I had a completely different plan for today’s blog post but once I saw this link up with Amber & Juliette I knew I had to hop on it. Health… such a crazy thing to try and accomplish, isn't it?

I always try and honor the Lord with my words here so I thought it would be best to start off with a verse that changed my life. I remember sitting in a room full of women at my church listening about our bodies. How God made us in His image. How He created us to be beautiful and desired, how we need to honor Him with that beauty. How my health is for His kingdom, not for my selfish need to be skinny or pretty. It was like all of the dots lined up for me in that moment. My body is His first, not mine or my husband’s, but His. What I choose to do with it reflects who I am through Him. That is a big deal.

So what do I do with that?
Do I try my best to stay active and eat well? Yes. Do I try my best to eat organic and take my vitamins? Yes. Do I want to take care of my body so I can have healthy children with my husband one day? Yes.

I want all of those things, and all of those desires are placed in my heart by the One who made me. I pray that I honor Him with every decision I make. I am His, and He is mine.

But being healthy isn't just about my physical appearance. It is also about my heart. A healthy heart gives and takes just like our bodies do, having good days and bad days, but in the end it is also His. All His. Anything that we take in our heart can be fixed by His goodness and grace. I find that so reassuring!

So yes, I try my best to always think about my health, body and heart, but not because of me. Because of my Savior. I want to be able to give Him my best because He gave up everything for me. He puts this breath in my lungs and pushes my body and soul. That is everything to me because He is everything to me.

I have loved reading all of the posts about health from this link up. It is inspiring to read the words from all these women and know that we can be kind to ourselves.

In The Word // 1 John 4:19

I've been having a lot of feelings lately about expectations within my life with Christ. There are days where I beat myself down and feel like I’m a complete hypocrite because of the way my heart feels torn at times. I want to bear his image and show kindness and love toward everyone but at the same time, that sneaky enemy creeps in and causes confusion. I become selfish, angry, judgmental, and even prideful.  Then I remembered this verse. Something so simple and straightforward. Love.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record since this post is very similar as last weeks post but I can’t say that the same feelings I had one week ago have moved on. I’m still struggling with this area of my heart right now, so instead of changing the subject, I want to dig deeper in this part of my life right now.

Life can be so messy sometimes. We are always going to be surrounded by others that you don’t see eye to eye with. We are all very different, and that is okay. God made us all different for a reason. We believe different things and we are allowed to do so, but when that belief in something becomes more important than WHO you believe in, I think that is when people become hurtful. At the end of the day, I know it all comes down to our own personal relationship with Christ. At the end of the day, the heart is what is most important. I know mine is not perfect, trust me, but I also know that it is consumed with HIM and that makes a difference. That makes me want to become better. Continue to be nice. Continue loving.

I came across this image on Instagram last week and it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Yes. That is it… just love. No matter what.

Don’t judge. Don’t gossip. Don’t push away.

Reach deep inside and show love from Him.

So my prayer for this new week ahead is that I stop. Stop letting others get to me. Stop listening to my head and shutting out my heart. Stop holding on to anger. That is the enemy working, not my Savior. It is hard, but I pray to be the better person this week. Loving others despite of their ugliness they continue to show, even when it is hard. Listening to my better half as he builds me up and supports me, showing me the best earthly love and points me toward our heavenly love. Sharing HIS love together, no matter what.

Please link up with me and the other Cassie and share you heart with us!

The link up will be open for a full week so anytime is welcome,

we just love to hear what the Lord is doing in your life.

 

<br /><a href="http://livingoncloud9ine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll67/prom08mhs/bible-page-1.png"/></a> 

Sometimes.

There are always those moments of simple and expected but sometimes the "if only" moments can creep in. They aren't terrible, sad moments, just moments when you want to smack yourself on the forehead and go back to bed and wish to wake up from a dream. Start over again and begin the day fresh and prepared. Over the weekend I had a lot of these moments. 

