bits & pieces

Bits & Pieces: CHANGE

I've learned a lot about myself over the last few months. It's amazing that God can grow you even when you think you've got it all figured out...all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly where you want them, each in their perfect tiny chosen spots. All is well with the world, until you hear the rippling winds of inevitable change. There are times when you are forced to go through a change and I've been heavily hurled through the ring of change lately.


I understand that people aren't meant to carry my hurt...or anyone else's for that matter because, let's be honest, it's enough for just one to carry, but let alone adding the burden to other's...it just gets to be a hot mess.


So, in that understanding, I've also let go of wondering why some don't get me...that I strive to be loving, attempt often to be all-giving, loyal, and accepting. Trust me, I'm not trying to win anyone's accolades here, but I have gained, over time, an understanding heart that I'm glad God could help grow me into...


When someone doesn't value you or seem to get your feelings, or your cries for help, pray for them, talk to them, but then...move on instead of setting your heart up to get split open once more. Sure it hurts, it rips deeply into your soul, tears are shed, but discernment is a great friend.


Losing my aunt has been heart wrenching. Remembering her, as she was, makes it even more difficult to process. She was often more of a mother to me than an aunt. She was the one who accompanied me to Atlanta airport to pick up Jason for the first time, the one who encouraged my singing, loved me unconditionally, sang like an angel, shot out bath and body works lotion into my nostrils at the mall...I could go on and on. Knowing you can't call someone, can't hear their voice is just a curse on certain days, those days that you yearn for their input. But, then I find that beautiful solace in the Lord and that sweet peace that passes understanding...

Bits & Pieces: MINISTRY

Is the church a family or a separate entity in direct competition with one another? It's one of the most sad things to me that it sways to the latter option. Belief in God is considered foundational to faith and a faith-filled life is the only way that anyone can please God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. -Hebrews 11:6. The Bible clearly states that everyone will one day proclaim that Jesus is Lord. This will bring glory to God, the Father. This confession is understood to imply that there is, as God first proclaimed, no other god beside him.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:9-11.

Recently, my pastor gave us the opportunity to sign up for a ministry area if we felt the calling on our lives to do so...the first round, in my mind, is to get us involved with the ministries already being in existence. I signed up to help with the high school kids. I can't WAIT to see what God has in store with that and helping out photography-wise in the church.

It's SO vital to be IN the ministry AND a people-person btw. Can you really have one without the other? It's sad when my atheist husband out-pours more attention, love, and understanding than churched folks! Amen? And the people shouted...

Bits and Pieces: MOLDING

Touched on earlier, the amazement that God still grows me, especially in times when I think I'm done, is purely glorious. I serve an awesome God, One that loves us TRULY where we are. If we strive to be more Christ-like, we truly should open our arms, our lives to this world...and continue to accept His guidance in placement of the out of place puzzle pieces <3

Run Tell DAT!

I think one of the most awesomely beautiful things about having a relationship with God is that He can continue growing you IF you let Him. Just when we think we're too big for our own pants, we discover how unbelievably wrong we were. I often discover how corrupt, rotten to the bone, and truly unworthy I am of His saving grace. But, that’s the beauty of God. He LOVES me where I am. Through that realization though comes REVELATION. I have had a lot of time to think lately since the hubby and I (well, mostly him) have been sprucing up the house.

Wow, I’ve realized I have a LOT of STUFF. Stuff that has clogged up my own so-called décor style. So, I’m downsizing. Getting rid of the clutter. And, it’s GREAT!

What I’ve realized through this so far is that, we as a nation especially, are SO in over our heads. Not only with debt, but THINGS. Possessions. Clutter.

How many milk glass vases can I have? Apparently, 15. Yes, I said FIFTEEN.

About 2 years ago, I started begging Jason to go house hunting because we didn’t have our “dream home”. I wanted it to be just like I wanted it to be…stainless steel appliances, hardwood throughout, charming, clawfoot tub in at least ONE bathroom, etc. When we started looking, we quickly discovered that everything seemed to be out of our budget or too big of a hot mess to take on at the time. I told God in my prayer time that I couldn’t understand why I should feel so bad for wanting a nice home, a nice place to kick off my shoes and start a family in soon.

Here’s what I learned…

What I have is a home. It’s where your heart is…it’s where your family is…it’s not self indulging. When I look back on my house hunting days, I realize how selfish I was and how UNHAPPY I was with what God had blessed me with already. I know He wants increase for us, but at the same time, He calls for us to be more Christ-like. I’m not perfect by ANY means, but the lesson I’ve learned is that I am beyond blessed to have a roof over my head and the ability to take up some old carpet to put down hardwood laminate.

Now I know, I’d rather pay off my debts first and not be a slave to any one or any company.

I’ve also learned to downsize in other areas such as cosmetics! That’s right. I’m a Sephora addict. I take that back. I WAS a Sephora addict. Now, I still get giddy when I get a new ad in the mailbox, but I know too that I have 87 different lipglosses to choose from and I don’t need to “treat myself to just this one thing” because I deserve it.

I don’t need to “treat myself to just this one thing” because it’s 50% off. Here’s why:

#1. We probably don’t need it. Yeah, I’m talking to you too. Whatever you’re obsessed with that will make yourself look better or more accomplished or just to feel better. Trust! It IS a high for me to shop.
#2. Do you already have it??? Do you? Seriously, a new pair of heels? You have them already.
#3. What could you do with that money to better serve this world? Give to the humane society, help the church with a new endeavor, sacrifice for someone other than yourself? SAVE the money for your future?
#4. God don’t like greedy. Trust. God’s working on me with this. I’ve made promises to Him that I intend to keep concerning debt & giving. It’s a hard road to travel, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that He knows my heart.

Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal… You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19 and 24). Did Jesus pursue the acquisition of money? No. On the contrary, He became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9) and had “no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

So, that new car that you need because it’s cute…no you don’t. Is your’s still running? Okay then, you’re MORE than fine. You’re blessed. This nation is blessed and we take life for granted every second of just about every day.

Be thankful for what you have now. Look at the person that you pass in Atlanta asking for a handout…ask yourself later, when you’re at Cheesecake Factory if you should have maybe given him that $5.

Run tell DAT!