God is good all the time ~ Even when things don't quite turn out

source French Press Mornings.

You've heard it a million times, God is good.

But is God good when things don't quite turn out?

When the test results aren't what you hoped for? 

When the pregnancy test says "not pregnant" for what seems like the thousandth time.

When the man you love walks out the door not to return.

When the lights are out and there isn't a nickel to pay the bill....

Is God good then? 

Recently two very different situations have unfolded around me.

In one God answered the prayers of His children just as they so desired. 

We prayed a prayer of thanks and praise and wiped tears and smiled with our hearts.

We even uttered "God is good"... Because He is, and things turned out just right, in our eyes.

But then there is another situation where God didn't answer like we prayed. 

He didn't move in the way we sought and in the way on this side of heaven in our earthly perspective seemed so perfect and so right and just so darn logical. He didn't. He answered in a very different way. 

But you know what? 

God is still good. 

We are even still uttering, God is still good.

He still loves, He hasn't forsaken, and He is still bigger. 

As I grow and learn and seek Him one thing I am finding is that we don't see as He sees.

His perspective is so much grander, it is so much broader. 

Right now we rejoice in prayers answered and we say thanks for blessings and healing. 

But we also say thank you for prayers unanswered, even though it may be more difficult to utter those prayers, because we have this confidence that 

He promises us in Colossians 2:9

"God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, 

who is over every power and authority"

So that situation that didn't turn out well, He is over that. He is over you and me too. 

He promises He won't ever leave or forsake us. 

In a strange way there is also a small bit of excitement, the silver lining, so to speak, 

around the disappointment and frustration... and that is, God is up to something. 

And when God is up to something we better be ready to be blessed, and blown away, and amazed.

He does big things when we allow Him the room to move in our lives. 

It's going to be interesting to see how this all unfolds. 

So yes, God is still good, even when things don't quite turn out. 

He is for us, He desires what is best for us, even when we may not fully understand.
He works all things together for our good and He promises to give us what we need. 

Clinging to those promises, in the good and in the bad, in the things we may not understand

~ God is good ~

How is He moving in your life right now? 

A Monday Giveaway ~ Because we all need something happy on a Monday!

Happy Monday Girls! 

My hope is that you had a wonderful weekend! 

Since it is Monday and who doesn't love a giveaway let's start off the first Monday of the month in style!

Today's giveaway is a printable anchor monogram art file. 

The winner will receive a custom made jpeg art file in their color and font choices. 

To enter, you must leave me a comment sharing your favorite bible verse and why. 

I can't wait to hear which piece of scripture means the most to you and why!

He desires you ... part 2

Have you given any thought to yesterday's post?

I sure have and it doesn't matter how many times I read these promises in His word...

I am excited, I am grateful and honestly there are days I am relieved.

I don't have to do it on my own and I am not meant to.

Neither are you.

So let's dig in a little deeper.

What happens when you choose something? 

You pick it out and it is yours.

You chose it because you saw value in it.

You take care of it because it is yours.

Remember yesterday when I said He chose us.

He chose you. He chose me.

Well the same theory applies to us.

He chose us and we are now His.

We belong to Him.

We have a new idenity.

It is in Him.

Daughter of the King.

Princess.

Beloved. 

Loved.

Honored. 

Cherished.

Prized,

Special.

Perfect in His Sight.

If you have never heard those words attached to your name,
I encourage you to print them out, paste them on your bathroom wall,
on your fridge, on your desk,
anywhere where you will see them, and read them and believe them.

I love that identity.

It is so far from how I see myself many days.

But every day I wake up He sees me through His eyes, not my own. 

I am sinner, saved by grace and in Him I am a new creation.

Guess what sisters? You can be too!
It is such an exciting thing and I can't help but share it.
It is a message I want to shout from the rooftops.
So many of you know just what I am saying, you too know about His amazing grace...

 but maybe you needed the reminder.

Or maybe like me you never tire of hearing you are made new in Him.

In Ephesians Chapter 1 vs 17 -18 Paul is praying for the church at Ephesus and his prayer is that they would be given a spirit of wisdom, and revelation so that they would know Him better.

My prayer is the same.

That as women of the body of Christ we know be given a spirit of wisdom, to know Him better. 

In getting to know Him better we also come to know our purpose and our plan in Him. 

What is your purpose, what is your plan?

Maybe you are still even doubting there is one for you.

Well sweet friend, there is a purpose and plan, unique for you.

It isn't my plan or my sisters plan or even my best friends plan.