Leaving my purse in the restaurant on Friday night after we had walked halfway to our car, and of course the car keys were in my purse so Peter couldn't continue walking and swing by to pick me up. A few huffs where exhaled between the both of us but it was humorous to realize that Peter had also forgotten his wallet when we returned. On Sunday we were excited to have some lamb that we had defrosted for dinner only to realize that the meat had gone bad somehow so we had nothing to prepare for dinner. I normally do the shopping for groceries on Monday or Tuesday so we were out of everything. We decided some take out would give us a happy solution so while Peter showered after a day in the yard I drove to Joy of Tokyo to pick up a plate of chicken and steak with some rice and veggies to share while watching a movie only to realize I heard Peter wrong and he wanted shrimp and steak. A wife should know that their husband doesn't like chicken teriyaki, right? Wrong, who knew, definitely not me. 

All of these events were followed with "I'm Sorry" and "it's okay" from the both of us but it is in moments like these when we are given a gift. A gift of showing grace - grace for each other and grace for ourselves, trying our best to learn every day in this adventure called marriage. Growing more thankful everyday for the grace that our Lord has given us and trying our hardest to mirror the selfless love He has also given us. At the end of the day, forgotten purses and wallets or lamb, steak, or even chicken teriyaki, heaven forbid isn't even a big deal. This relationship isn't founded on those sometimes moments, no, it is founded on something much deeper. Something that makes our hearts beat and lungs breath, something so much more than this marriage at all. 

A Dream.

I had one of those extremely vivid dreams last week that I couldn't seem to shake. Gladly it wasn’t a sad or scary dream, it was wonderful and happy. Strange, but happy. Peter and I were in San Francisco and we found a house that we loved that was for sale and decided to move there. The house was beautiful with a view of the water and big wide open windows so you could see everything. There were people all around and everyone seemed so happy. The sun was always shining so everything was bright and we loved it. Oddly enough we were helping the former home owners move out and we were moving our things in. Nothing looked familiar to me because it was all new things but it felt like home. It felt comfortable.

I remember waking up and looking around the room and realizing I was in our real home. Here in Greenville in my normal bed and Peter was snoozing beside me. It surprised me how I was initially sad because the dream wasn’t true. It confused me because in my heart I don’t feel that way at all. I love our home and our life here. Our family is here. All of our friends are here. Our church and growing church family is here. Our life is here.

San Francisco will always have a special place in my heart. That is where we created our first memories as husband and wife on our honeymoon. Where I was so content and elated with this new married life together I could hardly contain it. I still feel that way today but that happiness has just grown deeper. I know that at my core I have a need and a want to be the best wife and helper I can be for my husband.

Since this dream I have been praying to understand the meaning of it. I believe that dreams are a part of you and can give you insight for your life. I also believe that bad dreams are a form of attack from the devil and that the good dreams are a blessing from God. Some kind of gift from Him to show you a deeper part of yourself. So I’ve been praying to understand that.

I now feel like that dream was a little peek at my heart. It is big and full of light and that is not because of a trip to San Francisco or even the man that I am blessed to call my husband; it is because of the Savior that I have inside my heart. He makes all things new and good. He shines that light on us and He wants to shine it out of us so we can share His love and grace with everyone. That is what He has called me to do. He makes everyday new like that new house in my dream. I can take out the old and replace it with His blessings, His favor and His goodness because I know that everything in this life is ultimately His. My heart, my life, my marriage, everything.

that time that God gave me a little gift.

A week ago I was struggling with some stress. Little things that have to do with the wedding like a calligraphy pen that I needed to finish the invites so we can send them out to all of our guests. I started with one pen, it died. So I bought another one on Amazon, used it and just like the other, it died. On the search for another pen I started with Amazon... no pen. Checked other places online... no pen. Checked local craft stores... no pen. 

The stress began. 

Yes. Over a pen. Then I remembered earlier that day I saw this little bit of wonderful on pinterest... 

All of my feelings were coming straight from Satan. I knew it was true. I let him inside and let him jumble my heart and my head instead of fighting him. Once I realized how crazy I was acting I decided to shut that door. Slam that door right in his face. Bam! Out with your evil ways and constant need to cause turmoil in my life.

I then made the conscious effort to let God in. Opening that door and welcoming Him into the stress. Asking Him to calm the obsessive need to find a silly pen. Begging Him to comfort my worried heart. Letting Him make my life still instead of rushing to find a conclusion for something so little. 

