There's a Lady at the Gym Who Hates Me

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Proverbs 31

There’s a lady at the gym who hates me. Well, okay… Not really. But, in Lysa TerKeurst’s book, Uninvited, there’s a lady at the gym who hates her for no “real” reason. Or, so she thinks. Because she allows the power of rejection to interfere with her heart of grace, she starts to believe the lady at the gym truly hates her. When, really, she probably doesn’t think much about her at all (those are Lysa’s words, not mine). Through this interaction, Lysa decides it’s time to “live loved.”
 
When you live loved, you surrender yourself to God. You put Him first in every encounter, action, and daily moment. You don’t do it in hopes for something in return. Rather, you do it because a life living loved offers the greatest gift of peace. “Living loved is sourced in your quiet daily surrender to the One who made you.” Living a life of love is something I want to do everyday; but, it isn’t an easy. 

You know what else isn’t easy? Running. There is nothing in this world that I have a love/hate relationship with more than running. I allow my mind to overtake my body and tell me over-and-over again to quit. It’s too hard. You’re too tired. You can’t do this. And for me, running is a lot like living a life loved. It feels impossible sometimes.
 
My sister is a runner. Unlike the rest of our family, she actually enjoys jogging for miles each day and participating in things like half marathons. I once asked her how she stays so focused mile-after-mile. I asked her how she is able to keep her mind from overtaking her body. She told me that for every mile, she picks a different person and prays for them. It helps her focus on her time with Him, while also pushing away the negative feelings that come when the run gets tough.
 
Living life loved is like running a marathon. It takes time, practice, planning, and patience. It involves serious commitment to devote each and every day to Him.
 
I’ve started using my sister’s running trick when I workout. Since I am not running miles, I try to pray for someone different every couple minutes or so. And you know what, it helps me live loved. It also helps me go that extra mile – not just in my workout, but also in my faith. So, however you need to live loved, I pray you find that first step. Maybe it’s devoting more time to him, or maybe it’s adding prayers to your run. Whatever it is, I pray that you will see that living loved is a life worth living.  

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

Fresh Courage

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Book: Val Marie Paper

While growing up, I used to think that every night before bed I had to write down my prayers. I honestly thought that if I didn’t write down my prayers, I wouldn’t go to heaven. For real. So, for YEARS, I would read a chapter from the Bible and write down every single prayer. I would literally start by saying, “Dear God, thank you for this day… and so on, and so on.” Nowadays, it is so entertaining to go back and read what I prayed about in high school. For that alone, I am very thankful for my prayer journals.

As I grew in my faith, I quickly realized that I didn’t have to write down my prayers for God to hear them. Now, I spend a lot more time talking to God rather than writing Him letters in my prayer journal. With that said, lately I have started to feel like I need to write to Him again. Not every prayer. Not every night. But write to Him, so I can be able to really communicate with Him… Without being distracted by one of the million things that distracts me on a daily basis.

Recently, I discovered Val Marie Paper and fell in love with her “oh so amazing” prayer journals. So, you can imagine my excitement when I opened a package from her with this gorgeous journal in it.
 
This isn’t just any prayer journal. This particular journal helps you look back on your life and see God’s presence through each season. By doing this, it reminds you of His faithfulness. Val writes, “It’s so easy to forget God’s faithfulness and this, I believe is one of our greatest reasons for fear.” How quickly do we let fear hold us back from taking the next step? How quickly do we forget that He is always there? But He has been there and He will continue to be there. No matter what.
 
Val Marie Paper has two similar, but different journals called Fresh Start and Fresh Hope. While these two journals will make perfect gifts for my loved ones this holiday season, Fresh Courage is what I need in my current season of life. I am looking forward to growing closer to Him; and, at the same time, recognizing the unbelievable love He has always had for me.

A Gift From The Heart

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

With the holiday season upon us, so comes the stress of finding that perfect holiday party outfit (or, several outfits depending on how many parties you plan to attend this year!). I love a good holiday party full of decorations, friends and, of course, food. I also love this dress from Fab’rik. The length, the lace, the RED. It’s the perfect holiday dress for all occasions. 
 
One event I look forward to with my friends every holiday season is our little game of “Dirty Santa.” And every year it starts out the same. As the first few gifts are opened, most people sit back and act content with their selections. At some point, however, a brave soul speaks up to say, “I want that one!” Just as the first gift is stolen away, the fun truly begins. The laughter and excitement of this night provide some of my favorite memories of the season. I love watching the looks on my friends faces as the gifts on the table are opened and/or stolen away.

During this year’s Dirty Santa, we are changing things up a bit. One of our friends suggested that we use this precious time together to give back to our community. Specifically, she suggested that we bring a little something for a child in need, such as a toy or coat, in addition to our Dirty Santa gift. Coming as no surprise, the group quickly fell in love with this idea; and, now, the night will take on even more significance for me.
 
What my friend doesn’t know is that her little suggestion will not only serve as a gift to the handful of kids that might otherwise get nothing this Christmas, but it has already served as a gift to me. You see, after a very trying day, I needed the reminder that things could always be worse. I needed the reminder that there are people who need much more than me. I am so thankful for her giving heart that completely shifted my focus today.
 
Of course, I am going to encourage you to give back to those less fortunate this holiday season. But, I am also going to encourage you to give back to the people you love. Not through your wallets, but through your hearts. A heart that loves like He loves you is one of the greatest gifts of all. I pray it is a gift you give and also receive all season long.

But I am like an olive tree growing in God's house, and I can count on His love forever and ever. - Psalm 52:8