Seek Peace and Pursue It

Friends! Happy December!

Can you even believe it's December?!? I cannot. Like the tree is up, the Christmas parties are planned, and all the things but still for some reason it's not feeling a lot like the Christmas season for me.  Not sure if it's just because our year has been so crazy and I'm in denial that so many months have passed in the blink of an eye or what, but I'm trying to get there!

One of the ways I'm trying to soak in this Christmas season is to really be intentional about my advent studying and Bible reading for myself and for the kids.  They are loving our cards from She Reads Truth that we are going through this year.  I am reading an advent book I love and have done for the past few years, Oh Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Trip.  

The Lord has really been working on my heart the last few weeks about where my focus is and where my peace comes from.  The phrase, "seek peace and pursue it" from 1 Peter 3:11 has been running through my mind over and over.  I hadn't even come across it in my Bible reading lately, the Holy Spirit just planted it.  There hasn't been much peace for us this year. It's truly been chaos. Organized chaos, thank you very much, but chaos none the less. Starting this website took months. It was such bad timing in my mind, but the nudge from the Lord to write became so heavy that it was time to be obedient. If anyone knows me, I do not like to do things half way.  I like to go all in and make it happen.  I put a lot of pressure on myself to do my best work no matter what it is in life. This leads to a lot of unnecessary stress. Josh tells me all the time, "You did this to yourself." Yeah yeah, I know.  But writing, opening up my home to people, making Christmas memories for my family that require me to make pancakes look like reindeer (ugh!!! haha!) are all extremely fulfilling to me as well.  

But back to writing, when I started this, it was just to write. But in our world today, when you blog or do any sort of writing online, you also "have" to be present on social media.  Instagram is the new way of blogging essentially.  I just have too many words for that haha! But truly it's all about getting people to read there and interact and be on Facebook (or maybe not Facebook anymore!?!?) See I don't even know what the platforms are these days. Truly. What the heck is Tic Toc? Do I blog there? Dance there?? I'm too old for this. Anyways the social media part of writing TOTALLY stresses me out.  I love sharing on stories about life and the day to day but the parts where I have to find a perfect picture to post and a blurb that makes you want to read what I've written on the website is totally overwhelming to me.  I want to just post my words into the world on here and be done with it.  I don't know the right way to go about it.  I was expressing this to a friend and she said some very simple but wise to me. "God didn't call you to social media, He called you to write." AMEN. PTL for that haha! It was just such a great reminder. I was feeling crushed by this made up schedule I wrote out of when I had to post and on what day... because that's what bloggers do! Right? Well you know what, just as Josh says, nobody cares but me!

So longggg story short, I'm taking the month of December off from writing... unless I want to haha... just no commitment either way. No typed up schedule of when I have to write this or say that.  I have lots of posts on deck that I wrote prior to even launching all of this but I'm just putting them on hold for now.  There's a stirring in my heart that's saying pause, pray and seek peace.  In the new year I'm hopeful I'll be back with a renewed sense of peace and purpose for this space.  

I know, I literally only started a few months ago, but that's just enough time to get all jumbled up and off track.  I'm going to finish this year seeking peace and truly pursing it during this advent season.  Time to be intentional, time away from social media, time to focus on Him and not me. If you need permission this Christmas season to seek peace, unplug, and drink a dang cup of hot tea in the afternoon, this is it! Do it. Your soul will thank you. The peace you're searching for is not on social media or here on this blog.  It's in God's word. Approach His word expectantly and you will receive the greatest gift. Him.

Thanks for riding this crazy train with me, friends! Merry Christmas!

When You Are Hosting

Lord,
Thank you for the opportunity to host people in my home. Thank you for providing me with a home that is safe place and shelter for others.  Lord give me your eyes to see those around me that may need a place to rest or a meal to eat.  Help me to see the hurting and love them the way you do.  Lord, I want to serve my family, friends, and those around me in a way that brings glory to you.  I want to make a difference and be a reflection of you and the mighty work you have done in my life. Help me to not overthink hospitality and instead use my gifts and the blessings you have poured into my life to make a impact on the lives of others.  Lord, thank you for the divine appointments you have created for me.  I'm so grateful for a full home and the ability to foster community for those around me.  Lord, help me to inspire others to invite people in and create an environment that is peaceful and full of joy. Serving others is serving you. Thank you that my home is seasoned with your grace. Make yourself known in this place.
AMEN.

