What Do You Expect?

🕊 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 🕊 

What if you fail? What if you get fired? You have no idea what you are doing! Don't get your hopes up in case you mess this up. Imagine how it will feel to tell everyone you were fired after telling them you finally found a job!?! Don't even tell anyone you got a job...just in case!

Those were the desperately frantic and fearful thoughts running through my head immediately after I was offered and accepted a position at a school, for exactly the type of job I was looking for.

The anxiety began to reach a fevered pitch. As I have many times before, I wondered if I had been called to a life of suffering or struggle, therefore, told myself not to get to excited when good things happened. We know there were followers and lovers of Christ that suffered greatly. The disciples faced immense hardship and persecution. Perhaps that is my calling, my gift? When the struggle lingers, long suffering becomes an intimately familiar way of life.

STOP!!! I thought-yelled at myself.

The infamous Jeremiah 29:11 came to my mind as I attempted to talk myself down, speaking truth to my heart and soul (don't act like you never think-talk to yourself!). 

I have trained for this. I AM trained for this. This is exactly what I have been working toward and wanted. THIS has been the plan all along. Why wouldn't they want me? I AM qualified. God has not brought me this far to fail...or get fired.

What are your expectations? Are you living in the expectation of failure, or a life of suffering? God tells us He has good plans for us. Some versions use the word ‘thoughts’ - He has good thoughts toward us.

God gave me a very clear plan to follow. So why would He not bring it to fruition? He also promises in His Word that he will complete the works He starts in us. Does this not also include the paths He implores us to follow?

We can confidently trust that He keeps His Word. He has not set us up to fail or fall short. Learn and grow? Yes. He is not a game player or promise breaker. He declares His plans and thoughts for us are for good. Knowing this, choosing to believe it, means we can walk and act as people of value and worth, because our God sees us valuable enough that when He looks at us, He declares, 'That's MY girl!' and 'That's MY guy!'

I don't have to expect suffering. I can expect a good end for my effort. I can expect good things to come my way. Rewards for hard work. Why expect anything less from a good and loving God?

He has prepared you.
Go and succeed!

Hello May

MAY you feel the love and acceptance of the Father. MAY you know how dearly loved and cherished you are. MAY you walk in His identifying truths about your value and worth. Amen. 

The Valley of Death

Its spring break, turn around trip to Death Valley National Park on Monday-4+ hour drive one way. We had never been there, it's a drive through the desert. A local said the winds were blowing 70mph! We went to see the "super bloom" of wild flowers that only happens every 10 years. Abundant, blooming life in the wasteland!

A few times, on a long stretch of empty road, the blowing sand would bring visibility to ZERO!!! I'd never driven through conditions like that and felt scared as I decelerated to 3mph!

The Lord reminded me of Psalm 23. ...as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...He gave me this literal, physical experience and picture, as I prayed our way thru.

We were IN DEATH VALLEY! Going *through* it! We may not see what is ahead, we have to trust Him and walk in FAITH!!! He tells us to not be afraid...actually, if you read and repeat it, it's a declaration: I will not be afraid! Because He is with me!

Be strong and courageous. Do not give in to the fear of the unknown! Keep moving forward. The dry, barren valley of death doesn't go on forever.

Our actual view, zero visibility, along our drive. 

Hello March

Time for lightheartedness as you leave the burdens of winter behind. Renewed hope produces a spring in your step. Be glad. Be joyful. Celebrate, for He is alive! 

Hello October

Anniversaries, birthdays and remembrances of all sorts greet us gently, while we're all focused on the celebration at the end. 

Yes, look forward...celebration is waiting. 

Hello September

Structure comes to transition, a settling in from where you've come out. Opportunity for a fresh start right in the middle. The ninth month brings birthing of the awaited gift but you have to labor for it. 

Hello July

A month of tipping the scales...in your favor. 

Breakthrough and restoration continue. 

Look for it. 

Do not fear.

Hello June

Its time to simplify. Rest, renew, and rejoice. You are halfway there. Take a breather but don't give up. Who knows what may be happening 'across town,' during your sixth month...

**Luke 1:26-27 NIV In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.**

Hello May

heart emoticon Psalm 141:2 NIV May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. heart emoticon

MAY we recognize and fulfill our God given destiny, to honor the Lord our God, in deed, in word and all that we purpose in our heart. MAY our intentions be pure, selfless and motivated by love in all things. Amen.

