Eyes Open to See His Kindness

This morning I remembered a prayer my old roommate and dear friend Laura Stafford and I prayed last August. Laura is one of my closet friends that challenges me and consistently encourages me to fix my eyes on Jesus, not myself, others or circumstances. She models this well. She asked if we could make a list of things to pray to hang in our bathroom. One of the first items on the list was to pray for God to open our eyes to see His kindness. We hung it visibly so that every time we went to the bathroom, we could look at the list and pray. I mean, everybody goes to the bathroom, so why not pray while you're doing it? Today I am blown away by the fruit of that simple prayer. Jesus has opened my eyes wide to see His kindness and I am amazed, humbled, honored and thankful all at once. 

Over the past few months, Jesus has been speaking sweet identity over me. One morning I heard Him say to be attentive to His affection. My heart has been in a really raw, vulnerable place with the Lord recently and I've entered into a sweet healing process with Him. And I have been radically changed by His kindness. He pays attention to every part of my heart. He is tender, sweet and gentle. He knows which coffee cup I love drinking out of in the morning. He knows that I love wearing stripes. He knows which shirt is my favorite. He knows that I love to make music videos. He knows which songs I listen to on repeat. He knows that I love wearing things in my hair. He knows the simplest details. Because He's attentive. Rather than thinking something is a coincidence, instead thank Jesus for it, believing He is just sweetly pursuing you and showing you His kindness. 

On Wednesday mornings I get together to pray with my sweet friends, Lindie & Carrie. This morning we all prayed to see His kindness. I also brought a request before the group. I have been asking the Lord for provision for this summer and for plans to fall into place. I am working at a camp in July but needed income for the first half of the summer plus am really believing for a month of refreshment. (Sidenote: the themes for camp this summer are holiday , which I'll obvi sport 4th of July apparel, and New Years, which is an excellent chance to bring out the glitter - two of my favorite things! Jesus so knew.) I have been asking the Lord for provision and for an opportunity to be refreshed/refueled. 

This afternoon I received an e-mail with a job offer that pays above and beyond what I could of asked for. Plus the job is only for 2 weeks and will be done before I leave to go to Wichita for my brother's graduation. Jesus provided the perfect job in the perfect time frame that pays abundantly more than I needed! Although I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing in June, I am confident that Jesus has refreshment for me! I was reminded of that prayer I prayed last semester and am blown away by the way Jesus has been answering that each day! He is truly opening my eyes to see His kindness. 

In Luke 12 Jesus says do not worry about where you're going to get your needs met, because "your father needs you need them. Instead, seek His Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." Let us seek Jesus and trust that it's His delight to give abundantly. 

Lo Bear & Megs Come to Lawrence

This weekend I had the pleasure of hosting my dear friends, Lauren Davis and Megan Shipley. Lauren has known me my whole life and we have walked through almost every season together until I transferred to KU. I met Megan my freshmen year of college and we've been friends ever since. These two know me so well. I feel so refreshed being around them! I have way too much fun with these girls. This weekend was the most fun, yet refreshing, but out of control weekend I've had all year! 

Once again I am amazed that Jesus knows what I need! He knows me better than I know myself and loves to provide for my every need. Over the past few weeks I have been needing refreshment and time to just release and have fun. Praise God that's exactly what He had for me last weekend! I couldn't help but laugh with the Lord this morning thinking about His sweet goodness in allowing these two friends to visit. I feel like when you are around people that know you really well it releases you to be vulnerable, silly and even a little out of control. :) 

When we risk with God he provides opportunities for us to be refreshed. It doesn't depend on us, so He calls us to rely on His strength while trusting He'll provide a way for us to keep saying yes. Man, that's huge revelation I've gotten this year. IT DOESN'T DEPEND ON ME. Praise God! Jesus is the one that holds all things together. NOT ME. Thus, risking with God requires trust in a God who faithfully meets every single one of our needs. 

Phillipians 4:19 says "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Believe in His provision. Even the simple things. Like refreshment & fun. 

(Megan took these pictures this weekend. Check out Megan's Blog!)

Proverbs 11:25 says "whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Thanks Megs and Lo Bear for refreshing me this weekend! Believing Jesus has refreshment for you as well!

Also, if you haven't checked out our  "Call Me Maybe" video, don't miss out!

Celebrating Friendship

Yesterday was my sweet friend, Emily Burge's birthday. So honored to know her! My life in Lawrence would be drastically different if I hadn't of met Emily! 

This girl loves Jesus. One of the most intentional, vulnerable, covering people I know. She encourages others and loves people out of compassion. She has one of the sweetest mothering hearts. 

So here's to Emily - she is so worth celebrating! 

As I reflect on her friendship, I am reminded of the kindness of God in my life. Since transferring to KU in January, I have been amazed at the ways Jesus has provided for me. He has gone before me in every way! Although one of the hardest parts of leaving Waco was moving far from friends, I have been extremely blessed by new friendships. When we risk with God, He takes care of us in every way. He covers every step and has gone before us even before we agree to saying yes. Thankful that Jesus has gone before me in this place and prepared this sweet friend to do life with. 

The First Risk

I've decided to start a new blog. Rather than sending out a monthly newsletter, I thought it'd be easier/more fun to blog instead. It seems the trendy thing to do these days is blog, so I thought I'd join. However, let me warn you - the blogs I've attempted to keep up in the past haven't lasted long. In fact, my last blog only lasted 3 posts. Thus, creating this blog was a risk. A rather small one, but a risk none-the-less.

What is risk? That is after all, what this blog seems to be about thus far. According to the online dictionary, to risk means "to expose someone or something valued to danger, harm or loss." Another definition I found was "the danger or possibility of loss". Several things contribute to risk. The first is that the outcome is uncertain. The second is that exposure is inevitable. Oftentimes the scarier the risk, the more implications the risk has. Because we weren't created as islands - each person affects others - the outcome then leads to exposure or even consequences, positive and negative.

Life is full of risk. Over the past year I have been so challenged by men and women in scripture who chose to say yes to God no matter the cost. Jesus himself even modeled risk. He was willing to risk all and invest everything in you and me so that we could find new life. I have been radically changed by this truth and am learning to risk with God, who knows the ultimate outcome. My life is in the hands of the Creator, who works for my good and fulfills the desires of my heart. Oh, He is good!

My goal in creating this blog is to recount the faithfulness of God in my life and to reflect on His sweet mercies. Every time I say yes to God, I get to see His character even more. Risk truly does breed intimacy with God. I hope this blog encourages you and points you to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Although I can't predict how often I will post, I hope to write more soon.