tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83625303923669809562024-03-13T03:57:46.876-07:00Living an Abundant LifeMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-6740978942958257002013-10-14T15:14:00.001-07:002013-10-14T15:14:16.425-07:00Why Tell Stories<br />
<style type="text/css"> </style><br />
<style type="text/css"> </style><br />
<style type="text/css"> </style><br />
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style><b> The other day
I was sitting with my almost 4 year old niece and nephew. I was
trying to comfort one of them after they got hurt and so I began to
tell them stories. I began to recall memories of when their dad (my
brother) and I were little. I told them of the time he accidentally
closed a door on my foot and about the games we used to play. It
comforted them and it made them laugh. As I think about this sweet
encounter with two of my favorite little ones, I am almost brought to
tears. Good tears, happy tears; because this is what I love about
stories. This is why I desire to capture what memories I can through
photos and journals. This is why I want to help others record their
stories. </b>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> Someday I
will get to sit with my kids and tell them about falling in love with
their father. I love the idea of getting to share what the Lord has
done in my life for generations to come. I want His love to flow
through everything I do and I want to be a reminder of the
faithfulness of the Lord. This is what memory-keeping does. This
is story-telling. There is so much power in our stories. </b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> We have a
responsibility to generations to come. We have a responsibility to
ourselves. If we don't find ways to share our stories, we leave
pages out of the greater story that God desires to tell. The Lord
desires for us to pass down stories of His faithfulness. We are to
tell others about who He is and I believe that the greatest way of
doing this is by recording what He has done. I want to leave my
story for my children and my grandchildren to read. </b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> I cherish
the moments I get to sit with my niece and nephew and tell them of
the greatness of the Lord. This is my desire; this is my passion. </b>
</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-30040440723775007342013-10-07T14:51:00.003-07:002013-10-07T14:51:53.221-07:00Sharing my passion for our stories <style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
“<b>For we are
God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we
can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians
2:10 </b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> The
beautiful thing about life is that there is always a story to tell.
In every person, in every movement, in every day; there is a story.
And it is a beautiful one. It is a masterpiece. For it is written
with the thoughtful hands of a Creator worthy of all our praise.
Every line of every story is woven through the Potter's hands,
knitted together with careful attention. Your life is a story –
and it is chosen for you. My passion is story-telling. My passion
is going deep into the story and bringing Glory to the Writer. I
want to discover my story. I want to unlock the hidden pages of an
epic masterpiece. I want to partner with you to discover your story.
Because God chose you to be apart of a story only you can tell. And
He is inviting you and I to join Him in showing the world His love
and desire for redemption and relationship.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> Our stories
are beautiful but that does not mean they would be easy to read.
Your story may even be too painful for you to go back and even think
about trying to tell. There are some things we would all rather just
forget. Believe me, I understand that. But the Lord wants to bring
even the darkest parts of our life into the light. He wants to take
our brokenness and restore it – to restore us – into something
beautiful. It is in our brokenness, in our weakness, that He wants
to use us. It is there that we get to live and move in His strength.
</b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<b> My
encouragement for you is to spend time in prayer. Spend time in
relationship with your Creator and ask Him to reveal your story. He
is the true Author. Remember, you were made in the image of the
Creator. You are His masterpiece. He invites you along; to create,
to inspire, to reveal His love. Life is story. In every person, in
every memory, in every trial, in every day; there is a story. And my
dear friend, it is beautiful. </b>
</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-49867406136024935052012-11-06T16:25:00.000-08:002012-11-06T18:01:00.302-08:00The promise of purposeLately I have been reading a lot of other blogs. I search for encouragement and recipes, Christmas ideas and inspiration. I sit there wishing that some day my blog could look like that. A place where women come for all the reasons I listed and more. I find myself doubting. Doubting that I would ever have anything people would want to read. Doubting that my ideas are good or that I could inspire anyone. I sit there and I compare myself to these women who sound so eloquent or hilarious. I dream of the day my book would be open on the kitchen table to encourage the woman reading it. I pray for when it's my turn.<br />
<br />
