Month: August 2016

Your journey begins with a single step.

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“At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently…” Isaiah 26:9

A friend of mine was describing her new hobby of meditation. She was talking about the weirdness of trying something new and the constant feeling that you’re doing it wrong. We talked about the different styles of mediation, and she mentioned that she needed the guided sessions because sitting in silence made her nervous. She said that it was hard to talk about because other people think she’s crazy for trying it. Have you ever felt that anxiety of trying something new?

Throughout the conversation, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my faith journey. Continue reading →

Voice of truth.

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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

I remember the day that I had to write my first client email without the approval from my boss. I was terrified to say the least. I had read, and reread the email at least ten times. I was second-guessing my word choices. Did it sound formal enough without sounding stiff? Would my stomach hurt if it was actually the “right” email? At that moment, I realized that I was legitimately having an emotional breakdown about six sentences. It shouldn’t take 30 minutes to write an email.

I realize that this isn’t the biggest crisis in the world. But it did trigger a profoundly beautiful realization in my life.

Continue reading →

Wearing Masks.

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“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace.” Romans 5:1.

Sometimes I feel like Mulan. I feel the need to hide myself and the flaws that society dictates about my person. But more than that, this mask is a way to please. The mask allows me to become stronger. This illusion is as much a symbol of my lack in confidence as it is a sign of wanting to make my Father proud.
Have you ever felt that you have to put on an act for God?

Walk with the wise.

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“Walk with the wise and you become wise, but the companion of fools fares badly.” Proverbs 13:20

Growing up, my basketball coach would tell us that we needed to practice how we were going to play. This idea that walking through the motions wouldn’t make us better, but putting in everything we got would. So we would practice against the older team regularly. Every week we would scrimmage the older girls and get our butts kicked, and every week we worked hard and tried to beat them. Without success.

It was frustrating, and felt fruitless. Until we played our first official game. We out-hustled, out-scored and out-played our competition. Practicing against more advanced players helped us to improve drastically and play with confidence.

We walked with the wise. We became wise. Continue reading →

Let Go, Let God.

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“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42

Let go and let God. I love the simplicity of that phrase, but wish it was as simple in practice. It can be hard to believe that He works all things together for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), especially when an innocent life is caught in crime or a family member gets sick. Continue reading →

Jesus is my superhero.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

I was obsessed with Lisa Leslie growing up. I wanted to be just like her. She was an amazing basketball player, the best teammate, and was always positive. Leslie taught me the importance of a good work ethic, sportsmanship, and courage. Of course the fact that she was popular, and one of the most accomplished women athletes at the time didn’t hurt either. In my eyes, Lisa Leslie was a superhero. She symbolized an opportunity for me to achieve sports greatness. (No, I’m not currently in the WNBA in case you were wondering.) Continue reading →

Father, you know me.

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“With all of my ways, you are familiar.” Psalm 139:3

Growing up, my mom would always say that she knew me better than I knew myself. She could predict when I would get mad, the dinner I would choose from the menu, or my reaction to a gift from my grandmother. It would creep my out how well she knew me.

In reality, I am probably one of the most predictable people ever. While my mom might claim to know me better than myself, God truly does. He knows everything about me. Continue reading →

I’m Gonna Let It Shine.

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“Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness.” Luke 11:35

I don’t know about y’all, but “This Little Light of Mine” was my JAM when I was six. I would scream-sing it around the house for hours on end. It’s catchy, right? Letting your light shine, showing the world who you are and whose you are.

In a world overcome by darkness–racism, mass shootings, terrorism, war, famine–that simple idea of ‘letting our light shine’ gets more complex by the day. How can we sing of goodness when our hearts are breaking? Or when it’s easier to sit in despair? Or when our anger consumes our thoughts and hate rests on the tip of our tongues? Continue reading →

Wonderfully Made.

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“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 149-13-14

God knew us before our mothers’ womb. He knew us before we were even a thought. We have been wanted throughout our history regardless of parentage or current circumstance. We were NEVER an accident or mistake. We were not unscheduled or unplanned. We have always, and will always be wanted—despite how we may feel now. Continue reading →