2020 came in like a wrecking ball. You know what I’m saying?
But. There’s always a but.
If we let 2020 (and all that it encompasses) win this war the prize will be:
Anxiety
Aggravation
& Anger
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want none of that.
But if we let God win this battle within our heart and soul then the prize will be:
Growth
Grit
& Grace
I know which trophy I want, and hopefully I can display it for all of my little world to see.
2020 has been hard – no doubt. But don’t let 2020 define who you are as a person.
▪️Don’t let it steal your reactions.
▪️Don’t let it put words into your mouth that you can’t take back.
▪️Don’t let it make you someone that you’re not.
You are God’s girl, and the world (your world) is counting on you to shine God’s light in spite of a “bad” year.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
I remember the first time I read these words penned by author and IF:Gathering Founder, Jennie Allen. She’s probably not the first time to question this idea, but it was through her that I first pondered these words.
These six words cause me to sit in silence, humbled and convicted on a frequent basis. It’s these words that gives me discipline and life-giving correction.
A few days ago, my mom and I were debating over evacuating from Hurricane Laura. Neither of us wanted to make the decision (for me, it meant leaving my husband behind). We joked as I wanted HER to make a decision for the both of us and she wanted ME to make the decision. The truth behind the indecisiveness was summed up in one sentence from my mom, “I’m just weary from the last 2 years and I don’t want to have to do this.”
May I introduce you to my mom? She’s the most grace filled woman you just might ever meet. She has a heart as big as Texas. That same heart also has wounds the same size as our beloved Lone Star State. In the last 33 years, my mom has buried a husband killed in the line of duty as a police officer, buried a son who died from drug overdose, a brother who died from suicide, and a mother who died from cancer. This doesn’t include the sufferings from random everyday life- like the natural disasters that living on the Texas coast can bring (they had to clean up 3 homes from flooding during Imelda).
I share these things not to be heavy, although there might not be a way around it. Just a few days ago, our area of Texas had immense suffering predicted from the fate of wherever Hurricane Laura landed. We prepped and prepared, said goodbyes, traveled, and did not sleep until it was over. I’ve heard so many praise God with reflections like “God heard our prayers!” and “God is so good!” Both are true. But, were there not praying people in the areas of Laura’s landfall? Do we not say “God is good!” for all? Either God is real or He’s not. He’s either good or He’s not.
As the recipient of the same sufferings as my mom (albeit by different relations), I can say this about suffering:
IF God is real, then suffering is…
Inevitable. “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
Necessary. “But we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
A grace. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
Think about it this way: read 2 Peter 2 about eternity. If what I read about heaven and hell is real (and if God is real, then eternity is), then it can only be an act of love of God to do whatever He deems necessary to reach me. Even if it means suffering on THIS side of heaven. As a matter of thought, if heaven/hell/God is all real, then I would only HOPE that God would do everything possible to reach me in this vapor called life. If heaven/hell/God is real, then the suffering that brought me to Him is not JUST pain, it is grace. It is a gift. I’m currently watching not one, but two friends grieve the losses of their husbands due to car accidents. They would not see their suffering currently as a gift. We can not confuse the grace of God with pleasantries. See, we are so quick to shout from the rooftops “GOD IS GOOD!” when good stuff happens that we have no idea what to do when life is painful. We have to decide what we believe about God because it’s that belief that will give us hope and joy in the midst of sorrow. For the Christ follower, grief and joy can co-exist. Note I didn’t say happiness.
Many people in Southeast Texas were both spared and share in the devastating effects of Hurricane Laura. It’s a both/and. As followers of Christ, we have two of my favorite words to live out and give to others- grace and peace. These two words, because of Christ in us, go with us wherever we go and whatever we go through. “Grace and peace” sum up what it means to be spared and yet to share the sufferings of life with others.
Whatever circumstances God has allowed for you today, think on those life-changing six words… if God is real, then what?
