The Hills Are Alive

Yesterday, I had the incredible privilege of returning to my beloved high school to watch them perform The Sound of Music.  It was amazing!  It was all I could do to keep from jumping out of my chair and joining in for Do-Re-Me, My Favorite Things, and So Long, Farewell.  I love The Sound of Music.

It had been quite a while since I'd seen The Sound of Music, and this time, Maria took on a whole new dimension for me.  Instead of only noticing Maria's spunk, musical abilities, and strong will; yesterday I noticed that Maria was also a woman who was searching and afraid.  Wondering to God, "What is your will for me?"

Often I find myself like Maria: searching, wondering, and desiring to do God's best but not completely certain what it actually is.  Many times, God's will for us may involve some sort of leap of faith, which can be paralyzing.

In Maria's case, when she realized she was falling for Captain Von Trapp, she fled.  Back to the walls of the convent she went where she could try to escape her feelings and feel safe.  She thought she was supposed to be a nun, how could she marry a captain and mother his seven children?  

Can anyone else relate?  Scared to jump because of the fear of the unknown and unfamiliar.  So what do we do?  We try to find a "safe and secure place" and we hide.    


In a tender moment with the Revered Mother and Maria, the Reverend Mother says to her, "Maria, these walls were not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live."  From there, she launches into Climb Every Mountain...

You have to live the life you were born to live... 

The beautiful thing about that is each one of us was created for something.  The paths might look totally different, and finding them might be scary at first, but we were all created for a purpose.  Known.  Set Apart.  Appointed. 


I love at the beginning of Jeremiah when God says to Jeremiah in chapter 1:


"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  

To which Jeremiah reluctantly replies, "Ah, Sovereign Lord...I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 

 God's response?  "Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,”

God had a specific purpose for Jeremiah, but Jeremiah was scared and reluctant.  Yet, God assured him that he was not alone.  God would be with him; strengthening him, equipping him, and rescuing him.  

If God is calling us to something,  He will be with us.   We can confidently trust and believe that He will empower us with everything we need for accomplishing His calling.  We are not alone.

I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) 

Linking Up

Happy Friday Friends!

Here are a few links I've loved this week.  Feel free to share yours below!

Chatting At The Sky had two great posts:
For When You Need To Be Rescued
 The Magic of Morning

Sometimes Its A One or Two Verse Day @Lysa Terkerust

I love a good cardigan and I loved reading The Art The Cardi @idaclare

Have you all tried the Shellac/gel manicures?  Megan wrote about it here.  I'm five days into my first one and I'm loving it!!  The Pioneer Woman is tracking her progress here and here.  Definitely worth trying out!  

That's all for now.  Have a fabulous weekend!

One of the Greatest Wedding Gifts

One more thing in determining if he's the one: be sure you have a job first.  Watch the video below to see what I'm talking about.  Isn't the the cutest?!  (Email subscribers, click here.)





So once you actually find "the one" and magically become a wife and a Mrs, now what?  You kiss your groom and you live happily ever after, right?  Well, not exactly...

In the vast experience I have of approximately 2.5 years of being married, there are parts of marriage that are better than I ever expected, but there are also some parts that are a lot more difficult.

I certainly can't begin to claim to have any secret marriage recipes.  However I will say, that over and over, the one thing I continue to learn is the power of prayer.

Prayer for the ability to love and honor your husband the way he needs to be loved.
Prayer for God to lead and guide you as a couple and as individuals.
Prayer for self-control to pause before speaking or lashing out (that's a big one for me).
Prayer for God to move in situations that are beyond your control (another big one).

I love being in control, but I've found in marriage, that there are many situations (pretty much all of them) that are beyond my control or interference.

Last spring, we found out Bernie was waitlisted at his top choice for business school.  All the plans we had laid out were put on pause and we were both pretty disappointed.  For me, it was hard to see a situation unravel that I had no say in and wasn't able to fix.  I felt helpless and desperately wanted to turn the situation around.

Little by little, God began to show me that it wasn't up to me to fix.  It's not up to me to control our future, it's up to God.  Even though I couldn't see the big picture and I was frustrated, discouraged, and confused; God had a plan.  In some ways it's taken me until now to truly see that, but God always has a plan. 

