I JUST Wanted To...

I just wanted to say, good morning! 

I just think this would be a good idea. 

Dear Lord, I just want to ask you for...

JUST.  A polite sentiment that I've been using over and over again. One not to intrude or interfere, but just to ask or just to say something. 

I read an article yesterday from Propel Women,  an organization dedicated to helping women internalize a leadership identity and find their purpose, passion and potential, titled "Three Words that Undermine Your Message" and the word "JUST" was top on the list! The author writes,

"This word is usually used as an explanation, but it comes across as weak, apologetic, and whiny. Sometimes we use “just” to make our idea seem small. That way, if someone doesn’t like it or doesn’t agree with us, we can brush it off without being hurt. The truth is that you have to believe what you’re saying more than anyone else does. You have to own it, not minimize it! Simply remove this word and the sentence becomes stronger, more direct, and confident." 

It hit me like a ton of bricks. The word "just" isn't bad nor wrong, but the way that I've been using it has been undermining the way I approach things, especially in my prayer life. Dear Lord, I just want to ask you to show me your way in this. It almost sounds as if I'm bothering God with my request.

Dear God, the Mighty Creator of the Universe, the Redeemer, the Giver of Life, the One Who Is and Can do all things, can you pretty please just help me? It's as if I'm saying, "I'm coming to ask for your help, but I'm unsure if you will or if you care or if this is even worthy of asking." 

Anyone? Or is it just me? 

I don't think this a matter of faith, but a preconditioning, politeness of the heart. We never want to inconvenience those around us, but sometimes when we approach God, we feel the same way. I'm afraid there might be an underlying, unnoticed tone in our hearts in which we feel this time our request may just inconvenience Him.

I believe God is who He says He is in the Bible. I believe that He is the same God who parted the Red Sea, shut the mouths of lions, saved guys from a fiery furnace, healed the sick and made a way for us to have eternal life with Him in heaven through Jesus Christ. I believe the stories of the Bible and I believe that He can do the same things today in 2016 as He did back then. 

And I've witnessed modern day miracles: babies being born healthy without a medical explanation, broken relationships and hearts being restored, sick being healed, addictions broken, people doing a complete one-eighty in their lives and seeing strength and courage given when something's hard to face. Yet, I still sometimes go to God as if I'm bothering Him. 

The truth of it, God cares about it all. He says in the Bible that He does (Psalm 139). Even the littlest as I've seen it in my own life. I've asked for the smallest of things - from needing to be on time for a meeting and hitting all green lights, to finding a new place to live as time is running out, to finding lost car keys and finishing a race when I didn't think I'd have enough strength to go the distance.  To be the biggest of things - healing of a broken heartache, finding strength to get up each morning and do life after the loss of my Momma, loving again without hinderance, bitterness, or fear after a divorce, and having the freedom to laugh, find joy and enjoy life after all the hardship in life. Those are big, y'all! 

I'm sure you have stories of the same. 

So let's be BOLD. Not just bold sometimes or occasionally, but always. Let's remember Who we are asking. Let's be the ones who are filled with gratitude and ask unapologetically and who love fiercely. Let's be confident in God's promises, His great love and His truth in the Bible. 

No more #justsaying. Instead #truth #boldness #confidence #compassion #love 

I don't just love y'all. I really do. 
xoxo
Jes

P.S. Are you in the wait of life right now or afraid to ask? This article is a great reminder as we pray and ask God. 

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:12

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

"Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deed, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

Something Big

Lately I've been wrestling with this idea of doing something big in my life. I'm thirty now, so something big should come next, right? "Yeah, my brother said, it's thirty-one."  

I'm unsure what it [my something big] looks like just yet--maybe it's creating a business or starting a movement, or simply achieving something big--whatever it is, I want it to be both epic (maybe even trendy) and positively impactful. 

As I was dreaming of my next big thing, a thought stopped me straight in my tracks. I felt in my heart God say, "What if all of the little things you're currently doing add up to something big? Couldn't you count that, Jes? A lifetime of littles to equal your great?"

The idea of a lifetime or a legacy of service hit me like a ton of bricks. As I've been waiting on my something big (not even sure how to really define big!) I had forgotten how important the little things or #smallvictories are in the grand picture of life.

