Interrupted

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: VICI

Anyone else struggling with the fact that the calendar says fall but the heat says SUMMER? Well, I am. All I want to do is throw on a cozy sweater, sit by a fire, and take in the leaves falling from the trees. But since the highs are still in the 90s, I don’t see any fire-sitting happening anytime soon. This heat is really interrupting my “fall feelings.” Thankfully, this dress from VICI screams fall BUT can still handle the heat. And isn’t the pink color just so pretty?!
 
Speaking of interruptions, that topic has been on my mind a LOT this past week. As a teacher, I get interrupted at least a hundred times a day by the eager thoughts of little children. But even when I am not teaching, I still get interrupted. We all do! How often do you find yourself focusing on something at work when suddenly a co-worker barges in and totally makes you lose your train of thought? Or, you hit traffic, which completely interrupts your schedule and ability to make it to that important meeting on time? 

Interruptions not only seem to get in the way of our daily tasks, they also seem to prevent us from accomplishing our goals. Yes, interruptions only add to the stress that already comes with being busy. But, are we too busy to hear what God might be trying to tell us?
 
Lysa TerKeurst once told me (okay, she didn’t actually tell me personally, but I promise she was looking right at me when she said this), “When we run at a break-neck pace trying to achieve, God is sitting there saying, ‘I simply want you to slow down and receive.’” The world today is constantly telling us where we need be at every step, age, job, or place; but, WE need to get better at listening to where God is telling us to be. We need to “trust the Lord with our pace and our place.” (Yes, Lysa told me that, too). 

Instead of looking at these interruptions as inconveniences, maybe we should look at them as opportunities… A chance to see a lesson we might be missing because the deadline is fast approaching. Holly Furtick says that “some of life’s greatest invitations come packaged as interruptions.”
 
So, today when you get interrupted (because you will), see if it is actually an invitation from God. It could be something small, but it could also be something REALLY big that He wants you to see. 

"With God's power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of" - Ephesians 3:20

Walk the Line

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Necklace: Karama Collection

When I first walked into the conference hall at She Speaks, I knew a total of zero people. Anxious but excited, I found a spot on the floor outside of the Karama pop-up shop.  I was fully prepared to just sit and look at my conference materials until the first session started.  But God, like he always does, had another plan in mind.
 
While I was sitting there, a women named Kristine came over to talk to me. Immediately, we struck up a conversation about our passions. (Yes, not your typical ice-breaker, but we dove in anyway).   We quickly came to realize that our passions are similar—and quite simple—in that we both want to work with people and show our love for Jesus. The only difference being that I feel called to fulfil my passion through written words and she feels called to fulfil hers through jewelry and other handcrafted items. Isn’t it amazing how God can show his love for us through so many different vehicles?  Karama is a perfect example of this.

Karama is an organization that highlights the skills of those who probably never expected such an opportunity. Their artisans work from small shacks in Africa to create delicate pieces of jewelry out of recycled metals. While these artisans have few earthly possessions, through Karama, God gives them the platform to showcase their talents.
 
This particular piece is called, “Walk the Line.” If you head over to my Instagram page, you can actually enter a giveaway to win one yourself.  I love this necklace because it is simple… But I also recognize that the story behind the necklace is far from simple.
 
When I wear this necklace, I often wonder what the artisans were thinking when they chose the design. I wonder what the straight line means to them. With a name like “Walk the Line,” it is certain to carry a story. 

Jesus walked the line for us. He was nailed to a cross so that we may find eternal peace. This is a gift too beautiful to fathom. Everyday, when you wake up, you make a choice to walk the line towards Jesus. To glorify Him through your daily works.  Some days, you might be on the right track. Other days, you may get a little off track (or completely turn off the path) before realizing that you need to turn back around. But no matter what that journey looks like, the line will always lead you back to Him.
 
Today, I pray that you recognize the beautiful path Jesus is leading you down. Sure, it will be bumpy at times and even filled with mountains that seem too steep to climb; but, He will be a constant presence by your side – willing and able to walk the line with you. 

"He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion." - Philippians 1:6

When A Heart Breaks

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Madewell

When I noticed this shirt at Madewell (shocking I was there, right?!), I really tried to talk myself out of buying it. But how can one resist an oversized white collared shirt that is also extremely comfortable? I sure can’t! The interesting thing about this shirt is that it also has a business-like feel. But, lucky for me, it doesn’t require that you pull on a pair of black slacks to go with it.  I will never be a 9-5 business women who wears a suit to work each day.  That just sounds painful.
 
In the business of life, we often feel the need to save face and put on the impression that all is right in our world. However, if we are being honest, not all days are great and some days feel just down right crappy. But we usually don’t share our struggles because we recognize that there are so many other people whose struggles seem FAR greater than our own. But like my new friend Christa Black Gifford says, “a hammer feels like a hammer no matter where the blow comes from.”

 When your heart feels broken and tears fall at unexpected times, it’s okay to not be okay. You are allowed to feel sad and have moments of grief... Even if it is over things that feel somewhat “silly” to be heartbroken about. It’s not silly. If it hurts, it’s important to take time to process it.

God tells us that we will encounter trouble. He doesn’t say “if,” He says “when.” And that trouble will come in all different shapes, sizes, heartbreaks, and moments. It is easy to wrap yourself in the pain because at some point the pain starts to feel like the norm. Escaping that norm can become scary in and of itself.
 
But y’all. I don’t want you to stay in that place. It is through the pain that we sometimes find our greatest passion for God. And in turn, we see the passion He has for our lives. It is like my friend once told me, “we are inwardly fashioned for faith, not fear.”
 
Now, I am NOT saying that it will be easy. In fact, it will be very hard to walk away from that heartbreak and come out on the other side. But one day you will come out on the other side holding the hand of your Father and embracing His big heart that beats for you. 

"I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand and says 'Do not fear. I will help you'" - Isaiah 41:13