During this season I learned so much about the importance and power of prayer in marriage.  Rather than trying to interfere, or map out plans B, C, & D, I was strengthened, renewed, and quieted through prayer.

I began to see that the best thing I could do for Bernie, for myself, and for our young, little marriage was to go to God every single morning and pray for our family and our future.  Little by little I watched as God gave us both eyes to see beyond business school and slowly put the pieces into place that eventually led us to Virginia Beach.

As hard as it is to admit, my marriage and my husband aren't mine, they're God's.  For a control freak like me it's hard to realize that.  Many times, God works and intervenes in situations in ways that may not make sense, but we have to trust He knows what He's doing.  


Pray for your husband.  Pray for your marriage.  Pray for your future.  Prayer is one of the greatest wedding gifts God has given to us.  Don't bury it away with the china, take time to enjoy it, utilize it, and rest in it!

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask

anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 5:14

How Will I Know? Part 2

So where did we leave off?  Yesterday, we were talking about the magic question, "Is he the one?"  A question that plagues women everywhere, but seriously, how do you know?

Once again, I must reiterate that I am no relationship expert, but these were some indicators that helped me realize Bernie was for me.  If you missed yesterday, you can click here. 

Yesterday we left off talking about whether or not the relationship bears fruit.  I highlighted a verse in John 15 where Jesus says:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

As a couple and as husband and wife, it's important to make sure you're both attaching yourselves to the vine.  Whether we're single or married, if we want to be fruitful, we need to make sure we're interweaving our lives with Jesus, which leads me to my next question: 


Is God your heart's number one desire?  

This was a big one for me.  I went through a vicious cycle of going back and forth between God and guys.  Typically, I would have one or the other.  Either my relationship with God was in a pretty good place or I let my relationship with God fall away and chose to spend my time thinking and dreaming about my current love interest. 

Almost 8 months after dating Bernie, I went to a women's conference in need of a spiritual jolt.  Typically, I would go to some kind of conference or retreat and left feeling like I needed to get rid of all men and just be with God.  (Not saying that's totally healthy or sane, that's just how it usually happened).  In all honesty, I was scared to go to the conference, because I was afraid I would leave feeling convicted to breakup with Bernie and I really liked him.   

As I spent time that weekend praying about my relationship with God and my relationship with Bernie the strangest thing happened: As my love for God increased, so did my love for Bernie.  I felt like God was saying, "You can have both, but I must always be number one." I was excited, encouraged, and freed.  I felt like God gave me an incredible gift in saying, "Yes, it's okay to be in a relationship, just be careful it's not more important that your relationship with Me."

You see, our God is madly in love with us and He deeply desires our hearts.  He doesn't want anything, no matter how perfect, attractive, intelligent, romantic, or "good on paper" they are to come between us.  When Jesus says the first and greatest commandment is to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,"  He meant it.

When people ask me, "When did you know?"  That is usually the moment I pinpoint.  It's still a lesson I continue to learn daily.  No matter how wonderful Mr. Wonderful is, no one can take the place of our God.  Only He is capable of truly fulfilling the voids, longings, and desires of our hearts.  He is the One who "opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing."  (Psalm 145)

Another question I would mention is something I wrote about last week.  Are you rising or falling into love?

Each one of us was created and designed to rise into something special, unique, and perfectly designed for us.  Something that is "immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3).  Growing up and day dreaming about "the one" I can't say Bernie was what I initially envisioned and even when I met him four years before we started dating, it wasn't exactly "love at first sight".  BUT in so many ways, Bernie is immeasurably more than I ever imagined.  He compliments and matches me in ways I didn't even know were possible.  Only God.

Does he bring out the best in you?  
Does the relationship bear fruit?   
Is God your heart's number one desire?   
Are you rising or falling into love?   

God is the God of romance and when we allow Him access to every part of our lives, even our love lives, He is faithful.  He knows what we need even before we ask for it.   He loves us more than we can begin to comprehend and He has a good and perfect plan for each one of us.   Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

How Will I Know?

Typically, when it comes to relationships, I like to cut to the chase.  You could have been on approximately 1.5 dates with someone and inquiring minds want to know, "Is he the one?"

If this has ever been you, let me apologize.  When it comes to love, I get a little excited.  Yes, I know that in most instances those questions aren't resolved that quickly, but how will you know? 

Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is no verse in the Bible that tells you specifically, when you'll know.  There are verses that talk about the type of man you should be looking for and verses that talk about God's faithfulness and His guidance, but nothing that comes out and says, "You'll know this is the man you are to marry by x, y, and z..."  Wouldn't that be nice? 

Equally confusing is the fact that with each person and couple it is different.  When it comes to love and marriage, there's not really a set formula.   But with or without all the answers, as my mom loves to say, "God is the God of romance." 

Sometimes you just know—my grandparents knew each other for a mere three weeks when they got engaged and were married six months later.  They will celebrate their 60th anniversary this June.

Other times it make take a roundabout way to find out—coming together, taking time apart, and then reuniting.  Strengthened.  Matured.  Ready.

Once again, I must say I am NOT a relationship expert and all relationships are so very different, but here are some things I noticed when it came to Bernie...

Soon after Bernie and I began dating I began to  pray, "Lord, if he's not the one, end it now.  I really don't want to waste my time if this isn't going anywhere."

As time rolled on, I became more and more afraid as to how this was going to end.  It's scary to put yourself out there without knowing how it's going to end and I was tired of getting too emotionally involved in relationships that weren't going anywhere.

So, through a process of about a year and a half, here are some questions and events that led me to see that Bernie, was indeed the one.

Does he bring out the best in you?  

My sweet mother always tells her children, "You're both wonderful people, but are you the best person for each another?  Do they bring out the best in you and do you bring out the best in them?"  

A few months into our relationship, a friend came up to me and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I like you more now that you're dating Bernie."  I'm not sure what that meant about me beforehand, BUT their outside observation helped confirm what I was feeling.  Bernie made me feel alive.  He didn't change me, but he definitely enhanced me.

Several other friends told me that they thought Bernie helped me be the best version of myself.  I was so grateful for their insight.  Those were words I'd never heard before when it came to dating.   

Sometimes it's hard to see when you're in the relationship, but as an outside observer, it can be pretty easy to spot.  

Does the relationship bear fruit? 

Ecclesiastes 4 says that "two are better than one," so where do you see fruit blossoming?  This can look like all kinds of things—courage to pursue a dream, answered prayers, strengthened faith, an increased desire to love and serve others, the strength to work through family issues, ministering to those around you, etc.  Where are you seeing fruit?

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5   

 

I wasn't planning for this to be a two-part post, but I've gone too long today.  To be continued tomorrow...

Any other Whitney fans out there? Email subscribers click here.

Linking Up

Image from CoastalLiving.com

Is it Friday already?  This week has flown by...

Here are some of my favorite links from the week.  What have you been reading??

A Space for Grace @ Lysa Terkeurst

On Trying to Change @ Chatting At The Sky

Lover of our Souls @ Loving Radically

Keeping House @ Nesting Place

My friend Emily has a little wahoo in training.  She is precious.  Check it out here.   

Also, because it's Valentine's Week, enjoy a little Giselle.  Does anyone else ever wish life could be a musical?  (Email subscribers click here)

He Is Mine.

Image from RealSimple.com

Whom have I in heaven but you?
      I desire you more than anything on earth.
 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
      but God remains the strength of my heart;
      he is mine forever.

Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT)

Beauty in Broken

Bridget Jones--click here for a great break up song

I'll be honest, I feel a little strange talking about a broken heart that God has already made whole, but if this can encourage someone whose heart is currenty raw, broken, or hurting, than it is totally worth it.   So here goes...

Broken hearts suck.

Yes, they most definitely call for two of my favorite men, Ben & Jerry.

Yes, they are a free pass to gorge on whatever you want.  Including, but not limited to: Bloomin' Onions, Big Macs, Taco Bell, and Beef & Cheddar's from Arbys—I'm a classy girl, what can I say? 

Yes, they call for several good chick flicks.

But ultimately, they suck. 

However, once you move past the initial sucky-ness, there is beauty to discover.  You see, even though it might sting and your heart aches, God is near.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

For me, this season of healing was a precious, intimate time with the Lord.  I came to Him lonely, empty, and broken.  I came to Him hurting, aching, and tired.  I came to Him with nothing, but He gave me everything.  He held me, rocked me, and filled me.  That, sweet friends, is a small taste of the infinite love and grace He has for each of us.  

