Don’t be scared to radically obey God; be scared not to.

God loves His kiddos. He wants the best for us. He knows how all of this is going to unfold. He wrote the story, and you best believe that the small details He is intricately weaving together will culminate into the happiest ever after of all time.

We need to trust Him when it’s scary. We need to leap when He says jump. We need to stop tiptoeing around our fears and the what-ifs and just dive in head first.

Uninhibited.

Unashamed.

Unapologetically.

I don’t want to be a scaredy-cat Christian any longer. I want Him to know – that I know, that I know, that I know, that He has a plan and a purpose for my life.

And we can rest assured that His plans for us are good because He is a good, good Father.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

– Proverbs 19:21

This is what I know without a doubt – relationships take work. They take communication and a lot of it.

Love takes investment.

It takes talking.

It takes listening.

It takes making a choice.

It takes intentionality.

It takes commitment.

It takes time.

Invest in God, guys. Fall in love with him. It takes work, but it is so worth it.

“Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” – 1 Kings 8:61

Sometimes not so fond memories from the past pop into my mind out of nowhere causing a cringe-worthy reflex like no other. The thought, “What the heck was I thinking,” pops into my mind, and I’m left wishing that I could go back and have a do-over.

The thing is when we surrender to Christ we are granted a do-over. He forgets all the dirty. He forgets the filthy and the drama and the downright rebellious attitude – even when we can’t.

Things of the past may linger for a while, but eventually that’s what they become – just things from the past. They are not a part of our new identity. They are no longer a defining marker in our every day life. They are no longer our struggle but one that Christ took from us.

It’s a fresh start, guys. A do-over like no other.

“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” – Hebrews 9:14

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

don’t have a sweet tooth. I have 32 of them.

Y’all, it’s so bad. Cookies, ice-cream, candy bars, cokes, and chocolate. The addiction is real. Very real.

Something most people don’t know is that when I became pregnant with Maggie I also became diabetic. Gestational diabetes that never went away. Dang.

I keep that a secret. I keep it a secret because I don’t want to be judged. I don’t want anyone giving me that skeptical side-eye stare when I reach for another piece of candy. Y’all know what I’m talking about.

The thing is our body really is a temple. The Bible says so. At 36 years old my temple can’t bounce back like it once did. I’ve been deeply convicted the last month or so about self-control. I’ve been reminded of this very true statement – if I don’t take care of my body, if I continue to let my body get to an unhealthy state because of frivolous, in the moment sugar highs, then I won’t be able to do what God is asking me to do.

Feeling crummy and being lethargic is no way for me to be about God’s business. I need to feel good for myself, my kids, my husband, my friends, and my job. I need to feel good so I can do what God needs me to do.

If there is something you are struggling with that is hindering you from being the vessel that you need to be – message me. I promise I will faithfully pray for you. I promise that God can help you get that sweet tooth or whatever it is in check. He is helping me every single day. There is no possible way I could do this without Him.

“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” – Deuteronomy 2:3

“Since we have these promises dear friends let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

⁃ 2 Corinthians 7:1

Amazing – astonishing, perplexing, breathtaking

Grace – unmerited favor of God

Thank you God for the astonishing, perplexing, and always breathtaking unmerited favor that you give me every single day.

I’m so unworthy. So flawed. But you love me in-spite of me.

“23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24

Being a mom is hard, man. It’s good. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s hard.

There’s a lot of pressure to “get it right” all the time. And honestly, that’s just not possible. We are humans, and we are flawed. And our kids – they are tiny, flawed replicas of ourselves.

I was texting my big sister the other day, just talking about goofy things our kids have done, and she said, “These kids best be glad I love Jesus more than I love them.”

Isn’t that the truth!!!

To do this right – we need Jesus. To be the best mom and counselor and friend and coach and role model that we can be – we need Jesus. To love them right. For those moments when we want to flip our lid. For those moments when the aggravation is rising up. For those moments when our cool is no longer cool.

For those mom moments – we need Jesus. To guide us. To hold us. To keep us calm. To show our sometimes goofy-mistake-making-kids a love that keeps on loving.

Moms need Jesus.

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11

We’ve lied.

Cheated.

Cursed.

Been angry.

Been jealous.

We’ve shamed.

Been addicted.

Been lazy.

We’ve had issues.

But that was yesterday, and thankfully Jesus still loves us today. He still wants to use us. The things we’ve done – the sins of our past – they don’t have to define our here and now.

We don’t have to hold on to them. We don’t have to live in the midst of them. We just have to rise above.

And the only possible way to do that is by letting Him pick you up. He is the only way. The only saving grace. The only light at the end of a long and dreary tunnel.

Step into the light today. Be new. Be used. You’re not who you were. You’re God’s kid now.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:5

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

Hi. My name is Daisy, and I’m a sinner.

I’m a sinner from way back. I’ve messed up. I’ve let others down. I’ve let myself down.

However, I’m not giving up on me because God’s not giving up on me. Every day I will battle. Every day I will surrender. Every day I will know without a doubt that I have a God in my court that is cheering for me. He is rooting for me. And you best believe He is rooting for you, too.

So don’t give up, and don’t give in. Don’t get down on yourself. Dig deep, pray hard, and lift your face toward Heaven.

Beautiful Heaven

“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1-3

Dear Young Ladies,

I know it’s hard. I know you don’t feel pretty enough or good enough or cool enough.

I know the struggles because I’ve been in your shoes. Well, kind of. I was a teenager once, but I wasn’t a teenager with social media taunting me every second. I didn’t grow up in a comparison-driven society with every move played out on Instagram and Twitter like a very strategic chess game. I didn’t have to watch YouTube videos and master winged-tip eyeliner by age eleven. I didn’t have to choose my college major by eighth grade.

Maybe you don’t understand why that one guy doesn’t like you. Why that one girl didn’t invite you. Why you didn’t make that one team. It’s hard. So very hard.

Even though the struggles are so real, may I please offer this one piece of advice – just hold on.

Hold on to God.

Wait for His will to play out. It’s going to get better. I promise. Don’t turn to drugs. Don’t turn to the wrong guy. Don’t turn to other girls. Don’t compromise your future for a temporary bandaid that really won’t solve anything.

Just keep holding on. Hold on to God’s truths. Hold on to His promises. And for goodness sake – please know how amazingly beautiful you are!

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.” Proverbs 3:13-16

What are we not doing for God because our perception is that it’s too risky?

-it could take all of our money

-it could uproot our family

-it could take away “me” time

-it could label us fanatical

-it’s not what we had envisioned

-it could interrupt our schedule

-it won’t be fun

Don’t be scared of whatever God is calling you to do. Be scared of not doing it.

And when all the doubts and fears and what ifs start rushing in – because they will – just remember that it’s not you, but Christ living within you, that will give you the strength, knowledge, and the perseverance to do what He is calling you to do. You are His vessel.

Stop telling God what you can’t do, and start asking Him what He needs you to do.

“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” – Psalm 143:10

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23