Not Today

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Sweater: Nordstrom

I am already obsessed with two things this fall: sweaters and lace-ups. This little number just so happens to be a combination of both. It’s the perfect amount of warmth with just enough detail. I will immediately bust out this sweater the second the temperature becomes even the slightest bit appropriate. While we were not there today, this sweater’s day will come soon enough. And I can guarantee that once it does, a trip to Starbucks will come with it.  
 
Speaking of Starbucks, I could have used about twelve cups of coffee to get through this day. From the moment I woke up, to the moment I returned home, absolutely nothing has gone as planned. I could go through the list, but I am sure that y’all have had similar days and know exactly what I mean. Today, I have been constantly reminded of the phrase, “Today is not my day.” 

By the time I arrived at my workout class this evening, I was ready to put the negative effects of the day behind me. Brush off the worries while sweating through some hot yoga. I was excited for a good workout that would refocus my mind. I quickly found out, however, that my class—my avenue for refocusing—wasn’t going to go as planned either. In fact, it wasn’t going to happen at all. AWESOME. Just my luck. So, to attempt to make the best of the situation, I went to the gym for a quick run instead… Only to find out that I didn’t have my headphones. And you can guess what followed next: a loud, “Today is NOT my day.” 

At that point, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like God whispered in my ear, “You’re right. It’s not your day. It’s my day.” Through all the hustle and disappointments, I realized that I hadn’t once considered what God’s plan might have been for my day. Even worse, I didn’t thank Him for the good moments. Sometimes in life, the greatest blessings are mixed in with the moments we don’t plan for. These are blessings we don’t want to miss simply because we are having a bad day.
 
Today and every day is God’s day. He created each day for you to live out his plans for you and those around you. So, as you set out today, I pray you will remember that “this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice.” – Psalm 118:24

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