Praise Worthy Wednesday

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On Wednesdays, we wear pink... and sing praise. Right? Oh who am I kidding. Wednesdays can sometimes feel like the longest day of the week. But despite the weekend still feeling so far away, we have lots to be thankful for. So, I am starting Praise Worthy Wednesdays. Each week, I will post a couple of things that I feel are praise worthy. My hope is that you, too, will stop and think about your praise worthy moments. Of course, my biggest PRAISE is for all of you who take time out of your busy days to come to this sweet little blog of mine. It means the absolute world to me! So, here we go! Let the praises begin. 

- Praise for an amazing Sunday in the Shed this past weekend. Loved hearing Steven Furtick's message on relationships -

- Praise for free Garth Brooks concert with the greatest of friends -

- Praise for the cutest pair of jeans that only cost $30 from Vinnie Louise -

- and Praise for this verse for getting me through the week. -

Up All Night

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I am a nap person. I live for a good afternoon nap. So, when I find a shirt that is soft enough to wear during one of these little naps, it is considered a win. This top is not only soft, but it also provides just enough warmth for this so-called fall weather we are currently experiencing in Tennessee. And since it comes from Hadley Rae Boutique, you know I’m going to say that the price can’t be beat. This look will be on her website tonight so be sure to check it out. 

Another secret of mine is that I don’t sleep well at night (which is probably why I need all the naps!). My mind races through the ENTIRE day’s events before even processing the concept of sleep. Yes, it is beyond annoying; but, unfortunately, it’s the way I am wired. Making matters worse is the fact that the nights where it seems as if my brain is never going to turn off are also the nights where I wrestle internally with whatever anger I have pent up throughout the day, weeks, or months.  In other words, these are the nights where the bad in my life seems to outweigh the good. My mind goes a millions miles a minute. My energy is so strong that I could probably get out of bed and run six miles (which I have NEVER done in my life) all out of frustration. And nights like this always leave me with a miserable, sleepy feeling the next morning.
 
In Genesis 32:22-23, we are told about the story of Jacob, who “wrestled with a man until the dawn began to break.” Of course, when you read the story, you quickly come to realize that Jacob is not wrestling with a man; rather, he is wrestling with God. He fights with God while attempting to understand His ways. It is through that fight that Jacob realizes he is blessed, sought after, and loved. He realizes that God has a path and plan for him and that he doesn’t need to be angry anymore.

Sometimes, we get so angry about situations in our lives that it overtakes our thinking. But when we allow that kind of anger to take over our mind—and even worse, our hearts—it is near impossible to see the peace that lies ahead. We all have negative thoughts and difficult situations that we wrestle with on a day-to-day basis. But if we hand even the smallest amount of these struggles over to God, we will quickly find moments of peace instead of moments of doubts. 

Love Your Life, Not Theirs

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A couple weeks ago, I celebrated my friend, Rachel Cruze, and the launch of her new book, Love Your Life, Not Theirs. We brunched at Josephine’s in my favorite 12 South neighborhood, sipped champagne, and indulged in some unbelievable food. It was so encouraging to be around a group of strong, hardworking women, who all came together to cheer-on Rachel in her newest adventure. At the end of the event, we were given this adorable sweatshirt from Friendly Southern. It is the softest sweatshirt, and the phrase couldn’t be more on point.
 
I love a good friendly southern talk. Give me a “bless your heart” and an “isn’t that darling” conversation any day. What I don’t love is feeling like I need to be as good as—or even better than—my sweet southern neighbor. It’s not just in the south, however. People everywhere are quick to lay on the pressure. And I’m not just talking about people on TV. It’s also our peers, our neighbors, and even the complete strangers we see on Instagram. It is EASY to fall into the “I don’t have it, I need it, because she has it” trap of life. Once you start down that rabbit hole, it is tough to find your way out.

In this blogging “side hustle” I’ve recently chosen for myself, I have to actively tell my brain to stop comparing my “blogger status” to others. I have to go as far as uttering the words, “Don’t worry, you are right where you should be.” I don’t want to be someone who compares myself with others, I want to be someone who celebrates others!
 
With that said, comparisons are part of life. We are all going to do it. But when these comparisons start to affect the way we handle our finances, we have a problem. This is where Rachel comes in. I love how she focuses on the fact that we all feel that “need to have” pressure and that it is not easy to ignore. In order to have the life you want someday, you have to take care of yourself today. Rachel does a fabulous job of not only giving you those tools, but also “telling you like it is.” In her book she writes, “When you get caught up in social media comparisons, you’re comparing yourself to make-believe. And when you compare yourself to make-believe your life will never feel good enough.” {insert mic drop here}
 
This book encouraged me to take a step back and really examine the way I am living my life. It helps you recognize not only the importance of having goals, but also the importance of taking the correct steps to achieve those goals. These steps might not seem like the fastest route, but they are the safest way to love the life that God has specifically designed for you.