Undone

At a trees first bloom of the year we are fooled to think that it has surpassed any beauty that it could ever become. The sun begins to peek out from behind winters wall and rays of golden shine down on all that has been grey. A bud is just the beginning of an angelic sequence called flourishing. It is undone. I am undone. His work in me is not yet finished. I am a just a mere bud charming the world with my new found light. I haven't even begun to unfold the many layers of petals the Lord has given me. Bonny petals of grace, wisdom,  faith, and unfailing love. As I sit here this morning, listening to the sounds of the rain running off of the top of the house onto the porch I am reminded of how periods of dark always preface immense growth, health and beauty. I am so hard on myself. I wish I could see life in the way that I write it. Instead I fill my head with false comparisons and self deprecating thoughts. I was delighted to see some delicate, but yet divine spring blossoms surrounding me as I went outside. Then I was reminded that they best is yet to come. Those delicate blossoms would soon thrive into mature healthy flowers. As I am still fresh on the vine of life I know my faith is growing and my beauty has yet to unfold. Oh how reassuring that uniquely romanced message from God was. I know as women we always strive to be the most captivating flower in the bunch, but I learned today that it is an honor just to be a flower. Sweet child of God.

  "…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." -Ephesians 4:1

Awake my soul

When you are free you are completely uninhibited. You have no boundaries, you feel infinite, and yet you are more in control of yourself than you ever have been. You know what you are capable of and you know the direction you are going. I have always called myself a free spirit. Almost in the same sense as a wildflower, growing and flourishing so gracefully no matter where its roots have formed. Dancing with the wind and providing a lush view of color for on lookers, wildflowers have always made an elegant debut.

I have only called myself free until now. I truly am free... free in Him.  Free by His grace, His blood, His mercy, His forgiveness, and free only in His arms. So it is an oxymoron at its best, I am free when wrapped safely in His arms.

I have been reading a daily devotional called Jesus Calling (fabulous) and every morning when I have my quiet time I get to see yet another way that God is continuously surrounding us. He is there always and no one can take that away from you but yourself. He is willing, He is ready, He is calling and I am at the perfect place in my life to give everything to Him.  I can write about the grace of God and His love because I know it. He loved me when I was unlovable. He was the only one there to extend His hand and pull me out of the darkness that had then become my life. He was hope and He was a new beginning. What I have forgotten is that I should be allowing Him in my life like that everyday. I need Him just as much now as I did then. I know where I am going and I am making the right decisions in my life to get there, but when you are free in Him those decisions become easier and you are able to hold hands with the master which provides a sense of peace like no other. I am beyond thankful for the second chances God provides us. I am the true definition of a born again Christian and I am continually brought to life every single day by the grace of God.

This picture described exactly how I feel right now. Alive.

The wife of Noble character

 Solomon was deemed one of the wisest men to have ever lived. In Proverbs we are able to read his accounts of wisdom where spiritual truth and common knowledge collide. It is perhaps one of the most relatable books in the Bible. By relatable I mean connected in a way. Almost like they are "mother isms" and you know the lesson in each and every one of them. "The man of integrity walks securely..." " A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." " He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." All of them are relatable to our lives in some way and we all know the lessons that they teach.

One of my favorites is the description of a wife of noble character:
A wife of Noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. -Proverbs 31:10-12

The description goes on, but I wanted to put an emphasis on "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." That is such a powerful statement. That means that everything I do as a wife from this point forward should have my husbands best interest before my own and God's before his. I sometimes forget to seek Him in every situation. He should not just be around when you pray or when you ask of Him, He should be apart of you, holding you together and woven so perfectly through your mind, body, and spirit. He is balance. He is being content. He is peace and He is infinite.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. -Proverbs 31:30

Final Day 30- Feel the journey, feel the sacred love.

Day 30-

“What a beautiful name. I love to watch how it falls off the lips of those who love Him. I shudder as it falls off the lips of those who don't. Jesus.”

― Beth Moore

You are such a becoming woman. You are eloquent in your speech, poised in your presentation, and so divinely beautiful in every way. Never forget to admire God’s artistry in you. I love you, beautiful Christian sister. –Sarah Bull

Day 29- Feel the journey, feel the sacred love; What do I see.

Day 29-

What do I see

The image of me . . .

when I look in the mirror,

what do I see?

Is it pleasing to Him?

The reflection I see?

Am I strong? Am I wise?

   . . . as He wants me to be?

It isn't the image the mirror reflects . . .

that's nothing but dust from this earth.

In the heart and the soul of a woman of God . . .

therein lies the treasure of rubies . . . the worth.

It's the time that I spend . . .

and the message I bring,

to others who see me each day.

Do they know how I love Him?

Are they able to tell . . .

Or do I carefully hide it away?

Is my lamp burning?

My vineyards, do they abound?

When you need a woman for service,

can I be found?

Oh, Lord, I want so to grow.

To be pleasing to You.

To give my life up to You, . . .

is what I must do.

For without You beside me . . .

my lamp would go out.

Wisdom would falter . . .

and darkness abound.

In Proverbs You tell me, . . .

so clearly, Your words are so true.

