JESUS

A few days ago, I was playing a drawing game with the kids that I babysit. (One person draws a picture, the others try to figure out what it is.) Anyways, someone drew a picture of a cross, some flowers, and the words-"He is Risen!"...and we couldn't figure out what the answer was! We pondered over a few possibilities: Jesus, cross, Christ, resurrection, but none of them were right. Then we got it--Easter! It's almost time for Easter, after all, so it made perfect sense. One of the girls said, "Oh! It would've been much easier if she would have drawn bunnies and eggs." I agreed. When we think of Easter, we usually think of bunnies with baskets, coloring/hunting eggs, chocolate candy, jelly beans, and frilly dresses. But should we?


I'm not saying these things are bad or wrong. In fact, I'm all for Easter traditions and festivities, AND I probably adore Easter candy more than any person you will ever, ever meet. However,these things can easily become very convincing distractions from celebrating the true significance of Easter-- 

"Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that

Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our

old life.  He died for everyone so that those who receive his

new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for 

Christ, who died and was raised for them."

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Jesus. That's who Easter is about. His love and His amazing gift. Celebrating Easter is special because it invites us to deeply ponder and experience the journey that Jesus took to the cross. To sit at his feet as He taught about loving others, even our enemies. To follow Him into the upper room as He prepared Passover for the disciples and washed their feet. To attempt to grasp the agony that He experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He prepared for the cross. To feel the earth shake as God's perfect sacrifice finished the task he came to do--bearing the tremendous weight of the sins of the world. To rejoice with the angels as the Lamb of God broke every stronghold sin ever had. To bask in the glory of a risen Savior who is coming back for us one day.

This is what Easter is about. I don't know about you, but I want to experience Easter like never before. I want to sing praise to Him, dance for joy because of what He has done for us, and experience the great depths of His love for me. I want to truly celebrate and rejoice in my Jesus, because He is worthy. He is eternally worthy- forever and ever and ever. That is a promise. 

Perfect//3

HELLO! I'm not sure how the weather is where you are, but it's beautiful where I am today! Sunshine, birds singing, sweet-smelling flowers--take a minute to thank your Creator for His beauty...Psalm 50 says, "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God."
Did you do it?! ...........okay, great! Because a thankful heart is a wonderful thing!  


Now, let's go back a few years...to middle school. YIKES. If you're in middle school now, I feel your pain, girl. Although it can have some good times, middle school can be one of the most awkwardly weird times in one's life. Since we're having real talk, I have yet to top the level of awkwardness that I achieved in middle school! Serious. Imagine giant glasses, enormously frizzy hair, and a full set of braces. Now that you have that lovely image in your mind...let's take it a step further. Sure the braces and frizzy hair were embarrassing, but the inside of this girl was so much worse off. I was extremely, painfully, undeniably insecure. The braces would eventually get taken off...my frizzy hair would someday meet it's new best friend, Straightener...and my glasses would be replaced by contacts. But insecurity? It took a toll and created wounds in my heart that were much deeper and more difficult to "fix." 
Insecurity has most definitely contributed to my quest for perfection. I suppose that my lack of confidence on the inside was reflected on the outside as trying to keep up the image that I had created. From the time I was 13 years old until age 21, I don't remember ever walking into a room and feeling secure in my own skin or not comparing myself to other girls or even liking myself, honestly.  I hopelessly tried to live up to those silly expectations that "perfection" had set in my heart that I didn't really know who I was...
Do you know the hardest part of all of that? The hurt that I must have caused my Father in not seeing His creation as being good enough makes my soul ache. I often wonder why I couldn't see what was so obvious--to say that I love God with my whole heart, but not believe every part of His promises...it simply doesn't match up. However, (I love "however's" because it means that something good is coming, usually!) even though I refused to listen for so long, He never stopped reminding me that I am loved, treasured, and most importantly, His. My insecurity was no match for the perfect, unfailing love of my God. 


Precious one, you are beautiful. You are loved more deeply than any person in this whole world could ever fathom or compete with. Psalm 89:17 says, "It pleases You to make us strong." He delights in making you strong! Don't let insecurity have a hold over you like I did for such a long time...let God be your strength and your dignity, for He has graciously clothed you in each of them. (Psalm 35:21) And that is a promise! 

Perfect//2

Hello beautiful girls!


If you'll remember in the last post, we decided to begin on a journey towards perfection. While this may not be easy, I am going to be as plainly honest as I can possibly be about my own struggles and shortcomings. Because this girl has had her fair share (so far). So...here we go!


