Another 180
After sharing my last post about straying from the spiritually sound place I once resided, I felt encouragement pour right in!
I have fallen back in love with weightlifting and am mindful of what I feed my body!
I thirst for God's word and see Him everywhere!
I am entering a nurturing, mother-hen stage. I want to settle in with family and friends.
I feel convicted when the world tempts me.
I feel energized and refreshed, with an open heart!
I vulnerably admitted my weaknesses, which I thought would cause me to soon crack under the growing pressure, but God turned it around.
"But [the Lord] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10).
Our redeemer! After I confessed to straying from actively being in my Bible and passionately attending church - I began to feel closer to God. I do not feel ashamed or discouraged, but the opposite. I feel loved and redirected. God's word is a fantastic lifeline we get to walk with daily.
"What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray" (Matt 18:12-13).
I was once lost, but now I'm found! God came looking for me for the umpteenth time.
College student Madison has been on my mind recently! She would be so proud of who I am and where I am, which is ironic because I am so far from where she would have placed me.
Six years ago, I was an oblivious teen ready to grow up too fast, prioritizing the wrong things. I was consumed by my pending title, what I would look like, what I'd drive, and where I'd vacation. What role would I be filling? What materialism would I flaunt since that is what the world equates to joy? My career is not my identity, even though I love working at it and accomplishing new things. It is a fun side gig to who we are as individuals. I enjoy interacting with different personalities and figuring out how to work with them, forming bonds I would not have cared for previously. But what I can do is not what makes me valuable to God. He isn't worried about that 9-5. Who I am while fulfilling these roles or tasks is of utmost importance. (here's me tooting my own horn) My point is that my most significant achievement is who I am off the clock, away from corporate chaos. (TOOOOOT!) I have grown to admire this. We cross paths with so many different souls every day, no matter the setting, and we can potentially be the living proof of a gracious God.
My last Bible study session raised the question, "Who were you before encountering Jesus?"
Often, I find myself getting tied up in little matters. I make tiny, insignificant things ginormous. Everything has to be perfect, calculated, and coordinated - but that is not realistic or enjoyable. I struggle, fail, get frustrated, and let myself be affected by words or actions that do not define my character. Surely, most people reading this also remember a version of me, BC. I was quick-tempered, insecure, resentful, judgmental, and worldly. These traits are so heavy that the only thing you can do is pass them off to those around you. I am still far from perfect, but I know Jesus' ability to soften a hard heart! I have lived out the persona of the Grinch from beginning to end. My heart has grown three sizes and beats for people! But do you love Jesus if you don't love people? Bring on the Holiday Cheermeister!
I seek to forgive. I strive to love unconditionally. I stumble with this mission but ask for guidance again and again, and then some more. It's challenging but rewarding. God provides the right resources and people along the way!
There's a spiritual stirring occurring, and I hope it's evident to you too!
Recent things I am grateful for:
I verbalized to my husband that I wasn’t feeling my cutest. And he has gone out of his way every free moment to make me aware of how beautiful he thinks I am because he didn’t want me feeling anything less than that. I am thankful for a love that endures and continues to grow.
Getting off early on Fridays
Freshly washed sheets and comforters
New food spots
Barkley’s excitement when we watch him play in the backyard
Winnie’s chunkiness (she's gained an extra 13 lbs!)
Decorating our new Christmas tree
Gilmore Girls
