The Quiet Place

What does it mean to "take up your cross"? Well, I'm finding that taking up my cross means completely submitting to God. It means letting him cut all the things off of me that need to go. It also means obeying what God has asked of me and letting things go when He says "no, my daughter, this isn't for you". Each of these things are challenging in their own way. That last one though, that has been the hardest for me. Yet, in all of the pruning, the pulling out and cutting off; I am still grateful, and I am still blessed. I'm still grateful because I know that God disciplines those he loves, I know that when he disciplines me it's because I'm HIS daughter. I'm grateful because I know that the pain of the pruning leads to an abundant life. It leads to a better Hillary, a better follower of Christ, and a better kingdom builder. It brings God more Glory, and it fills me overflowing with His spirit of peace and joy.  Taking up my cross...

Trust. Trusting God. It's the easiest AND hardest thing to do. The easiest because I know of God's faithfulness in keeping His promises. I'm sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I do not yet see. It's the HARDEST thing for me to do because like many humans, I like to be in control of my circumstances and do anything in my power to shape them the way I want them to go. This in itself neither good nor bad, but when presented with a situation where I need to trust God, I have to keep myself in check. I have to ask myself, "Are you trusting God, or are you trying to control the situation?". It's easy to drive myself crazy analyzing what has occurred, trying to diagnose it like a mysterious disease. So, I can't go there. I have to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. I do this by keeping my mind stayed on his Word; reminding myself that His plans for me are good, that he can bring good out of all things, and that God works for the good of those who love him...

Sister, YOU were created for a time such as this!!! You could have been born at ANY point in History but God saved the best for last!!! YOU were reserved for THIS time because God knew He could trust you!!! He knew that you would remain faithful and do EVERYTHING that he has for you to do!!! How AMAZING is that!!! Rest in this truth today sister, your breath today is far from insignificant, error, or mistake. The life in you today was purposeful with exact planning. Praise God for his Perfectness!!! 

One of my MOST FAVORITE sisters (Lauren Daigle) just came out with a song called "You Say" and it is SO GOOD!!! It has been on my heart so much lately. I just love it! It resonates with  my heart SO much because it reminds me of who God says I am. It encourages me to take authority in prayer and over every situation; it reminds me that on my weakest day, I am stronger than the enemy. The enemy is crushed under my feet because of Jesus Death on the Cross that ALREADY won my Victory!!! Thus, without further adieu, I share this song with you. :)  Be blessed Sister, you are worth dying for. YOU ARE Who GOD SAYS  You Are. Also, this is another amazing song about who God says we are!!! <3, 

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness  and streams in the wasteland. About Three and a half years ago, after getting my heart broken, God gave me a word. God's word to me was Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland". This word gave me great comfort. It also instructed me to work on leaving behind what I wanted to bring with me. You see it took me a long time to stop dragging around the grief and memories of an old relationship. Ever been there? I'm sure I'm not the only one. Anyways, at that time I had absolutely no idea what new thing God was doing. Though I hoped, dreamed, and knew that he had a Husband out there for me somewhere and I still know...

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 ...

God has been really working on my heart lately. Recently he is teaching me more about his deep love and true forgiveness. Showing me that the depths of his mercy are certainly far greater than the depths of mine and indeed greater than I could ever imagine.  God showed me that in my process of attempting to forgive, pride was my barrier. (You'd think it would be obvious right?) Well it wasn't obvious to me right away. But in his gentle and pure grace filled way, God showed me that his forgiveness, and my forgiving someone, has no "buts" about it. God is calling me to love like he loves. And that means I can't hold on to any "buts". I can't say "Okay God, I'll love them since you asked so nicely, but... I'm going to make sure they know what I think." Nope. That's not how it works. God is showing me that I have to give up any and all rights I have in the situation (aka pride). There is no entitlement in forgiveness. Forgi...