Verse:
1 Peter 4:8-9
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

A Bouquet of Friends

I'm on a making friends kick around here so I thought I would share some more thoughts on the topic. If you've read the posts under the tab "The Table" on the main menu of website you know about the community of women that God prompted me to start while living in DuBois.  At one of our meetings we had a panel of women come in to address relationships. We discussed friendship, marriage, family dynamics, parenting and so on.  One of the women that I asked to be on this panel was someone I met through my MOPS group. She was a Mentor Mom, which simply means she was a seasoned mom with grown kids, who could offer advice and support to those of us who are in the trenches with young kids and young marriages.  Her name is Toni and she is wise, funny, and deeply rooted in Christ.

At this panel someone asked a question about having friendships as a grown woman.  I can't remember the exact phrasing of the question, but Toni's answer was simple yet so profound.  It has been in the back of my mind ever since.

When You are Grateful

Lord,
You are so good to me. Thank you for the blessings you have poured over me. Thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for never leaving my side or forsaking me.  You are a God of redemption and forgiveness, restoration and faithfulness. Thank you for knowing the depths of my heart and caring for me in spite of myself.   Lord, I pray that my eyes stay fixed on you.  I want to thank you and boast in you, even when I'm feeling weak. Thank you for the people you have placed my life that point me to you.  I ask that you you would give me renewed sense of peace and that my joy would radiate to others. Thank you for giving each of us purpose. I'm so grateful that you go before me and prepare a way for me. I want to give you the glory and the honor you deserve in all I say in do.  Thank you for the sacrifices you made so that I can have freedom in you.  I love you, Lord.  All good things come from above, from you. I am so grateful.
AMEN

Verse:
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Making Big Girl Friends

What does it look like to make new friends as a grown woman?  I get asked a lot how I've managed to start over in the friendship category time and time again.  In my life I've "started over" roughly seven or eight times, depending on if our definitions of "starting over" are the same. I consider it a time when you are moved or put into a situation that is new. New surroundings, new people, new home, new church, new whatever, that is going to last for an extended period of time.  I also recognize that there are many people that have done this far more times than I have.  I'm no expert, but I have managed to learn and grow A TON since my first experiences years ago.

When You Don't Know What to Pray

Lord, 

I’m here, Lord, but I don’t have the words.  Thank you for showing up and pursuing me even when I am stagnant and communication feels hard.  You are such a good Father to me.  I’m so grateful that you know the depths of my heart and the weight that I carry without me saying the right words or any words at all.  I know that my relationship with you is the most important relationship in my life. Me being in constant communication with you matters.  Lord, bring me close to you. Pull me in. Restore me and make your presence known.  Fill me with your love so I can love others.  I take my burdens and anxiety and cast them on you.  I can do all things because you strengthen me and care for me.  You are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  You are all knowing and all powerful.  I praise your name. You never waiver and in every season of ups and downs, you remain faithful and true.  Thank you for your unconditional love.

AMEN

Verse:
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

When You Have A Dream

Lord,

Thank you for setting a mission in front of me that is uniquely designed for my gifts and passions.  Thank you for the fire that burns inside of me for a specific purpose.  Lord, you are the one who planted the seeds of my dream inside of me. Water them, Lord.  Help me to live a life that is full of faith and void of fear so I can run the race you have set before me. I ask that you bring clarity to me about my dream(s).  I want to be sure my desires are from you and not of my flesh- not of my need for attention or to define my worth.  Lord, you are a God of peace and not confusion.  Illuminate the dream in my heart that is of YOU. Allow me to use my gift and talents to point others back to you. You must increase and I must decrease. Thank you for going before me and equipping me with all I need to know you and serve you. Thank you that despite my weaknesses, you can still accomplish your goal. You have perfect timing and your hand is on all things.  Thank you for keeping your promises and knowing what is best for me in each season. I give you all the glory.

AMEN

Verse:

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.