I was so hungry for love and fulfillment and what I discovered was that God, only God, could meet and satisfy those needs.  Even now, married to the love of my life, I'm still learning:  only God can fully satisfy. 

When we're in a dry and lonely place, He is there.  Guiding us, satisfying us, strengthening us, and breathing life back into our feeble frames.

The LORD will guide you always;
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
   like a spring whose waters never fail. 

Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

Isn't that beautiful?

But not only is God near, He takes all of those tiny pieces and makes them whole once again.  It's an incredible, beautiful thing.

Although God is more than able to put the pieces back together instantly, it may take some time.  For me, it was a process.  I saw healing come in several stages.  If I'm going to be totally honest, there was one part of my unforgiving heart that took 2 years to heal, but eventually, I found freedom through forgiveness...but forgiveness is another topic for another day.

God is takes the fractured, broken, and dysfunctional and puts them back together.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]."

Psalm 147:3 (Amplified) 

He also understands us and is able to give us the grace and support we need each day in such a perfect way.  For me I saw this in so many ways including:

• the sweet and timely scriptures He whispered to my heart each day through His Word.
• two of my best friends driving through the middle of the night just to see and encourage me
• an incredible weekend with one of my heroes who indirectly helped to inspire Long To Love
• the opportunity to be challenged and stretched folding laundry for a month at Rockbridge with a fabulous group of people including: Ansley, Eliza Joy, Mary, Megan, and Sara.  Definitely not something I would have chosen on my own, but God knew it was just the ticket. 

 "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)

Nursing a broken heart?  Put down the Ben & Jerry's and run into the arms of God.  It may seem like you have a long, painful road ahead of you, but God is near.  He is with you.  Wait on Him and He shall strengthen your heart!!

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
         That I would see the goodness of the LORD
         In the land of the living.
      
 Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)

Rising In Love

My mom--just one of the girls! 

"For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture." 

Malachi 4:2

Since everywhere you look, we're in a season of love, I thought it might be fun to share some relationship advice dispensed from my sweet mother about 9 years ago.  One simple disclaimer before we begin:  I am NOT a relationship expert.  I do NOT have much experience.  

BUT, when it comes to relationship advice, Lisa Nelson's lines are gems. Pure gems.

For instance my personal favorite, "Physical chemistry is an important component to any relationship...sometimes it might get you into trouble, but you can't have a great relationship without it!"

Don't worry Mom, we're not going to talk about physical chemistry today...we're going to talk about rising into love.  If you've been friends with me for over a month, chances are you've heard this.  It's one of the five best pieces of advice my mother has imparted to me.   

A long, long time ago, the relationship I convinced myself was "the one" (at the very mature age of 19) had ended and my sweet mother came rushing to my aid to nurse my aching heart.  I was numb, confused, and incredibly broken.  I didn't just hurt emotionally, but I even hurt physically.  

As we talked and I cried, she looked at me and said, "Elizabeth, I know you can't see this right now, but there's a difference between falling in love and rising into love.  In this instance, I think you were falling—holding on to something because you were desperate to make it work and scared to be alone; losing touch with yourself and falling into something that was "good."  God has something for both of you that is GREAT.  You weren't made to fall, you were made to rise into what God has for you." 

Even though I wasn't exactly emotionally stable, for some reason her words stuck.  The funny thing is, she doesn't even remember saying it.

We were made to rise—after that day, those five words guided me through several relationship decisions.  Am I rising or falling?  (It's also great for other life decisions like jobs, moves, finances, etc.) 

Sometimes, we're lonely, frustrated, and tired of waiting for great.  It's easy to settle or fall into something or someone less than excellent because it's a quick fix.  Who has time to wait around for Mr. Wonderful anymore?  

Or we've been stuck in a relationship for so long we can't imagine what our life would be like without it, so we just go with it.  Rather than rising, we fall deeper and deeper into something that isn't God's best because it seems easy at the time.

We were made to rise into something great.  Our God who created us and knows us has plans for each one of us—plans to prosper us, and give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

He has also given us His Word which can light and guide our path.

Check out Ephesians 5:

"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord...

   “Awake, O sleeper,
      rise up from the dead,
      and Christ will give you light.”

