What are you striving for...

Psalms 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God."

Striving is defined as making great efforts to achieve or obtain something; To struggle or fight vigorously.

God says don't do it. Stop struggling and fighting this. Know who I AM. Trust what I have for you --and that the things that are meant to be for you, will be yours because I will give them to you. He will bring you to them. It won't  be something you have to do...It's something He will do for you!

It's His promise, and with all promises they require action. Believe me ceasing to strive to do it on your own is an action.It's a HUGE one. It means "I give this to you, knowing you know best."
It's releasing our grasp on what is NOW so our hands can be ready to hold what is to come.

It's never easy but God is faithful, and there will never come a day when your hands are empty my friends. For even while we are waiting He places His hands in yours to hold.

Permission granted

I've learned that sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself is permission to not be perfect. There is no greater assault on your well being then constantly criticizing every choice, step and decision you make. It only rips at who you really are and makes you see every mistake as your FINISH line. Just because you fall doesn't mean you're done and just because you stop doesn't mean you can't start again! There is no time limit on where you have to be as long as you appreciate where you're at!!

It's not about you...

I have found no GREATER fulfillment, no GREATER joy, no GREATER honor then when my days are focused less on me and focused more on others. I think its why Christmas is my favorite time of the year, because for a season we all smile a little bigger, love a bit more and find joy in giving to others. It brings out the best in us for the most part. It INSPIRES selflessness, and putting others first. The reason you are here, the reason we are ALL here is to share our lives, our truths...OUR STORY. Who you are, where you been, and your dreams, those are the things ONLY you have. They have brought you HERE to a place where you MUST decide to either squander, squelch and hide your passions, your voice and your gifts OR to use them, nurture them and display them for the world. For when you LIVE your purpose that is place when miracles happen and lives get changed. We all were born with a purpose but there is a difference between HAVING A PURPOSE and being PURPOSEFUL. Which one will you be??

And one to grow with....

Kids rooms are some of the hardest rooms to stay organized. Can I get an AMEN?!
It seems like from birth kids just come with so many things and it doesn't stop as they grow.
That's why I love being able to have a system in place that works from DAY 1 and can grow with mine. Best of all it can be personalized to fit my needs now and then adjusted to fit THEIR needs when they get older. It's just a great everyday solution.

From bins and caddies to organize the little things and keep them within arms reach to pockets and cubes for things that need to be stored a bit higher. Everything has it's own place...well at least until they start crawling right? LOL

Did I mention that you can personalize most everything? I love the chalk panels on my pockets and cubes because as fast as my daughter grows things are constantly changing. I'm just thankful I have something that can change with us.

Divine Appointments

Everyday is full of DIVINE APPOINTMENTS. People you were meant to meet, places you were supposed to be, words that were meant to be spoken.

YOUR LIFE IS NOT HAPPENSTANCE

 Every second was written, carefully planned to the last detail. A story orchestrated to bless you and others. Don't be in such a hurry that you miss out on these opportunities. Be thankful in every circumstance, in the delays, in the "missed moments". The truth is there is no such thing as a wasted moment if you are looking for the opportunity and blessing that lies within each one.  It lies within the MOMENT you step outside of YOURSELF and see those around you -- because you never know whose life you might be changing today or what far reaching effects your presence has.

Afterall, YOU were made for such a time as this...

I wanted MORE...

Here's the truth: I'm SELFISH. For years I asked, begged and cried for a life different then the one I had. It wasn't that I didn't love my life the truth is I WANTED MORE.

You know that feeling of knowing what you're made for, of never questioning if who you are was ALL you were meant to be. That peace that says, "This is what you were meant to do."

For years I beat myself up, and felt guilty I struggled with feeling ENOUGH, with feeling like there had to be MORE. I didn't know where or how to start all I knew is I had a deep ache to give and do more than I was. 

I had no idea when I began  my journey with Thirty-one, with what I thought was just a way to feel like I was "contributing" to my family that I would find exactly where I belong. Isn't it funny how often in our search for one thing we find something greater?!

I mean I knew I wanted to impact lives and to touch hearts but I kept feeling like who was I to try?

That's when God explained something so simple to me.

"Who was I NOT to try?" 

He had placed those desires, dreams and things in me because I was the person He chose to tell MY story. He didn't give my experiences, my voice, or my passions to someone else-- He gave them to me!

Those dreams, desires...the things that set your soul on fire are within you for a reason. You never know whose world you WILL change...or where your dreams WILL take you, but rest assured it's somewhere far GREATER than you could ever imagine.

I know... mine brought me here.

Decisions Determine Destiny

The greatest challenge you will face is loving yourself RIGHT NOW - exactly where you are. No pretense, no judgements just total acceptance that THIS PERSON is an essential part to becoming ALL you were made to be. No less important than the person you were yesterday but MORE important than the person you will be tomorrow. Because TODAY you hold in your hands what will shape and mold that person. That is why TODAY is so extremely priceless. It shapes our tomorrows.

Everything you want is waiting on the other side of Fear...

Have you ever considered that the things that you are most afraid of doing are the very things that will set you FREE?

What if your fear of speaking in public is there because you were created, destined and designed to reach millions with your story?

What if your fear of loving someone is because out there waiting for you is someone who not only needs to be loved like you do but would love you like you've never known?

What if the fear you have of trying one more time is there because you are on the verge of something amazing?!

What if our fears are just hiding our GREATEST talents, our GREATEST gifts-- the GREATEST blessings?

What would you do? 

Better yet... What COULDN'T you do?!!