Call me reflective, but that's the way the last 24 hours have gone. In the last twenty four hours God has yet again proven Himself faithful yet again. So bear with me, but chances are if you are reading this you can relate to some part.
Events like tornadoes and storms tend to put life in perspective. They remind us yet again what matters and what doesn't. They remind us of what God values and what we should. They remind of us of what is going to matter for eternity and what only matters for today.
Last night was a rough night for my community. There were people that lost their lives, those that lost everything they owned, and those that have spent the day cutting up trees and hanging tarp. It's hard enough when you watch trees on tops of houses on TV from some other state. It's another thing when you drive your route to work, church, and home and see trees on tops of houses. It becomes real and it hurts. You may not even know the people in those houses, but you hurt for them. I cried the whole way home today at what I saw. Tears of pain for those cleaning up, but also tears of thankfulness because last night could have been so much worse. We had three rounds pretty much take the same path through our area. An area that in storms passed has not typically been where the tornadoes hit. Our entire state learned three years ago not to take storms lightly and that saved many lives last night. Some have a new meaning of safe tonight.
Let your tomorrow be different than today. Take what He has en-grained on your heart and walk with it into tomorrow. Stay focused on what He has called you to do, bloom where you are planted for now, and love people. Time is short and we don't always get to see the puzzle lid before we are handed the pieces. We think we want to, but if we did, we may hand the pieces back to Him and ask for another puzzle.
Love people and just enjoy the day He has given you. He will give you the strength to handle what He has planned for it. We run tired(frustrated and stressed) when we add to it what we have planned as well. Let Him dictate your plans and just follow His lead. He will take care of the rest and work it out better than we ever could.
Rest well readers tonight! I'm looking forward to some good sleep. Last night was a long night. Take care of each other, help out when you can, and pray for each other. God can be where we cannot be and do what we cannot do. I'm thankful last night wasn't as bad as it could have been. I've seen the damage and it could have been worse. I'm thankful for friends who text and start praying from a state away. (Talk about nerve wracking when you realize a big city like Nashville is mentioning your little community). There is peace when you know you have people praying.
Focused on the journey!
~Melissa
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Just Me
I've got a couple of blogs in the works, but tonight I just feel like being me a for a little bit. (Hence the Just Me title of the blog).
There is a sweet family going through something tonight that no one should have to. Yes it's a part of life, but once you walk down that journey it's one you would never wish on anyone else. Life is short. Reminders of that are everywhere. Anytime a life is taken too soon(and in the last four years anytime one is taken by a wreck), I tend to get nostalgic.
Don't let the mess of today keep you from seeing the message of tomorrow. Confidence is not in knowing you can do anything, but that He can do everything through you. I've been on a journey and I hit a turning point a couple of weeks ago. To put a picture with the words I quit circling the mountain and started to climb over it. That's a blog in the works for another day though, but I firmly believe the best is still to come and that God is just getting started.
God's peace is worth more than anyone's approval. You have to get up and over the mountain in order to step into the promise land(the promise, the dream) God has placed within you. He didn't plan the seed not to bring it to harvest, He's just been waiting on the right time. (and for you to start walking where He said to step). More on that later :-) He's still writing.....
Take some time to notice those He has placed in your life. They are all there for a reason and to make you into who He has called you to be. In some way He can use them all to make you a better you, if you let Him. Stay focused on Him knowing that He knows your heart, He designed you that way, and He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Let go of the things that are temporary and stay focused on what will really matters. If you are caught up in a feelings moment and not sure what's what on those two, take a breath and ask Him. He'll show you what He's focused on and that should be where you are as well. So many times we focus on the pebble in the road when God has more ahead of us. One more thought on that, Ask God for discernment about those who are supposed to be on your journey. Distractions can come in all shapes, sizes, and appearances. They are different for everyone, so ask Him to show you the ones in your life so you can quit focusing on them.
Don't let what the enemy is doing around you affect what God is doing in you. Take it from someone who almost let some of the mess he was throwing my way defeat me. I'm thankful God got a hold of me that night and spoke into my life words that only He could. Don't let the mess of your day defeat you. You were made for more than that because your Father is the King of Kings. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. There are things that you can do that no one else can. He gave you the heart He did for a reason. Use it for Him.
Praying for a sweet family tonight and asking God to just pick them up and carry them as only He can during this unexpected journey. Praying for safety tomorrow as the severe weather approaches. Be prepared, but remember you know the One who can speak peace to the storms with just one word.
