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? 

simple sentiments

perfect advice for the week to come. 

bring you're own sunshine, see the good. 

Friday Faves ~ The Pearl Event

You've heard me say it a million times over, but I must say it again. It was amazing y'all. 

Today Sweet Sibi has a post dedicated to this event... and it brought me right back to this Friday in May.

Sibi is a talented writer and she pours her heart into her latest post about this day... about her Father, our Father and His heart for His women. See, Sibi and I we love women's ministry, we love seeing women come to know true healing in Him. Discovering who they truly are, a daughter of the Most High King.

Please go visit her today, read her post.... you will be so blessed. 

What Courage Looks Like

Happy weekend friends!

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. 

The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand ~

These women are amazing. 

Cherish, Sibi, and ChaCha... they are too cute. Too cute for words.

Their hearts are huge and God is doing awesome things in and through these women. 

Their stories of grace, redemption, forgiveness and identity are precious. 

Their pieces have been made whole in His lavish grace, which is my hearts desire.

Seeing women made whole in Him. 

There are no words big enough for this event. No words.

I will try and wrap words around this event but know it is so much bigger, so much more special. 

The Pearl Event is such a special event for women and if you have been before you understand.

If you have not been before, pray about attending next year.

One thing I can say with certainty is this was God's show.
We all just sat back and watched Him show up.
He orchestrated every last detail and oh my stars did He blow us away.
He blew me away.
It truly is amazing when you sit back and give Him the space to move using you as a tool in His huge scheme what He is able to accomplish. It will never cease to amaze me and it always brings me to tears.



This precious girl front and center was our worship leader, together with her band they led us in worship...
preparing Him room to move and work and heal and love.
Her name is Michaela McLaird
She has a fabulous new CD out called The Morning Sun. Available through the link above via itunes.
Y'all she has such a unique yet powerful and rich voice.



Yours truly had Session 1
All I can say is that there was such healing in sharing my story. Which really isn't even my story, it is His story, His story of what He has done in my life and His faithfulness to me.



Session 2 was led by the lovely Cha Cha ~ of The Heartfelt Home.
God has moved in her life in such a big way.
Those of you who follow her blog know some of her story but getting to know her over that weekend...
really hearing her pour out her journey of being emptied and then filled by Him.
Such hope, such promise... and there is so much in store for this lady.
He is using her in big ways in her home church in ways she never saw for herself... But God.
Just look at what He is doing!



Session 3 was led by the precious Cherish Pinson of Southern Soulmates.
Y'all this girl is a doll! Love her to pieces.
She walks with grace, beauty and such courage.
Her story is one of heartache but it ends with such redemption in Him.
It is a true testimony of healing, grace deeper than the sea and love that covers all.
To hear her speak brought me to pieces. I was a wreck.... What He has done in her life is so powerful.
She was such an encouragement to me....  there are just no words! No Words.



Our Sweet Sibi wrapped up the day with Session 4 and our HeartWork.
Her blog can be found here. 
If you don't follow, do yourself a favor and become a Pearl Girl! You will be blessed.
Y'all hers is a path full of challenge... Things that were meant to destruct and harm and to ultimately keep her from her Savior, from an intimate relationship with her Father....But God, as Sibi always says, But God.
Sibi's "But God" is amazing, there is no other explanation that it's all Him.
She is true woman of faith, prayer warrior and daughter of the King.
She seeks Him with all her heart and mind and obeys Him even when it doesn't make sense...
She trusts whole heartedly and He uses her willing spirit for His glory and drawing women unto Him.
Sibi has been such a kind friend to me over the years and I am so grateful for her life.
I am so grateful that she says yes to God and and shares the pieces of her story offering hope when
the world is crashing down on us.... she walks her faith and lives her love of Him.
Thank you sweet girl for putting this all together. For saying yes to Him, for listening to Him speak in the midnight hour... for sacrificing, for loving, for every detail down to the last pearl.
and as Rachel always says, "You are loved"



The infamous pearls....


Sibi and her graphic designer did such a fabulous job on the programs. Gorgeous...



