Milk Bubble Flower

I find such joy in the most simple details. God knows this about me. The other day I was drinking my milk, taking my vitamins when all of the sudden, I see this milk bubble flower.  I was instantly filled with joy.  Look at how perfectly the bubbles are sized and arranged!  I simply adore flowers.

I knew in that moment, it was a special delivery from the Lover of my Soul.  He's spinning the world but, He took time to deliver this perfectly simple, milk bubble flower.  It makes me giggle at the thought of Him reaching down to place it in my glass, knowing it would make my morning special.

Listen Ladies, we were created to be cherished. God is completely head-over-heels, in love with us!  You are beautiful and He adores you.

May your day be full of simple blessings.

Ducklings.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Matthew 6:26

I witnessed a construction worker running through traffic, risking his life, trying to save 3 tiny ducklings.  He was chasing them around a car, shooshing them onto the sidewalk where Mama duck was watching with tense concern.

It reminded me of how God "stops traffic" for me on a daily basis.  I am like those baby ducklings, running around from place to place, trying to find my way through the day.  And all the while, I can picture God following me around, protecting me from things that want to harm me.

God protected those precious ducklings from the tires of cars because He loves His creatures great and small.  What an amazing truth to know that He loves us so much more and is always watching over us.  I needed this reminder today and God chose to show me in such a simple, sweet way.

I am loved and protected.  I hope you feel the same.

October Baby

I had the chance to go see this movie tonight with two of my dearest friends.  I have been anticipating this movie for a long time.  The fabulous, Gianna Jessen, has been sharing stories of October Baby for the past year or so on her facebook page.  She has talked about her song, "Ocean Floor" (amazing!) and shared stories of people coming together to make this film.  I was so excited to see this movie!  But, this blog post is not going to be a review of the movie, its about my experience watching this movie.  If you want a review, google can help you with that.  Your welcome.

We entered the theater and picked our seats.  As the previews played on, there was a huge group of women talking in their not-so-theater-quiet-voices, and instantly, I got annoyed.  Didn't these women know how long I have wanted to watch this movie? They better not talk through the movie or I might have to bust out the shhhhhh, I don't like being the shusher.  As the movie starts, the Ladies begin to settle in and quiet down.  whew.  I didn't hear a peep out of them until the credits (I'll get back to them in a minute).  The theater begins to slowly fill up and a woman sits next to me with a couple seats between us.  This is where God begins to do a work in me...

I can picture God sitting there with a big giant bowl of perfectly popped popcorn, watching me as I shift in my seat and roll my eyes at this "theater neighbor".  He probably giggled as I looked to my left to see who this woman was who kept making giant sighs with each scene change.  We're halfway through this movie and the Holy Spirit begins to talk in my ear.  What does a Girl have to do to watch a movie around here?!  Okay, okay Lord, I hear you in your gentle interrupting way, talk to me.

[by the way, the movie is incredible.]

He begins to tell me that there are people in this theater who need this movie.  They need to hear the message.  They need to sigh, cry, and ask why.  In His awesomely, loving way said, "Its not about your comfort, my Sweets.  You need to extend My grace."  Got it.  I relaxed and let my theater neighbor sigh and cry without sideways glances from me.  But, that wasn't all God wanted to tell me...

[movie.  still amazing.  I am woman therefore, I multi-task.]

As my conversation with God continues, He asks me to lean over and ask my theater neighbor if she needs prayer...  Hold your heavenly horses!  You want me to do WHAT?  Now listen, this is not the first time He has put me in a place to ask a perfect stranger if they need prayer.  I knew there was no chance I was getting out of this one!
Awkwardly awesome.

As the credits roll, I am sitting there frozen in my seat because this movie was so powerful AND I knew I had a task to accomplish.  Stifling my tears and fears, I lean over and said, "Um Mame?  I couldn't help but notice you did a lot of sighing during that movie.  Did something hit home for you?  Can I pray for you?"  I'm sure I sounded like a crazy lunatic because I spit the sentence out so fast.  She sweetly responded, "No.  My husband died 7 years ago and I have a hard time seeing others hearts breaking.  But, thank you."  We giggled uncomfortably and wiped our tears.  Thank you Jesus, for this precious woman who has a heart that breaks like yours.

As we sat there in stunned amazement by the movie we had just witnessed.  The entire theater clears out except my girlfriends and the group of preview-chatting Ladies.  As my friend put it, "Everyone out there [meaning the public]  did not just experience what we experienced.  I just want to sit in it for a moment."  So true, my friend.  I think the group of "chatty Cathy's" were feeling the same way, none of them moved.  Until one of them began to weep.  Her circle of friends enveloped her with hugs and comforting words.  I sat there with tears in my eyes because I had just witnessed a movie that God wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.  (He left the shocker for the credits...I am not kidding you.  If you see this movie, watch the interview during the credits.  Blew. My. Socks. Off.)

My friends and I felt this group of women needed to be alone in that theater together.  We tip-toed out.

I knew this movie would be good.  I knew this movie would heal, encourage, and bring comfort.  I had no idea I would witness it happening as I watched it on the big screen.  Pow-er-ful.  This movie is not just about abortion survivors, this movie is about the gift of forgiveness, the pursuit of truth, and so much more. Go. See. It.

I want to challenge you when you hear the Holy Spirit whisper to your heart, listen.  He's got some cool stuff to say and yes, He may shove you out of your comfort zone.  You will be okay... you will, I promise.

Comfortable Imperfection

There should be a jealousy for the Lord's honour and, compassion for men's souls like a well-spring ever in the heart; and then the outgoing effort should be with all the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove; and "if any lack wisdom, let him ask of God." -William Arnot

There is beauty in weeds.

I have been asking God to grow me, I have been begging for Him to clean out my weeds.  It is definitely a big job because I've got a lot of junk floating around in my heart.  I refuse to put my God in a box and I am trusting that He will clean me out in His loving and gentle way.

I strongly believe that God has given me a unique perspective on life.  I did not come to this realization easily nor quickly.  All my young life was spent altering my views to fit comfortably with those surrounding me in life so that I would not "be wrong". I struggled to achieve my own opinions and perceptions. I gained a perspective early in life that making mistakes or being different was not okay. Perfection was the goal. I desperately tried to teach myself character traits, talents, and alter my appearance just to "fit in".  Insecurity was the name of the game and I was a big player.

Fast forward to my adult years and I still struggle with insecurities.  The difference now, I am way more comfortable in my own skin and with the gifts God has blessed me with.  I have nurtured my faith and relationship to my King, it is my own.  I say the wrong things, I give the wrong advice, and I certainly don't have it all together.  Satan knows my weakness and thankfully he is NOT creative so he keeps trying the same tactics over and over.  His attacks are getting weaker because I am getting stronger.  My strength is coming from a higher understanding.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

Instead of striving for perfection, I am now in the process of being okay in my imperfection.  I am on a journey of growing in the knowledge of who God is and what a ride it is!

For those of you who cross my path on a regular basis, I humbly ask for your grace and kindness when I display my imperfection to you.  Know that my heart is genuine and true.

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. -Marilyn Monroe

(by this quote alone, I believe Norma Jean and myself to be kindred spirits)