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

It’s the Monday after Easter, and I have great news to share – He is still risen. Today and every single day.

After the hustle and bustle of such an exciting holiday – an event like no other- some may be left wondering, “What now?” I can imagine many of His followers back in the day asked that very same question after His resurrection.

We just have to remember that a lot happened when that stone was rolled out of the way. If we keep on reading we will see that this love story isn’t over. Jesus goes on to entrust Christians with a pretty important task.

Jesus told us to go. He said to make disciples. He called us to tell everyone about Him. About His grace. About His love.

So even though the celebration of Easter has come and gone for this calendar year – Jesus hasn’t. He is still alive. And He wants us to tell everybody.

“18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

My favorite spoken words out of Matthew’s account of the Easter story are found in the 28th chapter and 6th verse where the angel states, “As He said.”

As He said.

These words are a reminder that God’s word – His promises – always come to fruition.

He said He would defeat the grave

He said He would come back

He said He is with us always

God doesn’t lie.

So whatever pain and heartache you are going thru right this instant – stand on God’s promises. Stand on His hope. Stand inside the realm of His amazing grace.

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” – Matthew 28:6

**The Easter Story**

Four different apostles wrote their own account of what we call The Easter Story. This story is one of:

Betrayal

Suicide

Trial

Shame

Mockery

Sacrifice

Crucifixion

Although the start of each book is so grim, so choked full of heartache and lies and deceit – they each end with the greatest love story ever told. A story of love, hope, and fulfilled promises. A story of a God that loved us so much that He sent His only son to die on an old rugged cross.

For me. For you.

This story of sacrificial love can be found in the following books and chapters of the Bible:

Matthew 26-28

Mark 15-16

Luke 22-24

John 17-20

Read them all. Soak in the tiny details. This is our heritage. This is our story.

Which is your favorite account? Mine changes. As of today I’m focused in on Matthew 27.

Here’s what’s on my heart:

You’re never too far gone.

You’re never too bitter.

You’re never too sinful.

You’re never too awful.

You’re never too sad.

You’re never too much of whatever satan is whispering in your ear. You’re just not.

It’s time for your comeback.

Come back to Jesus. He’s waiting with open arms, and He wants to wrap you up tightly. He wants to love on you. He wants to tell you that it’s all gonna be ok. He wants to work through this with you. Come back.

“And rend your heart and not your garments ” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.” – Joel 2:13