Black and White

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Cardigan: Fab'rik || Similar Cardigans Here, Here & Here || Jeans: Madewell || Similar jeans Here || Watch: Nixon || Boots: BP

During the winter, you can just about always find me in an oversized cardigan. The extra warmth feels like a big hug that will last throughout the day. This particular cardigan from Fab’rik is one that I have been rocking for several weeks. I especially love the black and white pattern, which can be dressed up or down. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love dressing in black and white?

You know what isn’t always black and white? Life. In fact, most of the time, our decisions and everyday events are very grey. No real answer. No true understanding of the situation. Just grey area that fills our head with confusion and frustration. Most of the time, the grey areas come in situations where the answer should be black and white. You should have a clear understanding; but, all too often, life doesn’t work like that.
 
I feel like I am "living in the grey” with a couple areas of my life. Unsure of how to “fix” things. Unsure of what situations mean. As I sit there trying to come up with a logical answer as to why life goes a certain way, I am left with answers that still keep me in the grey. I get frustrated, sad, and sometimes angry. 
 
Jesus didn’t create this life for us and promise that things will always be black and white. Rather, he created this life for us to trust when things are far from black and white. And the foundation for this trust lies in the Bible. That is where the answers to our questions are written in black and white. It may not be the answer you want to hear. But it will be an answer that reminds you to keep going. To trust in His almighty power. To see that He will carry you through the grey — even when the grey seems to last longer than you originally planned.
 
When we immerse ourselves in the Bible, we are almost always better equipped to face the grey. So, today, I pray that those of you who are swimming in the grey will pick up the Bible and read the words written for us. He loves you. He cares for you. He will carry you through. He will fight for you. Be still and know that He is God, and He is working through you in more ways than you will ever know.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. - Psalm 118:6

Take a Moment

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Jacket: Madewell || Simliar jacket here & here || Top: H&M || Jeans: Madewell || Similar jeans Here || Watch: Nixon || Boots: BP

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate a good jacket. I mean, a good jacket keeps us warm on those cold days. A good jacket protects us from the elements. A good jacket holds our cell phone and keys without weighing us down. Yes, there is nothing better than a good jacket. This jacket from Madewell is cute enough to wear through the winter and spring. So, do not be surprised if you see me wearing it ALL the time these next few months.  

Sometimes, we just need to take a moment in our busy lives to figure things out. And, friends, I am currently in that season. If I am being totally honest, I have felt a little overwhelmed and even unmotivated on the blog front. Normally, ideas for posts flow through me like crazy; but, lately, I have really been struggling to even sit down to write. This is crazy to me because I usually want nothing more than to sit down and pour out my feelings on the keyboard of my Macbook. It has baffled me so much that I am now asking the question, “What’s my purpose?”
 
From past experiences, I have found that it is in these moments that God usually tries to tell me something… Something big that I might not expect.  Sometimes, the answer comes right away, and I can press forward with a new plan. Other times, the answer is to just keep doing what I am doing, but maybe a little differently. Either way, I know that I can’t find the answer by fighting the question. It is only through prayer and conversation with Him (and a whole lot of Trust with a capital T) that I am able to answer this crazy question.
 
I don’t know what the next step is for you; but, for me, I know that I need to spend some quality time with Jesus to figure out my next move. This doesn’t mean that I am going anywhere. I’ll still be right here blogging away! But I will also be figuring out OUR (meaning me and Jesus because we are a team) next move. If you are in a similar spot, I want you to know that it is okay to take some time to process, think, and pray about the next step in your life. We don’t have to have it all figured out! That is the beauty of this relationship with Christ. No matter where the path turns or how our desires shift, He will always be there to guide us in the right direction, which always leads to His heart.

I will put breath in you and you will come to life then you will know that I am the Lord. - Ezekiel 37:6

Leaving an Impact

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson 

Bag: Fashionable || Sweater: Leith || Similar sweater Here & Here || Jeans: Madewell || Similar jeans Here || Watch: Nixon || Boots: Target 

This Christmas, I unwrapped my first ever FashionABLE bag. I had been wanting a bag from this place for like… ever. In fact, when my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas, I was quick to tell him a FashionABLE handbag. His predictable response was, “What? Another handbag? Seriously?!?” Oh, but this one is so different than the rest. I mean, yes, it is still a handbag. But when I am carrying this bag, I know I am making a difference in someone else’s life. This bag gives a woman a second chance when she so desperately needs one. This bag gives a woman a job when no one else can. So, you see, it is so much more than just a bag. It’s an impact. 

This past weekend, my husband’s family celebrated the life of Ms. Peggy. For years, Adam thought Ms. Peggy was his great aunt. I even thought this was the case because whenever we got together as a family, Peggy was always there. I think she is related to us in some way, but not as Adam’s great aunt (bless him). Regardless, Ms. Peggy made everyone feel like they were part of her family, and that rang true on a frigid Saturday afternoon in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, when every seat at her church was full to celebrate her.
 
Most of the time, funerals are sad and confusing, but this one left me feeling hopeful and inspired, which is exactly what I think Ms. Peggy would have wanted. Ms. Peggy didn’t believe in going to just one church to learn about Jesus. As a result, she had several pastors speak at her funeral. As each pastor told various stories about Ms. Peggy, they all had one thing in common: Ms. Peggy carried the light… His light… no matter where she went. She yearned to know Jesus and understand Him. She wanted to give like He did – even with the little means that she had. Whether it was knitting scarves to give as gifts or baking goodies to make someone smile, she lived to love like Jesus. And she did it well.
 
While the stories were being told, laughs and tears of joy were seen throughout the congregation.  During that time, I started to pray, “Lord please let me leave an impact on the world like Ms. Peggy.” Of course, I will so miss her contagious happiness that she always brought to each event; but, I am so thankful for the reminder of her life that I can carry with me forever. A life for Him.
 
I hope that when you think about the year ahead, you think about how to live like Him. It doesn’t have to be some big thing. The littlest of acts can sometimes leave the biggest impact on a person’s life. And hopefully through those little acts, that person will come to know Jesus. I pray you find your way to love, and I pray you have someone as strong and giving as Ms. Peggy to be an example of how to leave an impact everywhere you go. 

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" - Jeremiah 29:13