Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.
The words flashed across my screen. A random email trying to sell something.
You’re the One.
However, it gave my heart pause, and when that happens, my mind starts to pay attention.
The words are something we’d want said to us. The marketing, it’s genius.
You’re the One.
I’m falling behind. I can feel it. I’ve lost my edge. I’m not working as hard or as long.
So what, I’ve gotten up early and handled my online job and worked my day job, gone grocery shopping, made dinner. I still need to clean, interact with my family, and do some editing.
There isn’t enough of me. I’m losing myself in the process and along the way, dropped God from my moments and placed him mainly at the beginning and end, if I’m not too tired.
And still I beat myself up.
“If you have the boys mow, leave the back yard for me.”
Those words slipped out of my mouth before I could call them back.
I’d just had a moment with God.
Having woken up and glanced in the mirror before my morning shower, I decided to forgo washing my hair and wear it crazy. I mean, sticking-up-in-twelve-directions-and-praising-God-all-on-its-own crazy hair.
New to short hair, I’d been washing it every single day because of this same issue. This day, I am going with it. I run my fingers through it to make it all stand in the same direction and laugh aloud at myself in the bathroom mirror.
And that’s when I feel it. The smile of God. He is laughing with me.
[Read more…] about Life Is Worth Living Just As I Am“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Rest your weary head, for God has declared that He is doing a new thing for you!
I speak this aloud and declare it for myself as well as for you. Over our homes and our families, over our weary bodies, lean bank accounts, and worried minds.
At every turn, we feel defeated and cast aside, like a stray dog hunting scraps from the table instead of an honored friend or daughter at a dinner given by our King.
It’s how the enemy would like us to feel. Forgotten. Mistreated. Trodden down at every turn. Discouraged.
I drew a heart in the sand.
Someone came alongside me and pointed to the outline. “A turtle,” he exclaimed.
He called his friend over. The woman looked at the stick drawing, the ocean foam lapping closer to the edges.
“No, it’s a dog.”
More people gathered … pointing and debating. Despite my protestations, few saw the intended design.
The tide came in and washed the traces of it away.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”y4z4d” via=”yes” ]It was a heart, they just didn’t see it…[/ctt]
In relief … and frustration, I sat on the hot sand, staring at where my picture had been.
I was alone again.
Was it a snowflake or a cloud?
“It was a heart,” I declared, willing it to return beneath the water.
Our intentions are not changed by people’s perception of them.
In the end, I will stand before God. He’ll see the curves to the lines, viewing that snapshot among the many in my life.
He will see the heart.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”cbo4f” via=”yes” ]God doesn’t have misconceptions, He knows our true intentions.[/ctt]
Have you had someone misunderstand your intentions or something that came out of your mouth?
When Jesus was confronted by false accusations, He remained silent. He committed the whole situation to the One who judges righteously.
Is there a way we could do the same and not try to take things into our own hands or “fix” a false impression or accusation?
Share your thoughts or experiences with being misunderstood in the comments below.
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Struggling, struggling, struggling. I don’t know why life is such a struggle. Can’t I just sit back in my cozy home surrounded by family and comfort? Okay, so I’ll go to work then I can come home and relax, can’t I?
I deserve the rest. I deserve the quiet.
But the prodding. Oh, my sweet soul. Rest within me again. Leave me be. I am saying ‘No’.
No to the nagging, no to the ideas and strange call to the unfamiliar.
I am saying ‘No’ to God.
God in the heavens above. And it scares me. Puts a chill down into my soul. I want to cry. But I am so weary. And I don’t know why, because I’ve been resting. I’ve been doing just what I said above … coming home and sitting on my couch and enjoying my comfort.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”0oWN9″ via=”yes” ]Have you ever said ‘no’ to God? Laura has…[/ctt]
Perhaps, Wisdom says, calling to me … whispering for fear of reprieve, where God is calling you is the rest you seek. It may look like work and trial and something that you are not comfortable with but it is for the better, the best, the good.
And I whisper back, maybe. Guide me. But please be gentle. I feel the weariness of the world and it’s weighing me down. My house calls to me of comfort and safety.