If you have been to a Pearl Event you have seen this video... It brings me to tears every time.



You know I love this one with Love Being a Nonny, she's so stinking cute!

at the end we got to love on these women and hug their necks and adorn them with pearls like the princesses they are... and it blessed me beyond words. Aren't they precious?



Wish I had a better shot of the room... so gorgeous. What a setting!



The Green Room for the Speakers and their Hubbies.
Spent a few quiet minutes in here with my sweet guy before the day started and he spoke truth over me that I will never forget. It's written on on the walls of my heart....



The Gardens at the Entrance, these roses are to die for.
My Sweet friend Cherish told me what they were... and now I forget... but I want them in my yard.

 I mean really, look at these babies! That is beauty. God has such an amazing creative side.



If you have never been to a Pearl Event, when Sibi holds one again you can be sure I will post it all over this blog to let y'all know!!! But go. This is something you can't miss. Grab your momma, sister, cousins and friends, load up that car and head on over. Sibi will welcome you with a big ole hug a squeal and a laugh.
You will be blessed beyond belief.

friday faves ~ summer reading

Hello friends ~ 

Around these parts the school year is coming to a close 

and for me that means sweet summer days are looming.

Summer days around our home are often full of lots of of books.

Weekly trips to the library, rainy afternoons curled up with a book.

All year i do my fair share of reading but it's the summer where i get to catch up 

on my stock pile of titles I've collected all year.

Here are a few on my bedside table waiting for the lazy days of summer

This is my favorite author, favorite, hands down love all her books.

Can't wait for it to his shelves June 2013. 

Have you read her stories? They are fabulous, set in the low country with colorful characters....

Such a treat when she releases a new book.

Haven't read this author before but since it is set in the Low Country of Sullivan's Island I am sold. 

Recommended by Oprah's book club and set in the 1920's this is right up my alley. 

Fiction that centers around a main character who is female and overcomes challenges typically 

peaks my interest... this looks awesome

Our small bible study community group has done 1 jennie allen study and this summer 

we are embarking on her second study. 

This book, written by jennie allen has been on my "to read" list for quite some time...

She is such a powerful author, really proving opportunities for deep thought and growth.

Can't recommend her work highly enough!

Have you seen this yet? Have you read this book yet? 

It is a pretty new release. 

I have read about this title around the blog world and so far the reviews are fabulous.

Can't wait to read this...

What are you reading this summer? 

Any good suggestions? 

sweet mason jar invites

As a lover of all things southern, food, culture, literature, travel, and just life

mason jars are no exception.

Growing up in a family where tradition was important and food was central to family gatherings

I can remember mason jars in my great grandmothers cabinets 

when I would visit on Saturday mornings with my Papa. 

Maybe that's why I love them so much, it brings me to a place in time with 2 people I wish I could 

have known and done life with as an adult.... as a momma. 

Our bible study community group is closing out our Spring Semester Study... 

I love these girls y'all. They are precious. They love well and laugh hard.

We've only been together about a year but the ties run deep 

and when one of us is in need you should see these girls rise up and love each other well.

They rally and support and love from the overflow of their hearts. 

So with the close of the semester I just had to honor them.

I want to love them well... so dinner at my house it is. 

This is where the mason jar invites come in. I found the template on line through pinterest and then 

used a program on my computer to format it to my needs. 

Y'all they turned out precious! 

What I have envisioned for this evening, well, I just hope it turns out half as well as I have

made it in my head... because these girls they just deserve it.

Take look at how cute they turned out...

Are these sweet or what?
Love love love them!
the information is all on the back and they are tied up
with lovely puffy bows!
The tablescape will follow suit....
this year my word of the year was "love"
I wanted to make a concerted effort to love those around me well...
Love out of the overflow of my heart with His love and His compassion...
Having the opportunity to be with these girls this year has been such a joy.

More pictures to come after our dinner next week!
In the meantime, love out of the overflow of your heart....


