Heart Stirrings.

{Via}

Hey sweet friends! So I have avoided writing on the topic of Valentines Day since I wasn't really sure what to say. I honestly I have also been avoiding talking about marriage on this space and the way in which the Lord wrote my love story because I have been afraid of upsetting so many single girls who may be struggling with discontentment. I remember being in that situation and really the last thing I want is for someone to interpret my joy as 'rubbing it in' over where God has you in your love story.

Yet, I also don't know if I am doing any single girls service by not talking about how the Lord scripted our story. Because while waiting one of the most precious things was hearing how others waited on the Lord for an answer on who He had for them, struggled through the trials while waiting but saw joy in the end, and hearing about how He had orchestrated a love story. Yes, there may have been a little tinge of jealousy. But at the end of the day, it was so encouraging to hear how someone else had waited on the Lord and watched Him fulfill His promise of having perfect plans. It gave hope knowing He had perfect plans for me also.

All that to say, my heart is in encouraging others in purity, waiting and pointing others to Jesus. Falling in love with Him and learning that He is your first love. At the same time, I don't want to be ungrateful for the beautiful love story He scripted in my life by not sharing it to encourage others. So if I do share I want you all to know my heart in this. To encourage you that our God is in the business of writing individual beautiful romances.
So maybe it is finally time to share our love story with you friends. I'm not planning on doing that this evening, but maybe in the near future I will share how I found myself married to my sweet husband in a story that couldn't have been written by anyone other than our God.

So all that said.

I wanted to share a little about Valentines Day. Not because its a special day, but I think that often these holidays have a way of reminding us how we should be cherishing relationships throughout the rest of the year. I totally agree that we should be loving our spouses and family members on a daily basis.
Yet I find my heart stirred on this 'special' occasions almost as though they serve as beautiful reminders to keep cherishing what we should be cherishing. How an anniversary, valentines day or birthday can remind us to see the blessing that another person is in our lives. How Christmas can point us to worship because of God's gift of His son. Something we should worship Him for daily, but Christmas serves as that wonderful reminder to help us, same for Easter when we focus on the Cross. So its not that these holidays are the only day we do these things, but at least for me they help my heart. Help me focus on what I should be focusing on, worshiping God and counting Blessings in life.

Our Valentines Day wasn't particularly eventful. But it was time where we could get dressed up, go out to dinner, enjoy seeing each other delight in little cards and gifts. And have that reminder that we should cherish each other. Whether its with a spouse or your family, its a great reminder to love one another and something we can do no matter what relationship status we are in.

Every year on Valentines Day I return to the same article written quite a few years ago now. I wanted to share my post from last year here again:

This is perhaps more of an {On My Heart} post, but since it is Valentines Day, I thought it appropriate to share an article I return to every February 14th since reading it a few years ago.

It was written by a wonderful Sister-in-Christ who shared what the Lord taught her while she was praying through her ideal husband.

Having written a similar list myself (when I was 16), I am a huge advocate of this idea. Being able to prayerfully consider what qualities you desire your husband to have (and even from yourself before you get married).

Then pray and ask the Lord to help grow your future husband in these ways.

When a guy then comes into your life and doesn't display these qualities, trust the Lord that this may not be the guy for you.

If he is, the Lord will show you.

I found this super helpful as it showed me any 'red flags' in a guy and helped keep my heart in the right place when meeting someone who I was taken with.

With that in mind, this sweet girl was praying through her list of qualities and felt that the Lord was answering her:

I prayed for a man committed to God.

Jesus smiled, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

I prayed for a man that would be a spiritual leader.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man cometh

to the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

I prayed for a man of high standards and integrity.

 “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.”  I Peter 2:22

I prayed for a man of the Word.

 “I am the living Word, and

I came to live with you.”  John 1:14

I prayed for a man that knew how to be a servant.

 “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”  Philippians 2:7

I prayed for a man that was full of spiritual life.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

I prayed for a man of faith and prayer.

