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