The Quiet Place

This is the question I heard God ask me when my circumstances changed and it didn't look like God's promises were going to be fulfilled. The truth is it's easy to say that we trust God but when opportunity presents itself, how do we really act? Do we crumble in fear and despair? Do we give up and "get over it"? Or Do we gather both sides of our dress in our hands and keep walking forward despite the deep mud because we know who are Father is and we know the promises that he has made us? The truly faithful option is to keep walking. That is true trust in God. True trust is fixing our eyes on Jesus and not on the events around us. True trust is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  In Joshua Chapter Three, the Israelites found themselves in an opportunity to trust God... Crossing the Jordan 3  Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before cro...

Lately God has been working on my heart in regards to fear and trust. Today we took my niece to the playground and I wanted to share some of my reflections on our time there today.   The BIG Blue Slide Today I went down the BIG Blue slide. It is the tallest and fastest slide at the playground. I went down the slide because I had been following my 4-year-old niece around and I didn't feel much like climbing back down the ladders we had climbed to get up to the top.  Partly because they didn't seem that easy to get back down (especially for an adult), and partly because the temperature outside was quickly approaching 90 degrees and it was easier to slide then climb back down in the heat. As I sat down at the top of the slide, I had no fear, but I wasn't too much in the mood to be sliding. So, reluctantly, I let go of the sides and pushed myself through the tunnel. What I didn't expect was to not like the slide so much that I let out a scream. Yes, you heard...

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...