Then I watched with amazement as He went out and spend all night in prayer...for me!  Luke 6:12

I prayed for a man that would provide for my needs.

He not only fed the five thousand long ago, He also feeds me today! Mark 6:41, Philippians 4:19

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone to look up to spiritually.

 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for a man that knew how to love others...even the unpleasant outcasts.

Jesus replied, “In that while you were all yet sinners [the lowest outcast],

I died for you.”  Romans 5:8

I prayed for someone that would help me walk closer to God.

And the more I got to know him, the closer I drew to God.  Psalm 23, Matthew 6:33

 {Adapted from The Perfect Valentine, Set Apart Girl Magazine, Feb 2009, Used with Permission}

What a beautiful reminder sweet friends, that all we desire in a relationship can be found in our first love.

In Christ alone. He alone satisfies.

Not even an earthly relationship compares.

Life is not more satisfying once you have a husband in your life.

He alone satisfies our every need.

Valentines Day is a day we can spend remembering our Love for the Lord. 

Don't get depressed, remember His promises on this day.

He has beautiful plans for you and longs for relationship with you.

If you want a love story today, start an eternal one with your prince. 

He won't let you down.

You are loved more than you will ever know, sweet friends!

Much Love,

L

Sharing Our Stories: Oh How I Love Jesus, Because He first Loved me.

Many years ago, I sat in the pew of the church shaking a little as I listened to my summer camp group leader talk about what it meant to love Jesus. What it meant to become a ‘christian.’ I read through the little booklet in my hand and wondered what there was to question as I understood the bullet points it had.

• I Believed that I had done bad things in my life
• I Believed that God was perfect
• I Believed Jesus had died on the cross for me to restore relationship with God as I had done these bad things
• I wanted my life to change, to live my life for Jesus instead of me

I told my leader I wanted to pray the prayer that followed as I understood and wanted to make the commitment. I tried to make it not a big deal, but I sensed there was something big happening. She prayed with me and together we signed a date. 

I was only six years old at the time.

I was so fortunate to have grown up in a Christian home. I had two parents who introduced me to Jesus, took me to church and youth group. They were pretty strict about the upbringing of me and my sister and showed us we were loved. I never doubted the existence of God as a child, He was real to me. Looking back, I believe that I really did understand all those bullet points in the little booklet at six years old. But I still did not understand that last one. I signed that booklet and yet continued on as though everything was the same.

It wasn't until I was thirteen and realising how much I had tried to live life in junior high for my friends and for the acceptance of those around me, that I truly started to understand the concept of living for Jesus. 

That daily choice of choosing to do something to show His love to someone, instead of doing something because it makes me look good.

So one night during worship at youth group in a new city, with new people all around me, in a new place...this realisation came to me and I signed a commitment to rededicate my life to Christ. 

To Live for Him this time instead of me. 

At first it was effort to worry less about what people thought, to walk down the halls of my school and realize that as long as I was following Jesus, I probably would not be popular here. 

And over time that became ok. 

The Lord gave me an incredible sense of His love and peace. He brought friends into my life who shared my love for Him, friends who encouraged me and challenged me to grow in my walk with Him. Not many of these in my school setting.

Finally after a relationship with a guy that I desperately wanted to happen didn't work out towards the end of high school, I began to truly fall in love with Jesus. I began to no longer see him as just a good friend or a father figure to rely and depend on. I began to see Him as my first love. I made a commitment in college to read through the entire Bible, and His word came alive to me during those days as I read about his faithfulness in the Old Testament and his love through the sacrifice of His son in the New Testament. Graciously I even read through the book of Numbers and came away in awe of God and His character. If you've ever read Numbers, you’ll see how that must have been a God thing. 

The more I read about Him, the more I understood who He was. He became an incredible constant in my life, a foundation for my understanding of love. Even though once again I was surrounded by people who didn't know Him and didn't love Him, the Lord provided several people to encourage me, to challenge me....often these sweet friends were in a different geographical location to me. 