But that's it. That's where it ends. I search, I wish, I doubt, I compare, I dream. I'm too scared to do. There is no action. You see, I don't have to put myself out there to read. I do have to put myself out there to write. In the midst of comparing myself to these other women, I lost sight of the things that God wants to do through me. I forget to be present where I'm at. I forget that I have my own things to offer. I have my heart to offer and no one else can do that the way that I can. I desire to live in the purpose that God has for me. Even if most days I may not know what that looks like. I just know that it is obeying Him in every activity that I do. It is inviting Him into my moments. It is listening to His voice instead of the lies of the enemy. It doesn't matter if I inspire one person or one hundred. What matters is that I am living in purpose. I trust God to use me wherever He desires. I trust God to do whatever He has planned with this blog, but mostly with my life. It's time for me to start doing.<br />
<br />
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands." Psalm 138:8<br />
<br />
May you live in the promise He has a purpose to fulfill in your life and that he will never abandon His work. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-81339892103360393482012-05-27T20:52:00.000-07:002012-05-27T20:52:44.619-07:00A New Adventure!In my last post I shared with you the story of a possible move to California. Through that whole experience we learned so much and I believe we were tested in our obedience to God. Were we really willing to go anywhere the Lord was asking us? Even if it meant taking us out of our comfort zones and away from our family, would we go if God called? We really got a chance to ask ourselves that and put into practice our faith in God's plan. In the end, God made it our choice whether we would stay or go and we know now He was only preparing us to obey Him to a call I believe He planned long ago.<br />
<br />
And so a new adventure begins! My husband is now the Youth Director at Corvallis Evangelical and we could not be more excited! I have known, before Jared and I even started dating, that he has a huge heart for students. He is so passionate about teaching and sharing about the Lord and so when the opportunity came open, I knew it was something we would have to pursue. After praying about it and going through the hiring process with the church, we are so excited to begin this next chapter. There is a great group of students and we are so excited to get to know them more. <br />
<br />
I truly believe that the Lord has a perfect plan and promise for every one of His children. He has been faithful to us beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine. We ask for your prayer as we start this adventure and we know that with the support we have already been shown, God is going to do some amazing things! We are blessed to be along for the ride! <br />
<br />
I wanted to share this song because it is our response to God asking us to obey Him. We want to do what the Lord calls us to do, wherever that may take us. When you ask God to work in your life, He will. When you ask Him to be in control, He will. As scary as it may be when you choose to step out of the boat, God never abandons us. I pray that you may be encouraged.<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ODe4sGCKxc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-47084622484407398302012-05-14T20:01:00.000-07:002012-05-14T20:01:51.479-07:00A crazy month of growing faithI know that it has been awhile since my last blog but it really feels like there has been a lot going on. God has been doing so much in my life and Jared's and honestly, I'm just trying to keep up with processing it all, that I haven't even been able to think of how to coherently capture everything to share with you. We serve such a faithful God! I am amazed, more every day, about how deep His love goes and the beautiful life He has created. He has really been changing and transforming my heart lately. It has been beautiful but at times paralyzing. There will be another blog to come talking about how painful change can be but for this one I want to share something that God has been doing in our lives and our marriage.<br />
<br />
I can't go into all of the details because this blog would probably turn into a novel. In the beginning of March, Jared received an offer to consider a teaching position in California. We had no idea the crazy few weeks we were embarking on. This had been brought up to him before and we had both declined it, not thinking it was for us. We love where we are. Well, this time was different. After initially saying no, after not even discussing it what-so-ever, we shared over coffee the next day how neither one of us could stop thinking about this possible adventure. After a lot of prayer, Jared submitted his application. We were then offered the opportunity to go down for an interview. We were headed down to Disneyland with his family for spring break so the two of us ended up leaving a few days early to stop and visit the school. Jared and I were excited and scared. We spent so much time in the those few short weeks talking and talking and talking about what God was doing in our lives, where He was calling us, what we wanted our marriage to look like and stand for. It really was one of the greatest months of our marriage thus far because God was so evident in our lives. We were being changed and molded, our faith and trust kept growing, and we were falling even more in love with each other. Our trip down to Monterey was truly an adventure - car troubles and all. I'm trying to keep this short, I promise.<br />
<br />
It's hard to really sum up an incredible month but ultimately we decided we would not accept the position. Both of us lost that excitement about the move and with lots of prayer, decided it wasn't the right place for us. We want to put roots down and know that God has us in Corvallis for a reason. This is where we want to invest ourselves and where God is laying His foundation for us. I am thankful that since we made the decision, neither one of us have had any doubts or second guessed ourselves what-so-ever. <br />
<br />