I decided that I'd find a pen. It may not be the same exact pen but it would work. It would be fine and the world would move on without that one specific pen. No big deal. 

Skip ahead a couple of days later... I decided to dig out my white summer purse from the bottom of my closet for the trip to Biltmore on Friday night. I transferred all the necessary things to the white bag and didn't think much of it. In the car on the way to Biltmore I started to rummage through the old bag because I am notorious for leaving little surprises in my bags after I switch to the next. While digging around in all the compartments I found several fun things. A lipstick that I thought I lost... a really pretty ring that I haven't seen since last summer... some awesome mascara that somehow wasn't at all clumpy.... After finding all of these goodies I had my hand down in the center of the bag and I felt something really familiar. Something I never thought I'd find. I'm sure you know what it was. The same exact pen that I needed and couldn't find anywhere. Literally, the last place I thought I would find one. I squealed and startled everyone in the car. I ripped the cap off praying that the ink wasn't dried out and then I squealed even louder when a thick line of black appeared on an old receipt. 

Everyone in the car was staring at me. Confused, slightly frightened and wondering why in the world I was screaming over a pen. It was THE pen! I then thought it would only make sense to scream "THANK YOU LORD!!! HE GAVE ME THIS PEN!" or something along those lines... I'm not quite sure what I really screamed but I was overcome with happiness because I don't remember ever having one of these pens last summer. I can't imagine why I would have ever put a pen like this in my purse. It just didn't make sense. The only thing that did make sense was this answered prayer. How he took away my stress, my obsession, my worry... he took all of it away and then this little gift was just an added bonus. His love is so sweet and the way He hears our cries and comforts us always amazes me. 

After a fun weekend (and some invitation addressing with my awesome new pen) I was excited about church on Sunday morning. The topic was on patience. Once again... He was speaking to me. The teaching pastor for the day, Bill White, was explaining how the definition of patience is not a personality style... it is the outcome of long suffering for love (Ephesians 4:2). How Christ is dwelling in our heart through faith and when He fills that space in our heart we are able to suffer long for those we love and really experience patience. 

He then moved on to Hebrews 12:1 and talked about how life is a race. The Lord puts us in this race and we should run with endurance and patience for the one true goal. To be with Him forever. We should look forward to that before anything else. Our whole life should point to that one goal. Our future with Him. Then Bill said something that I needed to hear more than anything.... 

"I am not going to live for my wedding day here, I'm going to live for the wedding day, the marriage supper of the lamb. I'm not living for my reception & I'm not obsessing over that. But I'm living for the reception that God is going to put on when He unites the Bride of Christ to His Son. That's the one I'm looking forward to. And not that it's wrong to look forward to the one that's in between but you can't put your hope in it. You put your hope in the one that's coming." 

I was shocked. I turned to look at Peter sitting right beside me and just laughed. It is so true. It doesn't matter what pen I use for the invitations. It doesn't matter how perfect our reception is. All that matters is the outcome of this race. The end goal of spending eternity with Him. 

Yes, I am incredibly thankful for the man I will be enduring this race with. Yes, I am looking forward to the day that will make us husband and wife. Our life will become one and I'm so happy that we have Jesus Christ to live that life for and then spending eternity in His presence. That is the end goal. 

when you ask God for something... you get it

A little over a month ago I was presented with an opportunity and at the time I didn't really think much of it. Almost two months ago I started the Ezer study at my church and I remember praying and asking for God to open doors that will give me a chance to become an Ezer and learn from a new experience. It wasn't until last week that I realized just how He had answered my prayers.

The opportunity that sort of fell in my lap wasn't anything too serious. I didn't even think it was a chance for growth at first but soon after I realized this change could be a good one, so I decided to pursue it. I went full force with my heart and felt positive about this chance and honestly felt very optimistic about it also. Then there was the wait period that was not fun… it seemed to take forever for a decision to be made but I was right at the end of my Ezer study so I tried to focus on that. Putting my energy and my thoughts on Him and not myself but still going out of my way to be a helper to those around me and trying to be patient.

