God, let me be bold, but let me be meek.

I know that’s kind of contradictory, but it’s the cry of my heart. And as weird as it sounds – it’s what God needs.

He needs us to have the ability to be malleable – because different situations call for different reactions. We need to be pliable, and we need to be willing.

We have to be able to go with the flow, but we have to know when to stand our ground. We need to know when to be silent, but we have to know when to speak our hearts.

The only way to know – to be – what God needs us to be is by allowing Him to take over our heart, our mind, and our soul.

God, please help me to immerse myself in you.

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:10

“Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” – 1 Kings 8:61

Whatever you’re doing today – go for God. Go in a mission mindset that God is going to use you to further His Kingdom.

Totally surrendering to God’s will is scary, but He is a good, good God. We can trust Him with our life. We can trust Him with our heart.

Go for God, guys.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Ephesians 5:8 tells us to walk as children of light, which means we are not walking in darkness any longer.

Walk away from sin.

Walk away from bondage.

Walk away from past hurts.

Walk away from shame.

Walk toward truth.

Walk toward freedom.

Walk toward hope

Walk toward peace.

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8

Hey.

I just wanted to post a sweet reminder that God chose you.

For every role that you are playing; He specifically cast you.

Daughter

Sister

Wife

Mom

Friend

He has faith in you. He is proud of you. He is your Father, and He knows what you are capable of (through Him).

Step out confidently this week. You are so, so loved.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

If you’re like me then you’ve probably overextended yourself at some point in the last week. Probably multiple days in a row.

You’re probably currently running on fumes, and you’re probably thinking how in the world am I going to get all of this “stuff” done – and done well?

Woah.

Catch your breath.

Now repeat after me: I may not be Superwoman, but I serve a Super God — and He is holding me in the palm of His hands.

“But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

With a new year and new habits comes a new battle. When satan sees you making all these positive changes in your life – it makes him cranky. Because let’s be honest, he does not want us happy, healthy, and thriving.

He begins to magnify all the little things that he knows will upset us. He begins to nit pick. He wants to wear you down. He wants you to believe that you can’t be successful.

Get ready for battle, guys. Just remember – God provides us with a sword and a shield. Don’t be afraid to use them.

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:10-13

January’s cold, dismal weather can oftentimes lead to a cold, dismal attitude. It just makes you feel blah, which then makes you feel even more blah. It’s so easy to sink into a slump of the “I don’t want to’s”.

If you find yourself sinking deeper and deeper into a pit of solitude that no one else is allowed inside of, let me challenge you. Step out and start serving. Seriously. Grab your dry shampoo, throw on a hoodie, and get going.

If you are serving God somewhere, no matter how big or small, then your mind doesn’t have time to be down in the dumps. All of your focus, all of your thoughts, will be on doing what God needs you to do – and that’s a good, good place to be.

Don’t let satan get your goat. Step up, step out, and start serving.

“27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.[a]” – Proverbs 16:27

“26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” – John 12:26

PSA: It’s Monday. It’s time to hit the floor running (and probably vacuum it, too). We all have chores, dinners to cook, and kids to shuttle. I’m not sure what your monumental to-do list looks like this week, but I know if you’re a woman in 2018 that it’s HUGE.

Another thing that I know without a doubt is the fact that God is holding us, hugging us, and helping us through each minute of each day. In the midst of the madness don’t forget about Him.

Not only does He want to help you get through the hustle of the week, He wants it to be a good one. By Friday He wants you happy, healthy, and high-fiving your co-workers on the way out the door.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:14

I’m still in the new year/new habits mode, and I’m excited. I’m excited because this year God has given me new perspective on what success really looks like.

Success doesn’t mean that you are 100% perfect at reaching your goals. Success means that when you fall face first in the mud you make the decision to get right back up, wipe off as much dirt as you can, and then keep running like when you were a small girl on the playground. Uninhibited. Unashamed. Unfazed.

This year do not let satan win. One bowl of ice cream doesn’t constitute failure. Neither does two. We are human, and we certainly are not perfect. This year when you “fail” at whatever new habit you are trying to form just remember that God never fails. He wants you to be successful, and He will hold your hand and walk you through this entire journey. You just have to grab ahold of Him. Grab ahold of Him, and don’t ever let go.

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me,

my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” – Psalm 3:3

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