It has been designed specifically for you, and no one can fulfill it but you.
You are destined for greatness, you have something that has been set apart, by Him for you.
only you.
Can you imagine that?
He has a plan, the God of the universe, the painter of the majestic skies,
the one who commands the oceans
He has a plan, just for you. He designed it with you in mind.
Only you.

He also shares that we would come to know we are His glorious inheritance. 

You are His prized possession.

And that as a believer we are given incomparably great power...

Remember, God power is never tied by our past, our present, titles, degrees,
positions of authority, or rules of this world.
The power He possesses is all surpassing power

Believe that promise and take heart that He is bigger that anything you face.

As a daughter of the King you are linked to Christ, forever. No matter what may come to pass. 

In Him there is Victory, therefore, we always have victory because Jesus always wins. 

Friends, I am proof of God's mercy and grace. 

I am proof He shows no favoritism among choosing His children. 

He just desires a relationship with you. 

There is nothing you can do to change that.

If you decline today, He will still desire you tomorrow, and the next day.
He will still pursue you until you take your last breath.

Maybe you have accepted His offer to be your Lord and Savior,

this message is equally important to us as well.

He pursues us too.. He desires to grow in a relationship with us too.

He desires to be the place to run to with all your fears, He desires to celebrate in your joys,

He desires to hear the deepest concerns of your heart, He desires for you to know Him

to experience Him fully. 

Come with me, let's say yes and pursue Him together.... 

He desires you... What's your answer?

This summer I have been spending a good bit of time in the book of Ephesians.
This letter written by Paul to the church at Ephesus isn't something that was just relevant for the
people in 62AD but it is just as important today...
we are still the body of Christ.

Growing up going to church was about doing the "right thing".
You wore your Sunday best and after Sunday School and the Sermon you went to lunch.
People talked a lot about denomination and which church you attended.
There were "in" churches and not so "in" churches.
The Methodists had their "ways" and the Catholics theirs and then there was the Baptists and don't forget the Church of Christ and so on and so forth... especially if you're from the south, you know what I am talking about. You have been witness to these conversations round a kitchen table.

Today I see such a shift in this body of young adult believers and it is blowing me away.
God is using this generation and there are people rising up all over this nation to lead, and serve and be His hands and feet. God is knocking down boundaries and barriers in such a big way. There are churches popping up that are non-denominational and I love it. It isn't about your denomination it is about Christ,
 it is about loving people where they are for who they are because they are a beautiful and unique,
loved child of God.
 It honestly makes me excited to see it...
I am even more excited that I get to be a part of a church that really walks that out.
On any given Sunday I can sit next to a woman who has attended church faithfully for 50 years
or I can sit next to a man who was just released from prison last week for theft and
it doesn't matter. In those walls there is love. In those walls we have all sinned and we have all fallen short
and there is the same solution to save us all.
God doesn't show favoritism over His children and I love how today's church is opening their doors and hearts to all His children.

So many of us grew up worried about following the rules, and being taught what we were supposed to do.
It is what I now call "religion" as opposed to relationship.
Religion is about rules, religion makes us fail every single time.
See, we will never in our own power be able to get it all right.
We are human, we are broken, we are unable to make ourselves right with God.
If we try, we'll wear ourselves out and give up.
It is a common denominator of humanity.We all fall victim.

But relationship, now that is a whole other ball game. 

God doesn't desire religion. God desires relationship.
He desires to be your Father, He desires to be your Savior, He desires to walk with you, to listen, to uphold, to support, to love, to lavish grace and mercy and peace. He desires to be your safe place.
I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago.
One I wish I had learned many many years before...
Maybe it is one you have learned and as they say "teachers are the worst students"
so it would make sense I came to this concept late....  : )

Once you fall into this relationship with God the boundaries, the rules, the religion,
it all changes. You have this love, this respect, this innate desire to please your Heavenly Father and out of right relationship with Christ these things fall into place.
He is my Daddy after all and what little girl, what daughter of the King doesn't want to please her Daddy?

In Ephesians 1:4 we learn this valuable piece of information:
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be HOLY and BLAMELESS in His sight.
Do you see that?
He chose us.
That means He chose me,
He chose you. 
Just the way you were, before creation, before religion ever came into play.
He chose you.
He desired you.
Just the way you were.

What a shift right?
In religion we are always striving, battling for approval, for keeping the rules.

But here He is saying He chose you.
He is desiring a relationship with you right now.
It doesn't matter what rules you didn't keep.
He doesn't care.
He just wants you.
Will you say yes?