Jared and I are learning what it means to trust God even when we don't see His plans. The worry-wort in me would like things to be a little bit more stable and with a lot less uncertainty. But God has always been faithful and has always provided for us. I am so thankful for that. I am challenging myself to write a lot more frequently now and hopefully I can continue to share some of the incredible things the Lord is doing.<br />
<br />
I pray that you may see the faithfulness of God in a new way today. Whether it is in the sunrise, in the face of your child, in the extra money He gave you to make it the rest of the month, or in the quiet promise that He has every tear you cry in the palm of His hands. <br />
<br />
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." Psalm 145:13Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-21225722660312073922012-02-29T15:52:00.000-08:002012-02-29T15:52:33.130-08:00Miss Avery AnneMy newest niece, Avery is one month old today! She is such a precious joy in our lives! And she takes after my own heart and is right on time! She was actually born on her due date! :) It was a Sunday, so Jared and I were blessed to be in Sandy when she came. I would not have missed it for the world. I am so proud of Kealy. She is one of the strongest women that I know and to see her grow her family is such a beautiful thing. She is a wonderful mother and I could not be more proud of her! And it is a joy to watch my older brother Ryan in one of the greatest roles of his life. He is a fantastic father and husband!<br />
<br />
Annabelle and Levi are the cutest big siblings in the world! They love Avery and desire to help mommy and daddy however they can. Yes, it is a little bit of a transition but they are doing great! I had the blessing of getting to spend a few days in Sandy a few weeks ago, helping out Ryan and Kealy as Ryan went back to work. I was in awe of life at it's fullest! I melted every time Avery would fall asleep in my arms and I was filled with joy every time I heard the laughter of Levi and Annabelle. I got to spend some quality time with my sister in law, my best friend. My husband was wonderful in letting me go away for the week because he knew how much it meant to me to be able to help out in this special time.<br />
<br />
Avery, you are such a blessing. We have been praying for you for so long. You are a complete joy in our lives. God has created you so beautifully and intricately. We love you so much, my precious niece :)<br />
<br />
Life is beautiful. There is nothing like holding a sleeping newborn to be reminded of how precious life is and how much God loves us. He is so good and so faithful. I love being an aunt because I get to be reminded of the sweet innocence of children. It is in those moments that I am reminded of what an abundant life looks like. <br />
<br />
Here is beautiful miss Avery :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEjOURHHDrs/T064Q5EKokI/AAAAAAAAABQ/IbOv_VMEHsU/s1600/IMG_2580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEjOURHHDrs/T064Q5EKokI/AAAAAAAAABQ/IbOv_VMEHsU/s320/IMG_2580.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Such a cute, happy family of five!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnzvC7U-SgI/T064UZGEV4I/AAAAAAAAABY/sTM1FNQRAsw/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnzvC7U-SgI/T064UZGEV4I/AAAAAAAAABY/sTM1FNQRAsw/s320/IMG_2550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of my favorite pictures, daddy and his precious little girls. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njKB6vaa_GQ/T064aYboNXI/AAAAAAAAABg/4rnawlzAqzQ/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njKB6vaa_GQ/T064aYboNXI/AAAAAAAAABg/4rnawlzAqzQ/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
I just love her :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRJ7nUId6RM/T064i-5DSsI/AAAAAAAAABo/IhCnOUhiKBQ/s1600/IMG_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRJ7nUId6RM/T064i-5DSsI/AAAAAAAAABo/IhCnOUhiKBQ/s320/IMG_2573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He loves being an uncle too :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC7I_w4F5AE/T064nNau5JI/AAAAAAAAABw/cGeWimQkL_A/s1600/IMG_2572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC7I_w4F5AE/T064nNau5JI/AAAAAAAAABw/cGeWimQkL_A/s320/IMG_2572.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-beRAxO82yxQ/T064teKxtHI/AAAAAAAAAB4/xaOlMw6HL9s/s1600/IMG_2571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-beRAxO82yxQ/T064teKxtHI/AAAAAAAAAB4/xaOlMw6HL9s/s320/IMG_2571.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Happy one month Avery! We love you! ~Uncle Jared and Aunt MichelleMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-78493464633400848232012-01-08T16:47:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:47:27.403-08:00Fresh StartWell, 2011 sure was a wonderful, crazy year! I got to marry my best friend and begin our lives together! It was a year of endings, beginnings, mountain peaks and valleys low. The Lord has been so good to me. He has remained faithful, even when I have not. He has provided for Jared and I in ways that have strengthened, and continue to strengthen, my faith. I have learned that He likes surprises, and yet, nothing is a surprise because everything is possible with Him. He has assured me of His plans and reminded me of His goodness. I have seen Him work in the lives of my family in powerful ways. He has shown me that trials are there to develop perseverance and to deepen my trust and reliance upon Him. Although that isn't the easiest thing to learn. It will continue to take work in considering it joy when there are tough things happening. Yes, the Lord has been good to me indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm not sure why, but this year, more than any other year, the new year has refreshed me. It really does feel like a fresh start. Not that I needed one, considering last year was definitely one of the bests. But I have spent more time considering what I want to focus on this year, changes I want to make, new adventures, and discovering more and more where the Lord wants to use me. I'll be honest, things are quite uncertain for me about this coming year. It surprises me that I am excited about what's to come because I have no idea what exactly that is. But God has given me a sense of peace. I know that He is in control and is faithful and it is because of this that I can live an abundant life, even when things are not so clear. <br />
