Life Is A Gift

It never fails- being sick reminds me of my humanity, that I'm far from perfect. It never fails to show the little blessings and comforts I can find in the midst of being physically weak. And it never fails to show the magnitude of which I was created- of which we were all created.

We were created in the image of the One who created it all. Every hair on our head is counted. Every finger and toe unique to each one of us. And every heartbeat, a rhythm & reminder of life that is continually breathed into us.

Every life is precious to Him- even in the imperfections, sicknesses, & sins.

And so should every precious life be to me. 

Today, don't forget to show people His love & compassion. Don't forget to give His grace & encouragement.

Even in brokenness.

Treat people as a gift. Not because of who they are, but because of who created them & because of who He is. 

{Matthew 10:30}

To Be Known

One of the deepest desires in life is to be known- to be loved. Sadly, love tends to be commercialized- distant or completely misunderstood.

For some people, love is a distant dream, harsh words, or a fist to their flesh. 

One of the deepest desires of my heart, is for every living, breathing soul (animals included!) to feel unconditionally loved.

I seriously have a “love detector” (for lack of what to call it!). I’m keenly aware of hearts around me. 

Sometimes it’s a blessing.

Sometimes it’s weighty.

And yet, I know the weight He felt on the cross was a million times heavier.

Conviction- So often, I don’t listen to what the sweet, saving, prompting Spirit is leading me to do.

Confession- I often don’t know what to do or feel capable! So, I do nothing.

But, thankfully, there’s grace. There’s always grace.
And in that grace, people still need love. People still need Jesus.

There are ways to move past awkward moments, schedules, and not knowing what to do.  

And I’m determined. 

To be intentional. 

To take the time time. 
To incorporate.

To encourage. 

To show people, real, true, unconditional love.

Love that doesn't have expectations. Love that doesn't come with a "schedule". Love that doesn't make people feel like a project. 

We all can.

And even though our love is imperfect, we are capable- only because His love is perfect, only because He makes us capable.

And even though this world is broken, even though it will never be perfect- we can make a difference. 

So where do you start?

Start with your neighbors- your surroundings! 

Thanks to a thoughtful friend, I was reminded to take this holiday season as an opportunity to connect with our new neighbors! She made little bags of homemade candy, but because I've been sick (and never made candy before), I decided on a few of my favorite, simple things- a note, and an inexpensive ornament.

I’m not placing expectations. I’m simply praying for opportunities, and taking them. 

And that’s what I want to continually do. 

Because we are known by Him. Because He first loved us. {1 John 4:19}

Unseen Gifts

After starting a full-time job again, I began to realize how selfish I became with my time. I began to realize how little I had left to give at the end of the day. Everyday chores that I loved to do for my little family became dreaded tasks that I didn't have time for. Even blogging became one huge writer’s block. I became somewhat bitter- I wanted to find joy in everything, but I felt like I didn't have enough time or energy. Ultimately, I started to realize I was shutting down and sinning in my own, somewhat secret way. And one evening a few weeks ago, my soul woke up and surrendered in a BI-LO parking lot.

Have you ever gone grocery shopping in the after-everyone-gets-off-work time? Gosh. It’s like a fight-for-your-life-down-every-aisle type of experience. Honestly, I felt like I was risking my life by crossing the aisle for a can of peanuts. I even found myself huffing and puffing when I grabbed a gallon of milk and a bag of frozen green-beans (I mean, who does that!?).  In a way, it’s comical, but more than anything, it’s sad. It’s sad that people can act so inhumane- like others around them don’t even exist. A simple smile or polite “excuse me” didn't even phase them. I felt invisible.

After leaving the store with a huge pity-party going on in my heart (I’m talking party-hats and the whole shebang) - I paused:

How many times have I been that inhumane person?

How many times have I ignored people around me?

How many times have I given nothing to someone that needed anything?

Truth: more times than I can count. 

Loving others can be exhausting. Being relational can be exhausting.

But, that’s what we were created to do. That’s what we were created to be.

