The Quiet Place

God is at work in me constantly. I am feeling that truth right now more than ever before. He continues to baffle me with his love and mysterious ways. He continues to speak to me things I feel unworthy to know, teach me things I am most grateful to learn. Today I wanted to take some time and share with you what is happening in my heart right now. The past few weeks or maybe even before that, I have been dealing with a big bear called anxiety. Anxiety started to grasp me so much that it was difficult for me to get through the work day. At one point I even debated cutting my day short a few times. I never did leave the office but the consideration of it because of anxiety was definitely a red flag. You could say that this anxiety was brought on by a plethora of things but generally speaking it seems that my current life challenges were overwhelming me. Even though walking through this challenge of anxiety has been completely not fun and at times extremely hard; I am grateful for what ...

Today has been a crazy day. But tonight as I sit in my quiet home in front of my pretty Christmas tree, I am feeling very thankful. I am so thankful for God's grace and love for me. I am thankful that he meets me right where I am. I am thankful he looks at me as his beloved daughter, imperfect but beautiful. I'm very grateful that in the chaos God is my peace and focus. I'm thankful that he is teaching me more of who he is every day. I am thankful of his great love for me and each one of us. I'm grateful that he loves everyone more than I love them. I am thankful he is deeply compassionate and abounding in love. I am grateful he gives me everything I need exactly when I need it. His provision is perfect and he does not fail me. I feel so blessed that God has done so much in my life that I could not remember it all to write down.  God is our Hope. God is enormous Blessing. God is true.  God is faithful. God is compassionate. God is full of mercy. God is ...

Though the blog has been quite, this past year has been a season of growth for me. God has met me in ways I never would have imagined. I continue to learn how his love abounds for me and yet I still can't grasp the depth of it. Even when my life circumstances are unsteady God is sovereign; he provides exactly what I need when I need it. He is transforming my heart to be even more compassionate, empathetic, forgiving, and merciful. I don't know yet what he has in store for me but I know it is something quite large and unimaginable. It's terrifying yet exciting to think of what the future might hold; I have found that I continually need to remind myself of God's great love as I shudder at his mightiness. Even though the Lord has revealed to me that he has great plans for my life, I tend to get lost in worries when I see that circumstances and resources don't seem to be adding up in a way that would promote success. I struggle with a very real fear of suffering and di...

You can learn a lot about yourself when things go wrong. This week I had to have my car towed to a mechanic. I have been without it for 5 days and will be for another 2 days. It was extremely stressful to not have my car. I had to figure out how I was going to get to work without a vehicle. And I didn't know how I was going to afford the repairs it needed. BUT God. But God worked everything out. God provided - quickly, conveniently, and blessedly. Between roommates, co-workers, and friends I had a ride to and from work everyday. I was able to go grocery shopping, spend time with friends, and get to church this morning. God knew exactly what I needed before I asked him for it and provided more abundantly then my needs called for. He just poured out his love on me. Feeling BLESSED and LOVED greatly this week.  Philippians 4:19 And God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works fo...

A verse close to my heart the past couple of weeks has been this... "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5 (For Context Read Hebrews 13:1-19) Today I want to document God's faithfulness to me yet again. Last week I walked in obedience by giving my top 10% to the Lord and he has not left me unrewarded, my God has provided for me yet again. His Faithfulness and love for me ALWAYS astounds me. Even though I knew the Lord would provide for me if I acted in faith, I still stand in awe of Him when he acts on my behalf. Those precious words "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you" are a promise I own with gladness thanks to the grace and glory of my God who loves me and cares for me. I am SO blessed.  Sisters,  This promise is as much mine as it is yours. It is my prayer that your faith will always increase, and that you too will own the promise that is yours in Christ; to never be left or forsaken by God. Wh...

Trust in God's providence. It's really hard for me to trust in God's providence. Especially when my paycheck isn't bigger than my bills. Yet, God asks us to give the first 10% of what we have to him. This is to be are act of faith to demonstrate are trust in God and are reliance on him for everything that we have. But still I worry what will happen when I give that 10% and can't pay for everything else. But then I realize when I don't give that 10% and when I worry about not having enough, that i'm putting my trust in money and not in God, and that is a very dangerous thing to do my friends. Yet it is SO easy to do. Thus, when I find myself worrying about not having enough to make ends meet, I have to give it to God. Every time I doubt his providence for me I have to say, "Okay God, I trust you more than money which comes and goes because you I always have". Real life. Real bills. Real debt. It can be a harsh reality. But whe...

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4 If you’re looking to dig deeper, you can find the original context of this verse here   Deuteronomy 8 The other night I watched an online church sermon that spoke to my heart in so many ways. Today Matthew 4:4 came to mind and I have to say that I have really been feeling that hunger for Jesus lately. I've been so hungry to understand him more, to seek what he wants from me.  This is one of the passages that was shared in that Sermon... Do you not know? Have you not heard? The  Lord  is the everlasting God,     the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,     and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary     and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and wea...