So, I’m writing this while riding in the car. I’m about 8 hours from home, with my dog in my lap and my kiddos playing in the backseat. One suitcase a piece in the trunk and fixing to stop for lunch. Can you guess what we are doing? If you guessed evacuating, you guessed right. Not exactly a trip to the Bahamas, but a trip nonetheless! • Yesterday I got a call from my husband to pack us all a bag and that we were gonna go ahead and evacuate because of a coming hurricane. My heart SANK. You ever have a moment where it’s like your brain just goes completely blank? “What do I pack? What if we need this? What if, what if, what if….” My mind is racing and my body isn’t moving an inch. Y’all, I could tangibly sense the Spirit of Fear in the room with me. Immediately out of my heart flowed this Truth: “There is no fear here. I have a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.” • “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMPC) • Re-read that. Now read it again. Now listen to this Truth: The “What If’s” of life are faith stealers. • I fully believe there will NEVER be a time in our lives when we aren’t faced with different opportunities to fear. There isn’t some certain level of spirituality that we reach when there aren’t obstacles anymore. But, how we choose to respond to the different circumstances that fear will offer determines if peace and victory will be the result or not. It’s not God coming down and magically working everything out that gives us the victory. It’s us CHOOSING to see that God and His Word will never fail if we take our stand in victory. • “Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!” Romans 8:37 (TPT) • So, here we are, headed to Oklahoma to spend time with family and friends and continuing to rejoice in the Lord. You know why we can do that even in the midst of so much unknown? Because He is Greater! He is faithful! And we are MORE than conquerors through Him. Now we get to sit back and watch Him work this all out for our good as we continue to believe and trust in Him. • “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
My thoughts are all over the place today, and I’m sure many in our area feel the same. I’m trying to piece together (while making sense) what it’s like to live in a Hurricane disaster area year after year after year.
First of all an evacuation is not a vacation.
It’s not fun. It’s costly. It’s worrisome. It’s extremely unsettling.
Why do people continue to live in our area when year after year hurricanes devastate our land and homes? Because it is home, and our roots run deep. Because the men and women here keep this country going. The refineries that line the Gulf of Mexico are instrumental to America.
What is it like for everyone living here now? It’s a waiting game. You prep and you pray. You check social media to see where your friends are. You keep news notifications turned on so that you are alerted when the storm trend changes. You are literally glued to some type of device – that’s just the way it is.
If you evacuated you stay up all night long watching the news bracing yourself for the impending destruction. If you decided to hunker down at home you stay up all night praying that your house and yourself survive.
But when the sun rises and the winds die down we will come together just like we’ve done storm after storm. Churches will literally be the hands and feet of Jesus, and the Cajun Navy will run as smoothly as a Chick-fil-A drive through helping as many people as humanly possible.
And we know:
We will rebuild. We will keep going. We will survive.
And come next August we may or may not do this all over again.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2
Last year when Mrs. Imelda unexpectedly did what she did, my momma sent me the following message, “Remember, people are looking to Christians to see how they handle this. Be the light.”
I’ll never forget that.
As Laura looms over us, I keep playing those words over and over in my mind. As fear and anxiety try and take over every ounce of my being the following song keeps playing deep within my heart. I’m choosing to cling to these lyrics. Maybe they will help you as well.
🎶 In the eye of the storm You remain in control And in the middle of the war You guard my soul You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me In the eye of the storm🎶
He is in control of the storms, and He will help us control our emotions -if we let him.
I’m praying for our homes. I’m praying for my precious new school that just finished construction two weeks ago from Imelda. But most of all, I’m praying for our hearts and minds to be strong in the Lord. I’m praying that through this storm, and every storm, that we can in fact be the light.
He remains in control, y’all.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22: 37-39
Love God.
When you love someone they are continually in your thoughts and you do things to please them. Think about the light in your child’s eyes when you surprise them with a new toy or how they snuggle into your arms. Think about the loving embrace of your spouse. The loving relationships we have with our family and friends are beautiful examples of the loving relationship that God wants to have with us, but they don’t really even compare to the amazing love that God has given us and the pure delight that awaits us when we love Him.
God’s love is limitless. His power is untameable. He is the almighty – our creator – and we were made to worship HIM. There is a longing in my heart that is not filled by any other occupation than pouring out my love for Him.
I ignore it regularly and find myself miserable. I am easily frustrated by the pressures of daily life, the behavior of my children. I am exhausted by the physical, mental and emotional demands thrown onto me hour by hour. And then I compound my frustration by scrolling social media & being outraged by the conflicts in our society. I listen to the lie that a bath, a quiet walk, a funny tv show, a good drink will grant me some reprieve. But my heart is only recharged doing what it was made to do- worshiping my savior.
Only when I spend each day, hour by hour, breath by breath, in His presence do I fully possess the strength I need to manage my household, job, children, and relationships. On my own I fail miserably and wallow in it.
But when I set my mind on Jesus. When I serve my family because in doing so I serve my God He gives me joy in the dishes and laundry… When His praises are on my lips I have HOPE.
Trust me, I’ve read the headlines. 2020 is getting worse by the minute. Yes, I see the two hurricanes in the gulf and the political conflicts getting hotter by the minute. I have sat frozen-overwhelmed in this “new normal” that demands more of me than I can even pretend to be able to do… But in that moment when I cry out to Jesus – He is there. When I give him my whole heart there is no room for worry, frustration, selfishness, anger, or discontentment. When my whole heart is set on Him fears evaporate. His presence is too much for them. My daddy God, my savior, my LOVE is in control. He is with me and will not leave me or forsake me.
