Beauty for Ashes

My heart is beating, fast and strong. You live inside me, you have been all along. Though I may grow weary, from time to time. Help me to remember, it’s your strength inside, not mine. Thank you for carrying me, when I couldn’t take another step. For walking beside me, instead of letting me trip. I want to do this right, and make you so very proud. I want to exude your love, despite hate that comes from all around.  Help me to run this race, with grace and humility. And be the kind of woman, you’ve always seen in me.  Thank you, Jesus, for believing in me. My heart is steadfast, because you are living in me. 

The last four days have been rough.  Been in bed sick, not able to do anything but just lay there.  But the truth is, it’s been extra rough because I allowed this trial we are walking to control my feelings and emotions.  I allowed fear to set in and dictate my every day.  I pushed my body to the breaking point-and this sickness was the only way God could get me to rest and recharge so that I can continue this journey the way I started it out.  This morning, I woke up a new person.  Every part of me feels alive and ready to take the next step.  This morning, I woke feeling God’s arms wrapped around me.  Caring for me, loving on me.  Confirming in me that He is indeed there and has been the whole time.  I sometimes forget that the way I love my children and wrap my arms around them is what God does to us in all times.  So thankful for this little reminder this morning and wanted to share it with you all.  Have a Blessed Monday. 1 King 19:1-8

In the midst of my pain tonight, I wanted to share in hopes of maybe helping one person out there.  And in order to do that, I need to be raw and vulnerable and talk about life for me right now, today, and what brokenness I am walking through.  I always write about my faith and how I got through difficult times; but tonight, I need you to see that I walk through valleys too.  I'm not always on the other side of a difficult situation.  I need you to see and understand that I struggle just like everyone else does and sometimes it takes a while to get it right. The brokenness is running deep these days.  I didn't think it was possible for my heart to feel pain like this, but for the last seven months, a child custody battle has just about broken me.  As of late, it has zapped my energy, my sleep, my appetite and my joy.  This wave of grief has swept over my head and it is barely letting me come up for a breath of air.  I can't even begin to describe the pain I feel inside;

The rain is falling fast and loud. It looks like teardrops  hitting the ground. I wonder what stories these tears would tell. What pain was carried from where they fell.  I wonder if they are stories  of the hurting and lost. I wonder if they are searching  for the one hung on the cross. Every tear that falls down like rain has a face and name behind that pain. I wonder if these tears  that fall down like rain. Could speak of healing from their pain. I wonder if these tears  that fall down like rain. Could be the key  that unlocks your shame. Every teardrop has a story of healing of grace; of His Mighty Glory. If these teardrops could carry our words. Would they say keep on despite the hurt? If these teardrops could carry our heart. Would they say you'll get through this difficult part? The rain is falling fast and loud. It looks like teardrops coming down. The rain brings life to nourish our home Just like His love bri

“I am smart and I am important.  I am a world changer.  I am brave and courageous.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am called by God to do great things.  I am strong.  I melt in His presence yet stand strong in the face of adversity.  I can’t stop running because Jesus didn’t stop for me.  I am a finisher.  I am the right woman for the job.  I am a winner.  I am so loved.  I am richly blessed.  I am rooted and grounded.  I am abundantly graced.  I am my brother and sister’s keeper.  I am empowered to lead.  I am an overcomer.  I am more than a conqueror.  Greater is He that is in me than He that’s in the world.  I Am a Daughter of the King no matter how I feel and no matter how it looks I will see His promises manifested in my life.  I am patient and kind.  I am truthful.  I am hidden in Christ.  I am an end time soldier in His army.  I was born for such a time as this.  I have what it takes.  I am resourceful.  I am wise.  I wear God’s grace beautifully.  I am who God say

Morning, friends. I wanted to share something that is on my heart this morning.  I pray that you all have a blessed Sunday.  Lord, my heart is heavy this morning for those who are in a season of struggle and uncertainty.  For those who feel like they are stuck in a web of lies and don’t have the strength to break free.  I lift these people up to you and pray that they are able to find comfort in your arms.  That they find comfort in your word and promises.  Lord, be with them today and give them exactly what they need to get through the moments they feel defeated.  I pray that they know they can find rest in you anytime they need a safe place to lay down.  Lord, ease any anxious thoughts that may be swirling through their heads and replace it with your peace that passes all understanding.  Lord, I pray that they know when they are weak your strength is made perfect.  And that in you they can have freedom from the things that are keeping them captive.  

I once watched as he took his first steps; unsure of what his little legs were capable of.  Looking to me, for support and guidance as he put one foot in front of the other.  Today, my view is much different than that wobbly ten month old just learning to walk.  He has grown tall.  Strong.  He has become confident in who he is and what he is capable of.  This boy of mine is putting one foot in front of the other and boldly walking straight into his future.  A future where I won’t be within an ear shout of a “hey mom”.  But instead, I’ll be a phone call away with miles of separation between us.  Thinking about this makes me sad, and with tears escaping my eyes, I can’t help but smile.  I smile because I know the one who holds tomorrow will be holding my boy too.   And that’s enough for me.   Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path -Psalm 119:105

Be still and listen to what I'm trying to say. I don't want you to miss this, because today is the day. I know you are hurting, You're broken inside. You don't know who to turn too, , You just want to run and hide. Open up your heart, so that you may see. The endless amount of love I have for you to receive. You are so smart and beautiful to me. You're one of a kind-why is that so hard to see? Even though you don't think so, I'm telling you this now. You are my beloved, my child, you wear a crown. I love you, my child, more than you know.  You don't have to walk this life alone. Will you open up your eyes, and your heart to me? There is a way to peace  and happiness through me.  

“The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances.  It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul even in the midst of the most distressing circumstances and the most bitter environment.  It is the kind of happiness that grins when things go wrong and smiles through the tears.  The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will deeply root inside us and give us inward relaxation, peace, and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be.  That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus.” - Billy Graham My sister sent me this yesterday and I just had to share it with all of you.  I know how hard it is in the midst of a storm to have joy or experience happiness when things are going wrong.  But it is possible, friends.  It is possible to have joy overflowing in your heart while you are walking the toughest road possible.  It is possible to