I will take a little step in faith. Will you meet me, Father? Prayerfully. I will read your Word so I know it’s you who calls me forward, and also rest within these Words as it is the only place that lifts my burdens and truly eases life’s toil.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
These words speak, not of luxury and gratification, but of a job, perhaps, undone. Glorying in tribulation … instead of running and hiding. He is our covering. He is our place of refuge as we march forward.
Perhaps God calling you also to an unexpected place. Have you said no or yes to His gentle whisper? Has the call gotten louder and louder, turning to a not so gentle crashing down of what was held too tightly?
Join me in turning our No’s into Maybe’s and with faith fed by God’s Word, moving forward with trust in God’s faithfulness, to confidently change our answers to Yes!
For God is not looking for us to be comfortable, but building our character to make a difference in our homes, our communities, and the world.
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
(Isaiah 6:8)
[ctt template=”2″ link=”_BkfE” via=”yes” ]”Here I am Lord, send me.” [/ctt]
Are in the middle of arguing with God about something? Is He calling you to take a step of faith? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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I woke up recently with the dream I was having on my mind. In it, I was getting a tattoo, a tiny cross on my ring finger, above my wedding band. The prevalent thought was how we wear Christ everywhere we go. Later (we’re talking days) while I was rolling over this thought, I heard a preacher talking about sin and how we get a check in our spirits before taking actions to sin.
That spiritual awareness should come from the closeness of our Savior in our every day lives. Recently, I was reminded that we become very much like who we hang out with … our attitudes, beliefs, even our mannerisms.
So I’ve determined in my heart to keep Jesus close. Closer than my husband, closer than my kids, or my coworkers. He is the third cord in my marriage, the One who holds us together.
“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 want those Holy Spirit checks when my sinful nature pushes me towards something I shouldn’t be doing (including losing my temper). I want instead to wipe a brow, share a smile, be present, follow through on a promise.
There is greatness in the small gestures in life. There is love.
Jesus commands us to love one another.
And what power we have flowing through us as children of God.
We can gain wisdom, achieve, grow, love beyond reason, forgive, and represent Christ wherever we go. There are no limits, except those we place on ourselves.
The Bible says that we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us (Phillipians 4:13). Which is good, because I am in the process of submitting an application for school.
What is a grown woman with adult children doing going back to school?
Remember, our capacity is unlimited. We have a connection to the source. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)
We can climb mountains, be physicians, write books, endure hardships and trials, love the most unloveable. Our capacity is unlimited.
Isaiah 43:1-2 says:
“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’”
The devil needs to take a backseat to his accusing and reminding us of our humanity. We’ve put on Jesus’ redeeming blood! Stay close to Him. Put Him first. Hold on to like He’s the lifeline in your life, your marriage, your relationships. Because He is.
Is God making a way for you through an impossible or hopeless situation? Or pushing you out of your comfort zone? How do you keep Jesus as your #1?
[ctt template=”2″ link=”2dCef” via=”yes” ]How do you keep Jesus as your #1? Check out these 6 tips from Laura Marshall[/ctt]
These have been my steps daily:
What about you? Do you have any tips for keeping God as number one in your life? How do you live by the power of Christ? Let us know in the comments below.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)
I just want to leave this scripture here and stare. Write nothing further. Seeing it over a social media feed encouraged me greatly.
It’s been a few weeks now of wondering if the cloud over my head, between God and I, is my imagination. Who put it there? It’s been hard to pray. Hard to feel worthy. Or loved. Or cared for.
It’s crazy how difficult times can mess with our heads and then … remind us of past difficult times and they stack one on top of another, the weight overwhelming.
Sin had taken root, I now know. It caused a separation. Within my heart and mind.
But Jesus, when faced with a crowd of people accusing a woman of adultery (John 8:1-11), He stooped over to write in the dirt. Mayhap to think, to bring clarity and calm to the situation. And then He stood, rebuking the accusers and not the sinner. When all had left, He asked where her accusers were. He was kind, gentle. Correcting in love.
We all sin. Is it separating us from God? Yes! But there’s access to the throne and it hasn’t disappeared because I’m not perfect.
So today, I marveled at His love and gracious faithfulness. To me. I’ve had some bad weeks. I may have more. I will continue to seek His face and follow my Savior, hoping for more days of basking in His love for me versus a condemnation that isn’t there.
