Beauty for Ashes

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...

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...

When I divorced six years ago, I didn't know what the road ahead would look like.  I didn't know what the twists and turns would be or the mistakes I would make along the way.  I didn't know how long it would take to mend my broken heart or to overcome all that I endured.  There were so many uncertainties and unknowns because I had never walked that road before.  Walking into divorce, the path was lonely and dark.  All because the roads were all so unfamiliar. Looking back,  I can see the mistakes I made along the way.  I can see where I fell short or where I could have handled something a little different.  I can see where I should have stood up for myself or where I should have let something roll off my shoulders.  Looking back, I can see the lessons learned and the wisdom gained from each and every situation that arose.  I can not change what happened along the way, but what I can change is how things are handled in the future. Th...

As I hold these sweet boys in my arms, I can't help but be in awe of God's goodness.  I can't help to think about how precious our time is-especially with the people that mean the most.  How time is something that we can't get back and how our moments should never be taken for granted.  As I pulled my children in closer, I was reminded that even in the midst of this storm, my joy will not succumb to fear.  My faith will not give way to doubt and my peace will not blow away with the wind.  I was reminded that my happiness and worth is not determined by my circumstances.  That despite what is going on in life, my presence will never fade away; as our moments live on in the safety of our hearts forever.

God is our healer.  Not just with all of our brokenness, but with our physical bodies as well.  Sometimes He chooses to heal in an instant and other times He chooses to heal over time.  He has a plan and a way of doing things, it's just important for us to look for and find Him through the process.  It's important not to be blinded by the diagnosis, but instead, be blinded by His light and His love. I have talked about our struggles with infertility because of PCOS.  My prayer has always been that God will heal me as well.  For a long time, all I could see was my broken body.  And month after month, I was let down when the pregnancy test was negative.  I was blinded by what was wrong with me instead of praising God for being my healer to overcome this.  Some of you may be blinded by a diagnosis or by some kind of brokenness today.  I challenge you to look past the hurt, the pain, your fears and see Him, your healer. He heals the br...