All other ground is sinking sand.

That’s what I have on my heart today. The only way to stand – feet planted, unshakeable – is if we are standing on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

Everything else settles. Everything else shifts. But not Jesus. He has staying power.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to ever settle – entering into a mundane yet shifting lifestyle marked by a compromise of who we truly are in Jesus Christ. I don’t want to shift my feet or my beliefs. I want to stand unyielding. I want to stand steady and stable. I want Jesus.

“6 He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. 7 My help and glory are in God 8 So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.” Psalm 62:6-8

It’s the end of the school year, y’all.

Parents, teachers, coaches, administration, and students are exhausted – no doubt.

If you live in the area of Texas that Hurricane Harvey hit you’ve lived through one whopper of a school year. This year the storms were bigger, the flu bug was stronger, and the inevitable STAAR test stress still lingered.

Tutorials, ice days, lice days (yep, I said it), field trips, awards, end of the year parties, teacher gifts, STAAR data, summer camps, fundraisers, practices, lesson plans, summer childcare, homework, end of the year projects, packing up classrooms, administrative paperwork – I seriously could keep going.

The struggle is really real.

I’ve said all that to say this – at this point in the 2017-2018 school year we all need a little nap and a whole lotta grace. Grace for ourselves and grace to extend to others.

Guys, it’s been a rough, daunting year. Let’s not forget that. Let’s remember that everyone has their own part in this play called “Life” – most starring in multiple roles.

And even though we are personally worn and weary, let’s lift our heads up and look into the eyes of others.

See their hurt.

See their pain.

See their exhaustion.

Extend a smile.

Extend grace.

Extend a helping hand.

And as we walk away whisper a small prayer.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2

Motherhood.

A tribe of women that together shape the future.

And boy does it take a tribe. That’s the cool thing about motherhood though. We are definitely not alone, and we definitely all bring something different to the table. Thank goodness for all the bonus moms that Maverick & Maggie have.

Moms seriously have each other’s backs, and for that I am so grateful. Some days I’m running ninety to nothing and need all the help I can get. Other days my life is at a much slower pace, which allows me to be the one that can step in and help another mom out – and that balance is so very sweet.

Moms take care of business – no doubt. Sometimes we just need a little help, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It teaches our kids that it’s in fact ok to lean on others. It shows our kids how many people love them unconditionally.

So here’s to my mom, my kids’ bonus moms, and all the other amazing women in my life. May your day be filled with love, chocolate, and an uninterrupted nap.

I thought the following scripture was perfect for moms – short and sweet. It’s what moms do. They love. Thanks Taffy Cook for always loving me. ❤️

“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

Anyone else currently listening to “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury on repeat?

That song gets me pumped, y’all. I literally visualize Jesus as a warrior-ninja running through fire, kicking down walls, and pulling people up out of a pit of miry clay.

Wide-eyed.

Fists clenched.

On a mission.

Because He loves us that much. Because He isn’t letting us go down without a fight.

But what about us? Are we fighting for Him with the same admiration and determination throughout the day, or have we made Jesus a secondary objective – all while the things of this world rival each other for a first place ranking in our heart.

Jesus’ love for us is overwhelming. But our love for Him should be, too.

Jesus’ love for us is never-ending. But our love for Him should be, too.

Reckless. Total abandonment. I want to love Jesus like Jesus loves me.

Let’s fight for Jesus today, y’all.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

Changing yourself from the inside out takes guts. Making the decision to turn away from all the bad you’ve ever known and the sinful nature of human flesh is an overwhelming feat to say the least. Thank God we don’t have to go about it alone.

The magnitude of faith it takes to totally turn your life upside down for a God you just met – courageous.

I hope you know that God can make you brave. I hope you know that God can take the ugly and make it beautiful.

Nothing is impossible for God, and that’s a fact.

He can take whatever situation you’re in, flip the script, and use it for an awesome testimony.

Surrender it all to God today. Rewrite your script.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tough times are inevitable because — life. It’s how we handle ourselves in those situations that will make us or break us.

Our outlook determines the outcome. Are we going to learn, or are we going to linger? Are we gonna let God battle, or are we gonna let defeat slay us before we even get started?

