{Five Minute Friday | Heal}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {HEAL}.

Ready? GO.

When my little guy died at eight months old, I expected healing would take a very long time. After losing the next child (she was four days old),  just fifteen months later, there were moments I didn't believe it possible to heal. Who am I kidding? I could barely get myself out of bed for a long while.

Healing is hard work, you know. It took some time for me to want to do it. It seemed easier to bandage my wounds and wear them as a badge. I believed I had earned the right to be angry and confused and wounded - indefinitely.  And so, I refused to cooperate with God and let Him heal me. It didn't take long for my identity to become wrapped up in and defined by my wounds. Anger and confusion turned to resentment and bitterness. But my scars shouldn't define me. Only God's truth can accurately do that.  

I'm so thankful for a God that pursues us. He heals and redeems.

Painful, difficult, dark moments and the wounds they leave behind can help shape us into something beautiful. But only when we come before God honestly, with our souls laid wide open, exposing all the wounded, broken spaces. Nothing is off limits. Nothing goes untouched. That's the hard part. Being honest and vulnerable, giving God unrestricted access to our broken hearts. But then, in the process, He reveals something to us about His character, about His unfailing love and faithfulness. And, you fall more deeply in love with Him and more convinced of His goodness. When God heals, He does so gently, yet with the strongest of hands, and He loves you lavishly in the process. Resting in His love eases the heavy work of healing. And, eventually, God becomes the only thing worth clinging to ever so tightly. And to do that, you're willing to let go of everything else that you've long held. It's a beautiful exchange.

May I encourage you today, sweet friends? He. Is. Good. And, He loves you so. When He asks you to let go of something, trust Him. He truly does know what He's doing.

STOP.

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{Five Minute Friday | Path}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {PATH}.

Ready? GO.

I always appreciate knowing there are purpose and direction when taking a path. You know, a beginning and end. I suppose that reveals something about the kind of person I am. There's nothing sweeter than a plan. But, as a follower of Jesus, sometimes the path seems incredibly hidden. At least, that's what I used to think. Now I understand my choice to surrender my life to Him marked the beginning. The promise and hope of seeing Him face-to-face mark the end. Everything in between is in His control. That's good news because He's loving, faithful, kind, powerful, and sovereign. My responsibility comes in learning to hear Him, trust Him, and obey Him. Even in that, He's promised to help me. Scripture says He gives us the desire to act according to His plan and purpose.

Here's the thing: He's always there. No matter the path, there is no place I go where He isn't present. So when the path laid before me only goes as far as the next step, it's ok. The beautiful truth is that He's already seen beyond that next step. And, His grace and mercy cover my missteps, especially when my heart says, "Lord, I want to do Your will. I want you to direct my steps along this path. I will follow Your lead." Because I do.

The psalmist said it well. You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, eternal pleasures at your right hand. Yes, indeed.

May I encourage you today? He goes before you and comes behind you. And, He's with you this very moment. Ask Him to show you, and He will.

STOP.

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{Five Minute Friday | Loyal}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {LOYAL}.

Ready? GO.

Loyal. True. Faithful. That's where my mind wanders when I think on loyalty. Our loyalties often get divided, don't they? But, there is one who is perfectly loyal.

Perfect. Faithfulness. Those words have been rolling around in my heart and mind for a few days. Scripture says in Isaiah, "Lord, you are my God; I will praise you and exalt your name; for in perfect faithfulness, you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

You know, it's one thing to know it, but it's another thing entirely to rely on his perfect faithfulness. That's when I stop and remember that His faithfulness is attached to His character. It's not something He does for us -- it's who He is. I am so grateful that I have Scripture to remind me of His character. His character doesn't change. It's not determined by our current circumstance or by our ability to be loyal. It just is. He's God. That's good news for us. And, here's more good news. When we have trouble believing that and walking that out in the daily grind, He wants to help us.  

If that's you today, take a look at this prayer tucked away in Psalm 86. It's a great place to land if you need His help.

Teach me your way, O Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me. You have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Aren't you thankful you belong to Him? I am.

STOP.

{Five Minute Friday | Team}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {TEAM}.

Ready? GO.

The people around you matter. I can’t think of another nugget of truth that so profoundly affects you from the outside in. Those people surrounding you and your relationships with them matter. Have you ever aligned yourself with the wrong people? I have. The effects can haunt you for days, months, even years. Then, there are people who, without a doubt, are God-sent. People who make life a little sweeter. Yeah, those folks are like treasure.

One thing I’ve recognized over the last few weeks is this: I need my team to share the same crazy-love for Jesus. I need my team to pray for me, to challenge me, to hold me accountable to the truth of Scripture. I need my team to be striving and working toward the same thing — chasing God wholeheartedly, knowing Him and doing what God has put in their hands to do to bring Him glory and make Him known. Something beautiful happens when we gather around Jesus. Something crazy-good. 

I know what you might be thinking. Why in the world would you only want to be with like-minded people? But, that’s not what I’m talking about. I have no desire to hole up in my living room and spend all my time with “just my people.” My team, though, they are home-base. People who launch and propel me forward and out into the purposes of God. Yeah, that’s what we do for each other. Not everyone gets to be on that team. Not everyone has permission to speak into and over my life. It’s a big deal, and I would be foolish NOT to guard my heart in that way. 

I am so thankful that God has placed people around me who love Him like crazy. I love how our stories tie together. I love what He’s doing in our lives, both individually and collectively. Sometimes, we laugh together, or cry together, or just have all kinds of fun together. Conversation flows. Sometimes, it's easy, sometimes deep, and other times it's hard. But, it's always ok. There is always love and trust, camraderie. All of these things matter. Godly friendships can't be underestimated. Even in our relationships, we can be about making Jesus known. Even our team can be about kingdom business.

Who’s on your team? May I encourage you today? Speak life. Encourage. Love. Pray for each other. Believe in each other. We are better together. 

STOP.

{Five Minute Friday | Hidden}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {HIDDEN}.

Ready? GO.

Hidden. Goodness, that word stirs something deep in me. I'm not exactly certain why - maybe because it contradicts my daily, ongoing struggle for control.  Perhaps, it reminds me of those moments I searched with all my might for answers when there were none. Yeah.

During that season, God taught me something. Sometimes, the answers are hidden. Sometimes, the path isn't clear. But, He remains. Unhidden. Accessible. Available. Present. In those moments I'm searching for something that seems hidden, the reminder always comes. "I know what you're looking for, but do you see Me? I am what you need. Fix your eyes on Me."

And, He is everything.  Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet put it this way: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord."

He. Will. Be. Found. That's the power of the gospel. 

Stop.