Plant Joy!

I Get Lost in My Mind

Yesterday morning I opened up Jesus Calling and the opening words just popped off the page:

"You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts."

I thought for a moment, how in the world did He know this was what I was doing? And as quickly as the thought came in it left and the truth of those two lines sunk into my heart. God is bigger than all my doubts. He has me! He always has my best interest in mind. He is guiding me and He will lead me every step of the way...

But I have to stand against getting lost in my mind. Remembering that I am found in Him and Him alone. I can trust Him to lead me every step of the way. I don't have to worry or doubt, all I have to do is listen and trust Him... every step of the way!

" The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice."

This Valentine's Day...

I am blessed to know the love of an amazing man!

A man who loves me unconditionally. Shows me grace every step of the way. Has taught me how to love others better and even how to receive love more fully. He always takes the lead. He never speaks against me. He fills my heart with so much joy that I feel as if I might burst these days!

Our relationship has certainly been a journey and I imagine it will continue to be... but I know He isn't going to leave me and will always protect me and cherish me and love me every step of the way!

Most days I wonder how am I so lucky to know this man? He is a dream boat for sure! And the truth is I am so BLESSED! He loved me, sought me out, and bought me at a very high price. It is more love than my heart can hold! But I will cling tightly to Him and trust that His love for me will never change.

The best part is He loves you too! And always has. Do you know the depths of the love He has? I hope that you do... it is a sweet, sweet love...

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

1 John 4:7-12

An Avid...

Christian?

I've never thought to put those two words together. I just read through an email where someone called me an avid Christian. At first I thought, I am not an avid Christian. Runners are avid but not Christians, and certainly not me. I am not an avid Christian! I am very serious about my faith and it certainly isn't just a hobby that I am crazy about...

But then I decided to look up the definition of avid and found this: Marked by keen interest and enthusiasm; characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit.

Enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit?! Well, maybe I do want to be counted as an avid Christian! And I guess if I really think about it, avid runners are probably some of the best and most devoted runners out there. They know the sport, they enjoy it, and they are probably very good at it because they work at it daily and devote their lives to being the best runner they can be. So, to be an avid Christian certainly wouldn't be a bad thing! It would actually be an amazing thing! And that might just be one of the sweetest compliments I have ever received!

New Year... Renewed!

{How is it February already?}

I'm sitting in my room and it is almost 1 AM... a new day has started and here I am to greet it. I've been having trouble going to bed early this year. And even as I sit here now typing I realize the old me has returned. The girl who stays up too late, too often. The girl who loves life and never wants to miss a thing. The girl who smiles and laughs!

She is back and I am rejoicing!!