And when I selfishly hoard time that isn’t even mine (it's His!), make relationships about me, and allow myself to relationally shutdown- I not only create selfishness and exhaustion,  I create a kingdom that serves me, instead of a kingdom that serves Him.

Praise the Lord, His grace and love still abounds in it all.

Loving others doesn't require you to have a part-time job instead of a full-time job- it doesn’t require you to add a billion things to your schedule- it doesn’t require a huge scene with recognition- loving others is simply this: taking your eyes off of yourself, and giving moments of selflessness- moments that show love…moments that reveal Jesus, even when His name isn’t spoken.

Little moments can make big impacts.

A smile, letter in the mail, breakfast or coffee date where Truth is spoken, or even a soggy, wet note on a car from a friend on a rainy day, can be impactful- it can become a part of their healing process, a part of their story. And it can become a part of yours too. 

So look past the grumpiness, look past the smiles- we have no idea what their hearts are facing in that moment.

Give to others anyway.  

Even the unseen gifts are just as important to give. 

Galatians 5:13-15 

He is Hope

So often, I forget that hope isn't as far away as it sometimes seems. That even in the midst of my hardest days, my ugly sinfulness, my betrayal- He is right there. And hope is at my reach. 

He is at my reach. 

And by grace, his love is right, there.

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.  And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. (Hosea 14-15)

"And I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know The Lord." (Hosea 19-20)

I am Gomer everyday in so many ways. But He still brings me into His presence, speaks out of the overflow of His love, & gives me hope- daily!

He betroths me to Him in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, & faithfulness- not because I deserve it, but because He is who He says He is! 

He is all those things. 

And He lovingly takes away my sin & shame. For I shall know Him & I am His forever. 

He is Hope.

When You Fear Freedom

The heart & mind are easily held captive. 

By thoughts. 

By actions.

By expectations. 

To this, I am no stranger. 

My thoughts aren't always pure. I often allow my desire for control to take over. 

My actions aren't always kind. I can be immature with the best of them. 

My expectations can be based on what others might see.  Rules & laws can tend to be a checklist for my self-righteousness. 

And even though, I can recognize these sins, and even though,  I'm being restored, I still have moments of captivity. I still keep certain sins hidden deeply inside- tucked safely away so nobody can see. 

I fear what my ugliness will reveal. 

I fear of ruining my self-built reputation. 

I fear disappointment. 

I fear freedom.  

And even though I know the gospel is freedom, I easily forget. I easily revert to selfishness. 

I need reminding that I have freedom in Christ- freedom to be honest.

To be real- even when it's messy.

To be loving- even when it's hard. 

To be free- even when I'm afraid. 

I need reminding that hiding my flaws affects others & not just me.

I need the real. 

We all do. 

I often wonder this- {If we continue to create a culture of perfection, will we continue to create a culture of fake Christians?} - Christians that say what their "supposed" to say and put on "Sunday-Faces," because that's just what's expected, instead of freely living in His grace, mercy, & love. 

What's the answer? 

I don't pretend to fully know, I don't pretend everyone's heart is convicted the same, but for me, it's this: 

We need to continually create a community of truth- a community that accepts honesty & extends grace. 

We need to continually create a culture that lives like His love covered it all- a culture that loves no matter what. 

Friends, His love is a love that can handle our honesty & His grace is a grace that is sufficient.  

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Do you fear true freedom? 

Do you fear being honest?

Do you fear disappointment?

Whatever your fears, whatever your struggles, {you can find freedom in the gospel}.

From a Savior bigger than your fears.

A Savior who perfected love & loves you. 

A Savior that lovingly continues to restore you, even through your mess. 

A Savior that sets the captive free. 

1 John 4:18

" There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Giving Back

Today's featured post is all about giving back. {And if you've noticed, there's an Africa theme going on! Which was unintentional, but I'm going to keep it going through October!}

Rob is a dear friend of ours. And his story is one that absolutely inspires & convicts me to my core. He gets it.

After quitting his job, and going to Africa for 10 weeks- working, playing, and loving on the poorest of poor, he's decided to give back. He's decided that he can make a difference. And we can make a difference too.