<br />
So here's to a fresh start. I'm learning to live this life how God intended. I'm excited for a year of new adventures with my Husband! I'm excited to meet my niece, who will grace us with her presence in a few weeks! I'm excited to start some new projects (more on that to follow later this week). I'm excited to grow closer to God as He challenges me more every day. And I am humbled, that He makes everything new in His time. I am blessed beyond words can explain. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-66636876262439317052011-10-20T16:09:00.000-07:002011-10-20T16:09:30.077-07:00Authentic RelationshipsGod created us to be in constant relationship. First, relationship with Him, and then relationship with one another. We are not meant to live this life alone. Yet so many of us walk around with a mask on, rarely revealing who we really are. We only want people to see the 'good' stuff in our lives. In the mean time, we create walls around our hearts and our lives. We become so isolated from connecting with people that eventually we stop connecting with God. I know, I've been there. I have been so lost inside my own pain and my own fears. I have believed the lie that we need to have it all together before we can let people truly see who we are. I spent too much of life living like this to know that this is not living. This is far from the abundant life that God desires for His children. We were created for relationship; true, genuine, authentic, healthy, beautiful relationship.<br />
<br />
I believe this is the biggest thing missing in our churches and the world today. Because from authentic relationships and genuine people flows God's love, forgiveness, grace, peace, and everything else we are missing. The church, and I'm talking about the Body of Christ, not just the building, is supposed to be a place where someone can come who has messed up, who is broken, who is battling addiction, who is lonely. It is supposed to be for those who have the ability to admit they don't have it together. The Body of Christ is a place where people can walk through life together. We were created to need the love and support of others.<br />
<br />
So if this is how we were created to live, why is it so hard to find? I think there are two reasons: the excuse of being busy and fear. I will be the first to admit, life is busy. A lot of times a person has multiple responsibilities and it is easy to just start going through the motions just to get done with everything. This happens. But at what cost do we spend our time focusing on our own busy lives? We let our relationships fall by the wayside and miss out on amazing opportunities to be the Body of Christ. People need you. Chances are someone is struggling today, just waiting for encouragement from a friend, from you. Life may be busy. I know what busy looks like. Yet I have seen how much it means to someone when you show up in their darkest hour. I have known what it feels like to be hurt and alone, and have everyone tell you they are too busy to be there for you. I am not asking people to break commitments. I am not saying what you do with your time is a bad thing. I am simply asking you to consider the relationships in your life. We are created to live our lives together. We need genuine, authentic relationships, no matter how busy we are. I pray our hearts would be opened to living life together.<br />
<br />
This next reason is fear. And it's a big one that stands in the way of being authentic. Therefore, we are going to hold off on looking at fear until tomorrow. I will also share a little bit about my journey and the fear in my life. My prayer is that we would begin to recognize the need for authenticity in our lives. I believe this is a concept that with the power of God, can move mountains. I believe it can change lives.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-33957929895243573972011-09-28T19:32:00.000-07:002011-09-28T19:32:34.864-07:00Trusting in the plan and the promise of GodGod has given me the gift of time right now. As hard as it is that I am struggling to find a job and am no longer going to school, I am learning to be thankful for this time. I am able to slowly adjust to being a wife and taking care of a home. I am getting to unpack the never ending boxes and decorate my house I now get to share with my husband! :) I am not used to having this much time. And as much as I am ready to start the job that God wants me to have, He has also showed me that right now He wants me to wait before Him. God is doing some radical things in my heart and I am so thankful for the time that I have to process it all. He is revealing so much to me and a lot of it has to do with trust.<br />
<br />
The biggest thing I have a hard time trusting is God's plan. Let's face it, some things happen that I just don't understand. And I have been going through a season of my life that is filled with these events and things that I honestly may never understand. I have found myself on my knees crying for discernment and trying to be okay. At times I have found myself angry at God for the things that were happening around me. Many times, Jared gently reminds me that in everything God has a plan. Sometimes this encourages me and other times it just seems to upset me more. I <u>know</u> God has a plan, but my <u>feelings</u> don't understand. How could any of this fit into His plan? I often find myself asking God why. I just want answers. If I can get answers, then everything will be okay, right? If I know why things are happening, then they will be easier to go through, right? Far from the truth...<br />