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, 

but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

Ephesians 5:10, 14-17(NLT)

He also promises to help us.  Whether we're rising or falling, take heart, we are NEVER alone! 

I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 

Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13 (NV)

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road!  Now follow it.  Isaiah 30:21 (CEV)

Be Mine.

Image from MarthaStewart.com

Happy Valentine's Day Friends!  No matter what your status may be—single, in a relationship, engaged, married, or my favorite "it's complicated" I pray that each of us will feel wrapped up in Jesus' faithful, satisfying loved. 

No matter how perfect "he" may be, or how perfect you dream of "him" becoming, no one will ever love you more completely and perfectly than Jesus. 

You, sweet friend, are incredibly loved!  May His love sweep you away today!

"Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life."  

Psalm 23:6 (The Message) 

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you."

Jeremiah 31:3 (Amplified)

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling,
      beautiful in every way...

You have captured my heart,
      my treasure, my bride.
   You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,
      with a single jewel of your necklace.
 Your love delights me,
      my treasure, my bride."

Song of Songs 4:7, 9-10 (NLT)

Linking Up

Image from Talbots

Happy Friday Friends!

Here are a few treats from the week:

• A great post from Amy Julia Becker— Letting Go of Lists, Learning to Love.  

• Shauna Niequist (author of the book Bittersweet that I can't seem to stop weaving in) knows more than just how to write, she's also a fabulous foodie.  Her latest post gives insight into her favorite cookbooks, food writing, and food blogs.  

• Speaking of food, I recently made this recipe that supposedly mirrors PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps—it did not disappoint! 

• Courtesy of idaclare, enjoy this post on the art of the side ponytail.

• And lastly, I had a big "grownup moment" yesterday: I bought a pair of jeans at Talbots.  Yes, Talbots.  I felt a bit like my grandmother Babby who I imagine has relied on Talbots as her fashion mecca since it was established in 1947.  To me, my jeans seem to indicate I'm getting up there in my years, but I'm going to take a risk and say that Talbots is making a come back and channeling their inner Audrey (my fashion icon).  I mean, how cute is this??  

They gave me a 40% off coupon for March 2nd, so I may be going back...

More Snow

View from our window

5:45 this morning, I received a wonderful text message from my boss that said, "Enjoy the snow day!"  I turned my alarm off and rolled over, elated at the prospect of an entire day at home to relax and recuperate.  Fast forward 30 seconds and I was already plotting my "To-Do" list in my head of all the things that needed to get done.  I see snow days as a gifted 8 hours, but how quickly I manged to completely fill up the day.

Yes, I have actual work for my job that needs to be done; yes, my house needs some tidying up; and yes, there are bills, taxes, and thank you notes to think about, but whatever happened building a snow man, drinking hot chocolate, and sitting by the fire?  What happened to slowing down and being rather than only doing?

I guess I still have some more to learn.  It's hard to balance the need and desire to be still with the daily demands each morning brings.  I want so badly to be still and soak up all that Jesus has to offer, but I also want to be diligent with the responsibilities I have and stay on top of the ever growing "To-Do" list.  I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but let's just say I have a hard time finding a healthy balance.  

Thankfully, with each new day comes a God whose mercies are new every morning.

Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

Thankfully, as I try, fail, stumble, and try again to figure out how to live life in a balanced, meaningful way, I'm not alone. 

Fear not, for I am with you; 

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
      I will strengthen you,
      Yes, I will help you,
      I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

 
 Thankfully, each day, God is my portion and is more than able to satiate my hunger and weakness with His daily bread. 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Lord, "give us today our daily bread."  (Matthew 6:11)

Human Beings

Last night, I saw a movie called Race To The Nowhere with my friend Price.  The film features students, parents, educators, and doctors looking into the problem that many students starting at a very young age, feel pushed to the brink and pressured to do everything—homework, sports, instruments, art, community service, etc. so they can get into a good college and ultimately secure a good job...but where does this get them?

It's amazing how young the mentality that we have to do everything can set in.  As women it's easy to buy into the notion that we have to do everything—be the perfect friend, wife, mother; have booming careers; whip up a home cooked meal each night using only locally grown, organic food; take part in a million different organizations; read our Bible and pray each morning; and still have time to take it a quick pilates class and run 5-6 miles a day.  

