The Prodigal

Hello friends, it’s been awhile, an entire year to be exact. It was never my intention to just stop blogging, to completely neglect this piece of me. If I’m honest, it all became a duty instead of a delight. I physically, emotionally and spiritually became overwhelmed. I had lost my appetite for the Word. And still, I found myself filled with too many earthly things that left me craving for more.

I had settled.

I settled for the pain. I settled for the heartache, for the stress. I became a victim of my own doing. I believed this was how my life was going to be. I believed that neither I, nor God, would be able to change the way I felt.

But Jesus is even more patient then we are sinful (d. mathis) and I realized it was time to get back to my roots, to rebuild my foundation on my Savior. It was time to make room for the good things. It was time to draw nearer, to dive once again into the Word, to talk with Him. I firmly decided it was time to spend my time with the ”God” things.

As James 4:8 ESV so simply states,

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you

So I’m here. I’m back to where it all began, where my heart is poured into this thing I like to call a blog. Where I share with you my good days and my bad days; the beauty in failures; and the unrelenting mercy of God calling his prodigal daughter back to Him. Never settle and never forget who your foundation is built on. 
Let's continue on this journey.. together.

Mary's "Yes"

   

Happy 2016, friends! I hope you were able to ring in the new year with great friends and family. I've enjoyed reading through all the resolutions and goals you've set for the year. 

So what do I want to work on changing? Saying yes. So many times in 2015 Ive caught myself lacking trust and saying no to things that God was asking of me. Was it lack of faith? Fear? Laziness? I know it was a little bit of each yet when we give up, He is always persistent. 

In Luke, Mary had just been given probably some of the scariest news she would hear: she was going to give birth to baby Jesus who "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:31). Instead of running in fear she stood in faith. Not knowing what she would endure but knowing she had a God who would bring her through it. 

Luke 1:38 ESV

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. 

Mary's "yes" is a pure example of her humble obedience throughout her life. She simply said "let it be." So now it begins, on the first day of a brand new year, say "yes" in 2016. Say "yes" to new challenges He brings your way. Say "yes" to what you postponed last year. Say "yes" when you feel that persistent tugging on your heart. Say "yes" to Jesus. 

What are some of your other resolutions for the year?