I caught myself slipping into a slump the last two days.
You know – quarantine round 2.
I had to remind myself not to let the what if’s that were running through my mind become bigger than my faith.
Our faith may be flimsy but God’s hope is firm. This whole situation has us feeling shaky, but rest assured – God is stable.
God won’t let us slip, y’all. Hold onto hope.
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:11
To the ladies struggling with their weight:
I feel ya. I’ve been there and done that. In my 38 years on this earth I’ve been too small, too big, and every size in between.
Measuring up to the world’s standards of how a female should look is exhausting. In fact, it’s impossible. It’s an awful cycle of desperation and not feeling worthy enough. I lived in that cycle for way too long.
What changed? My relationship with God. My focus shifted from me to Him. With a shift in heart and mind, the chains of insecurity began to fall off and so did all the pressure that came with it. Freedom in Christ is good, y’all.
Am I mindful of the food I put into my body? Yup.
Do I still try and do some type of exercise. Yup.
Our bodies are temples. If I’m not taking care of my body then it’s going to break down. If it breaks down, I won’t be able to do what God needs me to do for His Kingdom.
Ladies, I pray that you will be freed from those chains, too. I pray that when you look in the mirror you don’t see someone that’s too small or too big – but someone that God made in His own image. Someone that God made for a purpose.
I refuse to let the world’s standards dictate how I feel about myself.
I’m fine just the way I am. I’m God’s girl, and so are you.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14
It’s almost been one year since we began our non-profit Rays of Sunshine Inc. Many of y’all don’t know but I seriously told God no for three straight weeks. I wrestled and argued. Cried and pouted.
It’s shameful I know.
But God wins. God knows our dreams before we even know our dreams.
I’m glad I reluctantly said yes.
Reluctant because it was scary.
Reluctant because I knew nothing about running a business.
Reluctant because people would think I’m crazy.
Reluctant because what if I failed.
This morning I pulled out my 2019 journal. The picture of what Frank said in Sunday School was in March. The picture of my prayers was in June. I love to remember what God has spoken and what God has brought me through.
I said all that to say this – if God is telling you to do something, just say yes. Don’t waste time arguing. Don’t waste time wrestling. Don’t waste time doubting.
Have faith.
God is enough.
He is smart enough.
He is business savvy.
He has all the resources in the world.
He’s all you need.
“Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4
When I woke up this morning the following question popped into my mind: What’s God’s mission for you today, Daisy?
Does that happen everyday? Nope.
Should it? Yes.
We should be so wrapped up in Jesus that our mission mindset is the only mindset we have, and that’s the truth.
If I’m not living everyday to point myself and others toward Jesus, then what am I really doing?
Missions don’t have to be fancy, expensive, or even adventurous. Your mission is your mission, and everyone’s is different.
Whatever God has called you to do – that’s your mission. You’re a world changer, and that’s the truth.
Don’t forget how important your specific mission is to the Kingdom of God. He created you for that mission. Live it out loud.
“”For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
This one’s gonna sting a little. I’m gonna be stepping on toes, but don’t worry – they’re mine.
I don’t want to forget March.
Or April.
Or May.
The slow down, however inconvenient, was much needed. We were given time to get outside, to cook at home, but most importantly, we were given time to spend in the Word.
With our fast-paced world starting back up it will be easy to forget what we learned in those three months. I don’t want to forget. I don’t want to stop getting outside, spending time with my family, or digging deep into the Word.
Daisy, don’t let your busyness overshadow what truly needs to be done – and that’s spending time with God.
Your best friend.
Your maker.
Your creator.
Don’t push Him to the back burner.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Just a little PSA this morning:
You are God’s girl.
Chosen for a purpose.
Handpicked by the King of Kings.
Made in His image.
Called out of darkness.
Whatever task is before you today – He is with you. Whatever seems too daunting – He is bigger.
God’s got you. He always has, and He always will.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” … You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. 1 Peter 2:9
Change is hard, y’all.
It’s scary.
It’s uncomfortable.
But it’s also exciting.
Something to remember – just because it’s God’s will doesn’t mean it won’t sting.
We aren’t called to be comfortable. We are called to do His will.
When it gets too scary remember this:
I bet Noah wasn’t comfortable.
I bet Mary wasn’t comfortable.
I bet Moses wasn’t comfortable.
I bet Jesus wasn’t comfortable.
Change is scary, but God is good.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Life gets hard, y’all. But we don’t have to go at it alone.
In Matthew 11 Jesus tells us to take His yoke upon us and we will find rest.
Did you know that the word yoke – in literal terms – means a bar of wood? Farmers place this bar of wood on the shoulders of animals to unite them together while working in hopes to ease their load.
Two are better than one, right? Jesus wants to help us carry our load. He wants to take some of the weight of the world off of our shoulders. He wants us to find rest in Him.
Give it to God, y’all. That doesn’t mean you won’t have any troubles, but it does mean that God will help you carry them.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
Let’s be so passionate about Jesus that there isn’t room in our hearts for anything else. The world doesn’t need any more opinions. They just need the truth – and that truth is Jesus.
If you’re looking for change open up your Bible. That’s where it starts. Change your heart, then go change the world.
And if you think for one second that one single person can’t make a difference – think again.
Paul, Ananias, Rahab, Mary, Esther, and YOU.
You can. You just have to believe.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
I found myself in a real bad place Friday night. Grief hit me out of nowhere – like a ton of bricks.
How do you have Mother’s Day without a mother?
I stayed there – in that place – well into Saturday. The tears wouldn’t stop. I wanted to cancel the whole holiday. Tell my husband and kids not to do anything. Tell my sisters not to come over. Just pretend it wasn’t a thing.
Grief is real. These dark places – they’re real. Full of regrets and what-ifs. Full of taunts and stolen memories. And if you think for one second that Christians don’t slip down into deep, dark places you better think again.
In the midst of me spiraling deeper and deeper into that pit of sorrow, I whispered these words, “Help me, Jesus.”
And it took me back.
It took me back to the last time Frank and I went to Colorado. We love the rapids, and this particular trip we chose the most dangerous level we could find – the 5’s.
About halfway through the ride our raft flipped upside down, and I found myself pinned to the bottom of the river by a Minnesota man that was desperately trying to save himself.
Pinned down, white-water currents madly swirling around me, and no air left in my lungs – I cried out, “Help me, Jesus.” In that moment He lifted me up out of the raging waters and placed me safely on the river’s edge. I don’t know how long I was under – long enough to need saving. Long enough to need a miracle.
He did the same thing for me Saturday afternoon. When I cried out, God dove in. He dove in, and He lifted me up.
At some point in life every single human being will need saving. They’ll spiral or fall or be pinned down. The difference between a believer and a non-believer being down in that pit of despair is that the Believer knows who to call on to pull them out. The Christian believes without a doubt that they will be saved. The Christian has hope.
Cry out to Jesus, y’all. Let Him save you.
“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Psalm 40:2
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