A Snowy Virginia Ave.

Even though it's messy & not the safest- it sure is beautiful. And my heart is full of joy from our little St. Elmo community & home [with every single tiny snowflake on & around it, every single sound of laughter from our neighbors sledding, and every single view from our windows]. With a warm cup of tea in hand & my favorite pj's on, I'm meditating on this sweet verse, and looking forward to a snowy evening with my little family. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

“For you shall go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

    shall break forth into singing,

    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." 

Isaiah 55:10-12

English Standard Version (ESV)

And now that we're "snowed-in", let the DIY projects for this lonely wall begin. 

[After post coming soon!] 

Fully Loving Our Home

A Monday never has to be explained. The majority of the time, a Monday is a Monday. 

And this Monday, wasn't any different. 

But as I turned the key to unlock our door & come into our little, humble abode, the Holy Spirit turned something inside of my heart. And that something made a flood of random thoughts floating around in my head come together & click. 

I need to fully love our home. 

And to fully love our home, I need to make it a sanctuary. 

Not a shrine, not a space that's perfect. Oh no. But a space that I invite my Savior to continually enter. 

A space that sees grace given.
A space that sees an argument from time-to-time.
A space that chooses reconciliation. 
A space that we can be honest.
A space that we can have joy. 
A space that we can worship in all that we do.
A space that we can fully love.

So, here's my mantra for the week: [Don't leave the gospel at our doorstep!]

Bring it in. 

And when you run out of words [it's Monday!], music can be just what the soul needs. This little beauty is so. good.  

The Balancing Act

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a traveling circus. 

And I'm the main juggling act, that just so happens to perform on the high-wire...failing miserably & looking like a hot-mess! 

And I long for a huge safety net. Or a break from the show. Can I get an amen? 

So, what do we do? How do we balance all this life? How do we fully love when we're so spent? 

Sojourn's current sermon series is on rest. And it couldn't come at a better time. Kyle and I working full-time, juggling our relationships, & life-responsibilities has proven to be quite the task. [And this is without children!] This isn't complaining. This is a beautiful season to be in. We're thankful. But this is just honesty. I've had a hard time. 

I'm drained at the end of the day, I just want to cook something quick, change into my pj's, and veg. Sometimes simply texting someone back seems too exhausting. But oh how that desire is far from what I need to do [most nights]. [Sure, there are nights that exact equation is needed, but that can't be my life. I just can't let it be.] So what's a spent girl to do? Rest. 

I'm guessing you're thinking, "Oh, what a great idea- I've never thought of that before?" (definitely in a sarcastic tone.) or "Sure, when can I do that?" or maybe even a statement like, "Are you crazy?" Whatever you're thinking, it can be done, I promise.  

After years of thinking that rest only could consist of a nap with a blanket on the couch [or in the bed if you had no place to be the next day & could sleep for hours.], I'm seeing that's not always true- it doesn't always provide true rest. 

So what does? I can't speak for you, but for me, I've found a few somewhat unconventional ways to rest. Writing, studying scripture, & reading [which, honestly isn't a lot] gives me energy- it relaxes & calms my restlessness. Coffee or talking with friends & family soothes my soul & recharges my drained mind. Car-conversations with my husband awakens deep passions for life & my faith. Having people over & cleaning up the aftermath while thinking of conversations just had, the meal shared, and the joy that friendship brings makes me happy. And other times, it's taking a bubble bath, going to bed early, or talking [seriously, sometimes I just need to get a good "talk" out.]. And last, but definitely not least, taking little moments [sometimes a split second] throughout my day to close my eyes & spill my guts to my Savior. 

Most everything in that list requires a fair amount of activity- and some of you couldn't even begin to imagine feeling rested after doing them! Honestly, there was a time I didn't either. But that's what I'm getting at- rest can sometimes look different to each of us- the meaning can sometimes change.  

But thankfully, the gospel doesn't change. And rest is a part of it! 

And that balancing act- it doesn't have to be perfect! He died so we don't have to be perfect. He died so we can rest. [and that's a pretty darn big safety net!]

So that's where I am- I'm learning to truly rest. To let go of trying to perfectly balance my life. To let go of trying to perfectly love. 

