A Pleasant Surprise

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Fab'rik

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Fab’rik. I love their style, prices, and quality, and the owner of the Nashville boutique could not be nicer. It is a great place to shop, and I have loved working with them. This top caught my attention because of the little surprise element at the bottom. It gives the ensemble a little something extra. I am all about the comfort of jeans for this look, but you could pair the top with a nicer pair of pants to totally dress it up for an event. And I love that about this top. It just has the ability to bring so many surprises to your look.
 
A lot of conversations lack the element of surprise. Typically, I feel like I can predict how a given conversation will go, especially when it is one of those “let’s talk about this” conversations. And then there are the discussions that don’t go as planned. Like when my sweet husband forgets for the thousandth time to keep my hang-dry clothes away from the dryer. Surprisingly, every time we have that conversation, it’s like the first time. 

But like this Fab’rik top, there are lovely surprises to be had in conversation. Like when Jesus is brought up in the most unexpected scenarios. Whenever this happens, I am so surprised by Him as the topic of discussion, and the amount of happiness gained from a conversation about His grace.
 
I want so desperately to hold onto these good conversations. The ones that lift you up, make you laugh, and offer you a feeling of happiness. But I especially want to hold onto the conversations that involve Him. I want to soak up every word that the other person is delivering. I love to hear how they view Him, talk to Him, and learn from Him. The most beautiful thing about Jesus is that His relationship with each of us is different. However, the end result is always the same. He loves us unconditionally.
 
I hope that when you encounter one of these surprise, or planned, conversations about Jesus you really try to take it in. Try to see how awesome His relationship is with each and every one of us. Try to see what you can learn from the other person’s relationship. It might make you see how your relationship with Christ actually can be even more amazing. I pray you get surprised, in a good way, with a conversation about how much He loves us.

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. - Ephesians 3:17

Made for This

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Dress: Lily Rain

This season, all I want to buy are long sleeve dresses. Seriously, I am addicted to this style. Particularly, this dress from Lilly Rain seems like it was made for this time of year. I love the pattern, the length, and the fact that it is so fun to twirl (insert cheesy grin). You know the feeling when you find that one special outfit that seems like it was made just for you? Well, this dress does it for me, and it’s the best feeling ever. 

The word “time” carries many different meanings. For me, it often carries a weight of worry. When I think of time, I never think of it being endless; instead, I think of it being paralyzing. What if I run out of time? Will I have enough time? What if I am not on time? These are questions that run though my head on a daily basis. I allow time to control me.
 
Lately, however, I’ve found comfort in the following verse from Ester: “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” But, while that verse offers the promise of hope, it also offers the burden of fear – fear of not meeting the moment at the right time… Or, fear of missing that moment altogether.  
 
I am slowly (on some days, very slowly) learning not to focus as much on the time and to place more attention on the journey. We get so fixated on something happening at a certain time that we miss living in the present.  In The Broken Way, Ann Voskamp writes, “It takes courage to listen with our whole heart to the tick of God’s timing rather than march to the loud beat of our fears.”
 
I don’t want to be someone who misses living in the moment because I am consumed with fear. I want to trust in the movement of God’s hands through my life. And I want that for you, too. I want us to realize that we have been created for this moment and that we should not be consumed with what lies ahead. I want us to trust in His timing instead of our own. So, I hope you will join me today in saying goodbye to the worry of time. Focus on the journey now, and trust Him with the future. 

Praise Worthy Wednesday

Praise for this particular Wednesday. Because this Wednesday the election is officially OVER. How happy I will be to turn on the news in the morning and not hear all the noise. But praise for the election, our right to vote, and the fact that school was out yesterday. Thankful for you, America.

This weekend, Adam and I wrapped up our last wedding of 2016, and it was a blast. I also finally listened to my friend and tried Click List from Kroger. The fact that I picked out my groceries online and had them delivered right to my car was amazing. Below are a few more praises for this week; but, as always, my biggest PRAISE is to all of you for taking the time to read my blog.  Prayers for a blessed and healing week, friends. 

- Praise this weather and a day off to get to read my newest book crave, The Broken Way.-

-Praise for this guy. The best wedding date a girl could ask for. - 

-Praise for a trip to H&M, where I found this super cozy sweater. - 

-and Praise for a visit from Lisa Harper who had me in stitches on Sunday morning and reminded me that "on our worst days when the word says you aren't anything, Jesus says, 'You're my everything.'"