If you would like the template for the Mason Jar you can visit
Working on It Wednesday

simple sentiments

are you coming to the pearl event? 

if so you will hear more of my story, my journey to forgiveness 

and best of all you will hear all about the Father's heart.

join us won't you? 

may 17th is just around the corner

www.thepearlevent.com

why being empty isn't a bad thing

source

we don't often think that when were empty that in fact is the time we are most open for opportunity..

so many times when we find ourselves empty we find ourselves swimming in

despair, hopelessness, heartache or pain... 

we are a lot like these cracked and empty frames just waiting for an opportunity to be filled.

some may see these frames or themselves as tossed aside chipped, cracked or forgotten... 

finished, empty, nothing left to give and purpose, well the purpose is done. 

or is it? 

lately i have been digging down deep. 

a soul searching of sorts. 

and what i am coming to find is that when i am empty only then can i be open to the new things He has. 

only then can i be filled with Him. filled with His purpose instead of my own selfish desires. 

this life is so busy and so full and before we know it we are overflowing with obligations and commitments and "have to's" and "well i guess i should do this".... and eventually it overflows into an explosion. 

it happens ~ i promise. 

our lives can only hold so much. 

and you're left empty. 

you're left wondering what on earth are you even doing and how did it get to this point. 

maybe this is how it happened to you or maybe your empty came through another path,

a death, a divorce, finances, addiction, a closed door or job loss... 

the path to empty takes many forms. 

the way it feels is what binds us together. 

we all know what empty feels like. we've all been there... and if you haven't

well, you'll get there, any one who has circled the sun their fair share will tell you, life leaves bruises.

but you know what? 

there is such beauty in the empty.

it is in the empty that we are a blank canvas just waiting to be filled

waiting to be part of His great masterpiece... and there sweet friends is the sweet spot.

there is the beauty of life. 

until we empty ourselves of everything else we can't be what He has planned. 

spending time praying to be emptied of myself, my own ideas and desires.

praying to be filled with His love, grace and His purpose for me.

to be His hands and feet to the world. 

lordy moses, we all know the world needs more of Him and less of me anyways. 

so if you're here today and feeling less than, feeling empty and a little lost, 

celebrate sweet girl!

twirl and and sing

because you my dear, are at a place of great opportunity if you place your path in Him. 

simple sentiments

for when we know what we're supposed to do

you are faced with a decision.

you've prayed, you've talked to your best girl friends about it.

you've laid in bed awake more hours than you can count spinning it around in your head.

you rationalize that you are "waiting for direction"...

but really? is that what we're doing?

are we waiting for direction or are we delaying answering His call on our lives?

how many times have we done just this?

belaboring the ins and outs.

looking at it from every angle when really... we know what to do.

we know what direction He has given us.

it has happened to me.

i dare to say it has happened to you. 

about a year ago i knew. just knew He was asking me to do something.

i ignored it.

yes i did. for a long time. i ignored God.

i used every excuse in the book, let me share a few... see if you can relate?

"i'm not qualified" "what would that look like" "i dont know what i am doing" 

"i am not sure i heard him right, He couldn't be talking to me" 

"i dont have time"

how many of those start with "i"

ugh ~ too many.

i was so focused on what "i" couldn't do and not focused enough on what God could do. 

after a while I couldn't ignore it.

one sunday in church our pastor was preaching and i could feel my husbands eyes burning a hole right through me. you see he knew what i was wrestling with. i honestly think he knew before i did what i was supposed to do... or maybe he just knew and i was still in denial.

that night i said to him, "i know what i am supposed to do and i can't ignore this any longer".

 it has gotten to the point where i couldn't ignore it any more. after emailing my sweet friend sibi there was no turning back. she gave me the push i needed. 

as she told me "sometimes you have to say yes in fear"

so, say yes in fear i did. i prayed and told God yes i would be obedient to His call.

i didn't know anything other than that.... 

then it was like nothing i had ever experienced. it was like once i said yes to His plan no matter what that meant, even in fear, the pieces fell together.

now one year later it was by far the best decision i ever made. 

so many times we know exactly what we are supposed to be doing.

we know what He wants from us but we push that call aside, we ignore, we deny,

we rationalize why we must be confused and "goodness gracious He would never call me to do THAT"

well friend, let me tell you this

He will not call you to do something with out giving you the power to do it.