Last week a decision was made and it wasn't the one I was hoping for. It burned. It made me a little bit sad, a little big angry and a little bit relieved. It wasn't until I actually heard the news that I realized this was the door opened for me. This was my chance to grow and to learn how to be an Ezer even when it wasn't expected of me. To step up and help others during a very busy season of my life purely because that is what I am called to do. I was sharing the news with my Ezer Group and I typed this…

 “I do wish it would have worked out but I have a sneaky feeling that the Lord was trying to teach me something instead. The way He shows us love and allows us to grow within His love always amazes me.”

And it’s true. We are safe within His love and we will be taken care of. As long as I’m living my life to glorify Him and not myself I know that the outcome will be okay. I will grow and I will be able to step back and look at the big picture that he arranged before me and honestly, that is the most important part about this journey. Being able to step back and see what the Lord has done.

**I'm also linking up for the first time with The Wiegands blog. 

I thought this was a perfect post to share my heart. If you have never read Casey's blog I would hop on over, it is such a wonderful read and a beautiful family! 

shake it off.

Over that past few weeks I’ve been allowing something to bother me. One of those things that you know you aren’t in control of but you still let it drive you crazy and even make you a little bit mad. I hate it when I feel this way… I know that I am who I am. I am a believer and I am forgiven. I am a hard worker. I am a rule follower. I appreciate words of affirmation. I could go on and on with little details about myself but the most important part of me is my heart and who it belongs to. He is in control of my days and I know He is trying to teach me something… I can only pray that I realize what that is before I drive myself mad.

During all this frustration I started the new SheReadsTruth study this week and I honestly don’t think it could have come at a better time. The first day of the study explained “What we think is what we become” and I know it seems pretty simple but when I read those words I felt a light bulb turn on! Negative thoughts create a negative attitude. Duh, Cassie. With that I snapped out of it. I’m going to do my best to not let the little things annoy me. All the things that I have no control over will not control me. I pray that I will stay positive and with that attitude my surroundings will change also. Life is too short and way too sweet to focus on the bad. In the words of Florence…. “And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back so shake him off!”

When I saw this view at work yesterday I realized that every day is a new day and what you choose to do with that day is in your hands. You can choose to be bitter and angry, or you can choose to have a heart like God... forgive and love even when its hard because thats exactly what he does for us every single morning. Forgive & Love.

"don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Philipians 4:6-7

Thanks-Living // November

After the recent Thanksgiving holiday it seems right to finish the month with a link up at Top of the Page with Leslie and the “Thanks-Living” posts. I’ve really enjoyed this little wrap up the past couple of months and I know I will enjoy looking back on all these wonderful blessings one day. This month has been pretty nice and I’ve really enjoyed the end of 2012 so far. I honestly can’t believe it will be 2013 so soon.

I’m just going to be honest, when I look back on last years Thanksgiving, it kinda sucked. I wasn't very happy.I remember walking around my grandmother’s house and everyone asking me if I was okay…

“you seem upset?” …. “are you sure nothing is wrong?” …. “you feeling okay?"

After so many questions from everyone I finally confided in my mom and told her that I missed Peter. A lot. Last thanksgiving we had been separated with no communication for 4 months and I was okay for most of it. I had leaned on my relationship with the Lord and my amazing friends to find the strength to move on but with the Holidays approaching I was struggling but now look at where we are. I’m still amazed that things have worked out this way. The whole week of Thanksgiving I wanted to pinch myself. In a lot of ways last year can feel like yesterday which only makes me appreciate where I am right now even more!

While I’m sitting here writing my thoughts the only thing that I can think of is how loving the Lord is. The past year has been in His control, not mine. Not Peter. HIS control. Letting go of that relationship was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I’m so glad I did because I realized that my relationship with Peter wasn't the most important thing. My relationship with my Maker is what should lead every decision I make and I know that now.

So right now at the end of November and the beginning of December I am thankful for His timing. I’m looking forward to December and the many celebrations ahead but most of all I am excited to celebrate the true reason for the season… a sweet baby boy sent to this world to die for our sins and that is definitely something to be thankful for!!!
I love this time of year! Hello December, I’ve missed you!

those moments when reality kinda smacks ya in the face.

