A Sweet Deal

Dress - Old Navy  Necklace - Laura Crawford Designs

As much as I love a good maxi dress, I love it even more when it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. This dress cost a total of… are you ready for this… $14. Seriously, that’s all. I found it at Old Navy. Yes, Old Navy.  And you should know that this store isn’t only about those Fourth of July t-shirts anymore. 

But, seriously, when I looked at the price tag, I was reminded of my good friend, who would have said, “Oh that means it’s free. It’s free.” I know, I know… It isn’t totally free, but when everything seems so expensive these days, it’s nice to catch a break every now and then. Plus, this dress is super easy and perfect to throw on for a summer day around town. Old Navy for the win! 

Do you know what else is free? The love Jesus has for you. Seriously, His love doesn’t cost you a single penny. You don’t have to sign up for an account. You don’t have to pay a monthly fee. He loves you so much that He paid the ultimate price for you to be free.

Because of the price Jesus paid for us, we can live an eternal life with him. It is crazy to think that He loves us so much that He was willing to give His own life just to save us. His love is free, but the peace you receive by accepting His love is absolutely priceless.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 1 John 3:16

My prayer for you today is that you understand the gift God has given you in His one and only son. I pray that this sort of love comforts you in the days to come – no matter what life throws your way. God’s love is the sweetest deal you will ever find. 

What do you want?

Shirt: VICI Jeans: TOPSHOP

Last weekend, we hosted our second Sunday in the Shed. I have to say, I think it went better than the first. And, yes, I am aware that I scheduled another Sunday in the Shed at the same time as the ending of a major golf tournament. Luckily, I only got one phone call this time asking if we would be watching the end of the golf match before beginning the service (contrast this with the 20 calls I got the first time around).

I was excited that at this latest Sunday in the Shed, we would be watching the live 6:30 service from Cross Point and that it would be the start of the new series, “Life With.” 

The first question asked in this message was, “What do you want?” A simple yet so incredibly deep question… and one that Jesus asked all the time to his people. What do you want?

What do I want? Well, I want a strong, consistent relationship with God. I want a healthy, happy family. I want a successful, life impacting career. I want a million dollars and a house in Rosemary Beach. Hey, you asked me what I want – just being honest here.  

While I can sit here and give you a list of goals and material items that I want (including a pair of these Steve Madden slip-ons), it is much harder to describe the relationship I want with Jesus. It shouldn’t be, but it is. What I do know is that I want a life where Jesus walks with me every step of the way… and I want to be able to acknowledge him through the journey. 

One of the underrated blessings of Jesus is that he has the ability to speak to each of us in different ways. For some, he may speak to you through music. For others, he may speak to you through relationships or words.  As we grow and transform in our lives, so too can our relationship with Jesus.

So, what do you want? What do you want your life with God to look like?

I want every Sunday in the Shed from here on out to be as awesome as the one we just had. I want to look around at my friends and see the peace in their eyes after hearing how much they are loved. I want to grow with them in our relationships with God, each at our own pace. That’s what I want.  

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23

Shift

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Top: Fab'rik - Shorts: Madewell - Shoes: Halogen 

I love a good night out with the girls. It is good for the soul to be surrounded by friends who feel like family. It’s even better when they make you laugh so hard that you basically get your ab workout in for the day. I wore this little number out to celebrate one of my dear friend’s birthdays last week. Super comfortable, yet just saucy enough to work for a night out with friends. 

When I dress for a night out, I have to shift my mindset. For example, I prepare for the fact that my feet will probably hurt by the end of the night. I recognize the need to wear more make-up (or, just make-up in general), and I dress a little differently from the everyday norm. It’s fun to change things up every once in a while!

This time of year, my focus always shifts. I go from spending each day focusing on my students and their growth, to spending more time focusing on my dreams and how I can pursue them. Sometimes a shift in focus is what we need to remember why we do what we do. 

In this season of life, I find myself not only shifting my focus in my personal life, but also in my faith. We all go through periods where our focus is on ourselves and not on God. We try to take control and do things on our own time – it’s totally the normal thing to do. But, isn’t it amazing how much better you feel when you shift your focus back to Him. You let all the worry, negativity, frustration, and drama escape to the point that you are left with just Him. Listening to God as He guides you through the next steps can be such a comforting emotion… And one we often forget until it happens again.

Where is your focus right now? Where do you want to grow? Who is walking with you on this journey?

Putting your faith in God can do wonders for your heart. It’s similar to how a night out with the girls can do so much for your soul. You just have to shift your focus…and maybe the height of your heels. 

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." - Psalm 16:8