You say, oh but you don't know what I have done, or what I am doing or who I am involved with.
I have to stop this, or that, or maybe when I am done with this chapter of my life.
Then I can have a relationship with Him.
Or ______________ fill in the blank with whatever excuse applies....

Read these words, HE desires YOU.
Just where you are today.
You see God is not inhibited by our circumstances.
Even if you think you have created quite the mess out of life.
He is bigger, He is stronger, and His love covers it all.

He just wants you.
Will you say yes?

part 2 tomorrow....

Friday Faves ~ French Press Mornings

 

Today I am featuring one of my favorite shops on Etsy, French Press Mornings. 

I love this shop... you know what I love even more, her blog! 

Y'all it is a treasure trove of free printable art and you will NOT be disappointed. 

Take a look at her art!!!

She has this neat feature called Encouraging Wednesdays where she makes art out of scripture.

All you have to do is print, enjoy and be inspired by Your Father.

I love this.... love love love this. There are already a few printed and in 4x6 frames ready for my desk at work. It needs some brightening up, I need reminders, daily of His unfailing love and grace. 

Wouldn't this one be lovely in a little girls room? How sweet! 

Hop on over and visit Miss Jenny at French Press Mornings

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day!

To all the Daddies out there I wish you a happy and fun filled day with the people you love.

Fathers are truly such a HUGE blessing. 

So grateful for the man God has placed in my own children's lives as their father.

Y'all he is nothing short of amazing.

He is a living, breathing, gift from God to us.

God has used him and his example of what a true father looks like, in action,

to demonstrate for me some of what God does for me as my Heavenly Father.

This day can be terribly painful for so many... I have walked through that too.

As a parent and as a daughter. 

My hearts breaks for you if that is the season you are in... 

Please know you aren't alone. He is there. He has your right hand.

Maybe your daddy isn't on this side of heaven this year,

Maybe your sweet baby was called home,

Maybe your relationship with your own father is less than perfect, or non-existent.

Sweet friend He knows... He has all those tears and all those pieces. 

He wants to mend them. 

Claim the promise from Isaiah 66:9, they aren't just words on a page, they are a promise:

"In the same way I will not cause pain without something new

to be born" says the Lord. "If I cause you the pain 

I will not stop you from giving birth to your new nation"

Y'all just look at that promise. He knows we're going to have pain, 

but He promises to bring forth something great! My God is a God who is faithful to His word. 

I have lived it and seen it too many times to credit it to anything else. 

Today on this Fathers Day I am so grateful for my own heartache that taught me who

my true Father is... it is that heartache that set me on a journey to love. 

If you are just waiting for the calendar to turn another page and leave this painful day in the past

please know you are in my prayers. I've have my own share of difficult Fathers Days...

I can assure you, He has so much for you... and whatever it is He is bigger. His love is stronger.

Maybe, just maybe, like me you want to explore what is means to know Him

not just as your Savior but as your Father. 

simple sentiments

This past week my small group wrapped up with Beth Moore's Believing God study.

It was so radically different from our last but equally good in it's own way. 

On day 4 this week, the verse above was our "treasure"

and it spoke right through me. 

It was like it was there just for me.

Does that ever happen to you? 

This year the word I chose for the year was love. 

Loving others the way He loves. 

At least making an attempt though failing daily. 

Daily I have to ask Him in His strength to help me do this...

Meeting people where they are at and loving them unconditionally. 

It isn't always easy and like I said it's something I fail at daily.

It is something that with some people has been a work in progress for years.

It is so difficult to love difficult people.

In our human powers it is out of our reach, but in Him, with Him, friends the impossible, is possible.

But there is so so much here. 

So much more than that. 

When I made that promise in Jan I also said, God give me your eyes.

Just like that Brandon Heath song I have quoted on here before.

When we see the world through His eyes there is a shift in the way we act.

Those of you who have shared pieces of your story with me know exactly what I am saying here.

The student in your class acting out is suddenly a child who didn't eat last night and slept on a hard floor.

The acting out isn't defiance, its hunger, fear and exhaustion... in the body of someone too young to cope.

The friend who is snippy at car riders, isn't just being a pain, she is momma scared about a test result this week or whose marriage is crumbling... who needs an extra measure of grace and patience from a friend.

You see, there is a shift here, a shift from, it's about me to it's about them, it's about loving them even when it is tough, through Him and His strength. 