You tell me exactly . . .

what You'd have me do.

When I reach out, woman to woman . . .

to another in need,

Oh, it takes but a moment,

to plant just one seed.

I pray it's a seed I have planted

in a woman You'll call.

As You whisper and tell her, . . .

"My daughter, . . . you excel them all." –Anonymous

Day 28- Feel the journey, feel the sacred love. Winter of Life.

Day 28-

Winter of Life

Spring in its freshness

Brings new buds of life

Beauty and splendor

Surround with new light.

Summer then follows

Full bloom everywhere

God’s glory abounding

Beauty all can share.

Fall quickly enters

An autumn spell casting

Leaves quickly turning

Colors fading fastly.

Then comes the winter

The cold enters in

All life seems to wither

We seek shelter within.

A time for all seasons

God planned it that way

He gave us life seasons

To live by each day.

As we live and wait

Thru seasons of life

Winter surely will come

To end this world of strife.

Be ready dear traveler

When winter winds blow

God will not forsake you

He watches, He knows.

Turn your eyes upward

God stretches forth His hand

He is anxiously waiting

In Heaven’s promised land. –BJ McLarry

Day 27- Feel the journey, feel the sacred love

Feel the journey, feel the sacred love

We are the luminous world orchestra playing so gracefully for God. Now that we are falling still and the sky is filled with bittersweet clouds of hope let us use this journey as a divine intervention from the healing hands of the one who saves. Not a word of this book came from anyone but Him. I was just a vessel delivering the message from above. The last 4 days are composed of writings from other influential women. I found it necessary to share their beautiful words with you.

Day 27-

Beautiful Christian Sister

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean living"

I'm whispering, "I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful! - Maya Angelou 

Day 26- Flying in the light; Center your life around the cross

Day 26- Center your life around the cross

That old cross can always make me smile and tear up in the same instant. It is remarkable. I think about how heavy it must have been, how the splinters from the wood must have pierced Jesus like needles, how weak He was to even carry it, how much He suffered, and how deep God must really love us to give His only son. My question is do we really know what this cross symbolizes? How can we use the cross as a focal point of our lives? For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) When Jesus made his walk to Calvary the cross was a clear representation of the burden He had to carry, which was the sins of humanity as a whole. He carried every transgression ever committed by every person that ever lived or will ever live until the end of time. After being beaten almost to His death Jesus made that journey with the cross on his back to Golgotha where he was crucified and His shed blood provided us with redemption. In same way the cross represents the burden of our sins, it is also the symbol of love and redemption. Oh the sweet salvation we received from the death of Christ. Now we may look at the cross also as a symbol of God's undying love for us. He has provided us with the ultimate sacrifice. He has given his son so that we can be forgiven and have an invitation into His eternal kingdom. If we center our lives around the cross we will never forget what Jesus did for us. It will always remind us of the burden He carried, the pain He endured, the forgiveness we received, and the salvation we gained and how all of it was done for you and me.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;

The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

Lord, Today we are thankful for every thing You sacrificed for us to be saved. We are humbled to know how much you endured for us to be redeemed. We are grateful for the suffering You felt to save us from our transgressions. Always be quick to remind us about the cross and help us make it the focal point of our lives here on earth.

Day 25-Flying in the light; Surround yourself with the Armor of God

Day 25- Surround yourself with the Armor of God

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17) In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he is clear to tell us that we are in battle. We are in battle with Satan and we must be ready to fight. Tighten your belt of truth, which reminds us that Jesus is the truth and He loves us and we are never alone in Him. Defend your heart with the breastplate of righteousness. Always do what you know is right in your heart and that will protect you from having any loophole for Satan to slip in. Fit your feet with the readiness of gospel and peace. Be ready to travel wherever God sends you to tell His good news. Always hold your shield of faith high and ward off Satan with your faith in God and His abounding love for us. Take the helmet of salvation and put it on proudly because we are SAVED and Satan has already been defeated! Finally hold tight to the sword of the Spirit and use God’s word like a spear to cut through any of Satan’s lies. We must always be ready.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  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. –Ephesians 6:11-12

Lord, Help us to always be ready to protect ourselves from this world. Fill us with Your knowledge so that we will be prepared to do so. Show us that in You we are saved and Satan has already lost. Never let us forget how important it is to be strong and stand firm in our faith.

Day 24- Flying in the light; We are the temple of the holy spirit

Day 24-We are the temple of the Holy Spirit

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Our hearts host a dwelling place for our Father to live. We must feed our spirit every day for prosperous growth. What feeds our spirit? We feed it with whatever our minds dwell on for prolonged periods of time. If we are anticipating fear in our life in any shape or form we are allowing that fear to manifest into our spirit and take over. When we are filled with praise and thanksgiving we allow those seeds to grow and develop more joy in our everyday life. It is hard to always keep your focus on God and not get tangled up in despair, but if we are getting up every day and making a conscious effort to pray and read God’s word we are creating a foundation that is solid and much more difficult to break at the sign of trouble. Our spirit, much like our bodies needs fuel to run properly. If you feed it junk, it is going to run like junk. A nourished soul is like am ambrosial rainforest, rich in pigment and presenting the essence of beauty to the world.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" –Matthew 4:4

Lord, Feed our spirits today as we read this and pray, fill them with abundant joy and thankfulness for You. Show us that with Your word we can prosper and grow every day into beautiful women of Christ. Let us make our hearts pure and free from fear so that You have the healthiest and most delightful dwelling place we can build for You.

