The Novel of Us // T.B. LaBerge

Christmas was Her favorite holiday, She always fell in love during this time. She adored the lights that clothed the trees creating a glimpse of heaven and the snow covering the world in what seemed like billions of crystals. She loved the way He seemed to stand just a little bit closer to Her during this time. She sang all the carols until Her voice would go and when that happened, She would brew Herself a cup of tea and sit by the window and gaze out it, in those moments Her heart was at peace.

He had always wanted to be in love at Christmas, to be able to live what all those Christmas songs always sang about. To share in the gift of giving with another, especially one that He could spend all His days with. As He saw Her sitting by the window, the light of the Christmas tree glowing softly off Her beautiful face and the soft tunes of Nate King Cole gently making their way across the room and resting in the ears of those who were around, He realized what a gift She was; He was at peace.

—	T.B. LaBerge // The Novel of Us (via blissfulbeardsdoitbest)

She Reads Truth // Daniel 3:1-23

Daniel may be one of my favorite books in the bible. And so, when I found out the She Reads Truth was doing a study on it, I didn’t care that it’d be my fifth time reading it through from start to finish. I got excited. And today, I was reminded again of how great our God is {even though we stopped just before God shows His power and faithfulness}. Specifically the verses.

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will never serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. {3: 17-18 || ESV}

"but if not, …"

To have a faith like those men {Meshach, Adegnego, and Shadrach} who declared that God will deliver them from the fiery furnace. Who were also confident enough to say, “but if not…” they would never serve their gods or worship their images. I long to have a faith like that — I aim, daily, to be reminded of this kind of faith in God.  

The commentary from todays quiet time is something I would like to share — She Reads Truth says,

“And if not…”

I feel like that’s the rally cry of my faith. I hold on to the idea that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had. I believe that God will show up, that He will show up here on Earth and move in His people and move mountains.

“And, if not…”

And if not, He is still good. He is still the King Most High. He alone is still worthy of our worship. It is still worth it. It would be far better for me to perish than to live a life of bowing down to a lesser god.

We may not live under a government that dictates who or what we can worship, but how often do we voluntarily allow idols to take residence in our life? Comfort, safety, health, wealth. How often do we bow down and sacrifice for those things?

I have hopes. I have desires. If I’m honest, sometimes I hope God’s desires line up with my desires for my life, not the other way around.

But, I believe I’d give up comfort, safety, health and wealth to more fully know God. I believe that giving up those things would benefit me here on Earth. And, if not, I have the comfort of knowing there is glory in Eternity.

Do you have something you are hoping God will show up and do? Do you trust that He is good to grant that desire? Do you trust that He is also good in the “And, if not…”?

Sundays

Thankful for Sundays /// days where you wake up extra early to make sticky buns — just because — days where you worship our beautiful Creator and get your heart softened all over again, where you enjoy the laughter of friends over lunch. Days where you sit at the kitchen island, soaking in the plans for the week ahead, Eric Church filling your ears, and doing odds and ends around the house — cleaning dishes, sweeping up the floor, and laundry going in cycles.

My heart is weary, yet filled. I sense a season of change coming and I’m trying to prepare my heart for the openness it deserves.

Thankful for love and family — and Sundays.

Update!

The 20's Project 

1. Read the entire bible.

2. Ride a motorcycle 

3. Skydive

4. Get a full-body message 

5. Memorize an entire chapter of the Bible

6. Backpack part of Appalachian Trail

7. Order breakfast in bed room service, at a fancy hotel. 

8. Run a half marathon

9. Glacier Park

10. Visit 5 National Parks

11. Visit New York City

12. Travel to Europe 

13. Try a cigar

14. Go to a Sara Bareilles concert

15. Visit California

16. Go to a vineyard & wine taste

17. Start my teaching career

18. Attend a NFL Football game

19. Take a cooking class

20. Serve on a missions Trip

Recent things crossed off - #4, #16! 

I Stand in Awe //

Sweet and merciful Father, 

I stood in awe, tonight, with my arms high and heart abandoned.

After hearing Your words spoken out to us tonight. After hearing the gospel poured into my ears and heart.

That’s the beauty of You — that you can hear, you can read, you can soak in the gospel so many times, but it still has that affect on you. I am still amazed by You. I am speechless at Your willing Sacrifice of Your son — I should have been the one paying for my countless sins, and yet you sent Him, perfect in power and wholly worthy to be praised. 

Father, not only am I touched to hear your gospel this week and be reminded of your unfailing love, but Lord — you have eight new children who have submitted themselves to you, who have chosen to call You Father for the first time today, and who will see Your face one day — who now have eternal life! 

I am sitting here with tear-filled eyes, with an overwhelmed, joyful, happy, heart. Eight children have chosen to follow the Lord of all.

All I can say is that God is at work, here, in the city of Philadelphia — He is the God of this city and I truly believe that even greater things are yet to come. 

“

I kick and I scream and I thrash hard against the Father’s love. I shift my focus and become a prisoner to the panic instead of the promise, and still He says, “mine.” He looks at me, broken, and calls me daughter and ever so lovingly pulls me right back in.

I want to live as a prisoner to the “Yes.” Remembering all we have seen, we set our hope fully on what we have not yet seen. We place all of our hope and all of our trust and all of our focus on the grace given us through Christ, and we beg to live captured by His promises.

”

—	Katie Davis

Before You Wed // Darling Magazine

Most of us girls have a dream growing up that we will someday find our Mr. Forever. In young adulthood, there is a tendency to be particularly focused on this objective. Whether you are single, ready to mingle, or in a serious relationship, the choices we make now sets the stage for our future marriage. Here’s what we can do to put ourselves in a healthy position in our relationships now and in the future.

Keep Growing
When we are looking for Mr. Right, there is a tendency for this longing to create “tunnel vision,” where all of our problems will be solved if we could just find Mr. Right. While this illusion is certainly convincing, another person will never be capable of being “our everything” or solving all of our insecurities and fears. Whether you are in a serious relationship or not, it is important to continue toward personal growth as our external circumstances are only a fleeting salve for our wounds.

Be Intentional
Inside or outside of a committed relationship, we are wise to treat all of our relationships like the latter. A common myth adopted by many during young adulthood is that we can get serious about what matters later and everything will fall into place. Sometimes this happens. Most of the time it doesn’t. We perform how we practice. While this doesn’t mean that we give too much of ourselves too quickly, being intentional about getting to really know someone and continue to grow in our relationships with ourselves and others will only serve our relationship with future Mr. Right down the road.

Observe
Take a look around. Who in your life has the kind of relationship you would want to have? If it is difficult to think of a relationship you might like to emulate, it is important to reach out to people that demonstrate relationships you hope to have yourself. Having several mentors create vision and help us understand what we are looking for and prevents us from settling for less.

Be Patient
The right one is worth waiting for and comparing yourself to other people’s storylines will only breed dissatisfaction with the beauty of your own story. Waiting for your own story to unfold with anticipation will help you to be thankful for your own unique story and will help you to love the life you have rather than constantly wishing you were somewhere else.

Be Thankful
Each season brings different gifts. Rather than ignoring the gifts of this season and focusing on what your hopes might be for the future, enjoy unwrapping the gifts that this season provides. If we constantly look forward, we miss the presents of the present. An attitude of gratitude leads us toward joy in each season of life.

So no matter what stage of life you are in, know that what you do now counts. It counts now and it counts in the future. Living this truth will only reward you down the road.

Photo by Heidi Ryder, via Style Me Pretty

(article via Darling Magazine)