With all the holiday hustle & bustle going on it has suddenly hit me…. This will be my last Thanksgiving as a single woman. It will be my last Christmas with me and my family the way it has been since I was born. Next year will be completely different.

I will be a newlywed. With a husband. With a new family all my own… just the two of us but also combining our whole families together. Connecting two sides through marriage forever.

Making decisions and plans and starting our new life.

This is such a fun experience but at the same time I’m trying to soak everything in.

Make memories of the little things that I usually don’t think twice about. Celebrating Thanksgiving at my house for the first time with my whole family. Drinking coffee and watching the parades with my mom on the couch. Spending Christmas Eve at my grandma’s house for the 25th time. Helping the little kids pass out all the gifts after stuffing ourselves with too much food and peanut butter balls. Waking up in my bed on Christmas morning and opening Santa with my mom and brother. Going to my Dad’s for Christmas day lunch and gifts.
All these things are traditions I know.
Traditions I look forward to every year.

I know that everything will change and evolve but I’m okay with that too.

I’m so thankful for the man that the Lord has sent my way. I can’t imagine making new memories with anyone else but until that day comes along I am going to enjoy the traditions that are a part of who I am right now. 

I’m so blessed to know that everything around me is a gift from God and this time of year makes me thankful. My heart is full and content and comfortable.

Happy Thanksgiving Week, friends!

She Reads Truth.... or She is Lazy?

I really love the book of Proverbs… it’s probably the one book that I have read completely a few times and it never becomes old so I was pretty excited when #SheReadsTruth chose a study through Proverbs. Of course the first couple of days I was on fire… enjoyed and looked forward to my nightly reading, highlighting, taking notes and praying through each chapter and blog post with so many ladies.

Then the weekend came. I fell behind… I became a slacker… I was busy. Too busy to sit and read my bible at night which only makes me feel horrible. Monday night I decided to catch up and started to read the post on Proverbs 7 which fell on Sunday.

The daily devotional started with “Happy Sunday!”

Yea yea…. I know…. It’s Monday night. I suck. I’m sorry Lord.

Then I went on to read…. 

“Today is our seventh day together reading through Proverbs. I know that I have a tendency to stay really consistent for about… seven days.”

Or how about five days… I couldn’t even make it seven! Ugh, sorry Lord!

Then a little ways down I read…. 

“So before we begin chapter 7, I want to pause. I want to remind you that we serve a God of grace and forgiveness. You don’t have to forgive yourself before you bring your junk to him: 
that’s a lie that we often believe.

His mercies are new each morning. [Lamentations 3:23]

So you missed the last three days? Join in today. If you want to go back and catch up: do that! And comment on the day you’re reading, because guess what? You’re not alone.”

hahaha! Sweet, Jesus… your sense of humor never gets old and I’m so beyond thankful for your constant forgiveness.

So, why am I sharing this? Well, because I’m sure we all feel this way at times.

We become lazy. Wrapped up in life’s moments. Pushing the Word aside. Rambling quick prayers so you can check it off your list of “Things I need to do” instead of working on the relationship that should be your MOST IMPORTANT relationship you have. I’m guilty. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.

But we are loved. We are cherished. He is jealous for our attention.

He craves to be the center of every moment in our life but when we don’t place Him in the number one spot He still forgives.

He is full of grace. Full of beautiful forgiveness.

Maybe you are also trying to read along with the #SheReadsTruth study. Or maybe you are doing your own study alone. Even if you aren’t doing anything… stuck in rut… all of that is okay.

He’s still there. Waiting patiently for your attention.

I am praying for my heart to keep a passionate focus for the Lord. I’m also praying for this world to find that same focus. Not a focus on the worldly gossip about what is right or wrong with faith but a REAL focus on a Holy God.

oh, Holy One, brighter than the sun

we lift our hands and sing

You are glorious; shine Your light on us

till Your light in us is seen

Lift up the light // Shane & Shane

All On A Quiet Tuesday Morning.

VIA

This morning while doing my usual “Pinterest Checking” I saw the quote above. My eyes instantly filled with tears. I was baffled. That’s what I want… to surrender everything and live for Him. Walk toward Him instead of all other things, leaving behind anything that isn't pushing me toward Jesus.

