This Joyful Life

I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart FREE.

Psalm 119: 32


To RUN after the Lord is such a powerful image. His word speaks so powerfully. As I spent this morning gazing out over Lake Michigan, sitting with this verse alive in my hands, my heart grew full with joy. This is my God's simple life instructions to me today, this week, this year... every year... take me on this journey Lord. Im excited to run for you, after you, with you forever.


amen

Ready to Let Go

List all your fears....

All of them.

Now, tell me why you think you are not yet ready to let them go?

Hello Beautiful

"I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful."
~Author Unknown


"Beauty... when you look into a woman's eyes and see what is in her heart."
~Nate Dircks



"That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful."
~Ninon de L'Enclos



"Beauty... is the shadow of God on the universe."
~Gabriela Mistral, Desolacíon


To wash the makeup off my skin, look into the mirror and not have my heart drop is true beauty. The way God made me. Even with blemishes and imperfections- HE loves me. In fact, HE doesn't care one bit how red my face is or how irritated my skin can be. He sees my heart. Even if it's broken. He wants my heart to heal; to see beauty the way he sees it. Perfection in his BELOVED creation. Gorgeous in thought. Unstained in worship. Not phased by the impossible standards of this world.


"Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic."
~Rosalind Russell~

...because He meant for us to live for His eyes only. And in his eyes we are dearly loved!

Now THIS looks Good..

Oh Happy Summer.

Thank God for sisters who keep reminding me of these truths...

It's no easy feat to focus on truth. I infer, interpret and boldly assume dangerously loaded meanings that are not directly communicated. This week I've been challenged to stop wasting my emotional energy on reading in-between the lines. With this change of focus freedom, freedom, FREEDOM REIGNS... and I am happily willing to continue in this simplistic way of life--thinking only on what I know to be true.

STOP reading between the L. I. n E s

"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

Okay, I'm going to try this... like for real.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Missing Somebody

Sometimes you don't realize how much you miss somebody until you reunite with them and come to the sudden and urgent realization that your life is just not the same without them in it.

Sometimes you do realize how much you miss somebody. You are ever so painfully aware that they are not present.

Which one is better?

None.

I miss many people--in many ways. but most of all... I miss you.

I miss holding hands and looking at each other when we talk. I miss remembering what it feels like to tell you stories while your hands are on my back. I miss your laugh as the lightbulb goes on... I miss your friendship. Daily companionship. source of love.

When will this season be over? The season of waiting for him to come home... probably never. When will this season be over? This season of missing him so much my body aches...

I hope soon.