Sure, I would love to write a book one day, speak in front of thousands, own my own business and positively impact hundreds of thousands of lives, but what counts right now in this season of life, are the small things.

The dedication to teaching Bible study to the few on Thursdays, the soup kitchen that needed volunteer help, the Valentine's brunch for our military spouses, the laundry detergent drive for the "Laundry Love" project, the mentoring group at work that we started, and the twenty-five "Bags of Compassion" delivered to the homeless community by the book club; its those things even in the smallest act of kindness, compassion and love matter. 

I'm definitely not trading in ambition for mediocrity, but I am going to take more time to celebrate the small victories and accomplishments in my life as well. Celebrating the little is a lot more fun than always waiting on the big. 

What is your #smallvictories for today? The Bible says that God has created us for many great things, but He also reminds up to watch over and take care of the flock that we have now. Share with me what you're doing! I'd love to hear and celebrate the good with you in all things! 

xoxo

Jes  

 “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭(NLT) 

 “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭(NLT)

 “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” ‭Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭(NLT)

Valentine's Day brunch. 

Waiting for a Win

What do you do when you're waiting for a win? 

I started this blog post early December when life felt as if a win would never come. Dread and disappointment showed up in ways I never had wanted. Fret and worry arrived as we were braving new Christmas traditions without my sweet Momma, disappointment came from a once hopeful program acceptance and exhaustion was invited by an overloaded [and over committed] schedule.

At that point, I couldn't win for losing.  

It seemed as if it was one thing after another.  I couldn't see through the waves of exhaustion and felt a little let down by God as I had to let go of the plans that I had helped dream up. I wrestled with God as I recited His Words in my head, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. " from Jeremiah 29:11. 

Lord, you promise, I cried.

And silence, I received. 

I'll tell you that God didn't magically or mysteriously speak to me or send me a divine sign saying that everything would be OK, but I was reminded of a couple things as I searched and prayed for answers.

1. Be brave! Replace the lies with truth. I had to call out the lies and disappointment. Once I acknowledged it, I could then replace it with a positive and truthful statement. Instead of believing that all of my life plans and future holidays were doomed, I chose to find gratitude in what I could see. Lord, thank you that my Dad and brothers will get to spend the holidays  in California with me. Thank you for a job that I love; thank you for friends and for the means to afford the dinners and events to celebrate with them. When I changed my focus, it helped change my attitude which in turn changed my heart. 
2. Take Him at His Word. God's Word is true! There are many promises in the Bible that were true for the people of that time and are still true for us today. The Lord told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." and the same promise is true in my life. 
3. Enlist the support of my closest friends and family. Sometimes we need those closest to remind us of what God has done in our lives and the prayers He has answered. The #smallvictories, the big victories and the miracles. My girlfriends and family helped me to recall a few times that God specifically showed up in my life in a way that could not otherwise be explained. I needed to be reminded of what He had done for me in the past.
4. Trust His timing.  As we talked about our victories and saving grace, it reminded me that God's timing has always been the best timing in my life. Whether I agreed or not, I can now see a track record in my life where God's timing was better than my own. The heart wrenching break-ups, unfulfilled job offers, and closed doors seemed awful at the time (and they were!) but what resulted of the "no" or "not right now" has proved better for me now.  I chose again to trust in God's timing and trust that He would work everything for my good even though it didn't feel like it. 

Jeremiah 29 goes on to say, "When you call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord." 

Things haven't changed much since the beginning of my December blog post--the holidays turned out to be incredible with my Dad and brothers and schedules have slowed down some, but I'm still waiting for God to write the next chapter for the program acceptance and career opportunities. I'm waiting with the hope and reminder that God is true to His promises and that He knows what is best for my future and those that I love. 

If you're curious to know what God has been doing in my life, check out the Oh, Monday! and Oh, Monday! #2 blog posts. He's at work alright. What about you?  Are you still waiting for a win? 

xoxo
Jes

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

Christmas Day 2015

C-O-U-R-A-G-E

Why is it so hard to be courageous? 

cour·age 
ˈkərij/ noun

1. the ability to do something that frightens one.

2. strength in the face of pain or grief.

Have you ever been in a tough spot where everyone else could see the way out, but you? What is it about being right in the middle of something and fighting to find just an ounce of courage?

I'd love to hear your thoughts! What do you say? 

xoxo
Jes