Big prayers should not equal big scares; however, for the majority of my life that’s how I have lived – in fear of trusting my future to anyone else besides me. Let’s be honest, a lot of people have control issues. Yes, I am one of them. We like things our way, and oftentimes we will manipulate the heck out of whatever situation we are currently in to get it “just right”.

So for years I have been praying “blanket” prayers:

*God, keep me safe.

*God, let today be a good day.

*God, help me be a good mom.

The closer I draw to God the more I realize that I’m just touching the brink of what He wants to hand me, and in order to hold on – I’m gonna have to let go.

I have to let go of fear.

I have to let go of MY perspective.

I have to let go of MY wants.

I have to let go of MY control issues.

I have to let go of the unknown.

I have to let go of the “what if’s”

I have to be brave enough to pray those really big prayers. The bold ones. The prayers that say:

*God, where do you need me to go?

*God, what is YOUR will?

*God, help me to do whatever it takes.

It’s time to trust God’s will, God’s way, and God’s timing. It’s time to get bold with our prayers, ladies. It is time to let go of the fear of the unknown, trust our amazing Father, and look forward to the future that He holds for us.

It’s time.

“For 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

“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

I’m sitting here thinking about 2018, and I’m excited. A brand new year. A clean slate. A chance to make a difference. Of course I started making a list of the different ways to make it a successful year.

The first thing that came to my mind was my #PrayerTribe. My #JesusGirls. The ladies in my life that carry my heart and my passions and my kids and my hurts right along with theirs. They don’t judge. They don’t make me feel less than. When I’m doubting myself they pick me up, dust me off, and sometimes give me a swift kick.

These ladies are fighters. They are mighty in the word and faithful in prayer. And if I ever ended up in a dark, scary situation they would come out swinging. Without a doubt they love me and all my shenanigans. Without a doubt they love God. And when I ask them to pray – they pray. They really pray.

Y’all, find you some #JesusGirls. Find your #PrayerTribe, and when you do – treasure them. Lift them up. Pray for them faithfully. Keep their secrets. Carry their burdens. Hold their hopes in your heart.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Just because God has called other people to be missionaries in a foreign country doesn’t mean He has called you to be that. He may want you to be a missionary right where you are -in your very own hometown.

Just because God has called other people to write doesn’t mean He has called you to write.

Just because He’s called other people to speak doesn’t mean He has called you to speak.

Just because He has called other people to adopt, to teach, to be behind the scenes, or to rock babies in the nursery – that doesn’t mean He has called you to do that.

Dig deep, guys. What is God calling you to do this year? How is He calling you to step out in faith? Join me in prayer as I pray for God to reveal to us what He would have us to do for Him in 2018.

I pray for God to give us the guidance that we need. I pray that God will give us the courage and the strength and the perseverance to complete the race that He has placed on our path for this new year.

Find your mission, guys. Find your niche. Step out, grab God by the hand, and hit the pavement running. Just remember – whatever mission He has chosen for you – it’s probably going to be uncomfortable. It’s going to stretch you. It’s probably going to push you to what you think are your limits, but that’s when we see God move in the most amazing ways. We are for a purpose.

“1Therefore, 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.” – Hebrew 12:1-3

My 2017 Prayer Journal is about to be tucked away on a shelf along with other journals from years past.

My journals are full. Almost every single page is covered in messy penmanship that oftentimes I can’t even decipher. Every once in awhile I open it and find messages or prayers that Maggie has written – which I love. Some pages I just verse-map on. (Something cool I plan on sharing with y’all this year.)

At first glance, it may seem that my journal is full of hurt, pain, sickness, fear, anguish, but that’s only if you stop turning the pages.

You have to keep reading. Because if you do you will see stories of relationships on the verge of breaking put back together in the best possible way. You will see families that were bombarded with the unimaginable standing stronger than ever. If you keep reading you will see people that were once sick – healed. You will see dreams that seemed unreachable brought to fruition.

If you keep reading you will see where a havoc-wrecking hurricane brought together an entire state with love and unity. You will see where things once taken for granted are now cherished.

And then you will read about the day God brought snow – to Southeast Texas. Pure. Clean. Refreshing. Snow. An unexpected reminder of hope.

Keep reading, guys. No matter how hard life gets, no matter what comes, keep turning the pages. 2017 may have been rough, but we are on the brink of something new – a brand new year full of endless possibilities.

“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 43:19

Lazy. Cocky. Busy. I’m not sure which adjective describes how I let gluten invade my body; nonetheless, it happened. I have been suffering for three weeks now all because I let my guard down. It’s a tedious lifestyle that requires self-control, a ton of planning, and let’s be honest – missing out. With Celiac Disease, one slip up can wreck havoc on my livelihood for weeks, and that’s no exaggeration.

But it got me thinking. Isn’t this the same thing we do in our relationship with Christ? We get to feeling good. We get in a routine. We get comfortable — and we let our guard down. Before we know it something small, minute, slips its way in and takes over.