Staying focused on the journey,
~Melissa
There is a sweet family going through something tonight that no one should have to. Yes it's a part of life, but once you walk down that journey it's one you would never wish on anyone else. Life is short. Reminders of that are everywhere. Anytime a life is taken too soon(and in the last four years anytime one is taken by a wreck), I tend to get nostalgic.
Don't let the mess of today keep you from seeing the message of tomorrow. Confidence is not in knowing you can do anything, but that He can do everything through you. I've been on a journey and I hit a turning point a couple of weeks ago. To put a picture with the words I quit circling the mountain and started to climb over it. That's a blog in the works for another day though, but I firmly believe the best is still to come and that God is just getting started.
God's peace is worth more than anyone's approval. You have to get up and over the mountain in order to step into the promise land(the promise, the dream) God has placed within you. He didn't plan the seed not to bring it to harvest, He's just been waiting on the right time. (and for you to start walking where He said to step). More on that later :-) He's still writing.....
Take some time to notice those He has placed in your life. They are all there for a reason and to make you into who He has called you to be. In some way He can use them all to make you a better you, if you let Him. Stay focused on Him knowing that He knows your heart, He designed you that way, and He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Let go of the things that are temporary and stay focused on what will really matters. If you are caught up in a feelings moment and not sure what's what on those two, take a breath and ask Him. He'll show you what He's focused on and that should be where you are as well. So many times we focus on the pebble in the road when God has more ahead of us. One more thought on that, Ask God for discernment about those who are supposed to be on your journey. Distractions can come in all shapes, sizes, and appearances. They are different for everyone, so ask Him to show you the ones in your life so you can quit focusing on them.
Don't let what the enemy is doing around you affect what God is doing in you. Take it from someone who almost let some of the mess he was throwing my way defeat me. I'm thankful God got a hold of me that night and spoke into my life words that only He could. Don't let the mess of your day defeat you. You were made for more than that because your Father is the King of Kings. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. There are things that you can do that no one else can. He gave you the heart He did for a reason. Use it for Him.
Praying for a sweet family tonight and asking God to just pick them up and carry them as only He can during this unexpected journey. Praying for safety tomorrow as the severe weather approaches. Be prepared, but remember you know the One who can speak peace to the storms with just one word.
Staying focused on the journey,
~Melissa
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Do it afraid
I honestly didn't anticipate writing this blog tonight, but He has other plans. He only started it a couple of hours ago.
I don't know what you are dealing with today, what may be causing you to feel fear, but God says do it afraid. You may have read this title and thought what in the world, bear with me and I'll try to explain.
So many times we let fear paralyze us from doing what God wants us to do. We come up with every excuse in the book of why we can't do it, even though He said to do it. When in all honesty, we are just trying to justify our fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of stepping out of the comfort zone, fear of moving forward when you don't know where you are going, just plain fear in general. The hardest thing to do is to move forward even when you "feel" afraid because you know He's got your back. That however is what we have to do in order to make progress on this journey. The enemy wants us at a standstill, because he knows the more we move forward the stronger we become.
When you know God says it to do it, you can trust that He has already paved the way. Why then if we know this in our hearts, do we still let that little four letter word dictate so much? That goes back to that comfort zone thing. If you'll step out in the direction He said to do, you may feel afraid, but do it anyway. Eventually your feelings will catch up with your actions. So many times we have that reversed and let our actions catch up with our feelings(in that case you end up stressed and frozen still).
Honesty check, taking off the mask moment...we are all afraid of something. Some of you are going to read this next statement and go yeah whatever, but here goes. I have a fear of public speaking. Yep the enemy knows it too. I am slowly making progress in that area. I get nervous and almost sick every time I do a webinar or a presentation. The feeling lasts until I get started and then peace takes over. I've learned to do my part and He comes through with His part(In other words if I will just start talking, He starts calming). I am perfectly comfortable in a room full of kids talking, but put me in a room of adults and yeah the nerves kick in. God's been dealing with this fear area because the enemy still has a hold on a part of it. (My computer screen, my phone etc. are my comfort blankets. I can speak into your life via technology or a card, I can pray for you when it's just me and God or I when I can type it out. However there is a fear when it comes to opening the mouth. That's a blog for another day though because God is still working on it and bringing me to me do it afraid moment.) The enemy will use what he can to keep you from doing what God has called you to do. (Hence the title do it afraid).
