The Baseline

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: Nordstorm

The color red—especially the perfect shade of burnt red—just screams fall to me. It reminds me of the changing of the leaves and the color of the sunset. It is the baseline color to represent the season. When I first saw this dress, I knew it was one that I HAD to own and one that I would probably wear over and over again. Bring on the earthly colored fall clothing. My pumpkin spiced lattes and I are ready for this season. 

While this color (and dress) is a good baseline (or starting point) for a fall wardrobe, we also have our baselines in life. And, of course, when I refer to your “baselines,” I am not talking about the lines that box you onto the tennis court. I am talking about the things that you race towards to get your life back on track. They are the places, activities, and PEOPLE we turn to when we feel a little out of whack. It is a place that provides comfort and truth. It is the place you go to tell yourself what you WANT to hear… and also to tell yourself what you NEED to hear.

I tend to place too much emphasis on my baseline and not enough on my FAITH in Jesus. Your baseline is a good place. It is a blessing to have one, but it can become a hindrance when you rely on it more than you should.

Your baseline is not a steady spot. Your baselines will change. Your areas of reset will slowly become your areas of defeat. Eventually, you will find yourself searching for a new one.

If you are searching for a reset, you should look no further. Call off the search. The war is already won. Your rock and your savior, Jesus Christ, is always right beside you.  He is willing and able to help you reset your focus and guide you through life. Sure, He is going to bring people into your life who will help you, too; but, ultimately, it will be just you and Him. And with Him, all things are possible. 

That Added Bonus

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Hadley Rae Boutique

Let me be totally honest. When I first looked at this top (I actually thought it was a dress), I wasn’t super in love. BUT, y’all, when I put this outfit on, it became one of my favorite looks that I recently shot for Hadley Rae Boutique. I LOVE where it hits in the front and how it is longer in the back. The lace adds just enough sass that you can wear it for a night out on the town while still feeling… my favorite way to feel… comfortable. Oh, and the price. You guys, I am telling you, Hadley Rae has figured this part out. You can’t beat it. And now, I will admit that I judged something before actually giving it a chance. Sound familiar? I do it all too often. Do you?

Most days, we get presented with situations that we are not too excited about.  No, I do not want to walk into this meeting. No, I do not want to go to this event. These are the “you have to go because you are supposed to go, but you really don’t want to go” kind of situations. You complain, roll your eyes, and do whatever you were supposed to do with only half the effort.  You DO NOT want to be there, but you go anyway.

henever I am presented with moments like that, they ALWAYS turn out to be the best thing for me that day. Suddenly my HAVE TOs become my NEEDED to without me even realizing it. I call these my “Added Bonus(es)” because I am always left learning something that I never saw coming. When I walk away from those situations and can see why God brought me there, it is the best type of bonus that could be added to my day. There is no greater gift (well, in my humble opinion) than seeing exactly what you think God is wanting you to see. It’s as if His guiding steps present you with a feeling of peace. 

What “added bonus” has God brought into your life lately? Has it made you look at other situations differently? Today, if you are presented with an added bonus, I pray that you see God’s hand in the moment. He is always speaking to you. Somehow, some way, He is letting you know His plan for you. I pray you see that. And I hope you find an outfit that surprises you, too; because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love finding that outfit that just works for you?

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Tied Up

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: VICI

The dresses with the little “tie-up” in the front will be everywhere this fall. Well, at least everywhere in my closet. Give VICI a visit because they have this look figured out. I’m sure Adam is loving the packages that regularly show up on our doorstep from their store in California. #sorrynotsorry

While this little tie-up makes a great addition to the VICI dress, there are some tie-ups that should be avoided… like being tied up in stress rather than tied up in trust. I’ll be the first to admit that I am by far the worst person to travel with – unless, of course, you enjoy being at least three hours early to the airport… Then I am great. But if we get behind, off schedule, or delayed, I DO NOT handle it well. Adam witnesses this often. He has to love me, though, so he has learned to deal with it. But a handful of family and friends have witnessed several travel-related emotional breakdowns, and I am thankful they still choose to travel with me. 

I am currently sitting on the airplane we almost missed because of the SLOWEST ECONOMY PARKING BUS ever. Apologies to all on that bus… I now realize that my dramatic run from the bus to the security line was the most UNNECESSARY thing ever. But it happened.
 
As I sit here in seat 10A, I am pretty disappointed in myself for not calling on Jesus in that time of stress. I mean, I thought about it; but, if there was a lesson on patience that He was trying to teach me, I totally missed it. Again. While traveling is such a small example, you would think that by now I would realize that he is ALWAYS in control.

Do you ever feel like you keep missing the same lesson? Like God is clearly trying to tell you something, but it still isn’t getting through to you? What is it? I want you to think about it. Pray about it. And maybe finally pick up what He is putting down.
 
My travel through the airport would have been a lot more enjoyable for myself (and Adam… and everyone that I came in contact with) if I had just handed all that worry and stress over to Him. I pray that you can today. I pray that you fight through whatever is holding you back. And I pray that you will only be tied up in dresses – not stresses.