Renewal.

I'm beginning to feel a renewed passion and excitement to create things. Sometimes I wish I went through college to just learn, instead of feeling like it was a vital need to just get an education so I could work to have money. I never really felt like I was raised with the knowledge to be a life time learner. It's not that I've knowingly gone through life with that thought, but I didn't grow into the habit early enough in life to know that listening or practicing to something once is not enough. I've learned the hard way that repetitiveness works for me. I can't fully retain knowledge, let alone stories once, and be able to tell them right back. I'm terrible with giving directions, and taking standardized tests. There are just things I know I'm not good at. The problem is that I need to spend more time making lists of things I wish to learn more about, do those things, and repeat. I was thinking today as I was driving to work, how little time we really have here on Earth. How little time we have to make an impact in life. Not to impress people, but to glorify God, spend time deep in prayer, to give our all, to encourage, love, bring peace and kindness. To create, accomplish, try, seek, believe in ourselves and others.

I know that my walk with Christ cannot be lived in a one time listener type of way. Even as a believer, I am consistently being washed clean by the pure blood of Christ, and to be repenting my sinful heart and actions daily. 

It took a one time death of The One to cleanse me, but I must repent of it all, each day and strive to live like Christ. I cannot read a verse in the bible once and be convinced I am never to read it again. Have you ever come back to a verse you know you've read, because it seems to ring so beautifully in your ears, and flow like refreshing waters? What a feeling!

I feel this need to leave Facebook. Everytime I look at the news feed, I find myself reading things that don't need to fill my brain. Sure I love people, and reconnecting, but am I really using it as a tool? I don't think I've convinced myself to leave it completely, but just to have less to do with it. To place more time and brain power into time with my husband, to create things, market my business and be productive. I'm not saying I spend hours upon hours staring at what suzie, bobby, and billy are doing at the moment, but to take away those few moments a day, maybe I could think a little clearer, and put more care into things that need my attention and focus. I'm not trying to convict anyone of their use of FB, but this is my own belief for what works for me in my life. 

I feel like my time management, energy, and attitude could use a makeover. To look towards the positive, to things on my plate, the people in my life, the Lord of my life...and to wait patiently through the hard times knowing that my God is orchestrating something beautiful. I may not hear it the music, but oh to give Him all the glory, to sing Him a new song! 
Oh how He Loves us.

Only by His Love,

Lindsay

ten, eleven, twelve...

You know, it's hard to keep up on this. I love the internet, but yet I hate it...because it is such a distraction from real life. There, I said it. Sorry to be a debbie downer about it. A lil' truth aint gonna hurt ya.

The past three days I have still been thankful, and they are as follows...

10. I am thankful for family.

I love gathering together, I love the traditions we do together for the holidays, I just love having them close.

11. I am thankful for good health.

I remember my Mom calling me a miracle baby. When I was two years old, I was in the hospital for months with Gillian Barre Syndrome, that paralyzed me from the neck down. Thank the good Lord that it wasn't a permanent disorder or disease. I'm thankful where I am today, and believe my life would be very different if I were unable to stand on my own two feet. 

12. I am thankful for God's plan for my life.

Though I wish I could see the line of the path right now, I know that if I trust in Him, He will lead me beyond what I can imagine.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters"

Psalm 23:2

Number 8 and 9. Thankfulness.

The Lord is so good. He's kind of sneaky too...which to me, shows He is humorous. 

It feels like the good things come out of no where, without any notice beforehand, after having a few hard weeks, which makes the wait so worth it. And this shows me that we are being held in His hands. 

It isn't always easy having a childlike faith...I over complicate and over think things. 

There's nothing we can do to make Him love us more. He just Loves us, with a deep mercy and grace we can never fully comprehend. 

And all He asks is for us to Love and worship Him. 

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

8. I am thankful for the Lord's timing.

This past week I've been re-thinking my business and whether I've been doing the right thing. Of course I've only had my massage therapy business running for a little over a month. I told myself beforehand that it wasn't going to be easy to get people in the door right away. But once I was in the middle of making calls, and spending days sitting in my office for a walk-in, I began to worry that all my hard work was amounting to nothing. I know this has been a season of learning patience. Patience throughout every part of my life, whether it be at my work, my new business, saving money for Matt and I to live in our own space, etc.

I know God is teaching me to rely upon Him in everything, practically and mindfully. And I know that there is nothing I will be put through that I can't come out of if I rely upon Christ. 

This week I had two clients in one day. Praise God!

9. Today I am thankful for friendship.

This is one of the things I am so sure of; The Lord has blessed me with friends. I've heard that you're blessed if you have 5 really close friends or less throughout your lifetime. I feel blessed that He's brought  such wonderful friends into my life. I think of the way they've been weaved through my life, such as one friend leading me to meet a group of friends that held my future husband and has been such an encouragement to me 6 years strong. Another friend who has witnessed such growth in me from a teenager that though we live miles away from each other, when we see each other, I feel that foundation of friendship of the past and we talk with ease.