Hello March

The march hasn't ended, but the momentum creates a feeling of ease. Move with the breeze and soar high, toward a heavenly sky.

Hello February

The growth of winter you can't see, is happening under the surface.
Not all is dead. Spring is coming.
You can count on it.
Keep loving.
Love all but love *most*---> those in need.

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365 Days

That's how long ago I was given a promise, a word of encouragement. I only know the date because I wrote it down in my journal. I could never forget the moment, though.

I can't tell you why I went to Target that day. I don't know what solace I expected to find in a store, especially since I had no money to spend. I had finished school, graduated the month before. All the highlights and celebrations were over. There was no more daily routine to keep me going, keep me moving.

I crashed. Emotionally.

My life was the farthest it had ever been from the dreams I had for it. As I walked down the toy aisle, my kids asking for this and that, pointing out every exciting item that grabbed their attention and promised fulfillment, the tears started to over flow. I couldn't contain them.

I looked at the pools, the slip-and-slides, the funtastic sprinklers that I couldn't afford. I knew they wouldn't bring satisfaction, they wouldn't fill the aching gap in our hearts and souls but they'd certainly offer a few hours of respite. A break from the daily pain over our fractured family, we were trying to wade through.

GOD!

All my disappointments, hopes, desperation, dreams, and prayers were contained in that one word. My heart cry.

He answered with this:

Which became this, as I processed and listened a little more intently.

Relationally and financially, our lives were a wreck. Beyond a wreck. I didn't know where my rent would come from, much less the other basic living expenses like groceries, car insurance, gasoline and monthly utilities. I held on to that word of hope, tightly, desperately. I prayed desperately. Help came. It came in various forms. Supernaturally, naturally, anonymously, when asked for, unexpectedly, right on time, when not asked for, it was there.

My children needed clothes. I instructed them to pray first. Then trash bags full of awesome clothes would arrive randomly. Gifts were given. I got side jobs here and there. Each month, I practically begged God to provide for our rent. Each month, eventually it got paid.

As the months passed, my prayers became less desperate and more faith filled as I saw God continue to provide through various means. By December, exactly six months later, I knew I no longer had to beg God for help. I knew the help would be there, consistently and I could praise Him for it. Praise Him, even in advance.

The Mr. booked a commercial AND got a regular day job. Our rent went from being non-existent and scraping by for it, to being two weeks late. Each month, it was paid closer and closer to it's due date. Each month I praised God and hoped that maybe one day we could even pay it on time! By June 30, 2013, exactly one year since I had made that walk of shame and despair through Target, we had the rent early, two weeks early.

Our utility bills were getting paid randomly and were more often than not, months behind. Getting paid when it was desperate and we had received a disconnect notice. By June 2013, I was able to make a payment to get them all caught up. The Mr. then accidentally made another payment which caused them to be over-paid and have a credit. Now they are paid up for three months in advance!

The brakes on my car, for some unknown reason, kept going out. We would replace the brake pads, which was the cheapest way to go. By June 2013, we were able to take the car in to the dealership and have everything taken care of fully.

Last year, our oldest son generously contributed as much of his paycheck as was necessary toward our household finances. It's been months since he's 'had' to do that (beyond his own personal financial obligations). Not only that, but his hours at work have increased. He is now making twice as much money as he was last year when he was covering some of the monthly expenses.

I am a different person than I was when I walked through Target that day. We all are. God really does restore. He brings things back into order.

I could go on and on. The main thing is, God DOES keep His promises. He does keep His Word. He is real. He speaks and He changes your life. He IS who He says He is! I am excited to see what THIS next year will hold!

Everything IS ok.

Pro 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

GOD has it under control. Do NOT be dismayed by the actions of men. Adam and Eve had a plan to run and hide. Jonah had a plan to run away. Paul had a plan to murder Christians.

BUT God has a plan that is for your good. He had a plan for them too and He accomplished that divine plan. Do not be afraid. Do not be surprised when things and situations appear to be opposite of what you have heard God tell you and show you.

Hold your position...in faith. Do not neglect your armor and your weapons of warfare. You know the truths--you know this battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. Use your weapons, the spiritual gifts God has given you. He has not given you a spirit of fear. Be strong and courageous. NO weapon that is fashioned against you will stand. He is FOR you, therefore NONE can stand against you. The God of Angel Armies IS on your side.