He is not surprised by the difficulties we have seen this year. I have no authority to say that God is chastising us or that the end times are near. I will not even pretend to understand why He allows disasters, and I am mourning along with most of you. But I know that God’s desire is for us to seek Him with our whole heart. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Nothing I have to share with you today is new or profound. But It is the pressing reminder I desperately needed today, and you might too.
Ladies, put down your phone and get on your knees. Turn off the TV and start singing praises. Stop focusing on the challenges and open your eyes to the blessings and provisions God has surrounded you with. You will not have the JOY and PEACE He has promised you ‘till you do. Don’t fall for the lies that we will find rest in selfishness. You will find invigorating joy in serving your saviour. He will give you the strength you need when you are fully relying on HIM.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40: 31
My sisters, I hope you experience His presence today. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you , says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;” Jeremiah 29:12-14a
We are not captives in Babylon, but we allow our hearts to be captives to sin along with mental & emotional darkness. Seek the Lord with all your heart. He is faithful. His word is true, and my sister, you will find Him. “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
I listened in to my son’s remote kindergarten class this week. I took his headphones off so that maybe he wouldn’t yell so loudly at the i-pad (it didn’t work). But I did get to hear the “bucket book.” read aloud. It is a sweet story about how when we do kind things for others it fills their buckets… But ladies, we can’t rely on others to fill our buckets. Even the people we love the most will flip our buckets upside down, empty them out and kick them!
Our world desperately needs the love of God and we are commissioned to pour it out. Our buckets are only filled in God’s presence through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. As we praise God for who He is and all He has done- He fills us up. We can face the day with confidence knowing that our Father – the Creator has made this day – and we can rejoice! That is the kind of joy that will change the world. That is what our spouses and children need, what our co-workers will marvel at; that is how we shine a bright light into this dark world even in 2020.
Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you’re not gonna get rattled. However, it does mean you know who can hold you steady when you’re shaking from the inside out.
A while back we had a Covid scare. Nobody has it – just an exposure. But let me tell you something, when we got the news fear crept in. Instantly a highlight reel of every possible awful scenario started playing in my mind.
I was scared, y’all.
But God – God is bigger than fear. He is bigger than anxiety. And He is most certainly bigger than Covid.
I text a friend and told her I was struggling. She began to pray. I opened up my YouVersion app and found a plan called “Praying through Anxiety”. God has given us strategies to fight back – we just have to know what they are.
God is good y’all.
God is strong.
God is bigger.
God is God.
Cling to Him.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saint.” Psalm 116:15
When we lose a loved one, we experience grief, sorrow, and pain. It is tough. It is gut wrenching! But what if we could view our loss through God’s eyes?
Death, to God, is not a tragedy when it is one of His children. It is life – eternal life. The moment we take our very first breath in eternity excites our Lord. He rejoices! To Him, it is His child returning home. My Sunday School teacher once said that it is like a parent who has been anxiously waiting for their child to return home from a long trip. When that child is finally home the parent rejoices. Their child is safe at home where they belong.
We are the Lord’s children. He desires for us to be home with Him in Heaven. He rejoices when we are safe in His loving arms. So, when we view the death of a faith believing loved one the way God does we will surely experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
This is His promise that comes to us through our faith in Him. It does not mean we do not grieve our loss, but with His peace we will not let it overtake us. We can rejoice and be assured that they are with the Father, safe in His loving arms, forever healed, forever whole, and forever happy!
As children of God we know that one day we will step into eternity, free from our sorrow, pain, and grief. Most of our lives will be touched by a loss, but to God His child is home. Knowing that we can find peace.
“He will redeem their life from oppression and violence and precious shall be their blood in His sight.” Psalm 72:14
You set the tone for you morning, momma. In fact, you set the tone for your whole family’s morning.
I didn’t always get this right. Some days I still don’t; however, the past five years I’ve been very intentional about how my family’s day starts.
Growing up I was the worst morning person – just ask my dad. I coined the phrase five more minutes. Just joking. Sort of.
The fact of the matter is, if I start my day rushed and running behind it turns me into a raging mommy monster, and that’s not good for anyone.
So here’s my routine – a routine I had to pray hard to make happen.
▪️Get up earlier than everyone else.
▪️Turn on praise and worship music.
▪️Get in the word.
▪️Talk to God.
Y’all, me becoming a morning person is nothing short of a miracle. In fact, it’s my favorite part of the day now.
I challenge you to get up and get ready for your day with Jesus. If this is something you struggle with, shoot me a message and I’ll pray with you about it.
I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and for my family.
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalms 59:16
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