Thank you Lord for friends. I know that I could not go through this hectic life without them. 

With Love,

Lindsay

Two more...

I figured I would stray behind on this Thankfulness list. Fhew...

Does anyone else feel like the days have gotten shorter?

I suppose they feel like they do since it's dark by 5:00 p.m. now.

There is not enough time in the day anymore for me 


but to have any time at all, I am thankful.

Because you know, if the days were too long...I could be complaining how work lasts forever.

Onto Thankfulness...

6. I am thankful for God's provision over my life.

The past few weeks have been tough for me. My mind has just felt so boggled by stress, business, work, church, and trying to fit everything else in that matters so much. 

I stop and think, "Where has all the time gone? I need more time to rest." 

I realize how much I've been staying under a gloomy cloud. Feeling like I don't even want to think of my worries or hear encouragement about my current adventure because it reminds me of how I may not be fit for it. But I have got to tell myself; "you can do it! 

Why do you doubt yourself so much? Why are you giving up so easily?...

Give it all to God." 

Let go of your worries and trust in Him.

2 Corinthians 9:8"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work"

Philippians 4:19"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

...onto the next on my list.

7. I am thankful for a God who needs nothing from us; We need everything from Him; 

He longs for us to just worship Him.

This statement I've read or heard this week within the last couple of days a few times. I think I might have needed the reminder that I have been relying too much on myself for the things I need. 

When I go through a day without scripture, it is harder to survive throughout the day. 

It is hard to have hope or to be in the right mind set.

When I haven't taken the time to immerse myself prayer, 

I understand that I'm headed into a battle of a day I can't win on my own.

Romans 12:1-2  

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Galatians 2:20 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

James 4:8 

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…"

With Love,

Lindsay

Thankfulness day five.

Can you imagine this Earth without nature? I cannot imagine life flourishing without it. 

Maybe the earth would look like the moon. No color, no life, no resources, no nothin'.

What a scary thought.

5. Today I am thankful for nature. 

The Lord has blessed us with colors and creations that come only from His paint brush. 

Creatures that we could have never imagined to exist. 

Thank you Lord for providing a land of resources and beauty.

"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl"
Psalm 148:5-10

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth."
Psalm 104:14

"But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons.
He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy."
Acts 14:17

With love,

Lindsay

Thankfulness is a year round thing...

But, since Turkey day is on it's way, (while I'm listening to Christmas music..) I'm seeing the tradition of thinking of something you're thankful for each day until Thanksgiving Day on Facebook and it's reminded me to do the same. I believe with all the commotion and stress that has been going on in my life, I need to take time each day to verbally and mentally say "I am thankful for_______." 

God calls us to not just think, but go do! 

Romans 12:13-16

" Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are."

Since I am behind, I should list 4 things I'm thankful for.

Starting with this precious man in my life...

1. I am thankful for my husband Matthew.

I am so very thankful for the depth he has. He is deeply encouraging to me. He never lets me leave his side when I am angry, even if it is with him; he just won't have it until things are resolved and talked through. Even though at times this makes me frustrated, I am indeed very very thankful for this characteristic he carries. He gives me peace and understands me more thank anyone I know. He sees things I cannot and helps me to bring my darkness to light. 

He is a wonderful spiritual leader for our family.  I trust his judgement and the decisions he makes. He is humble and gentle. He leads me to the Lord, always.

Oh yeah...and he's funny too

2.  I am thankful for community. 

We can't go through life on our own. God doesn't expect us to. We must cling to the Lord foremost, but reach out to one another, through hospitality, prayer, and accountability. Jesus was surrounded by others throughout His life on Earth.

Beginning in Acts 2:42 and following, we community here...

"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and good, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

3. I am thankful for a home.

Matt's family has been so gracious to us, by letting us live with them for over a year now while we are getting on our feet financially. I can feel progress and the Lord will provide a home of our own soon. I can feel it. We just need to be patient in waiting and be reminded we live in a big warm home, with food in our bellies, and a warm bed to sleep in at night. We live with a family who loves and cares for us, who understands our struggle and needs; a fun and loving family who we enjoy spending time with. And it's even better during the Holiday season, to be so close to people you love so much.

4. I am thankful for freedom in Christ.

I'm so thankful that the Lord gives us freedom in Him. Freedom from the things of this world that do not fulfill us nor complete us.

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.
But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."
Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

"We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped."
Psalm 124:7 (NIV)

"Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace."
Romans 6:14 (NLT)

Until tomorrow with Love,

Lindsay