consider the lilies

Be open, as you pray this, for the Father to do some "weeding". His truth has a way of pushing out the lies we have been believing.

💜🌸

If Mother's Day is tender... My mind holds lots of days that bring overwhelming emotions. The day I watched the paramedics come into my home and take my mother away in an ambulance. The day she died. The day my father's car hit a tree. The day I watched him draw his last breath. Mother's and Father's Days and holidays that remind you of loved ones no longer sitting around the dinner table Each of the days my four grandparents died. The day my son was born prematurely, the day my colon ruptured, the day I lost a portion of my kidney tissue, and the day my carotid artery ruptured. The day I miscarried my second child. The day I realized my medical emergencies were related to my mother. The day I was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. The day I finally accepted that there was no cure. I understand what it's like to mark the year with days that remind you of hard things. I know what it feels like to want to pull the covers over your head and stay there. I've done that. But then there was the day I put two feet on the floor anyway because God's grace was sufficient for all of my weakness. If today brings tender emotions, remember that today is just a day. One that was created by humans, that doesn't hold the power to define your worth or negate the comfort God covers you with as you remember mothers that are no longer here. Hagar ran and found the God who sees her. The bleeding woman reached out and found the Savior who would not let her go unnoticed. God sees your heart today. So as the Mother's Day sentiments flood your feed and the flowers and cards and gifts still sit on the shelves at the store, smile because you know the secret. You are beloved. God is holding you close today. And I'm rooting for you, always. "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

Living like Jesus is the intentional pursuit of humanity. 📷: Community Baptist Church, Sebastian FL

Don't think God isn't in your details. I lost my kindle this week. Looked everywhere for it. Checked all my bags twice. Rummaged under my car seats. Even looked under my mattress. Couldn't find it. Listen, my entire collection of the Expositor's Commentary series is on that kindle. And I know I can transfer content to another device, but I didn't want to buy another one. As I was packing for this weekend's Aspire trip, I stopped and prayed to ask God to help me find it. God I know you care for me. I know you care about my details. The smallest of things matter to you, because I matter to you. Amen. I walked my portable charger across the room to plug it in before I flew out the next day and there it was. My kindle. Tucked under a pile of electronics. Charged and ready to travel with me to Florida. Thank you, God. 🌸 Whatever it is that is on your heart today, take it to God. He cares for you. And He is always in your details. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7

When I consider the jobs that God has given me over the course of my life and the situations He has placed me in, few of them could be described as easy or simple. Almost all of them have been challenging, but I think that’s precisely His point. What does God want me to learn? If I continually look at only my qualifications for a particular task, I will come up short every single time. God places us in situations that require Jesus’ strength and compassion to remind us that His grace is sufficient for all of our needs, and for the needs of those around us. When we are woefully inadequate, but we choose to love anyway, it is Jesus that shines, not us. How else might the world see His love and power? When we let compassion and kindness pour from His deep well and into our words and actions, Jesus receives all the glory. We don’t need to worry if we are not qualified for a particular task; it is the grace of Jesus that covers us in all that we do. His grace will equip us with the strength to finish the task at hand and His glory will be known. Lord, help me embrace the tasks you have set before me by relying on Your grace alone. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

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He is risen!

This girl right here. Not only does she keep me straight - she's my traveling buddy, director of all things admin and operational, and most days my literal brain - but she is such a joy to be around. I am so very thankful for @hannaharneth, the Ruth to my Naomi. Thank you for doing ministry with me!