I know the wounds that run deep. Seek to forgive. Cast it ALL on Christ to take to the cross. As deep as the wounds run, so deeply does the power of the blood HEAL. DO NOT STOP PRAYING.

It's STILL the season of Restoration

Do NOT be discouraged. Crazy stuff (the good kind of crazy) is happening all around. God IS lining it all up, beyond your imagination. HOLD tight to ALL those prophetic words, personal promises, scriptures etc that God has spoken to you. Hold them close to your heart.

I could make a LONG list of 'restoration' events and situations that have happen to me recently and this past year. Each time I am SO amazed. GIVE thanks. BE ready. In season and out. We TRULY have NO idea just HOW freaking CRAZY God is. And the CRAZY Love He has for us.

He KNOWS the desires of your HEART. NOT just what you are praying for--but the deep, true, desires you have...even if you aren't praying them--even when your prayers contradict--even when you have no idea you desire it--HE knows. And that is what He is working to accomplish.

Be OPEN to receive ALL that God has for you. He is UNlimited! Don't limit Him to your own ideas and imaginations of how your life, marriage, family, job etc will be. He WILL do above and beyond what you can possibly imagine. He desires WHOLENESS for you, for your {future} spouse, for your family--ALL your family. 

"Restoration" is for EVERY aspect of your life! He wants it ALL! Surrender to Him. Let go of the fear. He wants the BEST for you.

Be strong & courageous. Do NOT give up. Surrender to the *process*. ♥ ♥ ♥

Happy Saturday!

Fall into God

The past week has had some frustrating energy--have you noticed that? Up and down...like things WANT to change, break through WANTS to happen but maybe that shell is thicker and harder than the little chick trying to break out of it, expected. 

Push through because I believe break through IS happening. Restoration, favor, bondage/chains broken, obstacles removed and we are entering into a time of freedom and positive change. Clarity. I believe it.

I believe a shift HAS happened but many are scared and resistant to change. We all know this but the change is what we TRULY want...even if we are collectively resisting it.

Maybe the fighting FOR  and the fighting against--are obviously at odds and our nature is to keep fighting...but instead we need to let go---like a tug of war rope. Except when WE let go of our side--it's really the OTHER side that falls down, not us. We don't have to strive for it at all. It's already happening and nothing CAN stop it. All we have to do is rest IN it. 

Fall INTO God. 

Hold on to the Promises

I was driving yesterday and looked up at the sky and had a vision of a rainbow. I had to blink and was about to tell my kids: "Look! A rainbow." Then I realized it was a 'vision', not really there. Then these words came to mind: Hold on to the promises!  

Hallelujah!


Usher in the new season. Redemption is here. Christ is ALIVE! Revolution, revelation, revival--PRAY IT IN! ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Lord, You are a good God. We praise Your Holy Name. You have provided everything we need and more than we could want. Some things we do not understand but You reveal it to us in Your perfect timing. We praise You for moving hearts. For bringing back Your sons and daughters from the far country. You provide the way of escape and You lead us to it. Striving ceases and we find our rest in You. You alone are mighty to save. We go no where that You can't see us--You are there. You stretch out Your arm and lift us up. We take refuge in even the very shadow of Your wings. You are a strong tower, a mighty fortress. In days of calamity, you rescue us. 

Thank You Lord, for answering our prayers today. We pray and wait expectantly, according to Your word. Hallelujah Father! Hallelujah Jesus! Hallelujah Holy Spirit. Intercede on our behalf. Your banner over us is Love! We shall dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER! Glory be to the Lord God most High! ♥ ♥ ♥

True Grit Faith

The faith that is pressed down, abandoned but not crushed. When you're down to your last and all you've got is a faith that's shaking and you're hoping against hope that your foundation is built upon a rock that's solid cause you've got no more strength to fight your way out of sinking sand.

You're praying that all those words from the Word are true and you've got nothing to lose in believing they are but everything to gain. You're trudging through the miry clay, the compost of life, hoping to reap some black gold that will nourish the seeds you've planted.

You're on your own in a way you've never imagined and your pressing in, persevering, making the best out of nothing and calling it freedom. Choosing to smile. It's like living under a freeway and telling yourself it's camping. You've imagined the very worst case scenario and you praise that you aren't there yet.

There's no ego, humility is your uniform now. You've rolled up your shirt sleeves, grabbed your shovel and your in it to win it. One way or another.