What has God asked you to do? Is there an area where you "feel" afraid, but you know God is dealing with it? Do it afraid. Step out and start, God will take it over from there.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
I don't know what you are dealing with today, what may be causing you to feel fear, but God says do it afraid. You may have read this title and thought what in the world, bear with me and I'll try to explain.
So many times we let fear paralyze us from doing what God wants us to do. We come up with every excuse in the book of why we can't do it, even though He said to do it. When in all honesty, we are just trying to justify our fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of stepping out of the comfort zone, fear of moving forward when you don't know where you are going, just plain fear in general. The hardest thing to do is to move forward even when you "feel" afraid because you know He's got your back. That however is what we have to do in order to make progress on this journey. The enemy wants us at a standstill, because he knows the more we move forward the stronger we become.
When you know God says it to do it, you can trust that He has already paved the way. Why then if we know this in our hearts, do we still let that little four letter word dictate so much? That goes back to that comfort zone thing. If you'll step out in the direction He said to do, you may feel afraid, but do it anyway. Eventually your feelings will catch up with your actions. So many times we have that reversed and let our actions catch up with our feelings(in that case you end up stressed and frozen still).
Honesty check, taking off the mask moment...we are all afraid of something. Some of you are going to read this next statement and go yeah whatever, but here goes. I have a fear of public speaking. Yep the enemy knows it too. I am slowly making progress in that area. I get nervous and almost sick every time I do a webinar or a presentation. The feeling lasts until I get started and then peace takes over. I've learned to do my part and He comes through with His part(In other words if I will just start talking, He starts calming). I am perfectly comfortable in a room full of kids talking, but put me in a room of adults and yeah the nerves kick in. God's been dealing with this fear area because the enemy still has a hold on a part of it. (My computer screen, my phone etc. are my comfort blankets. I can speak into your life via technology or a card, I can pray for you when it's just me and God or I when I can type it out. However there is a fear when it comes to opening the mouth. That's a blog for another day though because God is still working on it and bringing me to me do it afraid moment.) The enemy will use what he can to keep you from doing what God has called you to do. (Hence the title do it afraid).
What has God asked you to do? Is there an area where you "feel" afraid, but you know God is dealing with it? Do it afraid. Step out and start, God will take it over from there.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
He's Alive! ....now live like it
This weekend has been refreshing. I love Easter. Here is I guess what you could call part three of my Easter weekend blogs.
Day three can be known as victory day. We get so excited at Easter and we should as we celebrate our risen Savior, but guess what...He's alive everyday. The same Jesus that rose on the third day, conquering death, hell, and the grave is alive and walking with us daily. If we truly let that sink in to the very core of who we are, it will change our world(or at least it should).
It should change how we look at our day, our situation, and the things that happen to us. I'm one of the world's worst about stressing in the moment, getting all worked up about something, and then after I've tried to figure it all out I go running up to His lap for Him to settle me and tell me He has it. He has been dealing with me on this subject lately. He doesn't want us to stress about it first before we run to Him. As soon as we start to feel it, He wants us to give it to Him. Honesty check: This is NOT easy!! Our natural tendency is to deal with the "stress" and then run to talk to Him about it. At some point the stress gets to be too much and we start to get quicker about running to Him.
This past week God actually was pretty blunt with me about some things in my world that I had been letting "defeat" me. Stressful situations are going to happen, but when we take on the stress as if it were our own it starts to wear at us. After some time, the wearing begins to change who we are. God made us to be who He called us to be. He made us to play the part He designed for us not what someone else wrote out for us to play. Life is too short to let the things of this world defeat us. God has given us the power to be victorious and to walk that out each and every day. The same power that raised Him from the grave lives inside the hearts of those who are Christians. That very truth right there should keep us smiling every day. The battle was won on the third day. The world needs to see us walking out that truth. The world needs to see Christians living like He's alive. I know this is an area where I have to do better. The world needs to see a difference in Christians. The world needs to see us walking out what we say and putting our feet to our words. It's not always easy, but He is there to help us if we'll just let Him.
