Learning to live for HIS glory

I decided to pick some words to describe this season of life  Carl and I have found ourselves in since our wedding in August. This is what I came up with: Sweet, beautiful, painful, and really, really hard . There, I said it. It's funny really, People expected this season would be hard, We actually did too.   But it wasn't... At least not in the way we expected. I miss my family and friends, yes. But not having to say goodbye to Carl has been wonderful. And for us, At least most days, Homesickness has not been a huge issue. Like we thought it would... Like we were preparing for... Instead our challenges have come out of left field. We've gone through the normal newlywed stuff... Adjusting to life together, Arguing, Figuring out how to disagree and be okay with it (who am I kidding?  I'm still not okay with it!) Growing, hopefully! But what has really rocked us was not something we at all expected. He...

She sends me a short text today: "Psalm 16" So perfect . . . See, those words bring other words to mind. Words etched on my brain in indelible ink: "Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.' As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh ...

Hope . . . I love that word!  It's a word that brings so much life & joy, but only when it's used rightly. I'm here to tell you today that my hope as a single woman is not placed in the possibility of marriage someday.  I don't live for that time, and I don't believe that will be when I am finally and perfectly fulfilled.    Jesus fulfills!   HE  is my hope.  Today and forever I rest in those truths! That said, I would still love to be married someday.  I still PRAY for my future husband.  However, I'm not promised marriage in this life.  For today, I've been given the gift of singleness, and I want to live fully in today. . . taking in all the joys and sorrows that are in this moment!  I want to embrace the people in my life today. . . loving them and my Savior unreservedly. Those words are my heart. . . but there are times when it's hard to remember them.  There's this lie floating around that too many peop...

Inspired by a dear friend of mine who writes over at  http://purejoyandpoetry.blogspot.com/ ... I've been reading through my journals from the past year and pulling out bits and pieces . . . remembering what the Lord has taught and done, the blessings and the struggles! 1~Jesus, may this be a year in which I seek You wholeheartedly.  Give me eyes open wide to see Your glory…I am such a human, Lord! Holy Spirit would You come and fill this life more and more? You who live to pray, would You fill me with Your life? . . . And as I pray, would You guide my praying and use my feeble attempts for the advancement of Your kingdom? Instead of focusing on how inadequate I am, Lord teach me to focus on You, and how perfectly adequate You are. 2~Thank You that I can call You Father and come to You as a child . . . Lord, teach me how to live this day. 3~ Holy Spirit, would You in me train my emotions to line up with truth? Lord, burn away the mediocrity, and gi...

Singleness.  Surprised? I am.  See, if I were to be honest, I'd have to tell you that one of the dearest dreams of my heart is to one day be a wife and mom.  And yet, I really, truly am thankful for my singleness.  I realized that just recently.  Actually, just last week, maybe. So for those of you who are walking the single path right now, can I just offer some positive thoughts of encouragement? (those of you who are married, please stick around . . . I'd like to share something with you too.) I know this path can be rather frustrating at times.  I've been there, trust me, I get it.  But you know what?  What a tremendous gift we've been given in this season of life!  The concerns of a marriage and taking care of little kiddos don't have claim to our time, so instead we are free to focus on loving and investing in a variety of other people, learning new things, growing in our love for the Lord, and going on adventures! Now don't ge...