also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
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faith · 07/03/2017

younger me, don’t live so afraid.

Lately, I’ve had reason to look back into my middle and high school years and self. And those are the words that come to mind:

Girl, don’t be so afraid.

This past weekend we celebrated my only niece’s 13th birthday with a blessing brunch, we dubbed it. My encouragements (things I would’ve told my 13-year-old-self today) to her were:

  1. You don’t have to be everyone’s best friend, and not everyone will like or love you, and that’s okay.
  2. You will never regret choosing Jesus and His way of doing things, over the temptations, tendencies, and promotions of the world.

In all honesty, I walked through middle school and early high school years timidly, paralyzed with fear of making a mistake or being thought of as out of the culture-loop. I was insecure about my appearance because I was afraid of being confident and feeling beautiful exactly as I was, believing the lie that comparison was better. I was afraid of letting the weight of who I was – my hopes, dreams, quirks, passions, interests – bear on those around me, for fear that I’d be judged or put on the spot.

I didn’t idolize the ‘popular group,’ or even want to be one of them, but I did want to blend in, and be someone other people wanted to be around. 

When it came to sports, even though I was a competitor in my favorite sport (track and field), I often played afraid, unsure of myself, wanting to avoid discomfort but still contribute to the team. I practiced and played nervous most of the time. I worked for my own glory, because I thought ‘good’ meant coaches, family, and friends were pleased and proud. This meant I was held up by others’ compliments or affirmation, not by the reality God had given me a gift of a healthy body and a passion for running. Exhausting, fearful, and shallow, let’s be honest.

You know what I realize now? Something I desperately wish I had known then:

Even though fears are present, so is Strength. 

If I could tell that curly-haired, athletic, quirky, emotional girl something then, it would be this:

You are afraid, paralyzed of not being smart enough, funny enough, fast enough, clever enough, and you’re letting it stop you from fully living. Stop. What you have to offer the world, the person you are right this minute, is exactly what God wants from you! 

You are strong because the Spirit of God resides inside you. You can handle a mean girl, you can be completely happy without a boy to daydream about, you can dig deep for that extra 10% on the track and strive for your best, you can wear clothes you want and listen to music that you like… the choice is yours. Turn your back to the lies of comparison and shallow satisfaction. You have the capacity to be strong because you surrender to Jesus, and He works with you to make His glorious plans for you come to pass. Don’t be afraid of confidence and beauty. Be refreshing to others with the Light inside you!

Don’t let your choices drip with anxiety because you aren’t sure people will come alongside you, or because the future is uncertain. God provides. He champions you and cheers you. Before you get out of bed you are loved, accepted, and forgiven, no matter what other humans say or how they react to you. Don’t walk around with an anchor of fear when God offers you freedom, joy, and courage! 

Instead of clinging to feelings of fear and anxiety, ask God to help you let go to grasp all the amazing, better-than-you-can-believe wonders He wants to work out in your life for His glory.

——————

On Christ the solid rock I stand, Leaving behind the fear of man
With Christ the truth I will agree, Forsaking lies that come for me
On Christ the rock I lay my dreams, Come with Your fire consuming me
With Christ the rock I make my plan, Partner with Your purposes
Kim Walker-Smith

In: faith · Tagged: fear, grace, me, spiritual growth, what i've learned

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also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’ Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’

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