Category: SPIRIT

How To Let It Go

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I have heard lots of advice on how to let things go over the years. Mostly because… I’ve needed it myself! Letting things go has been a struggle for me. Remembering what people have done to hurt you is the best way to keep yourself safe. Right? It’s really hard to let things go, when you think it’s beneficial (and safer) not to. But all the googling I’ve done over the years hasn’t been as helpful as sitting in the presence of God and realizing He is enough.

I’ve carried a burden for too long on my own. I wasn’t created to bear it alone. I hear your invitation to let it all go. I see it now. I’m laying it down. I know that I need you. ♬♪

Did you watch the video yet? If not stop reading and go do that. Then read these lines again. Then repeat the cycle until you realize God is inviting you to let it ALL go. All of it all: pain, betrayal, desperation, fear, self protection, justified anger, guilt, injured pride, and so much more.

Life is a battle friends, and we have two options: follow hard after God’s truth or do “our” best. Our best leads to never letting go. We can’t. But God has a different way. But God says: Oh precious, you have carried that heavy weight much too long. I made you for so much more than to hold onto that. Will you let it go?

Will you let it go? God never forces us to open our hands. But if we do open them and lay down our junk… he will fill our hands with so much more of all that is good.

I run to the Father. I fall into grace. I’m done with the hiding. No reason to wait. My heart needs a surgeon. My soul needs a friend. So I’ll run to the Father again and again and again and again. ♬♪

I remember the first time I realized that I could fall into the grace of God. Have you ever ran to your husband/dad/boyfriend/brother in absolute tears of devastation over some way life failed you? And when you hit his chest with the full force of your cries did you fall into grace? A special favor where they protect your heart with their strength?

I hope you know this feeling. But even if you don’t… that is what God is offering you. The riches of God through the sacrifice of Christ which means you don’t need to carry the burden. Through Christ, you can let it go. Letting it all go – all the pain we struggle to release – is an act of worship and trust. I don’t need to live in guilt or pain from a lost relationship or a wrong that was done to me or fear. I actually can just let it go and fall into the grace of God.

My heart has been in Your sights. Long before my first breath. Running into Your arms. Is running to life from death. And I feel this rush deep in my chest. Your mercy is calling out. Just as I am You pull me in. I know I need You now. ♬♪

What do you need to let go of? I know I used to think remembering everything was the best way to protect myself. But actually it was a great way to keep the pain fresh and kill my joy. Jesus carried all our burdens and wants to invite you to let him have yours. How would it feel to fall into grace?

If you want to know more about God’s love for you and about Christ, ask. God will reveal himself to you if you are really look for him. In the Bible it says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8]

I hear your invitation to let it all go. I see it now. I’m laying it down… ♬♪

Humans are Bananas

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“BRB, swatting away outdated notions of perfectionism. No one is perfect, yet we chase perfectionism in hopes of reaching a sense of fulfillment. If you don’t stop to smell the roses and be kind to yourself, you’ll get pricked by destructive thinking patterns. Start by giving yourself room to slip up, whether that means going over your calorie intake for the day, or staying up watching reruns at night. Save this post as a friendly reminder that perfection is overrated.” [NOOM]

Which banana in the image above is your ideal one: hard green, slightly green, yellow, spotted or something in between? I’m pretty sure our favorites are not the same. Does that mean the one I choose is inherently better than the one you chose. Nope. No banana is perfect to everyone.

Humans are basically glorified bananas. We are all in a different stage of ripeness which means my best might not be good enough for you. Your ripeness might not suit my preferences. And even if you could attain perfection, you certainly won’t be to everyone.

If we can’t find fulfillment in being perfect, where can we find it? A lot of us get trapped into trying to fill it with s-t-u-f-f: food, shopping, drinking, partying, drugs and lots of other naughty stuff. Truthfully these things can feel fulfilling temporarily, but they end up being just another trap. So maybe we should all stop trying to be perfect and try being the best version of ourselves instead. That’s a big enough challenge.

And how to we find the freedom to be ourselves, even if we’re not perfect? Jesus Christ. John 8:36 says: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” The need for perfection was ended with Christ. Now we are free. Walk in that – and be your own best banana.

Be Trustworthy

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God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Humans are known for… changing our minds. But that’s not how we were created to be. I was created in the image of a trustworthy God who does what he says he will do. So were you beautiful friend! Yet we struggle don’t we? Maybe we can keep promises to others, but can we keep them to ourselves?