He will not call you to come out in to the waters with out clearing the path.

what is it that speaks to you in the midnight hour?

what is it that He is gently nudging you about when your driving down the road?

let me encourage you, don't ignore it, don't push aside His nudge.

you see, when I did that i was denying myself an incredible gift that He had for me...

i was denying some precious women around me a gift as well... 

i was so busy hanging on to my insecurities I didn't have the free hands to open it up.

once i laid those down and my hands were free ~ oh my word.

all He asks is that we say yes. He promises to take care of the rest.

will you let Him? 

what is He asking you?

do share, i'd love to hear from you!

anchorsofgrace@gmail.com

freebie printable ~ enjoy!

Enjoy this free printable from Anchors of Grace.

Happy Weekend Friends

for more information on The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand

www.thepearlevent.com

how He sees you

hello friends ~ 

have you ever wondered how God sees you?

there are times when I have made my own assumptions how He sees me.

Oh boy, the places my mind goes after I know, I've really blown it.

Maybe you have blown it too. 

Maybe you haven't but maybe someone makes you feel like you are less than.

Those times I loose my patience over play-doh in the grout and marker on the new table.

Sometimes I am embarrassed how He must see me in that moment.

But you know what? He has so much more grace for us than we have for ourselves.

A Max Lucado quote struck me today and I just had to share.... I even made a printable... 

(feel free to print and hang on your mirror and read everyday if you need this precious reminder)

because maybe, like me, you need to be reminded of how HE sees you. 

He doesn't see us through our eyes, the only one we are capable of using as our point of reference.

Thank goodness He doesn't see us through that lens.

He sees us through the lens with the beautiful filter of grace. 

Grace for those moments when we feel "less than".

On May 17th some of my sweet blogger friends who have become in real life friends are joining me on a fabulous adventure that is God inspired... The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand.

No this isn't about Pearls or Fashion or even blogs.

It is about Jesus.

It is about the blessing we receive as inheritance as a daughter of the king.

It is about forgiveness, life and love in Him. 

On May 17th I'm going to be sharing more of my story.

More about finding your true identity through His lens and filter of grace instead of the worlds.

I'd love for you to join us.... 

Just click on either of the Pearl Event Logo's on the right hand side of the page for more details. 

So today, as you go about life, toss that old dusty, clouded lens away.

Look at yourself through what He sees.

You are so beautiful, You are so loved,

You are a Precious Princess.

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? 

simple sentiments

amen and amen!

friday faves ~ best of the blogosphere this week

(source unknown. if you know, do share so I can give credit for this adorable image)


This week I am going to link you up to my favorite finds around the web from this week. 

Maybe these ladies blogs are new to you or maybe you have been reading them for a while like me.

Either way, their words this week have inspired me, made me stop to think or struck me in some way that I just had to feature them here. Take look and see for yourself... and if you have a favorite do tell me!

Cherish over at Southern Soulmates

She wrote a post on 4/17 I really enjoyed...
This will touch your heart. So so so sweet.
Trouble is going to come. We know this.... but there is HOPE!

Life Rearranged

Love her. Love her heart. 

This post on 75 Ways to Help, well it is just the end all be all resource idea 

for momma's and families with a child in the hospital.

When you don't know what you can do? 

Read this.

It has ideas.

75 of them.


Cha Cha hostess of The Heartfelt Home
Cha Cha has a green thumb. You'll see that is evident in this post.
However, more importantly you will see she has a heart for growth spiritually too.
So many times when we're in the middle of "breaking ground" we forget their will be fruit
there will be harvest on the other end. Such a beautiful picture is painted in this post.
If you haven't already go on over and visit her.

What was your favorite read this week on the web?
Do share?
send me an email at
anchorsofgrace@gmail.com

you are enough

I have learned a lot about hospitality over the last few years.

Since getting married and hosting a myriad of holiday dinners,

 birthday parties, family BBQ’s and more!

I have learned exactly how much food to plan for 6 people or 50.