I'm just going to admit it:  I am a people pleaser. I have been for my entire life. It would seem, based on my actions anyways, that my number one goal in life is to make every single person happy. Every. Single. Person. And since we're being honest, it's exhausting! How can every person possibly be happy all of the time? Well...they can't! It's just not doable.
You may be wondering what this has to do with perfection. You see, on my quest towards "perfection," I tried to make myself appear a certain way to all of these people that I was tirelessly attempting to please--and it consumed me. I poured so much energy into making myself into what I thought others wanted me to be, and in doing so, I became a perfectionist. And I had no clue!
Perhaps you can identify with me here:  I used to think that perfectionists were only those types who checked their test answers 3 times before turning in their papers. You know the ones who try their hardest in every area of their lives--"go-getters," if you will. But that wasn't me...I was having a great day if I checked over my test answers once. (Maybe!) However, perfectionists come in more than one shape and size.
I became this perfectionist of a girl because I invested so much in trying to make myself into a "perfect" person that I did whatever it took to keep up that image. I worried constantly that I would somehow fall short of the expectations that people had for me (which were mostly created in my own mind!) And then came the dreaded questions--What will people think of me then? What will happen if I am not good enough? It was a lose-lose situation. 
My favorite band, Switchfoot, has a song called "The Beautiful Letdown." This is the best way that I can describe how I felt the day that I realized that I was striving towards something that I could never, ever reach. Finally understanding that it doesn't matter what people think and coming to grips with the fact that perfection doesn't exist apart from Christ, I could be free. Completely, totally free. 
Paul says it like this:
"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." (Galations1:10)
Pleasing people and pleasing God don't mix. They can't go hand in hand, because they can't exist together. I had to make a choice: please people OR please God. 
Because of His grace, I am learning more each day about choosing God's approval over man's. Some days are hard. Some days I want so much to please everyone and receive a pat on the back for my good job. But His assurance and peace far exceed any approval man could ever give! A beautiful letdown. Difficult, but so worth it. 
Maybe you struggle with this too. Dear friend, let the love of Christ pour over you and change you. Ask for His guidance--His grace. He will always show up. That is a beautiful promise. 

Perfect//1

Perfection. 
What does "perfect" look like? Does it even exist?
The definition of the word perfect found in Webster's dictionary states: Being entirely without fault or defect. 
Hmm...let's think about that for a moment. To be perfect, one must be without ANY fault or ANY defect. Spotless. Free from blemishes. Whole. Not lacking anything. Intact. 
I don't know about you, but I certainly cannot say this about myself. I am full of faults and defects. In fact, I could win an award for all of my flaws! The funny thing is, I (Miss Defective), have been on a silent quest for perfection my entire life...and I am only recently realizing this about myself. 
How can this be? Well, perfection has a sneaky way of captivating thoughts, actions, motives, and pretty much every other thing that it possibly can. Perfection makes us think that we're doing just fine...and this is where the real danger comes into play, because--it is a lie. And when we buy into that lie, that being perfect is actually attainable, we set ourselves up for major heartache and disappointment. 
How do I know all of these things? 
Because I have been there--right in the middle of the desert of broken imperfections.


This is the beginning of a series about my journey towards "perfection". Since this topic is so close to my heart, I'm going to share honestly and openly with you girls about some very real issues that I've dealt with throughout my life. Maybe you will be able to identify with me...maybe you can learn from my mistakes so that you don't have to face the same difficulties that I have faced...maybe you will be encouraged. Whatever happens, I'm excited to begin this journey with you! And I'm especially excited to give Jesus the glory (that He alone deserves!) for turning this mess of a life into something that He sees as beautiful. 


I want to leave you with this verse:
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." (James1:17)
And that is a promise.

Constant

This season in my life has been the sweetest that I have ever known in my relationship with my Savior and very best friend. It's as if I have a quiet reminder washed over me of His great love. As I look back on the things and experiences that I have had throughout my life, I see a beautiful story of the Lord's faithfulness unfolding. He has always been there--in everything. 
For the first time, I am deeply, dependently aware of Him, my constant. Every good day. Every bad day. Every tear that I cry. Every smile that slips on my face. Every step that I take--no matter which direction I am moving towards. Every sunrise. Every sunset. Every triumph. Every letdown. Every time of deep uncertainty. Every firm decision. Every heartache.  He is there. Always.


David praises the Lord and His faithfulness in 1 Chronicles with this reminder:
"Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders He has performed, his miracles, and his rulings he has given..."
David had much reason to be confident in who the Lord was to Him and the miraculous wonders that He had performed throughout his life--killing a bear and lion, slaying a giant with a stone, running from a jealous King with a great army, being washed in forgiveness after committing sins that seemed unforgivable to him at the time...David knew what kind of God he served. He was absolutely confident in His constant source of mercy, grace, and unfailing love. His life was a testimony of that very power. 


Dear one, I challenge you to remember the wonders He has performed throughout your life today. Be reminded of His perfect presence that is evident throughout your life. He has never left you, and He never will. 
He is faithful. He is truth. He is constant. And that is a promise.