It’s hard when we are staring a giant right in the face not to turn around and run for the mountains – arms flailing, heart pounding, tears falling. It’s scary when we feel ill-equipped. Human nature tells us to either lash out or to curl up in the fetal position. Human nature tells us that the situation we are in is utterly impossible.

But if we will fully open our eyes and our heart, we will see that we have a giant of a God next to us ready to slay any so-called Goliath that’s messing with His kiddo. We will see that God’s muscles are so much bigger. And we will know without a doubt that victory is one stone’s throw away.

Are we strong enough? Nope.

Are we brave enough? Nope.

Are we equipped enough? Nope.

Is God enough? You better believe it!

Grab Him by the hand, and let Him fight whatever battle is staring you in the face today.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

Let me tell y’all something.

If you’re living in bondage – it’s time to break free. It’s time to release the stronghold it has on you, and do not allow it back in your life.

For years I was bound by fear and anxiety. It was crippling. It had two hands wrapped around my throat. Constantly squeezing tighter – strangling me.

I was scared of every single thing. My shadow. Cars. Crowds. Anything different. Scared to die, but even more scared to live.

The closer I drew to God – the more I totally surrendered to Him – the lesser the grip that bondage had on me. Now the only thing that has a hold on me is God’s love and grace.

Yesterday I zip-lined through the mountains of Colorado. (While it was snowing!) Maybe that’s not a big deal to you, but for a girl that would not even get in a vehicle while it was raining – it’s a huge testament of what God can do. It’s a huge testimony of how far God can bring you if you will just follow Him. God makes us brave because He is brave. God gives us peace because He is peace. God lets us live!

Anxiety

Depression

Fear

Anger

Addiction

Jealousy

Lust

Whatever has a hold on you – let it go. Let it go and let God be the ruler of your life. Draw close to Him. He is your strong tower. Your refuge. And He will walk beside you every single day.

When you’re about God’s business you don’t have time to be a scaredy-cat. And that statement is something I tell myself all the time.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:45-46

You will never be your best self until you give your full self to God.

How:

Prayer.

Worship.

Supplication.

Constant communication.

Surrender.

And when this happens you will experience something you’ve never experienced before.

True freedom.

True confidence

True contentment.

Because you will know without a doubt that God created this beautiful human being to do beautiful, meaningful things. Things to further His kingdom.

Y’all, you are so much more than what this world wants you to believe. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are here for a huge purpose. You are God’s girl.

“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.” 1 Peter 2:9

I woke up with two things on my mind this morning. Two things that are making me sit here and grin from ear to ear.

1. I woke up with this song playing in my head. A sweet soundtrack from the past – a sweet reminder. 🎼Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.🎼 As children we are taught these simple words to simple songs in hopes that we will understand and remember them. Then we grow up. We grow up and things get hard. Situations arise and we tend to forget how simple the message really is. Jesus loves us. The Bible says so. That’s reason to smile big, which brings me to the second thing that’s on my mind.

2. Count your blessings, y’all. Look around. Open your eyes. Count the things that you do have – not the the things that you don’t. Im breathing. Jesus is in my heart. I’m sitting on my couch with my warm coffee, a warm blanket, and sweet puppies asleep beside me. Down the hall – two sweet babies and the coolest guy I ever met (that I got to marry). On the radio – praise and worship music. In my heart and mind – a God that loves me in spite of me. A God full of hope and love.

Guys, no matter how your day plays out try and keep this hope in the forefront of your mind – Jesus loves you. That’s good, good news. That’s something to be happy about. It really is that simple.

Count your blessings.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

Deborah. Judge & Prophetess.

The more I learn about her, the more I love her. She was a warrior, a writer, and a wife. She was faithful, fierce, and full of fire. She was selfless, and there isn’t a question in my mind that she was savvy.

Mother of an entire nation.

She was God’s girl – no doubt. And when God told her to move – she moved. When God told her to speak – she spoke. She lived her life 100% for God, and she gave Him all the glory every step of the way.

Deborah was full of grace, full of love, and full of charisma. And even though she was of high ranking, she didn’t think “highly” of herself. Her mission was to serve others. She walked the walk, man.

She built other women up in the most beautiful way. She knew there was room for everyone’s gifts. She saw those gifts in others and brought them out.

She was the ultimate leader because she was the ultimate follower – of God that is. And God will never steer you wrong.

“The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon, March on, my soul, with might!” Judges 5:21