I want to love out of the overflow of my heart, out of what He has so graciously and abundantly given to you and to me.... so perfectly and yet we have done nothing to deserve it. 

There is a reason that out of Faith, Hope and Love, the greatest is Love.

Love covers, love carries, love acts.

My prayer is that as women, as daughters of the King, whatever earthly role we may fill

we always love out of the overflow of our hearts. 

For when we do this we can't help but conduct our actions with love for others.

Can you imagine what would happen in your circle of the world, in your work place, your community, your service organization, PTO and yes, even our churches, if we loved out of the overflow of our hearts?

Radical things would transpire... because when we get out of the way, and let Him have room to move, room to inhabit our hearts and out minds, our actions fall right into line with His will and His heart.

We'd be blown away.

Friends, will you join me? Will you love out of the overflow?

Best wishes for an awesome week. Take up the challenge and write me, what happens...

not home yet ~ when life hurts

source unknown, if you know do share so i can give proper credit and link to this adorable piece of art

 What a heartbreaking week our world has just been through! The Boston tragedy, the earthquake in China and then even closer to home the drowning of a little boy in the gulf near our home. There is just so much heartache... but you know what I see when I look at all of that? People with hearts even bigger than the pain. Hearts that want to pray for, love on, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting. 

In a world where we often question "why?" because it just doesn't make sense I know there is something so much greater than all of this hurt. He is here. We live in a fallen and broken world "but God", in Him there is light, and life and HOPE! 

One day we will be on the other side of all of this, with Him, where there is no more pain, no more hurt and no more heartache. This morning on the way to work I heard a song by Building 429 and it was such a perfect reminder as we start this week, as so many start the healing process.

 I wanted to share the lyrics with you. 

Take a minute and read them... even if you've heard the song a 100 times 

there is so much in these words....

sometimes it feels like i'm watching from the outside

sometimes it feels like i'm breathing but am i alive?

i won't keep searching for answers that aren't here to find

all i know is i'm not home yet

this is not where i belong

take this world and give me Jesus

this is not where i belong

so when the walls come falling down on me

and i'm lost in the current of the raging sea

i have this blessed assurance holding me

all i know is i'm not home yet

this is not where i belong

take this world and give me Jesus

this is not where i belong

when the earth shakes i want to be found in you

when the light fades i want to be found in you

all i know is i'm not home yet, this is not where i belong

take this world and give me Jesus

We aren't home yet.... but you know what? We have faith, we have each other for encouragement 

and we know His love is bigger than all of it. 

His promises are the blessed assurance that we aren't in this alone.

One day sweet friends, we'll be with Him. 

As we walk with friends through the coming weeks

as our world heals, we all know more trials will come

let's be a light in this world for Him.

Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting

won't you join me?

If you're the one with the heartache so huge you can't see beyond today....

let me encourage to run to Him. 

Place it all at His feet. 

He is bigger than the mess you are in.

He sees the other side.

Rest in Him. His timing. His guidance.

He will not leave you... 

how do I know?

well I have had my share of heartache in this lifetime

and the one constant a midst all the pain, Him. 

He never left me. He never failed me.

He has healed the pieces of my heart.

He will do the same for you. 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

did you read that promise? 

forever.

He is the same forever.

Our world changes, our problems change, feelings change, relationships change, 

life, well it changes. 

But God ~ He is the same forever.

I love this promise. 

I need this promise.

What about you? 

Redeemed ~

I am admittedly a lover of words, books, stories…

Spending way more time than i care to admit

awake after my family has fallen into dreams…

It has always been that way for me.

I can still remember as a little girl in my upstairs bedroom hiding beneath the covers with a flashlight

Often times to wake with the flashlight on and the book tangled in my sheets.

It has been a love affair for years.

Recently I have been studying Rahab.

Yes, the story of Rahab, the prostitute, the mother, God’s servant, Jesus relative.

My Father is the all-time best story teller.

I can get lost for hours in His words and stories He weaves.

Oh the detail, all good authors can paint a picture in my minds’ eye with details like Him.

I had read her story a time or two before but never dug into it across the chapter.

Across the bible like this.

Wow. What a testimony to God’s grace and redemption.

What a story of restoration.

He chose to take a prostitute from a city that was falling, save her, her family

and then, wait for it…. cast her directly into the blood line of Jesus, His son.

Certainly not what we would expect…

Really? The blood line of King? The Savior of the World?

That’s my God for you.

He is bigger than the situations we have gotten ourselves into and He loves us,

Chases after us, and is willing to restore what was meant for our harm.