Day 23-Flying in the light; We thrive in numbers

Day 23- We thrive in numbers

As women it is so crucial for us to have female friends to fellowship with. We need them to listen to us, cry with us, laugh with us, sometimes laugh at us, and when the going gets tough we need them to pray with us. There are a million reasons we need our girlfriends, but most importantly because they are our sisters and they need us too. It is important to have at least one friend who holds you accountable for things. Some one who has a high standard set for you and will always push you to do better. These are the kind of friends who will drop to their knees in an instant and pray with you if you need it. They are rare, few and far between, and hard to find. We need them. I think if we make our selves more emotionally available to the women we are close to that this will come natural. It is knitted in our soul to be able to bond with other women. We build these bonds organically, no help from anything else it just comes natural to us when we begin to relate our lives to theirs. True friendship is a splendid thing to experience and we all need more of it.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Lord, Bring light to all of the special women in our lives. Help us to find someone out of that group that we can really count on. Teach us how to be a good friend to others who need us and give us the courage to meet new friends in the future. Keep our hearts and minds open and fully focused on You.

Day 22- Flying in the light; Feeling infinite

Day 22- Feeling infinite

Today I wanted to show you something that made such a positive impact on my life when I needed it the most. It was an activity I did with my bible study group about a year ago. You will need two sheets of paper, a pen, and a mirror. Look at yourself in the mirror and on the first piece of paper I want you to write a list of words that describe how you felt about yourself when you did not have Christ in your life. Pick one of those that stands out to you the most and set that paper aside. Now take a second look and write a new list of words that you feel about yourself with God by your side. From that list also pick one that stands out to you. With your two words we are going to make a beautiful prayer. First I will share some of my lists with you:

Before: Alone, sad, ugly, chained, used, abused, abuser, empty, hopeless, dark, depressed

After: Free, filled, comfortable, happy, beautiful, simple, saved, pure, surrounded

God, Thank you that I am no longer alone, but in you I am surrounded.

Now fill in my underlined words in the prayer with yours and with joyful lips read it out loud to yourself. Shout it out if you find it necessary. Sometimes these are the best kinds of reminders of how we became the women we are today.

Day 21- Flying in the light; Keep your focus on Christ

Day 21- Keep your focus on Christ

Throughout life we tend to get lost on winding roads that veer us away from God quite often. A perfect example in words would be a Simon & Garfunkel song called the sound of silence…”Hello darkness my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again…” How many of you have had that conversation? I have many times and it is never worth revisiting your previous train wrecks just because you feel like you are some how missing out on something fun. I survived though. I have some scratches and wounds that are still healing, but nonetheless they are on their way to being healed forever with the help of the Lord. I do like the lingering battle wounds though. Usually scars are a painful lesson from the past and will always remind you of something you never want to go through again. I am not proud of them, but don't mind keeping them around to awaken the stale memories of my past and to put an emphasis on my heart of why I chose to hand things over to God. Anything can be used as a reminder to stay focused on Christ. Even a simple long look in the mirror will do.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. –Colossians 3:2

Lord, Help us to keep our focus on You and not on anything else. Help us to not get wrapped up in worldly things that have no true positive impact on our lives. Show us what we can use as little reminders to keep our hearts and minds set on You and let us use them daily if necessary. 

Day 20- Flying in the light; Motivation is the name of the game

Flying In The Light

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. -Nathaniel Hawthorne

The wings of a butterfly are more free than anything in this world. They are limitless in what they can achieve, infinite in their beauty, and boundless in their travels. When we are flying in the light with Christ we are much like this artistic creature. We wander on this new voyage with elegance in our steps and a fresh approach to the way we live our lives. The transformation is a gift, use it wisely.

Day 20- Motivation is the name of the game

Where does our motivation derive from? Lord knows we need it. When we find the root of what pushes us to do our best then we are fully charged, strong, ain’t no body going to stop us kind of women. I feel like I need some soulful girl power music playing while I write this! Are you aware of what our minds and bodies can really accomplish when they are fully motivated for the right reasons? You can do anything you put your mind to, which includes being a strong spiritual example for others. When we fail we are so quick to blame God and blame others for our failures. The truth is that we are the only ones held accountable for what we do. God is not here to be glorified when you do well and cursed at when you do not. He is here to have a relationship with you and motivate you to be the best that you can be. I have changed my life for myself and continue to advance, learn, and grow everyday. This is the only way we are going to survive in this world and the quicker we attain the will and desire to improve ourselves the better. The choice is yours.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. –Philippians 4:13

Lord, Today show us that we can do anything we set our minds to do. Help us to find what motivates us as individuals and teach us how to always use it as fuel to better ourselves for You.