Be Still...even for a second!

I have been WAY missing writing little devotionals once or twice a week and hearing such sweet feedback...It made me so happy!! I have decided to start setting aside time to do them again! I hope that makes you happy as well! 

"Sometimes, you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and what you want to be." –Unknown

Life can get so incredibly busy in the fall.  It can be hard to just slow down and think about what you want and who you want to be in your future.  We tend to lose sight of where our priorities should be, or at least sometimes I do.  We can lose sight of what is worth our time and what is not. 

I once heard that if God created time, then He is able to stretch it.  I never really understood this concept until there seemed to just not be enough hours in the day.  The verse Psalm46:10, "Be still and know that I am God," is one that made me realize how He could do such a thing.  Starting a day off with simply whispering to yourself that verse and having a small quiet time in the morning and even throughout the day can multiple your productivity.  It also puts so many things into perspective.  It allows you to know what’s important and lessen the anxiety level (boy, do I need that!) 

So, try being still today...even if it is for just a second! Breathe. Relax. Try not to stress so much! Remember He tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:25).

Have a fabulous Sunday! Much Love!

Advice from A Smart Bear

I recently came across a quote that I have always loved by none other than Winnie the Pooh. After I read this one quote, I decided to look up some other and then share them with you. Hopefully you will find reading advice from my favorite bear fun and maybe even inspiring!

"Some people care too much. I think it's called love."

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”

“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

These are the quotes that stuck out to me personally, but A.A. Milne (writer of Winnie the Pooh) has many more. I hope you liked these and maybe even took away some inspiration from one of them. I am coming to the conclusion that we can never take ourselves so seriously that we forget to enjoy the things we loved as children. Often times our greatest loves and passion were evident then!

Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!!! Much Love!

Irreplaceability

"A woman's heart must be so hidden in Christ that a man must seek Him in order to find and understand her."

I have always loved this quote, but I came across it today and had a much greater appreciation for it. As I mentioned to you in a previous post, I have been doing lots of reading and research. One person that I have uncovered great knowledge on is, Eve.

As I read through commentaries and books regarding Eve and Genius, I came across the word "ezer", which God calls Eve for Adam. The translation of the word that I felt really showed Eve's purpose was "lifesaver." In Genesis 2:18, God says that it is not good for man to be alone. He gives us this great purpose and irreplaceability here. What we have to grasp is that we are the daughters of Eve, therefore, we have a great purpose and irreplaceability. Imagine the significance you as a woman have if God decided that without you "something wasn't good," even though He had created a place untouched with sin and a scared relationship with Adam.

We, as women, can learn so much from Eve and who God called her to be in this world. He placed us here to be a lifesaver to another to allow for someone else to see Christ through us and allow for Him to changed their hearts, forever. My question to you today is where is your heart? Is it hidden in the very depths of Christ?

The book that I am reading right now to give me such incredible insight into Eve and her story is called, "Captivating" by John and Stasti Eldredge. The men's version of this book is called "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. I would encourage you to read both - they can open your eyes up to things you never understood before! They are definitely doing that for me!

Have a lovely Sunday! Much love!!

Current Inspiration

So I thought I would share with you some verses and quotes that are currently encouraging me in my life...

"It is easy to heavy, hard to be light."
-G.K. Chesterton

Do you often find it easier to complain or get bogged down because of a tough situations? It is often more difficult to find the positive or joy in something than to complain about it. I have been recently working to be "lighter" with my attitude, regardless of what I may really experiencing at heart. It not only helps my mood, but also others. Find the postive, be light.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody,”
-2 Corinthians 3:2 NIV

This verse really captivated my heart this morning. Our lives are a letter from God to the world, our actions and character reflect Him. I want my letter to be a magnificent one. A letter that someone would want to read over and over again. However, I can't have a letter like that if I am not constantly surrendering myself to Him. What are you writing with your attitudes, actions, and words?

"Not to spoil the ending for you but everything is going to be...ok."

This quote just made me smile. In the midst of a very confusing life knowing that at the end of the day everything is going to be ok is quite comforting. I have come to find lately that dwelling on things that I can't understand does me no good. Why not dwell on the things that I am sure of? I am sure of God's faithfulness, His love, His plan and to me that is enough. Since I know those things, I can rest assure in the fact that in the ending of my dilemmas, everything is going to be ok.

I would love to hear about what is currently inspiring and guiding you! Have a great Tuesday! Much Love!!

I'm with You

Have you ever had one of those ideas where everyone else thought you were crazy? Maybe you were young and you wanted to go on some adventure that seemed unrealistic? The response you got was more like "Are you crazy? No!" rather than a "Sounds good, let's go!"

I am an idea and project person, sometimes I am amazed by the number of projects I can come up with in one day. Usually they only hold up residence in my head, but nonetheless they exist. That personality has done some good, but also some bad. It has made me a person who likes to "fix" others. Have you ever done that? The intentions are always true and noble, but they don't always appear that way.

Recently, I've learned I want to just be with them. Think of a time when you had an idea that others would tell you was a bit crazy. Did you have one person that said, "Sounds great. I'm with you." Regardless of whether or not the idea would work or if they thought it was a good idea they were by your side. They showed you presence. They weren't going to try to change your mind or you. They showed you love.

That's the kind of love God has for us. Jesus is often called Immanuel, which means "God with us." Jesus is present. The world can make us believe that love is suppose to be found in material things or wrapped up in a pretty bow. However, the love that God created and gives to us is a rather costly love, because it requires some sacrifice and presence. It not about undertaking a project or fixing someone, it's about being present. It's about saying, "I am with you." No matter what choices that person may make, you love them all the same.

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you."

Hope you have a fantastic Thursay! Much Love!

Be You

I have been missing the blog greatly, but I have to be honest I've been loving what God is teaching me. Usually when He lays something on my heart I immediately want to write about it, but that hasn't been the case for the past few weeks. I had the opportunity to spend my weekend volunteering at a youth conference that my family has helped put on for over 17 years now, called Steubenville. It was profound to watch hundreds of high school students accept Christ. Isn't that awesome? His work this weekend had me on fire for Him.

Anyway, it may seem like I have completely forgotten about my "In Search of Everything" project...I haven't. I have actually been doing lots of research and writing on it.

The first thing that has profoundly hit me is being...me. How simple right? The thing is, I get so preoccupied on trying to change or try new things that I forget to embrace certain characteristics about myself that some may dislike, but someone else might love. One of those people being Jesus.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"
Psalm 139:14

As I began to think and pray on this God brought to mind some people that I love so deeply. Characteristics that they have that make them who they are began to flood my mind. Both good and bad qualities that I cherished. Those qualities are what made me love them and make them unique.

My encouragement to you today is to just be you. Accept your true likes, instead of trying to force yourself to do something, because someone else thinks you should or it looks rather glamorous. You were created unique.

Hope you have a lovely Monday! Much Love!