No matter what. No matter who. No matter when.

His ways are always higher than our ways.

So often we can’t even fathom the scope of His mind.

But, it works out every. single. time. doesn’t it?

He took what the world saw and redeemed her.

He lifted her to place of dignity and grace.

She was obedient and faithful and He redeemed her.

Making her a woman of honor by placing her on the list of “who’s who’s”

in the line of Jesus genealogy.

She is also one of the only women noted in this list.

(matt 1:1-16)

That in and of itself speaks volumes to me.

God does nothing haphazardly, and mentioning her among a long list of men,

well, that says this is an important part of her story, His design.

Many years down the road she had a son, a son named Boaz.

Do you know Boaz?

Boaz too, came to rescue an unlikely woman, Ruth.

Ruth is a widow. During those days she likely having the responsibility of her mother in law may have never remarried and was likely destined to a life of hardship.

But Boaz saw so much more.
I can’t help but think being raised by Rahab impacted him.

Did her life experience trickle down into how she raised her son to view all people?

Did she raise her son to see the person and not the circumstance?

How many of us, me included God forgive, too often see the circumstance instead of the person?

And here, here a woman who was considered a prostitute, less than, undervalued second class citizen

Has it all figured out.

Trust God, Act in Faith, Love Others.

What simple, yet profound advice for us all through her life actions.

You see, her faith is what saved her.

It is what saves you and me.

No matter where you are today, no matter what you have done, or didn’t do

He loves you just the same. He is chasing after you to rescue you just the same.

You see God didn’t pursue Rahab, or me, or any other Christian I know once we had cleaned up our acts. It is quite the opposite actually. He pursued us while we were still a mess, and made us whole and new.

Friends, I encourage you today, he’s chasing you,

Just turn around, stop and let Him catch you.

You’ll be so glad you did.

made strong

how often do we tell ourselves, our kids or our friends, just be tough, be strong. 

we encourage them with words and though well meaning 

i believe we are leaving something out. 

something so powerful that can not afford to not be uttered from our lips.

yes we do want those around us to be strong when the waters rise.

lord knows i have been there more times than i can count.

too weary to take another step, life reduced to a breath,

 and being strong, well it was at times such a heavy load to bear.

 it was the hardest thing i had ever done until i realized

on my own i was weak.

on my own i was powerless.

on my own i am just a piece of flesh going through the motions.

but in Him.

in Him i am strong.

in Him i am powerful.

in Him i have life.

we are not meant to go through this life alone.

i believe that is why it is so hard.

we are designed to need Him.

we are designed to crave and desire something more. 

when we figure this out, we are free!

we are free to live because He carries those burdens for us.

this is also why community is so important.

a community of believers.

other women that can help you lighten that load by praying for you, 

encouraging you daily to spend time in His words and speaking words of life giving affirmation from His word when you just can't take one more step.

this week i am really spending some time meditating on this verse

from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

" ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

He has called me to press into this and really examine what this looks like.

in doing this He is showing me and guiding some of my next steps.

as you know i am preparing for the Pearl Event III.

i am preparing to share with His daughters His message.

you see, i am mess. 

but in Him and through Him great and mighty miracles have occured. 

to not share how my weakness was made whole in His goodness 

well i just couldn't live with that.

i just can't help but want to share!

He is so good and so faithful 

despite me being the person i am.

alone, i am nothing. but in Him, i have life.

sweet, sweet friends, i urge you tonight, if you are feeling less than,

if you are feeling inadequate, like you have nothing but weakness in your bones...

run, run to the well spring of life.

run to source of all strength and all life.

He will meet you there.

He promises that.

there is nothing, nothing that can separate you, His daughter, His beloved, from Him.

He is just watching, waiting patiently for you to ask.

seek His face and His strength will supply all your need.

He has done it for me. He will do it for you.

friends, "His power is made perfect in weakness"

He is Risen!

Rejoicing for He is Risen ~ Just as He said. 

Celebrating today our freedom over sin.

Grateful for this gift I do not deserve but so freely receive.

