Morning Blessing...Susie Larson

Good morning....

 

May the Lord dig up the stones of pain, regret, and angst from your soil and deliver you once and for all. May He turn over the soil of your heart and plant new seeds of faith, vision, and purpose specific to your life's calling. May He heal those deep places that nag you. May He strengthen those weak places that leave you feeling vulnerable. And may He overwhelm you with a fresh revelation of His love so you can believe that NOTHING is impossible with God on your side! Trust that God is up to something good. Blessings on your day today!

Keep Hoping and Dreaming, Friend

{my graphics are free goodies for you}

Hey, You…

The one who’s had a hard week. Who might be wondering if it’s even worth it to hope or dream anymore. The one who has to swat discouragement away like a pesky fly. I know those feelings, too. Can I lean in and gently whisper this hard truth to both of us?

The riskiest thing is not to hope or dream.

The only way to avoid making mistakes is to not do anything. And that’s the biggest mistake of all.

The only way to avoid being hurt is to never love. And being alone in that way is the deepest wound a heart can have.

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable. – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

The things that help us feel safe are the same things that can put us at greatest risk.

You are braver, stronger, more capable than you know.

And the God you serve is bigger than you’ve yet experienced.

Keep hoping. Keep dreaming.

You are not done yet.

And neither is the God who wildly loves you and will see you through to the end.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” {Php. 1:6}

XOXO

Holley Gerth

Just what I needed today...hope it touched your heart too..

 

Morning Blessing...Susie Larson

Morning Blessing: Before you take another step today, may you pause and give your burdens to Jesus. He'll carry what's too heavy for you. He'll give you grace to shoulder the light and easy yoke that fits you perfectly. May you clearly discern the worries that slow you down and make life unnecessarily burdensome. May you choose the discipline of joy and discover a new strength in the process. May you embrace grace for the moment, power in prayer, and perspective with the story God is writing in your life. You're loved, called, cherished, anointed, and appointed. Refuse yesterday's baggage, tomorrow's worries, or today's insecurities. You've got Jesus and He's got you.

When All Is Said and Done, This is Our Hope...by Holly Gerth

   

Raindrops scatter across my windshield as I drive home from a speaking engagement and the thoughts within my mind feel much the same. Questions haphazardly come: Should I have said that? Was I helpful? How did it really go?

I pull into my garage and the sound of the storm lessens. It seems a stillness begins to settle within me, too. I picture the corner of my room where I curl up to spend time praying. And these words come to my heart: “When all is said and done I get to go home to Jesus.”

In the moment I mean that in the most literal way. I’m thinking of a cup of tea, warm blanket and time for Him to bring my still-racing heart back to its usual rhythm. But I smile as I realize the words are true for eternity, too. No matter what happens in this life, when all is said and done we get to go home to Jesus.

That reality gives us the strength and courage to serve:

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. John 13:3-5

We are called to be foot-washers and holy risk takers, too. To step outside our comfort zones, face the storms, even walk on water {or speak in public–which feels harder to me sometimes}. We can only do that if we are sure of where we’re ultimately headed and Who will be waiting for us. If you’re not yet, you can be today.

I open the door of my house and it seems to invite me in like an old friend. I find my quiet spot in the corner. I close my eyes and all the questioning stops. I remember again that I am loved not because of what I do but because of Who I belong to. Home is where my heart is and I’m not in heaven yet. But I’m learning this: Home is also Who’s within my heart.

And as I whisper a prayer while the storm subsides, I know Jesus is there.

XOXO

Holley Gerth