In the book I'm reading, Bittersweet, Shauna recounts this a bit from her own life and her infinite To-Do list:

"At one point, I kept adding to the list, more and more items, more and more sweeping in their scope, until I added this line: DO EVERYTHING BETTER.  It was, at the time, a pretty appropriate way to capture how I felt about my life and myself fairly often.  It also explains why I tended to get so tired I'd cry without knowing why, why my life sometimes felt like I was running on a hamster wheel, and when I searched the faces of calmer, more grounded women for a secret they all knew that I didn't.  This is how I got to that fragmented, brittle, lonely place."

Over the weekend, one of the incredible gems Lysa imparted on us was that "we were created to be human beings, not human doings."

Let that sit in a minute—human beings, not human doings.  For me, that was incredibly freeing.  Before setting out to change the world one homemade loaf of bread at a time, we first need to figure out how to be and then do.  We need to pause and sit in the reality that Jesus is at the core of our being and our be-ing.   

Rather than running around frantically trying to do more than is humanly possible, we need to allow ourselves the freedom to rest in simply being and allow Jesus' truth to set into our hearts.  Rather than defining success as one who can do everything better, we need to cling to the promises of who He has created and called us to be and then set out together to do the work He has prepared for us.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful..."

Psalm 139:13  

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

"He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love..."

Zephaniah 3:17

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you."

Ephesians 1:18

"We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Just Be.

 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."

Matthew 6:5 (The Message)

 Recently, I've found myself longing for quiet.  A place to sit, rest, and be.  The problem is, a majority of the day is filled with some type of noise—people, cell phones, music, TV, email, facebook, twitter, blogs--for me finding quiet is a challenge. It doesn't help that I'm not exactly eager to tune out all the surrounding noise.

Even when my heart longs for quiet, I find it hard to turn that longing into a reality.  Tuning out everything else is SO hard for me.  Plus, I can't say that I'm always excited to be alone with my thoughts. 

Last week, I was driving home from work at the end of a long day and decided I would turn the radio off and just sit.  I'll be honest, the first few minute were rough, I even resorted to turning it back on and making some phone calls, so I no longer had to be quiet.  I was shocked that I couldn't even last thirty minutes.  Eventually I made it about 15 minutes and I can't say anything life changing happened, but I left the car with a clearer mind; one that was beginning to rest. 

I also noticed that as the silence continued, slowly my mind shifted from only thinking about myself, to thinking and praying to God.  I'll be honest, it had been quite a while since I've prayed to the Lord in silence.

In the verse above, Jesus says, "find a quiet place and just be...as simply and honestly as you can manage.  The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."     

When was the last time you allowed yourself some time to sit in quiet?  Believe me, it's not an easy thing, but my challenge is for all of us to take even ten minutes—in the car, on a walk, in the morning, right before bed—to sit in a quiet place and simply be.  

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he restores my soul."

Psalm 23:2

Breathing Room

He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul...

Psalm 62:1 (The Message)

Happy Monday Friends!!

Over the weekend I had the incredible opportunity to hear one of my favorites, Lysa Terkeurst.  The verse above was the conference theme verse, and one I have quickly held onto as a new staple.

Sadly, I haven't even had time to really process all that was covered, but let's just say, she knows her stuff.  She has such a way of making Jesus so real and powerful.  I'm sure much of it will be sprinkled throughout the blog over the next few weeks, but at I time when I'm feeling exhausted and like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, I'm strengthened by the reminder that Jesus is:

•  My solid rock
• Breathing room for my soul
• At the core of my being
• A powerful name to be spoken

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name."

John 17:11

On Friday, Lysa wrote an beautiful post that breathes life and perspective into my heart on a morning like this...check it out here.

Some Friday Treats

Happy Friday friends!  Today I have a few fun treats for you!

First up, a fabulous verse from my "Cousin" Barbara (she's technically my aunt, but way too cool, hip, and young to acutally be an aunt, so we call her cousin)

"Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life."  

Psalm 23:6 (The Message) 

Isn't that great?  As we're nearing the corner for Valentine's Day, what a fabulous reminder of God's love and pursuit of us.  

Next, after a little hiatus, my sweet friend Megan's second blog Voice Inside My Head is back!  She's widely known for her precious family blog, but her personal blog is great!  In her three posts this week, I've been challenged, encouraged, and refreshed.  Check it out! 