He gently whispers, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Are there ways that help you combat feelings of unworthiness or sin itself that so easily entangles? Share your answers in the comments below.
I’ve spent the week getting beat up. Getting beat up by myself and my thoughts (repeatedly, consistently). By the angry world around me. By circumstances, sickness, and worries.
After several days of reading God’s Word through a Bible plan online, I had a revelation. No one, not even myself, loves me as much as God does. And the thoughts He thinks towards me are ones of love and kindness.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
Today is my day off and I’ve decided to be kind to myself.
I will live in the moment. God is omniscient and I know His plans for me are good. So, I will let go and trust Him.
Some of the things on my To Do list are purely for me, like painting my nails or giving myself a facial. Instead of pushing those off until last and never getting to them (for weeks), I’m doing them first. My bruised soul could use some TLC.
I have a date with myself to cry a little later. I need to forgive myself and ask for forgiveness from God over some things. Weariness begins with burdens not released.
I’m surrounded by imperfection. I will never be worthy or maybe even feel worthy. But Christ is in me. It’s time to look upward and not so long inward.
I’ve been entirely too distracted by shiny pretty things. Caring again, properly, starts with the soul then reaching out to others.
A me-centered mindset needs to now take a back seat. Proverbs 18:1 says A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
Things may not be perfect, or far from it. I don’t have the answers for some of the things that are still raging outside, beating on the door of my brain to get my attention and worry. However, too much time in my head thinking over what I can’t control isn’t the answer.
Conscious changes can cause tiny ripples of hope that God can perform miracles through.
The steps above, they have helped. Reaching out, asking for prayer. Taking the time to approach God and realize I’m worthy of His glance, His attention, even when I’m the most undeserving and unrighteous sinner. He sees me through Jesus’ sacrifice and to Him, I am clean, I am holy and He loves me just as I am.
Have you had similar days or weeks of feeling beat up? What steps have you taken to get out from under the onslaught?
[ctt template=”2″ link=”6E3T5″ via=”yes” ]Learn to love yourself with these 6 tips (that probably aren’t what you’re thinking)[/ctt]
Prefer to listen?
It’s mid-week again with all its hustle and bustle. The weekend sped by with goals unmet and things left undone. My mental list checks off folding laundry, keeping up with dishes, making meals, spending time with family.
Yet, there is always something I’m beating myself up over. Those areas that still need to be cleaned out and organized. A quilt half-sewn. Looming writing projects, the books I feel pressing on my brain with their story lines, or the devotional book I need quiet and prayer time to delve into.
I am forever second-guessing the choices I’ve made or what I did yesterday. Was it enough?
As I look back on 2016, I see a year of regret. And I don’t want to live there anymore.
Once my husband confronted me about how I never measure up to my own expectations. He asked if I would ever put those same tasks onto someone else, anyone else. Something to think about.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”OE5s_” via=”yes” ]Are you crippling yourself with your mindset? Find your freedom in Jesus.[/ctt]
I refocus again on God’s blessings and not my supposed lack of accomplishment. God has opened up doors and new opportunities at my job. My children are doing well and are healthy as is my husband. Our marriage is strong despite working opposite shifts.
Thinking back over the past months, there are several things I never regret:
So where do regrets come in and how do I combat them?
This morning it was pouring rain. However, over the downpour, I heard a little bird singing her heart out as day was breaking. It reminded me of the scripture:
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
And we see in Luke 10:38-42 the story of Martha and Mary and Jesus’ advice:
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Jesus said, “few things are needed.”
Wow. How many items are on my list that aren’t needed? What am I rushing to and from? Am I not worth more than a sparrow? How much is getting stolen from the days of my life, for the way of my thoughts harbors condemnation towards myself.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Jesus also said above, “only one thing is needed.”
What is that? What was Mary doing?
She was sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. (!!) Revelation. That’s my first order of business, listening (reading) God’s Word. Praying, talking to God. And asking to be led by the Holy Spirit.
My prayer is for you and I to live today abundantly. That we would cast off condemnation and rest in the love of Christ. In the midst of all of our to-do’s, He is the one who will center us and guide our steps so we can live a life without regrets.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”YuPUm” via=”yes” ]In the midst of our to-dos, Jesus is the One who centers & guides us so we can live without regrets[/ctt]