To God be the Glory!!!

holding our loved ones close and my word for 2013?

this holiday season we drew inwards, we celebrated with close family and friends 

and it was such a season of special memories... i hate to see it end. 

such a bittersweet time on christmas day. 

my heart is full for all the love and laughter and lives that filled my home the past 3 days.

my feet are aching and i am beyond tired but my mind it races with the memories made, still so fresh. 

one thing rang true for me over the past few days and it was to hold your loved ones close. 

life is so fragile as we all know and in an instant it can all change. 

one fell swoop and life as we know it is never the same. 

as i grow older and life teaches me more i am often pausing to revel in it's lessons.

the past few weeks especially i have really felt in my heart such a need to share my love for those around me.

ensure they know they are a treasure to me.

to hug someone just a bit longer, really listen to their laugh 

or feel their soft skin as we hold hands to pray at the family table.

being sure to tell them i love them when they leave my home not just tell them good bye.

i want to love these people in my life well. i want them to know i care, that they are special and loved.

this is the time of year i really try to reflect on the past year,

reflect on my word of meditation from the past year

and decide which virtue to move into the following year.

two years ago my word of action was, simplify.

i simplified my life down to bare bones so i could focus on what mattered most.

last year my word was, intentional.

being intentional in my decisions, my family and in my relationship with Christ.

this year there are a few ideas swirling around in my head.

prayers are offered to help lead me in my next word of the year.

i think it will have something to do with those around me this year....

do you have a word of the year?

if so how do you decide which one? 

fear

as we continue through our study of “stuck” by jennie allen

we are talking about being scared this week.

There are so many things we can be scared of and for all of us, it is something different.

I’d venture to say the things I struggle with you may not even bat an eye lash at… and then flip it around and the reverse may be true. However, at the core of who we are, we worry, we struggle. Fear and anxiety are so real, crippling real for some. To be honest, for me it is something I struggle with in one area of my life right now and it is so real to me I could touch it. It has all but stopped something God has put on my heart. To write that I am saddened I have let that happen. A wise woman once told me that sometimes, we have to say yes in fear and press on. Believe me, I hear her in my head. : ) I also hear the Father saying, keeping going…. But that is where I am at right now and I want to keep things real.

In studying this topic I have found several things….

The most important one being, it is a universal problem.

The good news, there is a universal solution.

Reading Matthew 6:25-34 we’re reminded that we matter to God, He sees us, just like he takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers in the field He will care for us too. He reminds us that we are far more precious and who are we to think He won’t provide those needs?

It’s one of those simple concepts that as I write it it’s like, “well duh”. But how often, how often do I get caught up in my own little situation, my own little world and I can’t see beyond myself to even be reminded of this promise? Too often. Way too often, sad to say.

In preparation for my study Wednesday night I have pulled out some notes… and in the bible the phrase “fear not” is mentioned 446 times, the statement “do not fear” is mentioned 246 times. What does this mean for us? Yes, clearly God is addressing fear a lot. But why? Why did He say almost 700 times, 700 times girls, that we are not be afraid? Because He knows this is such a real problem. He knows we are going to struggle with fear, and worry and anxiety. He knows these emotions are going to consume many days and likely even more nights. He knows these emotions will be used as a tool to take our focus off Him, off what He has for our lives, what He has to say. 

Let me speak this into your life, into my own life, we can’t let this happen.

We can't let this be used as a tool to take our eyes off of Him. What He has for us is far too precious to miss it! It is far too valuable to not be able to savor the goodness He has for our lives if we just let Him guide us and focus on His message for our lives.

Jennie relates this fear and anxiety in a way I had never heard before but when I read it I could see myself. She says it is like a sit and spin…  oh my gosh, I can see it. How many times have I sat and spun. Round and round and round over and over until I am flat worn out. My hair looks like I took ride on a tilt a whirl and I am beat. There is nothing left and have gotten nowhere. I’ve expelled a great amount of energy and nothing happened.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who could relate to this?

So what do we do? Where do we go from here?

We have a problem and we know it’s real and it’s powerful?

We pray, we spend time in His word, we present our requests to God, we find peace in meditating on His promises. We seek whatever is pure, noble, trustworthy, just, honorable, lovely and commendable. We spend our energy and our time to the practice of those things. We let ourselves get worn out seeking His will and guidance for our lives instead of sitting on that emotional sit and spin. We seek community and fellowship with other Christians who can lift us up and encourage us along the way. We let ourselves be consumed by His greatness. It is a challenge and one I want to accept. You see, I have tried the other way. I have spent far too many sickening hours on that sit and spin and come up empty. I’ve also known what it is to trust Him and every time I’ve done that He has blessed me. Things don’t always turn out the way I hope, or the way I think they should… and sometimes years later I have been able to see why and His fingerprints are all over…. And what I come to see is that at the time I couldn’t see what He was doing but the hindsight gave light into His favor and protection, His ultimate care for His child. He cares for you in the same way. 

