💛Happy International Women’s Day💛

Woman can do it all. That’s right. I said it.

If we are aligning ourself with God’s will, God’s dream, God’s purpose for our life – then He will in fact equip us to live all of those desires out loud.

He makes us bold. He makes us brave.

So whatever your dream is today just remember – if God is calling you to it then it’s a big, big deal. If God is asking you to do something for His Kingdom then you are making a big difference. No doubt about it.

I encourage you to open your Bible today and read about Deborah. Read about Rahab. Read about Mary – and many, many more strong ladies that were movers and shakers for God.

So dig into the word, dive into prayer, and get ready for the best ride of your life.

“She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” Proverbs 31:16-17

This post may seem more Scattered Showers than Rays of Sunshine, but sometimes that’s just how this ol’ world is, right?

Today is my mom’s first birthday in Heaven. I’ve been dreading this day big time. I want to be able to call her, but I can’t. I want to buy her a goofy present like she always bought us, but I can’t. And even though I’m incredibly sad in this moment, I also have peace that surpasses all understanding.

Because.

Because we have this hope in Jesus Christ. We have this hope that today on her first birthday in Heaven she is happy and healthy. Today she is worshipping our King. Today she is celebrating like no other.

We have this hope that we will see her again. We are confident in that promise.

I hope you have that hope, too. The hope that pulls you through the sad days. The hope that produces joy unspeakable deep down within you even when life is incredibly hard.

If you need that kind of hope today, please message me.

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only son, that we would not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God spoke to me today.

God spoke to me through the words of a new friend.

Ladies, please believe me when I say this- God cares about you.

He cares about your broken heart.
He cares about your struggles.
He cares about your emotions.
He cares about your “I just can’ts”.

Your are His girl.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

The Apple

It wasn’t that big of a deal, right? It was just a piece of fruit.

The sin, seemingly small, and the snake, seemingly small both snuck in smoother than smooth.

The devil has been using that same scheme since day one.

-it’s not that big of a deal

-it’s just one

-it’s only human

-it’ll be ok

Don’t be fooled. When God says no, He means no.

Eventually there will be a consequence, and you really don’t have any idea how far that consequence could spiral reaping destruction on more people than just yourself.

It really is a big, big deal.

“Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.”

Psalm 51:1-2

Life.

It gets tough.

I’m not going to type the ginormous list of trials that are constantly being slung at us. And I certainly don’t know what you’re specifically going through, but I do know it’s rough. I know it’s exhausting. You’re probably barely holding on.

I know you’re tired. You’re probably not sleeping. I know you feel alone. Scared.

Keep going, sister.

God’s with you.

You’re going to make it through this.

Keep going, momma.

Don’t give up.

Your people need you.

Keep going.

Please.

Life will make you tough – no doubt. But it can also make you tender, and compassionate, and patient, and understanding, and so very wise.

So keep going. Life’s tough, but God’s tougher.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Bitterness is a seed dispersed and cultivated through various means.

Sometimes the seeds are so tiny the human eye can’t even see them – but they’re there. They are there waiting for the wind to blow so they can take flight and grasp onto something, anything. And then it begins – they lay down roots.

Roots that bury themselves. Roots that grow deep and tangle themselves amongst other roots. Roots that grow unseen for years and years and years.

Unseen.

Unbothered.

Until.

Until someone starts digging. Until someone triggers something deep down inside of you.

Y’all, don’t cultivate the seed. Don’t let the seed take root.

Don’t water it.

Don’t feed it.

Bitterness starts with a seed, but you don’t have to fertilize it. You don’t have to germinate it.

Just don’t.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 41:31-32

Whatever emotion[s] you are facing today – whatever struggles – don’t forget that you have a best friend that will never leave your side.

Lean on Him.

Focus on Him.

Rely on Him.

Talk to Him.

Trust in Him.

It’s always been Him. He’s the one. He won’t let you down.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

Everyone has God-given talents. Keyword: God-given.

Some of these talents come naturally, while others take years and years of blood, sweat, and tears to perfect.

Either way these talents are truly gifts from God.

There’s just one question to ask ourself – how are we going to use our talents?

1. To grow the Kingdom of God.

2. To hinder the Kingdom of God.

Y’all, it’s our choice.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Everyone we meet is fighting a silent battle that we know nothing about. That’s not just some famous cliche slapped on an internet meme- it’s truer than true.

People are hurting. People are suffocating – but we have the power to make a difference.

We just have to live and love like Jesus. We need to be sympathetic and empathetic. We need to listen and learn. We need to smile.

We need to build one another up. Be kind.

It’s really that simple.

Love like Jesus. Live like Jesus. This ol’ world needs more of that.

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Peace.

Freedom from disturbance.

That’s hard, man. In fact, it’s almost impossible.

In this rush from here to there lifestyle that we are living in, peace is hard to find. And it’s definitely hard to hang onto. Our days are long and our to-do lists longer.

Pay this. Pay that.

Go here. Go there.

We are on the road more than we are at home. We want it all, and we want it all now. But what we really want is to just take a nap.

It’s a viscous cycle.

Only God can slow us – and our heart rate – down. Only God can give us the peace of mind to make it through our long day-to-day routines without absolutely going bananas.

Cling to God, guys. Cling to the peace that He makes possible. Soak it in. It’s the only way to make it through this thing called life.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33