I have learned where to find the best prices on meat, flowers and invitations.

I have learned how to time it all just right so the food stays warm and the drinks cold.

As a new wife and mother, I admit, these were the things

 I thought were so important to having the perfect soirée. How foolish!

It was imperative that the napkins matched the plates and the flowers just the right hue.

Then it all changed.

Then I one day realized, it didn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter.

Yes all the trappings of a lovely party sure are wonderful for the eye.

There is a little shop in town that sells the latest Caspari’ products and I would be lying if I didn’t say I swoon over them every time I am in there or that I don’t buy them either!

I do, I love them.

Spoiling my friends and family in our home, well, that is my husband and I’s love language. 

We love, love, love, to have our home full of people we adore.

But what I came to realize is that there were times I would not host because the house wasn’t clean enough, or I didn’t have the time to make it all “just so”.

I came to realize the insanity of that mentality.

The people we were hosting loved us and enjoyed us just as much as we did them.

They weren’t coming to sample my latest pinterest appetizer 

or feast their eyes on the décor of the theme.

It was the connection we all wanted.

How often as women do we hesitate to extend our love, our hearts and our homes through hospitality because we feel we just aren’t going to measure up?

How many blessings have we denied ourselves because of that way of thinking?

How many blessings have we withheld from others?

For me, the number is higher than I would like to admit.

The measuring stick we all use is different.

For some of us the measuring stick is the latest edition of Coastal Living or Southern Living. Our family rooms and kitchens have avocado green laminate counter tops and dark brown cabinets and 70’s lighting instead of the crisp clean white cabinetry and granite counter tops gracing the glossy pages of the magazine. So we don’t extend the invitation.

How do I know? Ahem…

Or maybe your measuring stick is your best friends remodel

 or the figment of perfection you have created in your mind.

The message is the same sweet friends.

You are being lied to.

You don’t measure up.

You aren’t enough.

What will “they” think?

When this happens I want to encourage you.

Stop.

Stop, right where you are in that thought and 

think about the last time you had a wonderful time at a friends home.

What do you remember the most?

Do you remember what you ate?

Maybe.

Do you remember if her dog’s hair was balled up in the corner 

or if her sink had the mornings toothpaste still in the sink?

No. Likely not.

What you do remember is “who” was there.

What you remember is “how” you felt.

The special people around the table, the laughter, and the hug good bye

 and the “y’all come back now” as you went to leave.

Guess what?

That is what they will remember too.

They will forget if they ate on paper or china.

They will forget if they had pizza or filet and lobster.

But they will never forget their time with you and the way you made them feel.

As time has passed I’ve eased up on myself and my expectations.

I’ve forgone the real plates more often and picked up the Dixie plates.

I’ve been more comfortable accepting my guests offer to bring a dessert.

You know what happened?

I spent more time on the important things.

I spent more time reminiscing with a girlfriend over a glass of wine.

I spent more time watching the kids jump in the bounce house their stomachs aching from the laughter or play a game of tag with their friends well into the dusk night hours.

I spent more time loving on and leaning into the folks who walked through my door.

At the end of the night I was tired and my feet ached but my heart was so full.

One of God’s greatest blessings can come through hospitality.

Showing our love, His love, through such a practical demonstration of service.

Those friends who don’t know Him but love you….

Maybe they will get a glimpse of his unconditional love and grace through you.

Maybe it will open a door to a life time of freedom in Him

they would have not otherwise known.

The funny thing is,  the hospitality that we extend to love on and bless others is so much more than a meal to feed their bellies, it refreshes their spirit… and ours too.

Fellowship with others through service is such a precious gift.

Don’t let the enemy fool you into thinking you aren’t enough.

He is always trying to find a way to stop us from showing God’s love to the world.

Hospitality can be such a practical and hands on way to show those around us God’s love.

Don’t believe that voice that says “you aren’t enough”

You are enough.

All you need to do is open your heart and home to those around you.

They will remember your generosity and kindness for years to come.

You are enough. Your home is enough.

When He is a part of you and your home, it is always enough

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"