He's alive...let's live like it! Trusting Him doesn't always mean He calms the storm. Trusting Him means going inside the boat and resting with Him. He has already won the battle and you are more than a conquer. Don't let the enemy tell you otherwise, after all he's a liar by the way. Do not let what the enemy is doing around you affect what God is doing through you.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
Saturday, April 19, 2014
The day in between
I wonder sometimes what they must have felt that day in between. Those that were closest to Him had watched what He went through. They had watched Him hang on a cross, be beaten, and endure so much. They knew what He had promised, but I'm sure there physical self was mourning the One they loved that had left them. As someone who has lost someone close, I get that. I get that they were sad, but I also have to think somewhere deep inside of them they knew what He had promised. It was a day in between and most were probably just silent, still trying to process what all Friday had entailed. They were still trying to wrap their brains around what they had witnessed. I imagine there may have been some analyzing and what if's going on as well as some venting ;-)
The day in between was the bridge to victory. It was the middle to their sandwich so to speak of what the enemy thought He had done and what God was going to do. So many times we let the day in between defeat us. We spend the time that we should just be silent trying to figure out what God is doing. The day in between is when the promises have to be louder than the reasons. The day in between may seem like the enemy won, but hold on to the promise that God is not finished. God doesn't want us to lose faith on that day in between.
It may look like the enemy has won on the day in between, but don't lose heart, God is not finished. He may seem silent, but He is working it out on your behalf. Don't lose hope, His promises are true and they will not fail!
**I use "day" as a figurative and relative term. The day in between may be more than just a day. Hear me though sweet reader. God is working it out on your behalf. Just becuase it seems like things are at a standstill and the enemy may "feel" like he won....He did NOT! Victory is just around the corner and God is going to do what only He can do.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
My cross, His choice
I've watched our passion play for years, in fact this is my third year on the media team, but this year has been different. I don't know if it where I'm at in this journey called life or what, but there were several scenes that gave me chills last night. To think of what He did for us..... That thought should be what keeps us going each and every moment of our lives. He did so much for us that day when He chose to take our cross, that it should make a difference in our lives each moment we breathe. Sadly we let the world crowd in with thoughts and doubts and we turn our focus off of where it should be.
He chose the cross that day not because of anything I had done for Him but because of love. What am I willing to do for Him? It wasn't His cross He carried that day, it was mine. He had done nothing to deserve the nails that were placed in His hands and feet, but He chose them just for me. He didn't have to go through it all, but he made the choice that love was a greater sacrifice than the pain He was physically enduring. He knew what was going on around Him, but He also knew what His Heavenly Father was doing as well. He had a purpose and He knew the plan. He endured the beatings, the mocking, and the crown of thorns that day knowing that one day I would be on this journey. He knew me and all that entails even then, but He still chose to do what He did. He loved me more than I could ever even fathom to do what He did that day. He took a cross I didn't even realize I had and bore a weight that I didn't even know about to change a life that would walk this journey. He knew us even then. He knew how would we fall, how we would mess up, and how we would make mistakes. He still made the choice that day, because He also knew how we would love, how we would touch the world, and how we would share Him. He made that choice that day because He knew us. He knew me. If you let those three simple words sink in, they are life changing. He knew me then as He knows me now. He made a choice that changed eternity because He loved me. All He wants in return is me. Not the me that I think I am or the me that others think I am, but the me that He knows that I am.
It was my cross that day, but it was His choice. He didn't have to go through with it, but He walked that road because He knew there was a higher calling and purpose on His life. He knew on that "Friday" that Sunday was coming. He knew that pain would have to happen first before the victory. He knew that thousands of years later that choice that day would still be impacting and changing lives for eternity. He didn't have to make that choice that day, but I am forever thankful and grateful that He did.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
He chose the cross that day not because of anything I had done for Him but because of love. What am I willing to do for Him? It wasn't His cross He carried that day, it was mine. He had done nothing to deserve the nails that were placed in His hands and feet, but He chose them just for me. He didn't have to go through it all, but he made the choice that love was a greater sacrifice than the pain He was physically enduring. He knew what was going on around Him, but He also knew what His Heavenly Father was doing as well. He had a purpose and He knew the plan. He endured the beatings, the mocking, and the crown of thorns that day knowing that one day I would be on this journey. He knew me and all that entails even then, but He still chose to do what He did. He loved me more than I could ever even fathom to do what He did that day. He took a cross I didn't even realize I had and bore a weight that I didn't even know about to change a life that would walk this journey. He knew us even then. He knew how would we fall, how we would mess up, and how we would make mistakes. He still made the choice that day, because He also knew how we would love, how we would touch the world, and how we would share Him. He made that choice that day because He knew us. He knew me. If you let those three simple words sink in, they are life changing. He knew me then as He knows me now. He made a choice that changed eternity because He loved me. All He wants in return is me. Not the me that I think I am or the me that others think I am, but the me that He knows that I am.
