hair up in a pony tail...and you know what? They didn't look that different at all! In fact, many looked better. It showed me that God designed us so beautiful and seeing girls natural faces was refreshing and made everyone feel a little better. But wait, it gets even better. A lot of the boys were telling us how they liked us better without makeup! One popular boy even said he thinks girls are prettier when they go natural and are confident in their own bodies.

So, thank you God for that encouragement and reassurance that I am doing the right thing by giving up makeup!

How did I feel God's presence?? By worshipping him with the voice he gave me. I love to sing and believe music is so powerful and beautiful! And, on retreat each night we had a worship session and preaching that was amazing. The last night, we were singing and worshipping our amazing God and I truly felt Him there with me. As I lifted my hands in worship, I closed my eyes and sang my heart out to my Savior. I can't remember a time that I ever felt God more than I did Friday night...I'm talking a major spiritual high! But you know what? I don't want to lose that high, I want to be on fire for God ALWAYS, and that is going to be my prayer.
I encourage all of you to find how you feel God's presence in your life...singing, praying, reading your Bible, or being a leader. What is yours? Because once you find it...you'll never forget it.

My Breakup With Makeup

It's taken me two months to see if I really could break up with makeup, and I finally know I can. I got the December issue of Susie Magazine and read an article by Ashley Weis (I love everything she writes!). It was about how she stopped wearing makeup for 5 months and all God revealed to her about herself and other girls.
Well, I can't tell you how many times I read that article, wanting to do it so bad but not getting the courage and self-confidence I needed. And, as you know it's the end of February, and I finally feel like I can. I brought the article to my church the other day and two of my friends decided do it with me. Friday night we got together, and made our "rules"....
1) 31 days-no makeup
2) Support each other and say nothing negative about ourselves or each other.
I was recently telling a friend why I was even doing this and why it was such a big deal to me. And I realized I've been so consumed with myself and by wearing a lot of makeup I'm covering up the face God specially picked out for me...I am made in Christ's image, and I've been covering up His face up. I want to be confident and thankful for the face, body, and life that God picked especially for me, Nicole Berrens. I may have many flaws but I'm done trying to cover them up and hide who I am...Yes I get acne. Yes, my hair is curly and frizzy. Yes, I have bad days. But, I know God designed me just the way He wanted and that He loves me and gives me the confidence makeup can never give.
Our deadline is March 22nd and I'm so excited to see what God will reveal to each of us.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
-Proverbs 31:30

Every feel like God has something better for your life than what you had planned? For so long I thought I always knew what I was going to do in life...go to Harding University, be a teacher, study abroad in Italy, live anywhere but Texas and eventually have a family. But lately God has opened my eyes to things I never imagined and I suddenly feel at a complete loss.I realize now that I've been going by MY plans for my life, not the blueprints that God wrote and possess for me.


Its such a struggle for many people, including me to give God the steering wheel and sit in the passenger seat. Instead of praying what God's plan for my life is, I pray for my plan and what I want to happen. Not anymore though, my prayer is that God will show me in due time every detail He has written for my life. (and I cant wait to find out each one!) I realize I may not like some of His plans but that He will (and never has) given me more than I can handle.


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


-Jeremiah 29:11