Be so wrapped up in serving God’s purpose – God’s will for your life – that nothing else matters.

If we are in that frame of mind, everything else will fall into place.

That’s all I’ve got today.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

Today’s my best friend’s birthday! I wish I could wrap my arms around her in the biggest hug ever – but social distancing.

Proverbs says that a friend loves at all times. I’m so thankful for that.

Ladies, I hope you have some friendships with sticking power. I hope you have some Jesus girls that have your back. Ladies that would walk to the ends of the earth for you. Ladies that pray for you and cry with you. Ladies that celebrate you big but that will also call you out on your stuff.

I hope you have some Jesus girls that you can’t imagine doing life without. Ladies that have seen you at your worst and ladies that are true cheerleaders when you’re at your best.

I’m thankful for my Jesus girls that get excited when I’m excited. The ladies that love my kids like their own. The ladies that love me in spite of all my quirks and flaws.

Life gets hard, y’all. We need each other. We need best friends turned sisters. Best friends turned family.

Pray for your Jesus girls.

And then pray some more.

Love the heck out of them.

Let them know they are awesome.

Be their safe place.

And tell them thank you.

“17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

You are not her – and that’s a good thing.

God created us all different for a reason. We all bring something different to the table. It’s important to realize that we need what other people are bringing. Likewise, they need what we are bringing to the table. I mean who would want to sit down at a meal in which everyone brought mashed potatoes and nothing else?

The devil would love for you to sit in a pool of comparison, wallow around there for awhile, and eventually drown.

Don’t do it. Don’t let him win.

Instead, ask yourself what you are bringing to the table. Nurture that. Grow that. Use that to help other ladies in whatever way possible.

I can’t sing, but I would love to.

I can’t draw, but I would love to.

I can’t memorize scripture that great.

But I can write. So I’m gonna focus on that. I’m gonna nurture that.

We can’t all do everything. God created us all different for a reason. Embrace the differences.

“10 (A)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, (B)as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks (C)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves (D)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything (E)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (F)To him belong glory and (G)dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

One thing I’ve learned through this pandemic is that I personally have been fueled and ruled by things.

Not “bad” things – more like busy things. Things of this world that sneak in inconspicuously and become idols nonetheless.

The question I keep asking myself is how do I fix this? What next? When this pandemic is over and life resumes to what we deemed as normal, what will I do?

Do I revert back to my pre-pandemic behaviors like the Israelites? Will I pick up my all encompassing modern day idols all whilst forgetting what God just brought me to and through?

It’s scary to me, but it’s really real.

It’s easy to read the Old Testament and silently judge the Israelites. It’s easy to say that they need to be grabbed by their shoulders and shaken.

It’s easy to say that I would never do that.

But I’m human. I’m human, and I know that I’m going to have to be intentional in this race that I’m running. I’m going to have to keep my eyes on the prize and not be distracted by things that don’t really matter.

I don’t want to be fueled by busyness or the things of this world anymore. Instead, I want to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit – every single day.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14

I wake up way earlier than anyone else in my house. I like to start my day off with the Word [and with coffee]. A while back my husband surprised me by programming Alexa to start playing praise and worship music at the exact time I walk into the living room each morning.

This morning – this Good, Good Friday – I woke up to “He’s still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle.

Can I get an Amen?

He is.

He will.

He won’t stop.

This is His redemption story.

And it’s ours too.

I know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s coming. And that stone in your life – the one holding you down – He’ll move it.

Just hold on.

🎼All at once I came alive

This beating heart, these open eyes

The grave let go

The darkness should have known

(You’re still rolling rolling, you’re still rolling rolling oh)

You’re still rolling stones

(You’re still rolling rolling oh)

You’re still rolling stones 🎼

“and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:3

Opened my book and this is the page I landed on. I thought it very fitting for our current situation.

Yesterday my family studied Deuteronomy 31:6. This verse tells us that there are going to be battles – fierce battles. But our God is bigger and stronger than any of the battles we will face in this world.

That was a promise He made to Israel – and now it’s a promise that holds true to all believers.

Being able to withstand the great pressures of this world won’t be easy, but we have a God that loves each and every one of us so much that He is forging ahead of us – paving the path to His eternal glory.

“6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Eagles.

They are courageous, strong, and they even become more youthful – or vigorous – as they age.

Isaiah said that if we trust in God we too can be like the eagle. We can rise above storms. We can be brave. We can be strong and full of vigor as we mature in Christ.

The key word is trust. Trust is formed through a deep, ever-growing relationship with our Father. The deeper the relationship the deeper the trust.

This is the fountain of youth that I want to dive into. When life’s storms are raging all around me, I don’t want to cower down. I want to rise up.

I want to rise up with Jesus.

“31 

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Fear creeps in.

That does not mean you are not a Christian. It just means you’re human.

But God.

God is God, and when we are weak, He is strong. When we are fearful, He is faithful.

So whether fear is creeping in or storming in – God’s bigger. God’s stronger. God’s here. God’s real.

This is how I fight my battles.

“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Let me be honest, I can’t chill. I’m trying to learn how. I’m trying to just be. I’m trying.

But there’s a constant list of things to do running – more like sprinting – through my mind.

I actually feel like I’m just making stuff up to do. It bothers me that I am this way, and I’m trying to work on it.

I hope during this time of social distancing (I’m so over that word) that I can really dig in and try to work on this. It will be a struggle for me.

What are your working on during this pandemic? What has God placed on your heart? From our prayer life to Bible study, now is the time to dig in deep.

I love y’all. Pray for my chill. I’m serious.

14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

COVID-19 equals chaos.

No doubt about it.

But Christ.

Christ equals calm.

Lean on Him today.

Anytime the storm within you starts swirling out of control, lean on Him.

He can, and He will.

“39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39