Because of Him, I can truly rest & I can fully love. And you can too- taking time to rest & care for yourself will help you fully love, because friends, He fully loves you. 

Isaiah 40:28-31

The Message (MSG)

27-31 Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Where To Begin

Sometimes life & feelings can easily get in the way of loving people. Other times, it can simply boil down to not knowing how. And most often, I think we can make it too complicated.

Just like the gospel.

You see, loving someone fully isn't loving them perfectly, or having the biggest & best, elaborate plan to blow them away with your kindness- it's just being present.

Whether that's through a text, phone call, listening to their day, a meal prepared, a bag of sick goodies, or even a bottle of nail polish, it comes back to love.

And it comes back to the gospel.

Christ gave real examples of this- so, start in the Word. Start with Him.

Provider.
Meals.
Time.
Laughter.
Prayer.
Truth.
Compassion.
Justice.
Empathy.
Hospitality.

It's things we can do. It's who we can be.

He came to give life. He came to love. And Christian or not, His love is something to behold.

His love is where we begin. 

Ways To Fully Love

Lately, I've been quite selfish. I've been on a loving hiatus. I've been my first, middle, & last thoughts. ((How restless I am. How sick I am. How much I have to do.))

And I hate that. Why? Because that's not the gospel. 

The gospel isn't loving yourself more than others. The gospel is placing yourself aside, loving Christ, & giving of His love.

Christ loved perfectly. And even though I know I can't and won't love perfectly, I want to make the gospel even more tangible and even more prevalent in my life- in other's lives. 

I keep coming back to 3 ways:

Way 1. ((Put yourself aside.))

Redirect thoughts to loving those around you. 
Love when you don't feel like it- even the unlovable. 

Way 2. ((Serve))

Look for little ways to serve, not just the big ones. 
Make normal, every day tasks an out-pouring of your love. 

Way 3. ((Be Selfless))

Love & serve without intentional gain. 
Make His purpose, your purpose. 

My heart is convicted in all of my relationships, but more so in my marriage. After that precious ring was placed on my finger & every vow was spoken from my lips, I promised that he would come before me. He promised that I would come before him. Most importantly, we made that promise to our Creator. We promised to make Christ the center of our lives. We promised to be salt & light- to preserve & to season. 

So, this journey begins with him. Each day, each moment I can, I want to continually seek for ways to love my husband- ways to point him to Christ. 

I want to continually seek for ways to love others- ways to point them to Christ. 

And I'm going to blog & annoyingly document it!  

So, if you haven't, follow me on Instagram- join me in documenting ways to love and use the hashtag #waystofullylove. 

Be creative. 
Big ways & little ways. 
Be yourself. 
Be Christ. 

Maybe even document the moments when you haven't loved well. ((After all, our lives aren't perfect & our internet lives could use a dose of that reality.))

And don't fear, friends- you will be taken care of. Your needs will not be forgotten on this journey to love others. 

Remember this truth- Christ fully loved, knowing the cross was in his future. And with every footstep, healed body, & meal provided (physically or spiritually), He still kept His Father and others before him. We don't have to fear a cross in our future- He wasn't forgotten in the tomb- there was victory with that love. And that same victorious love is in us. 

That victory is the gospel. 

Let's love! 

Philippians 2

English Standard Version (ESV)

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[b] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Rays of Reminders

Today was the first day we opened all the blinds and had an entire afternoon of cleaning, resting, and enjoying our new, quaint place.

{After the polar vortex, we welcomed this little heat wave!}

It was the first time I noticed how beautifully the sun shines through our 1950's windows.

Each time I passed through the living room, I couldn't help but notice the warmth beaming in.

And the nakedness of the windows revealed more than just the bright, warm rays, it revealed a much needed peace- a peace that radiated over me as I conquered my to-do list- a peace that reminded me that newness isn't a season away.

No, it's newness that doesn't just come in the Spring- it comes every day.

Every morning.
Every hour.
Every second.

So, in this new year, in this time of new beginnings and longing for new opportunities, remember that His newness & His mercies are there. They don't end with the close of a year. They don't wait for a new season. 

They are there. They are unending.

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