Having a meaningful relationship with Christ requires work. A lot of work. We should be so hyper-focused on this relationship that we don’t allow ourselves to get lazy. We can’t afford or allow ourselves to get comfortable. We have to put in the work. We have to practice self-control, we have to plan, and we may even have to miss out on some things. But guess what – having a healthy, meaningful relationship with Christ is so worth it.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” – 1 Peter 5:8

In this filter obsessed world, which one are we looking at ourself through? Which filter are we looking at others through?

The world sees a sin-stained mess, but God sees a refurbished work of art

The world sees worthless, but God sees redemption.

The world sees bondage, but God sees broken shackles.

Let’s choose to use God’s filter – to see ourself and others.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27

It’s Christmas Eve, y’all!

I love the lights. The music. The cookies. Most of all – I love the traditions. This is good thing that can quickly turn into a bad thing if I place too much pressure on perfection.

I like a plan. I like a list. A few years ago I had to take a step back and really examine myself. If every tradition didn’t go exactly like I thought it should I would get my tinsel all up in a tizzy, and no one wants (or deserves) a cranky momma, wife, sister, or daughter on Christmas.

My focus was in the wrong place.

I had to learn to relax. To just be. To enjoy my family and the fun that they were having.

Christmas Eve shouldn’t be a checklist. Christmas Eve should be a celebration of what was about to come all those years ago – a precious baby boy that would eventually save the world.

This Christmas I pray that we would all treasure this time with our family and friends. I pray that the list makers would relax. I pray that the perfectionists would take a deep breath. But most of all, I pray that our focus would be on Jesus, His birth, His love, and His unfailing grace.

🎄❤️I love y’all. 🎄❤️

The emotions of being a brand new mother. Excitement and fear all rolled up together. It’s all you can think about for nine months. Your body is changing. Your heart is changing. Your life – it’s changing. As emotional as this is for a normal woman, I can’t help but think about the added emotions that Mary experienced while carrying her first baby – a King named Jesus.

First, the shock of a surprise pregnancy. I’m sure she felt some shame because she wasn’t married – and you know – judgmental people. I’m sure she battled self worth. Like really, God. Me? I know she wrestled the what if’s and the how’s. Couple that with exhaustion and a slim bank account and you have a situation that merits a complete meltdown.

But then the baby comes. He wraps His tiny hand around Mary’s finger. He slowly opens and closes His eyes. He lets out a soft cry. And Mary looks at her baby boy for the very first time. This baby boy that will save the world. That’s her boy. The pride. The love. The fear. The overwhelming peace.

And Mary knows. She knows that this baby is destined to change the world. She knows He will love, teach, preach, and lead.

She knows. This child is God. He is Jesus. This child – her child – He is her everything. He is OUR everything.

The emotions stay because she’s a mom. The fear comes and goes because she is human; however, her faith in God and the future that He holds outweighs every other emotion. Because – she knows.

“28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”

Luke 1:28-30

“She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

Luke 2:7

Fruit of the Spirit – Day 9

Self Control

No one fruit is more important than the other, but there is one that can help govern how well all the other fruit is exhibited in your life – and that fruit is self control. Self control is the fruit that says, “Woah, put your brakes on.” Let’s be honest, it really is nice to have that soft reminder whispering into our ear when we are on the verge of making a huge mistake, spouting off, or giving into a temptation that we are trying to overcome.

Self-control is really a daily battle between our flesh and the desire to be Christlike. Every moment is a choice. Every moment we are given the opportunity to be victorious in Christ or to succumb to the the world and its pleasures. Maybe that sounds extreme or harsh, but it is the truth.

Athletes, scholars, performers – they all have one thing in common and that is extreme discipline. They know what it takes and they are willing to make that sacrifice. It may mean missing out on certain things. It may mean having to say no. It will most likely mean living a lifestyle that others don’t understand.

That’s the kind of life I want to live for Christ. He is worth the sacrifices because He sacrificed for us. I want to run that race without stopping. Without turning back. Without being detoured. Self control plays a huge role in making this a daily reality. I pray for Christ to give me the self control that I need to live a life worthy of His calling.

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Fruit of the Spirit – Day 8

Gentleness – oftentimes associated with being weak – is actually a sign of strength. Gentleness is the power within you that offers kind but true words. Gentleness is soft yet honest guidance and truth spoken from a heart where Christ resides. The book of James states that the wisdom from above is pure and gentle.

Being gentle means that we know God’s words, thoughts, and actions are better than our own. It means that when we want to overreact we will choose to pause and let God react instead. It takes strength to speak the truth. It takes even more strength to do it in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ. Being harsh or having a condescending spirit turns people away. If we turn people away then we will never grow the Kingdom of Heaven. Never.

The news is full of stories where people were quick to anger. They reacted to situations in a manner that quickly landed them in a predicament that had them spinning out of control. Don’t allow the world to let you spin. Instead let God hold your tongue and heart steady. The Bible tells us to be constant in prayer – this is why. With God within us we will be ready to extend grace and gentleness instead of judgement and wrath. The world needs grace. They need to see grace. They need to experience grace.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

“Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24