There are a lot of things that I have decided to walk away from in the past few months. Some are little, some are big, but they are all things that weren't driving me toward His grace and love. I thought about listing the things that I cut out of my life but I didn't want to come across as self righteous. I actually typed everything out but then with one easy motion I erased all of it. My Lord and Savior knows what I have removed and refilled with Him and that’s all that matters to me.

He knows.

After reading the picture above I went to read my daily devotion from #shereadstruth….

“ ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? {Matthew 16:24-26 NLT}

I couldn't believe it… It always amazes me how God meets us right where we are. He knows how to get our attention and if we turn to Him we will find a security that no worldly goods can give.

This cross that I've taken up can get heavy. It can become difficult to carry. Honestly, it gets in the way sometimes. But it is the best thing I've ever picked up because in the hard times when I turn toward the cross, its then that I realize I’m not carrying it at all… it’s always been carrying me and pointing me in the right direction. I just have to be still and listen. And sometimes on a quiet Thursday morning it all settles in place as I rest in His grace. 

The Last Month.

……has been a happy one.

Looking back on my posts from the past few years on this little blog I’ve realized a few things….

1. I’m such a GIRL.
2. Girls blab way too much sometimes.
3. Blabbing can make you sound kinda silly.
4. Silly can be annoying.
5. I don’t want to be annoying.

In the past year I’ve grown up a lot.

My faith is grown, my trust in my faith and Lord has grown and my relationships have grown. I’m so thankful for everything that has happened in the last year and it’s funny to look at where I am now.

Where I am now is beautiful.

So, for a recap in the past month I have learned….

1. God’s plans are the most important plans.
2. Prayer and reading His Word is the key to understanding His plans.
3. Actions speak far louder than any words can. 
4. Love really should protect, trust, hope and preserve if you want keep it from failing. {1 Corinthians 13:7-8}
5. Any relationship that is secure in His love can grow to something even better than you could hope for.

I’ve always been excited about any kind of change so I can’t wait to see what the next few years will look like. No rush, I’m taking my time day by day to evolve into the woman God wants me to be but I definitely plan on enjoying this journey! It’s fun to be a giddy girl at times but through prayer and trust in His plan I look forward to the Godly woman I will become. 

Green Thumb.

Last night during my quiet time with the Lord I read my daily devotion from Jesus Calling, it said: “I have planted Peace in the garden of your heart, where I live; but there are weeds growing there too: pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief.”

It’s neat to look at our hearts and think of them as God’s beautiful garden. With faith and persistence to make Him a constant part of my daily life my garden will thrive. That’s the only thing I want in my life… to thrive for His Kingdom and not my personal worldly heart.

He is such a loving Maker and wants us to grow and become His beautiful children. I can’t even express in words the affection that He has for me and that is such an amazing feeling. I feel so calm thinking of the light He wants to shine through me every day, giving me peace so I can share His love and devotion.

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” 

Philippians 4:19 {MSG}

The picture above is from Saturday when I sat and watched a garden being planted. Let’s be honest, I don’t have much of a green thumb. I've killed a cactus before, along with many other helpless plants, but growth is one of the most beautiful things. I can't help but think that God has the most PERFECT green thumb to prune and shape us. That makes me feel beautiful. I instantly think about one of my favorite David Crowder Band songs…. “A certain sign of grace is this, from a broken earth flowers come up pushing through the dirt”.

Yes, I am thankful today for His mercy and His grace because without it I would be a poor cactus dying with no green thumb to save it.

A Little Thing Called Faith.

"I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!"

{Psalm 139 11-18}

This passage makes me happy. I can’t even explain the peace and pure love I feel when I read this. I am wonderfully complex because He made me that way… not sure about you but that makes me feel less “weird” and more “special”! haha, we all have our quirks and funny traits but I know I am who God intended on me to be.

Even though I am a sinner and could never be perfect I am washed clean every day and His thoughts are precious when He thinks of me. I am His child. Goodness, if that doesn’t make you feel loved and safe I don’t know what would.

