MAY LINK-UP: THE CIRCLE

It's time for the May link-up with The Circle. I just started participating with Kiki and The Circle in March, sharing with all my readers the inspiration behind my blog name. I found that this is a great way to meet other bloggers and also participate in this great community! 

For the month of May, everyone is teaming up to share their own version of a Spring Moodboard, which is simply an arrangement of images that show a particular style or concept. For me, it's simply everything I've been in love with with this spring which ranges from free printables to scripture downloads to decor for my new home to my treasured Journaling Bible. I think my favorite item that I will be able to personally share with my readers is the She Reads Truth Study -"Open Your Bible" which was a free PDF that is no longer available on their site. It's such a great Bible study for individuals in every season! This board simply shares with you all the things I've been loving lately.

1. Wire Basket Decor  2. Notebooks  3. DIY Tulip Wreath  4. Fabric Tassel Bookmark  

5. Coffee Mug Holder 6. Bible Study Tools 7. 'Love Is' Printable  

8. 'The Mingling of Souls' Book  9. Keychain  10. SRT Bible Study > e-mail me for a free pdf of this

11. Printable Meal Planner  12. Fresh Flower Decor  13. 'I will sustain you'  14. ESV Journaling Bible  15. Coffee Mug

I hope you, too, will join in on this link-up! Share the image below on your post and be sure to link up here.

MY SIGH IS NOT HIDDEN

Oh Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 38:9 ESV

Another semester has come to an end, along with a deep sigh of relief. The light at the end of the tunnel seems so much brighter with three semesters of Nursing school behind me and one more to go before I graduate. It's a breath of fresh air when you take your last exam. It's like my head is finally above the water, until the next semester of course. But still, it's like I can breathe again.

I've wondered, especially after reading this verse in Psalm, why do we sigh? I know it's different for everyone. Just as every other process of the body it's individualized in that specific situation. To me, it's like a reset button, physically and mentally. I sigh and I suddenly feel like, "Okay, I just might make it through this" or I can finally begin to accept the situation I'm in. It's the turning point, whether positive or negative. Throughout this journey of school and planning a wedding, I know there have been countless times that I've sighed.

I sigh in despair & sadness. I sigh in exhaustion. I sigh in awe & happiness. I sigh in relief. 

I sigh in the unknown. I sigh for reasons I don't even know about.

I throw all my wants, desires, cravings at the cross. I demand, I question, I argue, I sigh in the absence of my own patience and He never fails to listen to the small, hushed breath that comes from my lips. Not only does he know our every thought, hears our cry, sees our tears, smiles at our joy, listens to our anger, feels our pain -- he hears our sighs. Not one of them goes unnoticed. What love, that even our quietest sigh is heard from our almighty Savior! Take these few verses below and remember that not even your sighs are hidden from Him. He is always loving you, fighting for you, and pursuing you.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

Click here for a free download!

Also, don't forget to join in on Kristin Schmucker's Scripture Challenge this month with #lampandlight!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.refiningthewildgrapes.blogspot.com" title="Wild Grapes"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PzYJl3G57w_h8marLfyfpCBZx4Rz1ITrtiKRt_MQ78lqbr0bigLe3GhWOsytwOGTSQRUqpQ4s6aAF4qy2dGFEyKcoFQpDuhevx7A4XlwswY7JxyPV4Oo4gTTnatmnEHgbT-E_c6h-ro/s1600/Picture1.png" alt="Wild Grapes" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

NO, NOT ONE

I've had this verse on my mind today after reading it on yesterday's She Reads Truth "Bible in a Year" Plan. I want to share this truth with you and give you the same encouragement it provided for me.

Joshua 21:45 ESV
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Even though this was in the Old Testament and referenced for the people of Israel, I believe it still holds up today. Not one of His promises will ever fail. Through any discouragement you've felt on this first day of May, hold fast to this thought. Whatever He has promised to you, He will bring to pass.

I pray strength over you as you're reading this; I pray patience for the journey before you; I pray the faith needed to overcome is instilled in you. Because not one of His promises will ever fail, no, not one.

I'm very excited to share with you the start of Kristin Schmucker's May Scripture Challenge. It was such a great way to connect and share scripture last year and this year will be even better. Want to join in? Read more about her challenge here, use the button + code below to share in your posts and make sure to use #lampandlight if you're on social media. I'd love to keep up with your posts so add your link down in the comments and I'll be sure to check them out!  I can't wait to keep up with everyone's scriptures! 

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.refiningthewildgrapes.blogspot.com" title="Wild Grapes"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PzYJl3G57w_h8marLfyfpCBZx4Rz1ITrtiKRt_MQ78lqbr0bigLe3GhWOsytwOGTSQRUqpQ4s6aAF4qy2dGFEyKcoFQpDuhevx7A4XlwswY7JxyPV4Oo4gTTnatmnEHgbT-E_c6h-ro/s1600/Picture1.png" alt="Wild Grapes" style="border:none;" /></a></div>