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are Monthly Contributor Beka. She is sharing her heart on this month's theme, Joy. You can find out more about Beka on the "About" page.  I don't know about you, but I definitely struggle with keeping my emotions in check and my thoughts focused on Christ. I'm pregnant, and my hormones have been all over the place! Although that is no excuse, it does make the battle a little harder to fight when I'm already prone to fall in this area. Emotions are a tricky thing when it comes to us as women. It is so easy to be controlled by them and to lean toward thinking thoughts of loneliness, misery, and depression when there are actually so many reasons to be joyful!  But what do you do when you really can't find reasons to be joyful ? When everything seems to be falling apart in your life? Sometimes our circumstances are less than ideal. When a friend passes away, when the bank account is empty, when ...

The heart of man plans his way,  but  the  Lord  establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9 ESV I am currently on the job hunt and attempting to figure out what God's plan is for my future (who isn't trying to do that?). Anyways, the past few weeks have taught me to trust what I know. Most of you probably don't know that that is something I struggle with. Sitting at home has allowed me plenty of time to think over what I'm doing, how I'm going about the job hunt, and what I want for the future. This past week I just had to ask God what he wanted me to do, I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing or what I really wanted. I don't feel that I've received an answer for that prayer yet, however, I did realize something in the time I spent talking to God. I realized that I DO know what I am doing, I DO know what jobs (for the most part) are best for me, and where (location wise) I want to be. For some reason I needed to spill my guts about all of this to Go...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:24-26 I never realized before this time in my life how profound these verses are. I've read them what seems like a million times but until recently, thei...

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.   Max Lucado For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 "We have not the vision and fruition of God, as of an object that is present with us, and as we hope for hereafter, when we  shall see as we are seen . Note, Faith is for this world, and sight is reserved for the other world: and it is our duty, and will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we come to live by sight" ( Excerpt from Matthew Henry's Commentary ). Living by faith and not by sight is SO difficult for me to do right now. I am currently in this in-between stage where I don't know what the future holds, and it is frustrating. I know that God has it all under control and that I don't need to worry, but I just want to know. It's so hard to be on the blind side of things, yet this is where God calls us to trust him. In our frustration, anger, and impatience, we need to ...

Luke 22:31-32  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked  to sift all of you as wheat.   But I have prayed for you,  Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” There is something so good about spending time with Jesus. He always restores my heart. Tonight I opened up an old devotional and this is the verse that met me. It was exactly what I needed. Lately things have been a bit challenging for me, and if i'm honest, it's been a bit lonely. This verse tonight encouraged my weary heart and reminded me that I'm not on my own in these challenges. God is right here with me (Matthew 28:20).  Even when it doesn't feel like you're here Lord, I know that you are always with me. Help me to see that you are, and to seek you in my challenging moments. Thank you for praying for me, and being my strength in affliction. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.  Be encouraged sisters, we're not in this alone. 

I thought of this verse today... I have seen something else under the sun:  The race is not to the swift  or the battle to the strong,  nor does food come to the wise  or wealth to the brilliant  or favor to the learned;  but time and chance   happen to them all.  Ecclesiastes  9:11 ...and it made me so thankful for grace. I am thankful that even though there aren't any steadfasts  in this life, I can count on one thing, God. I am grateful that no matter what, I can trust him, that no matter what, he is not going to desert me. I am thankful that in my weakest and darkest moments, I have a God who overcomes, who has the power to change me, and my circumstances. I am grateful that... "...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". Romans 8:28 What are you grateful for?

What do you do when life gets more than a little bit hard? Especially when from an outside view in, things shouldn't be so bad.  This week has been especially difficult. I have so many things on my mind tossing inside of me, questions that I have for God that don't seem to be getting answered, abrupt life changes that have been very difficult to adjust to. These things on top of mounting school work overwhelmed me. Then, last night as I was sitting in the kitchen, feeling so confused, and unsure of what to do, I lost it. The tears began to pour out of me like a river as the emotions from the past week came to surface. I have to tell you, I don't think that I have ever had a difficult moment in my life that was quiet like that. It was good for me to let it out, I needed to. As I processed everything going through my head and continue to process it today, it was essential for me in that moment to remember one thing, God IS. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorr...

Rest your weary heart in these words today... My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. When darkness seems to veil His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil. His oath His covenant and blood Support me in the ‘whelming flood: When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand. When the last trumpet’s voice shall sound, O may I then in him be found. Clothed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before his throne. Words by Edward Mote (1797-1874) and others Music by Francis Blight (PRS)

Here's a tip, if you don't want to wait, don't pray for patience. The other night I was sitting in my room and watching a Joyce Meyer sermon to the dim twinkle of my Christmas lights. As I watched her teach about love and kindness she mentioned the fruit of the spirit and how real love has these characteristics. She talked about how we are called to love each other as Christ loves us. With the characteristics of love mentioned in Corinthians. Then she went on to talk about how love requires our patience. Sometimes when we are loving others we have to be patient. We have to let them do what they need to do, and in the meantime wait for them.  It was at this time that I sighed, knowing that as I asked God for patience right then, that he would require me to wait for something. And of coarse, like clockwork, he did. Then I waited. And waited. And waited. And waited some more. Then, finally, I received what I had been waiting for. It was worth it. Not only was I relived t...