Rob has started a 2 month fundraiser (43 days are left!) that anyone can become a part of. He's prompting us to make daily lifestyle changes that really make us think- it's made me think about all the unnecessary things that I buy. So instead of just giving extra (which of course, you can still do!), these lifestyle changes can, in turn, help provide education to children who need it (& know they need it), without causing our budgets to go over. To sum it up- it's a beautiful way to give. And it's not just a lifestyle change it's a heart-change.

Photos were approved and used from https://www.facebook.com/robert.rose.104?

Life is so much bigger than us. And we can daily live it that way. 

If you're able to, click here to help with the fundraiser! And whether you can give or not, please take time to share this! Either one can help Rob reach his goal!

I'm Not a Momma

We're waiting.

This may be the "new normal". I'm not sure. But children aren't in the picture yet. And hey, what is normal, anyway?

The hubby and I are in the right season for us- parenting our unbelievably cute mini dachshund (we're not biased, at all!), who is seriously like a toddler, and building a firm foundation for our marriage.

I do desire a little bundle of joy- the unconditional love & wisdom that motherhood brings. That intensity & desire grows deeper each day. 

And even though it's not our time, I sometimes have moments of impatience. I become restless for the next season- the next chapter to come. And it's not always for the right reasons. 

I see children look to their parents, with a love that no one else in the world has for them. I remember the love that I have for my Mom and Dad. And I see parents that have immense wisdom- an influence on society that I can't give. What. A. Gift. 

And those are my "wrong" reasons.

I know it's impatience. And some selfishness! 

And for once, I can admit that. In the past, not so much- for example, my hubby knew we weren't ready for marriage, straight out of school. I'm admitting it, right here, right now- this is a big deal, people! He was right. 

I was impatient for marriage. I wanted what most of my Bible college friends had. I wanted to be a wife to Kyle. It wasn't a bad desire, but my desire took over my soul. And I couldn't see the bigger picture. I couldn't see that Kyle still loved me, even though we weren't married yet. I couldn't see that I missed out on building relationships & learning from married women in the Johnson community & in life all around me. I was blinded by jealousy & pride. 

I don't want to repeat those sins.

Through reflecting on all my ugliness & all the beautiful things the hubby and I get to look forward to- I am ever so sweetly steered to Truth.

“Where's your focus, Megan?”

“Does the Gospel depend on your wisdom?”

“Does the Gospel depend on you being a mom?”

{No, no, & no.}

Talk about going to my knees and seeking forgiveness!

In that forgiveness, I was reminded of this:

It's okay to be where we are. 

It's okay to seek love & wisdom- to think about the next season.

But I shouldn't forget the present.

I have love & wisdom to offer. It’s not the same that mommy-hood brings, but it’s there. And most importantly it’s Christ-given- it’s been written on my heart, & ingrained in my bones.

It's the Gospel. 

And even though my days aren’t yet filled with precious giggles, sweet baby toes & fingers, hugs & kisses, dirty diapers, throw-up, and sometimes screaming, no-nap kiddos, I can love & learn. 

I can love, learn, & live in the present- where, by grace, I am at right now:

To love on my hubby & Dooley.

To love on our nephews, niece, & children around us. 

To rest in the wisdom that God has given me.

To know that it's okay to desire.

To know that God knows my desires. 

To be teachable. 

To ultimately, just love others & live out my story.

I look forward to the wisdom I’ll receive in the future- whether through birthing, adopting, or both.

I'm not a momma, yet.

But for now, I pray and seek to be humble…to keep learning from the mommies around me (even the ones with miles between us- my incredibly strong & wise grandmothers, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, Aunts, & Cousins!)…to pray for my husband- his future role as father and for the fathers that will speak into him.

And that we can all speak into each other’s lives- children, no children, married, or single- whatever season we're in.

We can all learn from each other.  

So wherever you are in life- know this:
You have your own story & seasons, written with His wisdom & given to you, to live-out and share.

You are not discredited!

You have purpose, where. you. are.