<br />
I think sometimes, that if we knew the answers, if we knew what was going to happen, there are some things we would run from. We also would have no reason to trust God. We would have no need to understand that His plan is far greater then the one we can come up with on our own. I am learning that I need refining. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 it says : "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." I am being refined of the need to understand. God is chipping away at my need to be in control. He is showing me how much I need to trust, how much I need to cling to his promises.<br />
<br />
Because you see, there aren't answers. There are things in this world that I will never understand. There are trials and pain that I will never comprehend or know why they needed to happen. I can't find answers for myself and I can't find answers to give to anyone else. The only thing I know is that our God is faithful. Our God is trustworthy. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Our God has plans, good plans, for my life and yours. Sometimes He has to sift through our hearts, a process that often times hurts, to get us to understand that we don't have to understand. We just have to obey. We just have to open our hearts to the One who is greater than this world and everything in it. <br />
<br />
There are still many times that I find myself back on my knees asking why. Asking for Him to help me understand. And God just holds me and He tells me that He is in control. I don't need the answers. I just need the promise. I need the promise that our God has already overcome evil. The promise that He holds us in His hands and He sees every tear that we cry. He can take us being angry with Him, as long as we learn to let go of it. I just need the promise that His plan is good. <br />
<br />
When there are those things in your life that you just do not understand, I pray that God would capture your heart and give you the peace that His promise holds. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-58442012636037959572011-09-20T14:10:00.001-07:002011-09-21T16:26:42.162-07:00Perfection vs. ObedienceI was reading through my journal today and came across a quote I wrote down from a book I read last year. It really stood out to me again today. "The goal of perfection only points out how far I have to go but obedience marks how far I have already come. Perfection frustrates and torments. Obedience releases and makes whole." - Joanna Weaver. I struggle with perfectionism. Striving to be perfect in all areas of my life, including my walk with Christ, leaves me feeling inadequate. One of my biggest fears is failure. Most of the time I am so afraid of not being perfect and failing, that I do not even try. I ignore the things that God puts in front of me because I am afraid I wouldn't be perfect. This is why it has been so hard for me to want to share my writing. I have this ideal in my head that it needs to be perfect.<br />
<br />
But this is where obedience comes in. When you are obedient in doing something that God asks you to do, it is so freeing. Living in obedience to Christ is what an abundant life looks like. Being obedient is not always the easiest thing. It is hard to put yourself out there, to step out in faith into something new. But you aren't expected to be perfect. You are just expected to take a step towards the life that Christ wants you to live. Obedience releases you from the pressure of having to be perfect. It releases you to live life.<br />
<br />
I might always struggle with perfectionism. I still want to make the perfect dinner for my husband. I still will want to have our home look perfect. But if I focus my eyes ahead and on being the woman and the wife that God wants me to be, I don't have to be perfect. If I give into that pressure, than I will be paralyzed with fear because I don't want to fail. Trying is being obedient. Taking tiny steps of faith is being obedient. Trusting is living an abundant life.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8362530392366980956.post-33379443226167712782011-09-17T17:03:00.000-07:002011-09-17T17:03:22.503-07:00Starting is half the battleWell, here it goes. After much gentle nudging from my wonderful husband, I have finally decided to start a blog. Many people don't know, but one of my biggest passions is writing. I have been doing it for years and most of what I write never gets read by anyone. I think it is one of my biggest fears to share what I write. Most of the time, it is things that are very close to my heart, things people don't even know about me. I get to caught up in what people think about my writing instead of focusing on the fact that I just enjoy doing it. It's not only Jared that is asking me to open myself up and share my writing, but I believe that the Lord has been tugging at my heart for years to finally share this passion of mine. I keep making excuses and clinging to my fear. So, starting is half the battle of getting over that fear. I really have no idea where this blog might go or who might even read it. But that's not the point. This is me, sharing myself and my passions.<br />
<br />
Something that the Lord has really been laying on my heart lately has been the idea that He desires for us to live a full, abundant life. One that is filled with joy and passion. I cannot say that I have done this. Most of the time I let fear control my life instead of really living and enjoying what God is doing. So as I begin this journey of learning what an abundant life is, I look forward to opening up my heart, no matter how hard it might be, and seeing what God wants to do through this blog. Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02526186601111167046noreply@blogger.com3