Last but not least, it's been a while since we've gotten our Lousia fix. Below is a fabulous video of her singing the ABC's.  She is well on her way to kindergarten preparedness!  

A couple things to note:

• You don't actually get to see her face (she stops performing if she knows the camera is on) so I included one of my favorite pics above.

• If you listen closely, at the beginning when Laura asks if it's a horsey, Lousia replies, "No, that's a pony."  Get it right Mom!  

• As she nears the end, she attempts to sing, "Now I know my ABCs, happy, happy, happy me!"  You'll note she sings the "me" like a champ!

Enjoy!

Grace Abounds

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

 

 

And Then I Stepped In Dog Poop.

This morning I woke up, coffee brewing, shower warming up...and then I stepped in dog poop. 

I had big plans to sit with my Bible, journal and coffee...and then I stepped in dog poop.

I was going to blog about seeking God in the quiet, still moments throughout the day...and then I stepped in dog poop. 

I'll spare you the details, but let's just say I'm far from pleased.  Oh, the horror!  Drama, drama, drama!

Yes, in the grand scheme of life and even this day, there are much bigger problems.  But how do we keep those little annoyances from destroying our day?  The car won't start, your dishwasher breaks, you hit massive traffic and you're late for a meeting, the printer breaks when your midterm is due, your baby is throwing up...I kind of feel like I'm writing a country song!

Too often, I allow trivial, stupid things to ruin my attitude and my entire day.  Admittedly, I can be a bit of a drama queen, but what I need is some healthy perspective.

As far as I know, there's not a Bible verse that addresses my little misstep this morning.  If my mom were here she would say, "If this is the biggest problem you have all day, you just say thank you Jesus!" 

One great verse I have found for maintaining some healthy perspective is 1 Thesselonains 5:16-18

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 

 

Or as my fabulous small group leader Laurie likes to say, "Choose Joy!"

 

 

Anyone have tips on how to keep trivial issues from ruining your attitude and your day?  I'd love to hear them!

 

 

Snow Day

As a massive snow storm continues to billow through the Midwest, including my sweet Eliza Joy, below is a post I wrote last year when we were buried in DC's 2nd "Snowpocalypse" of 2010....

When posed with the profound and significant question of "Mountains or Beach?" I'm a mountain girl through and through.  However, just because you're a "mountain girl", does not require you to be a "snow girl".  The District is currently being blanketed with it's third major snow storm of the year, and I must confess, I'm a little over it.  The past two storms came one after the other, so it's hard to know where one snow storm finished and the other began...there's just lots and lots of snow. 

This morning as I sit on my couch looking at the sea of white outside the window, I am reminded of when David prays to the Lord in Psalm 51 and pleads, "wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

I'm not snow's biggest fan right now, but there is a purity and beauty of snowfall that is hard to deny.  One of the things I've noticed this winter is how snow has the unique ability to make even the ugliest places beautiful.  No matter what's underneath, when you look at a place blanketed in snow, it's hard to deny its loveliness.

In David's prayer, we see him pleading with God to make the ugly, shameful, sinful, broken places of his heart whiter than snow.  The amazing reality of God's love?  He can do that!

When reading and hearing about the extent of God's forgiveness, at times I find myself questioning if that applies to me as well.  Is God's love for me so vast that He can choose to forgive me and purify me?  He is really able to blanket my ugliest parts with His grace and make them whiter than snow?

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (New Living Translation)

The answer is a resounding YES!  There are so many aspects of God's love that move my heart and leave me longing for more--His depth, His delight, His steadfastness...but the fact that we were made alive through Christ, in spite of our sin, as a result of God's extensive love, overwhelms me.  I can't begin to fathom a love like that. 

So today, as the snow continues to fall with a quiet, but fierce power, I pray that it will make us aware of God's love and mercy in new ways.  No matter what we're trying to hide, or cover up, I pray that we will have a glimpse of God's freedom and love and boldly approach Him with a willing heart.  May we trust and believe that He can make all things new and that He alone can cleanse and purify ALL things, even the ugliest, hidden places of our hearts. 

And may this undeserving love, compel us to long for more of Him.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."

Isaiah 63:1,3