Because when nothing looks like you thought it was, you've GOT to take God at His Word. Is He really for you when the world is against you? Is He on your side when you don't even have a side left? Is there really a life worth living, somewhere in your future...or right now? Is that man, dying on that cross, really going to live again?

You're a pioneer. You're holding on to dreams because you've chosen the hard road. You're the one that will not fold under the pressure. The one that doesn't sell out. The one that says I'll crawl to the finish line if I have to...but I will finish...and finish well. You believe, you know, there IS something more than this.

When you're fighting apathy, indifference, searching and fighting FOR passion, life, love...you go to sleep in surrender and awake with fresh determination. You won't give up. You can't. You will get through this. There is always grace--it's all grace. You will be strong because you know dependency on God in this life!

That's where you'll find your true grit faith.

Seeds of Hope

Check out this sunflower that is right in the middle of my lawn! I did NOT plant it...it just showed up one day...maybe planted by a bird? I asked my daughter to plant the sun flower seeds that we harvested last year. What I did not know was that she didn't plant them...she just TOSSED them all into the garden. I found out later when I saw all the seed shells left over by the birds that had eaten the seeds that were lying unprotected, on top of the earth in the garden beds.

Then this began to grow in the middle of the lawn & we left it there & mowed around it. How could we know it would grow & grow & grow at least 10 ft tall so far? It looks like a bean stalk...& those GIGANTIC leaves? Soaking up ALL that energy for ONE flower?

 Initially I was thinking what a waste of energy for just ONE flower. kwim? Then my friend pointed out it probably needed ALL that energy because that ONE flower produces so many SEEDS! Bingo!

Sometimes hope feels like such a waste of energy--doesn't it? And it can feel SO lonely. But it springs up--out of place, unexpectedly, in the middle of what feels like NOTHING, at the oddest of times, out of season--like the middle of winter? ;-)

When it blooms--we can't even imagine how many seeds are produced from that ONE bloom of hope...that will be planted & grow into many more blooms of hope!

Hallelujah!

This is my son next to the sunflower that's getting ready to bloom. We took this pic today. My son is about 6ft tall...so this thing has got to be about 10ft tall. Everyone who passes by (we get a lot of pedestrian traffic) stops & stares or comments & now, have even started taking pictures! lol

Here is another one that is obviously a different species of sunflower because it has multiple blooms (getting ready to bloom) on it but is still OVER 6ft tall. (also taken today and with my oldest making the goofiest face! haha)

Here come the HOLYdays!?!

I know some may be feeling the dread of the upcoming holidays. Maybe things feel really hard right now or you are missing a loved one that is not here or you just don't know what God is doing, if anything, in your life. Listen, first, it's ONE day out of every day. Someone decided to make it 'special'...but seriously, is it really any different from yesterday or tomorrow

? It's just the menu that is different.

The dates on the calendar change but GOD never does. I am not denying things feel really hard and/or your facing challenges. But pay attention here....especially if you are thinking you are going to have a *horrible* (for whatever reason) Thanksgiving or Christmas or Hanukkah or New Years or whatever...

NO you will not--God is GOOD! He is going to bless you w/ peace, good food, good fellowship & HIS presence. YOU are going to embrace each day, moment by moment & GIVE THANX--start w/ the breathe you are taking right this second. As your lungs fill w/ oxygen--He fills you w/ the goodness of his spirit. As your cells pump through your heart to be refilled w/ clean air again--so your soul longs for the cleansing of Christ. As your heart beats--it beats in rhythm w/ the Spirit of Christ.

You are not just "surviving"--you are thriving because God has called you to a life that thrives. You will live passionately, boldly proclaiming the good news & goodness of Christ--NO MATTER WHAT each day brings. BECAUSE you HAVE the JOY of salvation! That will NEVER be taken away. Remember: EVERY day is a HOLY day.

What is seen is temporary (husbands, wives, homes, marriages, cars, holidays) but what is UNSEEN is eternal--hold on to those eternal things: salvation, peace, love, charity, long-suffering, faith, hope!

God has prepared you your entire life, for your next breath & every breath after that. He has given you everything you NEED to get through each moment of every day because HE is with you & His spirit is withIN you. Greater is He that is IN you than He who is IN the world!

You are ok. You are daughters and sons of the King, wholly & dearly loved, all beautiful within!

Happy THANKSgiving.