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend, I know I did. I’m starting to see that God answers so many prayers and most of the time its when you least expect it. Faith is everything. Faith in God. Faith in His Word. Faith in prayer. And Faith in yourself. And most of all, Faith in His timing! 

Forgiving.

via pinterest

I completely agree with this quote. We can't truly love if we don't forgive. 

Forgive others. Forgive ourselves.

Life is tricky... it's messy and at times annoying when it doesn't go our way. We can become stubborn and make excuses for it. Holding grudges and staying angry. 

Or we can forgive. Move forward... trying to learn how to love the messy parts because those are the parts that make you into the person God intended for you to be. 

"But when you are praying first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." {Mark 11:25} 

When I read that a few nights ago I felt everything settle into place. That's what God wants. He wants to forgive us for our sins... that's why He chose to die for us but for God to forgive us we have to forgive others first. Turning our hearts toward our heavenly Father which is the ultimate love. 

I'm starting to realize that when we forgive someone we are showing what God is doing within our heart. Sharing His love in a sincere act of kindness. Even when it's the hardest thing to do... we do it, because God shows us how with His endless grace and undying love. 

Forgiveness = Love

and LOVE is a beautiful thing!

Cancelled Plans & A Patient Heart.

This year has gone a lot differently than I had planned. I can't help but think of that quote I've always heard...

"If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans..." 
-Woody Allen

I never understood that till recently. I've always been a planner... planning for tonight, for this weekend, and I definitely had the 5 year plan in my head. Well, God sure let me know that He had a different plan. I tried to ignore His voice and made excuses for going along with my plan instead but He finally put his foot down.

And I finally listened. 

I have to say, this is the happiest I have ever been. It's so freeing to let everything go and follow where God is leading... scary, yes. But definitely freeing. I'm enjoying the journey and I appreciate all the amazing people He has put in my life right now. I am blessed to be surrounded by ladies that are so in love with God and keep me in check. 

Even though my focus is on His plan instead of my own there are still times when I feel alone. Not sure what I should do? Not sure what my next step should be? Trying to be calm and wait for His answers but then wondering if I can hear them at all. I'm sure everyone has felt that way a time or two... it's definitely not fun. 

When I went to the Shane & Shane show on Saturday night they played one of the new songs and it so hit home for me. I know God is the center of my heart and my world but there are still times that I beg for Him to make Himself known. 

I've had those moments where I'm sitting in my bed before I go to sleep with my journal in my lap and my pen in my hand but not sure what to right. Not sure what to ask. Wanting to thank Him for everything in my life. Waiting with my eyes closed and heart abandoned for His grace and love to fill in the empty spaces that still need to be captured by God. Captured by Him so I won't have to question what I should do or how I should feel because He will guide those thoughts and feelings for me. 

So this song is perfection and I love it. I hope you enjoy it and maybe it will help you out a little bit too! :) 

and if that doesn't make you want to buy their new CD I don't know what will... the entire album is precious, just like that song. Have a happy Tuesday! 

Twenty Four.

While sitting at work I had my iPod playing all the music on shuffle when 24 by Switchfoot came on. Such a good song… I honestly forgot about the song until my 24^th birthday when I dear friend of mine said he remembered sitting on his 24^th birthday and listening to that song over and over. Even then I didn’t go and listen to it.

So, here I was… sitting at my desk carefully listening to the song. Absorbing every word. Apparently the lead singer and writer of the song wrote it at the end of his 24^th year.

It’s funny how fast my 24^th year has flown by. I’m anticipating my 25^th Birthday and planning for an awesome party but listening to this song today made me realize that I need to soak in every single day. I am a HUGEplanner so it’s hard for me to do that, especially when I am excited about what I’m planning. And just for the record… a duo 25^th Birthday Party with one of my best friends is most DEFINITELY exciting!!! 

So there’s a random thought from my head today. Hope you enjoyed it, ha!

I also thought it would be nice to share the song with all of you… it really is a great song & I love Switchfoot!

Enjoy and hope you all had a blessed Tuesday!

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And I'm not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You’re raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies 
In twenty four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You're raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies 
In twenty four parts.
I'm not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.