Will you take the challenge with me?

simple sentiments

source 

this adorable little print is available on etsy. such a cute shop!

who are you?

source unknown

who are you? no really, who are you?
are you like me, wearing many tiaras?
the list can be endless sometimes.
our roles. our responsibilities. our titles.
but do they define us?
or maybe other things come to mind when i ask "who are you?"
maybe you hear other titles, other not so socially acceptable titles
titles that you or those around you have given, marked by deeds or circumstances from your past.
does that define you?
do you let it?
do i?

tough stuff there.
of course we answer, no, no way.
i know what i have answered.
but is that the truth?

our world loves identity. a unique identity.
everyone is searching to show the world who they are. stake their claim.
but the one thing i find funny about it all,
 is that in trying to find our own version of ourselves we look to others to define us.
we look to our parents, our children, our jobs, our friends
we look to define ourselves in the roles that will make us liked or more accepted in our community.
all the while missing the real blueprint.
it's already there.
it's you. it's me.
plain and simple.
just as we are, created just as we are by a God who doesn't make mistakes.
and if it is impossible for our perfect God to make mistakes
and if He gets it right every, single time,
then what does that say about you?
what does that say about me?

our identity is found in one place.
it is found in who He created us to be.
we have to start rejecting the idea of every false identity we have created for ourselves
 and accept the one truth of who we are, in Him.

we all operate out of who we think we are.
that's imperative to our daily life.
our sense of who we are, who we are meant to be needs to come from Him.
we are designed to be in an intimate relationship with our Father.
knowing the love and value He places on our lives.
to truly understand and live out who He created us to be
to follow the unique blueprint for our lives we have to be in regular communication with Him.

a few years ago i battled some tough stuff.
rejection of a parent.
cut off, non - existent.
and i struggled. the pain was unbearable at times.
i struggled with "if i can just be tossed aside, forgotten, not a care in the world by the person who gave me life, then what does that say about me?" tough place to be in.
from there it was years of discovering who I am in Him.
finding out who He created me to be, my perfect heavenly father, who never left or forsake me.
He didn't forget me. He didn't toss me aside.
instead He called me unto Himself, lavished His grace, mercy and love upon me.
He demonstrated to me through the bible, study and written word that He created me for a time such as this.
He created me perfectly. He loves me deeply.
He let me see that people may disappoint us,
circumstances may wound us, but His mercies are new every day.
His love never ends.
i got lost in that love and years later i can say healing happens.
i no longer see myself as the girl who's parent doesn't care about her.
i no longer see myself as someone who can be tossed aside, left, forgotten.
i can see myself as loved deeply by my God.

if i had let that define who i am... if i had let that rejection paralyze me in that chapter of my life
oh the great blessings i would have missed.
don't get me wrong, there was pain, there were difficult days to walk through i don't wish upon anyone.
but it was during the pressing down, the stretching, the growing pains that i discovered who God created me to be. i discovered the person and started heeding the direction and call He had for my life.
what happened to me wasn't fair, it was meant for my destruction, but God, used it for so much more.
we have a choice to make.
we can let others define us and act out of those descriptions
or we can let Him show us what a perfect creation He made in us.

if we do anything but the second option friends, we are selling ourselves short of some serious blessings.
life, in my book, is about loving God, and loving others.
years ago, i could have chosen to revel in the pain, paralyzed there for the rest of my life.
i'm not sure how much i would have been loving my God, and certainly not loving others.
taking the second option brought so much more.
taking the second option sets us free!

we can discover our true identity in Him.
we can make a difference in lives of people.
we can live the life we were created for.

sweet friends, He has a call on your life, He has a plan that no one but you can accomplish.
He can take that situation you are walking through and use it for His good, for your blessing.
we just have to let go, and let Him.
will you do that?
praying that we will all have the courage to do it.
He's going to meet us there. He promises we will never walk alone.

who are you?

broken ~ a universal issue

source unknown

you know, the source of the picture / quote above is unknown to me.

but the sentiment, the problem, it's not. 

i could have written it, heck maybe you could too.

if we got real honest, we all could.

we are all broken. 

some of us are just better at hiding it.

for many. many years. i was real good.

hiding our sin. 

hiding our hurts. 

and why is that? 

i am broken.

i am broken in a million ways.

ways a person shouldn't be broken. 

hurts from a parent, guilt and regrets, too many to count.

about a week and a half ago my small group started, stuck by jennie allen.

