How Can It Be

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Madewell

How can it be that summer is basically over? At least the good news is that fall brings college football, pumpkin spice lattes, and all the comfy sweaters. Before we can get to the sweaters, however, we can’t forget about our transition outfits. And this outfit from Madewell is the perfect one to transition into fall. With the added ruffle detail on the side, it makes it more than just your average shirt. Oh, fall is coming. How can it be? 

Lately, my speakers have been blasting the song, “How Can It Be” by Lauren Daigle… Like to the point where I am basically singing at the top of my lungs and holding my own private concert in the car. So, if you haven’t heard the song yet, you must immediately download it. NOW. But make sure you come back because I’m not finished. :)

In addition to Lauren’s amazing voice, the song delivers a powerful message. She eloquently describes these amazing acts that Jesus does for us just because He loves us. For example, she sings, “You plead my cause, you right my wrongs, you break my chains, you overcome, you gave your life to give me mine. You say that I am free. How can it be?”  

I find it interesting that she ends all those great acts with a question. It’s as if she is saying, “Jesus you are doing all this just because you love me? How is that kind of love possible?” But it is... It so is. And it is such a beautiful thing. A beautiful thing that is easy to talk about but hard to grasp.

This past weekend, we hosted the biggest Sunday in the Shed to date. To say my heart is full is an understatement. It is EXPLODING with excitement for what the future holds for this event. It is in moments like this where I find the answer to that question, “How can it be?” Through the support, encouragement and excitement that surrounds Sunday in the Shed, I know that it is only possible because of Jesus. He gave it all to give us our own. His love is strong enough to turn a crazy thought into a huge reality.

In what areas of your life are you asking, “How can it be?” What are the moments that can only be explained as the work of God? How can it be that He loves you so? Because He made you. He loves you. You are His. 

"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skis." - Psalm 36:5

Under Pressure

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: Nordstorm

This dress has been the dress of the summer for me. After seeing Brighton Keller wearing it, I rushed to Nordstrom to grab one for myself. It’s the perfect “for everything you are doing” type of dress. I have worn this dress so much that I’ve begun to question whether I even owned any summer dresses before this one. Has that ever happened to you? You buy a new shirt and suddenly you have only that shirt to wear and nothing else. Like, what did I ever wear before this? 

With summer coming to a close, however, I am 100% feeling the pressure of the fall. I get this way every year when a new batch of students roll into my classroom. I began to feel this crazy desire to become perfect. Yes, the PERFECT teacher. The PERFECT friend. The PERFECT wife. The PERFECT everything. And it is pressure that is totally and completely created in my head. Thankfully, it doesn’t last very long because I slowly realize that I will never be perfect at all those things – no one could; but the thoughts still creep in nonetheless. Every August, I just have to remind myself to ignore this self-made pressure. It works momentarily… at least until the next week when I have to do it all over again. Anyone else know what I’m talking about?

Most of the time the “pressure” we feel from others is something we create in our own minds. It isn’t really as strong as we THINK. But if we are not careful, the “pressure” can start to control more than just our desire to be the best. It can control our everyday thinking, molding us into a person who craves acceptance from other people and not from God. 

In Lysa TerKeurst newest book, Uninvited, she writes “to satisfy this longing we will either be graspers of God’s love or grabbers for people’s love. . . . If we live rooted and established in His love, we don’t just have knowledge of His love in our minds, but it becomes a reality that anchors us.”

First. Y’all, this book. It is so good. Second. I want so badly to become a person who can see the difference between grasping for people’s love and grasping for God’s love. I want to live rooted in His love in such a way that I will be able to see when I’m making something a bigger deal than it really is. And I want that for you, too. I want you to work to please Him and not the girl who seems to have it all together. He created you perfect in His eyes. And He is all you need.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.” – Colossians 3:23

The Details

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: VICI

With summer wrapping up, I am getting as much wear out of this little maxi dress as I can. I adore the simplicity of this dress, yet with just the tiniest little detail of some tassels, it becomes something totally different. Without the colors it would just be a black maxi dress. Listen, there is nothing wrong with a black maxi dress. But don’t the colors make this one so much more fun?! 

Lately, I have noticed myself focusing too much on the details. Not the colorful, cheerful tassel details. The bad details. The details that cause me to lay awake at night and question myself. “Did I get my point across?” “Did I say the wrong thing?” “What if this never works out?” “What if I’m not hearing you God?”

You know what those little details do? They cause you to miss the big picture. Getting too wrapped up in the little things that ARE NOT happening instead of the big things that ARE happening. It can turn into a dangerous game of doubting yourself. 

In Present Over Perfect, Shanua Niequist writes, “One of the reasons I believe in God is because I can see so clearly his loving and hilarious hand, guiding us to the unlikeliest of places to find the healing we’ve been searching for all along.”

Wouldn’t it be nice to see the day in review and recognize all that you DID instead of what you DIDN’T do? Noticing the details of God’s guiding hand that show how crazy He is about you. 

I pray that today you recognize those details that are causing you to doubt YOU. And that when you do, you ignore them with all your might. I pray that you see not just the good details, the tassels of your day, but also the big picture God is creating for you. I pray that you trust in His guiding hand to lead you on the right way. The way to the greatest you. 

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" - 1 Samuel 12:16