It was my cross that day, but it was His choice. He didn't have to go through with it, but He walked that road because He knew there was a higher calling and purpose on His life. He knew on that "Friday" that Sunday was coming. He knew that pain would have to happen first before the victory. He knew that thousands of years later that choice that day would still be impacting and changing lives for eternity. He didn't have to make that choice that day, but I am forever thankful and grateful that He did.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Made for More
Okay well God and I had another one of those LONG talks Sunday night....actually He did more of the talking and I just had to listen. If you have ever been to God's woodshed, God's time out speech, it's not so fun. He was blunt last night and not so gentle. See I've been letting some mess get me down. I've let things defeat me, discourage me, and well pretty much keep me in a funk. When God not only starts talking His time out speech and your quiet time lines up with it as well, you better be listening. Yes I was listening ;-) The mask is off a little tonight, so be gentle as you read.
He has been whispering for awhile, you were made for more than this, but I guess I had a hard time letting the words sink in. Why is it we can believe Him to move mountains for others, but not ourselves? Why do we trust Him for everything under the sun besides what we need to trust Him for? I have prayed and believed Him for parking spots while in college and I have prayed and believed Him for healing when I was sick. So why are those middle issues so difficult to lay down? Because for some reason we think those are the things we can "handle". Those are the issues that we feel like(and most of the time) do try our hand at first and only, ONLY, when we have given it our best shot do we stop and run to Him. Hear me loud and clear....because I have learned this the hard way, so if I can save someone some stress...take it...Run to Him FIRST!!! Don't wait until you have to drag yourself to Him crying and covered in mess to clean up. Don't wait until the enemy has pretty much got you believing you will never do anything. Don't just believe God to move on the weekends. Guess what;-) He is full of surprises and even likes to show out during the week too. (That's a blog for another day, about God's tired of being in a box).
You were made for more than the mess you find yourself in during the week. You were made for more than the way others treat you. You were made for more than the way others speak about you. You were made for more than the way you speak about yourself. (Ouch...). To quote Casting Crowns, we were made for more than just to survive...we were made to thrive. God sits waiting for us to ask Him for what He wants to give us. (Hint: if you listen really close, He will tell you what to ask for). God's waiting to bless us, but we are frozen in our tracks because of __________(fill in the blank stress, frustration etc.). You were made for more than your "this" or your "that". The enemy wants nothing more than to keep you feeling defeated, in isolation, and discouraged. If he can convince you that you can't do anything because you are_________(fill in the blank...I mostly get single and female) then he wins. God has plans for you more than you could ever imagine. Guess what He even unlocked the chains around your feet that have kept you frozen? Now He is just waiting on you take the first step. Too many times we let others tell us what we can and cannot do, when God says..wait just a minute....I have plans for them! Get out of your comfort zone, let God show you what He can do through you. It will be more than you ever imagined.
So back to my woodshed talk with God....He was blunt and I won't even say gentle this time. I cried my way through and then cried some more. I'd like to say it got easier after that, but it has been a minute by minute press on. It's minute by minute telling my flesh you were made for more than this, of making the decision that what someone said was not going to get me, was not going to frustrate me, and was not going to make me cry. Please hear my heart....this is not an easy process, but if you never start walking forward to this you will never be free. I'm a stuffer. I will let it all build up inside while hiding behind this mask of every thing's fine until it gets to be where I can't handle it anymore. You may find this hard to believe, but I am shy. I have been hurt too much over the years and I tend to put a wall up for awhile in a friendship/relationship. I've learned the difference in a friend and an acquaintance the hard way. I've learned the difference in those with an anointed relationship and those with an anointed religion.
Think back to some God moments in your life. For me the most vivid was the bus wreck and the miracles that still continue to happen from that day. Think back to some times when you know God moved on your behalf. You were made for more than to let your current mess define you or defeat you. (In His words, He said...so you who walked off a bus that hit an 18 wheeler is going to let this little mess defeat you? Yeah I told you He was blunt). You may not feel like it some days, you may even doubt yourself at times, but keep telling yourself He made me for more than this, He saved me for more than this, and He believes in me. Your feelings will eventually catch up with your words. Believe God is moving and doing what His thing on your behalf, not just all of the others who you are praying for. Faith is believing you can have what God says you can have. If God has shown up for you before, guess what...He will do it again. Why do we doubt when we already have seen Him move? (He asked the disciples the same thing when they were on the boat in the middle of the storm).