How do we grow into the person we were intended to be before the world got to us? I think that emulating someone who does this so well would be a good place to start. We all love a good role model because they inspire us to level up ourselves. So let’s fan girl over God and: pray, look and seek.

PRAY: to God. Sincerely pray. When you do this He will listen.

LOOK: for God. Don’t just glance around and wonder when He will show, but look with passion. Be enthusiastic about your search.

SEEK: Him with all your heart. He’s not really hiding but you may need to discover Him in places you’re not used to looking.

When you pray, look and seek you will find a God so worthy of emulating. And yet the question is what will you allow it to do in you? Will you allow the trustworthy nature of God to inspire a change in you? Spending time with excellence always makes me want to reach higher, do better and conquer my struggles with renewed dedication.

Do you want to be known as someone who makes goals and reaches them? Speaks action? Runs a faithful journey? I know I do!! But let’s be real about our humanity because perfection isn’t the goal. Growing more in the character of who we were created to be like IS the goal. Though it lingers… wait for it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

Are you trying so hard but not coming through? Are you struggling to accomplish a goal or flat out failing? God is trustworthy. He does what he says. And it’s not an unrealistic goal to work towards being that way too. Keep praying. Keep looking. Keep seeking.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

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“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

Everyone should spend time figuring out what makes them happy, what makes them come alive. Why? Because we’re all unique and what you love is such a special part of you that the world needs! If you are just starting to explore your heart in this way, take a look at my list and try making one of your own.

1. PLANNERS: Paper planners make me happy. I love everything about them. Binder style, coil bound, leather, artsy, basic or elaborate. I love copying information over and over. Pens. Stickers. My two favorite types of planners (currently) are Happy Planer and Filofax. But I’m always open to something new!!

2. COFFEE: I sure love coffee. Starbucks is a big favorite of mine. It’s delicious. I also love my first cup at home. I use a Keurig and Nespresso makers because I’m quite fond of my coffee with a shot or two of espresso. Then a bit of half + half and it’s sigh worthy. I am always up for a happy little cup of coffee.

3. DISNEY WORLD: Did I ever mention I was married in Disney World?! That’s how much I love it there. The magical destination they have created just seems to fill my happiness meter to the brim. I know people have different opinions on Disney, but I have made it my happy place since I was little. Let’s go to Disney World!!

4. PETS: I adore animals. I would have our house packed full if it weren’t for my sensible husband. Right now we have Beowülf the Akita, Little Dud the Pomeranian, Christian the Russian Blue, Syzygy the Maine Coon and Bruno the Teddy Bear Hamster. I love each and every one with my whole heart. I’m not sure what pet will come next… but I know it’s only a matter of time.

5. FRIENDS: In case you haven’t guessed, I’m an extrovert. Talking with people is my favorite. Honestly, everything is better with friends. I love being with women, talking with them, creating events, having people over to dinner and even public speaking to groups. So fun! I am always open to more friends.

6. PUBLIC SPEAKING: Since I mentioned public speaking above, I should give it a whole section because I really like speaking to groups. Hope God gives me lots more things to share and the opportunity to do so. Need a speaker? Pick me! If you want to see me speak or have questions CLICK HERE.

7. I LOVE LUCY: This is my favorite show to leave on in the background because it’s hysterical. Plus I know all the episodes by heart so I can walk in and out without missing anything. If my life had a soundtrack it would probably be full of Ethel Mertz comments and Ricky Ricardo mispronouncing all the words.

8. CUDDLING: Does this make your happy like mine? I love cuddling my dogs, cats and hamster. I love cuddling my kids to sleep. I love sleeping on my husband’s shoulder. I’ll still cuddle stuffed animals, yup no shame. I will happily cuddle just about anything!

9. PURSES: I don’t think anyone was ever uncheered by a new purse. But this category is quite broad because I would extend it to totes, backpacks, makeup bags, suitcases, trunks. If you can put stuff in it and bring it with you I love it. I’ve moved and traveled my whole life so perhaps it’s the vagabond in me, but purse-type-things make me happy.

10. WRITING: Yup, I love writing. Expressing myself isn’t a chore but a love. I think it’s an extra outlet for this extravert to express herself even more. I write stories, articles, book reviews, devotionals and blog posts on all kinds of topics. I write stories for my kids and tales about our pets. Stick around and you’ll get to enjoy it all.

It’s just about that easy to begin to discover what makes your heart come alive. I try to make these lists often because it helps me know where to direct my efforts and where to get a bit of extra happiness when I’m feeling low. Are we similar in any ways? I’m sure you can think of lots of things I didn’t even mention. Try making a list of your own!