it's rocking my world. 

in a good way.

it's a nose dive into those places we are all trying to avoid.

past hurts, regrets, relationships, sin.

those yucky pieces of our life we'd all rather ignore and pretend aren't there.

for so many women we are so concerned about our image, how we "look" 

to those around us. and i don't just mean in the clothes we wear or the tablescape

on our dining room table for the holidays.

we are concerned how we "look" to our friends, our family,

never wanting to appear like we have done anything bad or that

our hurts actually hurt us. women are strong. 

aren't we told we should be strong? 

and if we are told we should be strong in adversity then wouldn't we 

"look" bad if we shared the broken pieces of our lives.

what would our friends think? our neighbors? or goodness gracious those  

ladies down at the church? surely we can't share that with them! 

so we package them up, tie on a bow, and set them in a dark corner of our heart.

only taking a peek at them when we can't sleep.

oh friends how i have been there.

there was a time where i surrounded myself with some friends, 

people i truly thought were my friends.

however, time told the truth as she always does... 

and they weren't.

years earlier i should have known this.

there was one huge clue.

the pieces of my heart that were broken,

the parts of my life where i needed the most help

i could have never, ever shared with them.

image was at the forefront and i felt that my "stuff" 

would have been looked down upon.

and you know what? it likely would have.

their lives appearing much more picture perfect than my background.

maturity and years of reflection have brought me to a place that 

made me realize, if i couldn't have shared those pieces freely 

then they weren't really my friends after all.

it also let me see they too had their own "stuff" but they were really great at hiding it.

i was too. years, never sharing more than the surface. 

sweeping it under the rug.

but oh! the things we young women do.

the broken places came to surface as they were never truly healed.

pieces of my story, the mess of my heart.

it has been a lifetime of hurt. 

to say this is a place where i was stuck.

a place in my heart that affects me to the core, well that's an understatement.

so when i heard about this study, i knew it was meant for people like me.

but you know what? 

this small group of girls i am meeting with... it's for them too.

you see, their story isn't the same as mine.

our broken pieces may have similarities, but they are different.

but it all boils down to a universal problem.

we are stuck. 

sins of our past. hurts from others.

we are stuck. 

what i am learning in this study, and being reminded of daily.

is that yes, we are stuck.

we are broken.

i am a hot mess! 

but there is a beautiful answer. 

we are loved by a perfect God.

we are made whole and our pieces are mended in His lavish grace.

as i fall on my face for what feels like the millionth time,

offering these broken pieces of my heart,

He draws near, calls me unto Himself,

and i hear Him say:

you are dearly loved.

and in those moments my spirits breaks free.

free from the hurt, free from the pain

and it is just me and my creator

i need Him at the core of my existence.

i need God. 

bare soul to the world, i need God.

paul tells us in 2 corinthians 12:9-10 

"my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

 therefore,i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 

so that Christ's power may rest on me. that is why, for Christ's sake, 

i delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

 For when i am weak, then i am strong"

we all have them. broken pieces, places in our lives we rather brush over.

maybe we're embarrassed, maybe we're too ashamed to even go there,

maybe we just feel like it's only a small sin, it's not like we did anything

"that" terrible.

it is still sin. it is still, there. 

once we come face to face with our "stuff" and bare ourselves to the One who made us.

arms wide open, realizing we are just a mess, without Him.

once we come to that place, there is such freedom.

such grace, such love.

friends, go there, go there for one minute.

what would it be like to set it free?

to pull that place out of your heart, that broken place you have been hiding,

and give it away. 

what would happen?

early in my marriage i learned a valuable "new to me" aspect of god.

i learned that not only is He my Savior, but He is my Heavenly Father.

in my weakness, in my pain, through my tear streaked face

i saw God. i saw that even though my earthly father may disappoint and hurt me.

even though he may not keep his word and his sins have damaged my heart.

there is something so much better. 

there is a Heavenly Father who loves me.

a Heavenly Father who keeps His promises.

a Heavenly Father who lavishes grace, and love and mercy on His daughter.

a Heavenly Father who forgives, lifts up and bears my shame.

a Heavenly Father who is so much more than i can even fathom in my human mind.

for that i am forever grateful.

for that i will boast about my pain, my past hurts and sins.

for without those pieces of my story there would be no ending like the one 

i get to experience. 

my past could have brought me down.

it could have been my demise.

but God, but God used it for so much more.

when we give our broken pieces to our Heavenly Father,

His arms open wide and those pieces becomes something utterly amazing.