February 07, 2017

Seasons of Confusion

February 07, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

Cape is old but similar styles here, here, and here || Top: Nordstrom || || Jeans: Madewell || Similar jeans Here || Watch: Nixon || Boots: Zappos || Similar boots here

When I think of winter, I think of snow. I also think of big fluffy jackets, warm winter boots, soft cozy mittens, and of course a gorgeous flow-y cape. Because of TV icons like Olivia Pope, the cape style is one that stands for elegance and power. I love to throw on a cape for any winter occasion. But this “winter” hasn’t really been the Tennessee winter I am used to. Instead of it being full on winter, our weeks have looked something like spring on Monday, Fall on Tuesday, Winter half a day Wednesday, and then Spring all over again for the weekend. Even though I will always pick sunny and 65 degrees over 32 and snowy, I am (slightly) missing those big snowfall wintery moments.

Like the weather, I am currently in a season of confusion. We all enter into one or two of these at some point in our lives. One day we are up, and the next day we are down. For some reason, this season of confusion is hitting harder than others. I am having a difficult time making sense of things. The cuts seem deeper. The mountains seem harder to climb. The rivers appear tougher to cross. I feel like I am constantly turning to God and saying “I just don’t understand.”

In this season, I have noticed myself doing the exact opposite of what I SHOULD be doing. I am turning away from Him instead of diving into His love. But, God has taught me something during this time of defiance from Him. Even when I wouldn’t listen to myself, He sent people to tell me to listen. They found me and said “just hand it over. Give it to God.” Some have even gone so far as to grab my hands mid rant and yell over me in prayer. I needed those people. I needed them to hold me up when I was too weak to do it myself. I needed them to remind me He is good. He is in control.

Each day, you will either be reminding someone of His strength or needing to hear it yourself. So who do you need to listen to today? Or who do you need to remind of Him? Whichever side of the relationship you are on, I pray you are able to give and receive the love He is trying to show you.

I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. - Genesis 28:15

January 24, 2017

Black and White

January 24, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

Cardigan: F ab'rik || Similar Cardigans Here, Here & Here || Jeans: Madewell || Similar jeans Here || Watch: Nixon || Boots: B P

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

January 17, 2017

Take a Moment

January 17, 2017/ Taylor Ann Dietrich

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.