So I'll tell you the same thing He told me Sunday night. You were made for more than this. Don't let the mess of your "this" and "that" became what defines you or defeats you. You are not defeated unless you surrender. The mess can either make you messy or give you your message. It's your choice.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
He has been whispering for awhile, you were made for more than this, but I guess I had a hard time letting the words sink in. Why is it we can believe Him to move mountains for others, but not ourselves? Why do we trust Him for everything under the sun besides what we need to trust Him for? I have prayed and believed Him for parking spots while in college and I have prayed and believed Him for healing when I was sick. So why are those middle issues so difficult to lay down? Because for some reason we think those are the things we can "handle". Those are the issues that we feel like(and most of the time) do try our hand at first and only, ONLY, when we have given it our best shot do we stop and run to Him. Hear me loud and clear....because I have learned this the hard way, so if I can save someone some stress...take it...Run to Him FIRST!!! Don't wait until you have to drag yourself to Him crying and covered in mess to clean up. Don't wait until the enemy has pretty much got you believing you will never do anything. Don't just believe God to move on the weekends. Guess what;-) He is full of surprises and even likes to show out during the week too. (That's a blog for another day, about God's tired of being in a box).
You were made for more than the mess you find yourself in during the week. You were made for more than the way others treat you. You were made for more than the way others speak about you. You were made for more than the way you speak about yourself. (Ouch...). To quote Casting Crowns, we were made for more than just to survive...we were made to thrive. God sits waiting for us to ask Him for what He wants to give us. (Hint: if you listen really close, He will tell you what to ask for). God's waiting to bless us, but we are frozen in our tracks because of __________(fill in the blank stress, frustration etc.). You were made for more than your "this" or your "that". The enemy wants nothing more than to keep you feeling defeated, in isolation, and discouraged. If he can convince you that you can't do anything because you are_________(fill in the blank...I mostly get single and female) then he wins. God has plans for you more than you could ever imagine. Guess what He even unlocked the chains around your feet that have kept you frozen? Now He is just waiting on you take the first step. Too many times we let others tell us what we can and cannot do, when God says..wait just a minute....I have plans for them! Get out of your comfort zone, let God show you what He can do through you. It will be more than you ever imagined.
So back to my woodshed talk with God....He was blunt and I won't even say gentle this time. I cried my way through and then cried some more. I'd like to say it got easier after that, but it has been a minute by minute press on. It's minute by minute telling my flesh you were made for more than this, of making the decision that what someone said was not going to get me, was not going to frustrate me, and was not going to make me cry. Please hear my heart....this is not an easy process, but if you never start walking forward to this you will never be free. I'm a stuffer. I will let it all build up inside while hiding behind this mask of every thing's fine until it gets to be where I can't handle it anymore. You may find this hard to believe, but I am shy. I have been hurt too much over the years and I tend to put a wall up for awhile in a friendship/relationship. I've learned the difference in a friend and an acquaintance the hard way. I've learned the difference in those with an anointed relationship and those with an anointed religion.
Think back to some God moments in your life. For me the most vivid was the bus wreck and the miracles that still continue to happen from that day. Think back to some times when you know God moved on your behalf. You were made for more than to let your current mess define you or defeat you. (In His words, He said...so you who walked off a bus that hit an 18 wheeler is going to let this little mess defeat you? Yeah I told you He was blunt). You may not feel like it some days, you may even doubt yourself at times, but keep telling yourself He made me for more than this, He saved me for more than this, and He believes in me. Your feelings will eventually catch up with your words. Believe God is moving and doing what His thing on your behalf, not just all of the others who you are praying for. Faith is believing you can have what God says you can have. If God has shown up for you before, guess what...He will do it again. Why do we doubt when we already have seen Him move? (He asked the disciples the same thing when they were on the boat in the middle of the storm).
So I'll tell you the same thing He told me Sunday night. You were made for more than this. Don't let the mess of your "this" and "that" became what defines you or defeats you. You are not defeated unless you surrender. The mess can either make you messy or give you your message. It's your choice.
Focused on the journey,
~Melissa
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