To this day, I am thankful for that challenging situation where a relationship with a guy I truly wanted, didn't work out. (At least not in my timing)

Because God had bigger plans, plans to show me how much He loved me first. Living life for Him is hard, but we don’t have to do it alone.

So friends, if I could encourage you in any way today. I would want you to know that no matter what situation you find yourself in, there is a person waiting to comfort you. He knows you and loves you so much! (see what he thinks of you)

Run into His arms and begin to fall in love. You won’t ever regret that decision.

Much Love,

L

(This post was first shared on a sweet friend's blog)

Pearls & Tunes Vol 9.

All of us need it.
Have a longing for it.
And we all go looking for it in a multitude of different places.
We turn to our families, guys or applause from our friends. If those fail us we may even turn to drugs, alcohol, or other addictions to fill the void.
Often we don't even know its love that we are looking for in the first place. 
We turn to things that we hope will fill us, make us feel good about ourselves.
If like me, you have tried filling that longing with any of those things, you will also understand that none of them satisfies.
Some may feel great for a moment, but then leave you feeling empty.

If I could tell you just one thing, friend.
You.Are.Loved.
Truth is none of these things will satisfy.
We are all just like the Prodigal son, either for a season or a longer period.
But we have a Father who waits for us with arms wide open.
Longing for us to run to Him once again or even for the first time.
You.Are.Loved.
No matter where you've been or what you have done in your past! Don't believe the lies telling you that because you messed up, you aren't worth loving. This is SO far from the truth!

 Today may these lyrics of truth echo throughout your heart:

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

In death, in life
I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid
There's nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love

(One thing Remains, Kristian Stanfill)

I truly believe that each of you is loved more than you will ever know or understand, friends!

Never Forget that truth! 

{Via}

Much Love,

L

Dress: Old Navy

Black Stockings: f21

Boots: Old Navy

Owl Necklace: Claires

Earrings: All Glorious Within Store

How Do I pursue Christ in the Relationship Situation I am in?

Wow. I can't believe the wisdom and thought that has gone into these posts, I am so thankful to you four ladies for hosting and posting on a topic as important as this. It has been wonderful to hear your thoughts and hearts for this topic and to be encouraged in the process. This is what I love most about blogging.

This topic is an interesting one for me, as you probably gathered from my purity and waiting post earlier in the week (read here). The Lord cultivated my heart for encouraging others in their singleness many years ago. The joy I have in sharing my thoughts and encouragement with someone in this topic has only increased as my relationship status has changed.


In high school, when I was single, I struggled.
Then the Lord brought an interest into my life.
Then I was single again for a while. Then he brought that same guy back into my life who then pursued me and became my husband.
So all that say, I feel I have walked through many of the different relationship paths even though I am now in that (often coveted) marriage relationship. So I love to encourage other women as I have walked many paths even though they may be different from your own.


These past two years of marriage have been such an adjustment in so many areas of my life. Also with my heart for encouraging single girls. You see slowly the Lord has removed my influence in this area. But the heart for young girls and their pursuit of the Lord has not disappeared.

I think honestly it's hard to pursue Christ no matter what relationship status you currently find the Lord has you in. I think you spend a lifetime learning about and pursuing Christ, regardless of your relationship status. A lot of the ways you pursue Him will be similar regardless of your love life.


A lot of things about pursuing Christ have not changed since my single days:

• Reading my bible ~ the main way I find to learn more about who God is
• Praying (either alone or with other people)
• Fasting (I really need to do this more than I do)
• Sharing with others ~ accountability with people. Letting them in so they can speak truth into your life.
• Going to church & having fellowship with other Believers
• Listening to sermons during the week for teaching & encouragement
• Reading good christian literature
• Listening to worship music in my car ~ This makes me so much more content as I start my workday by driving and singing along with music. {Britt Nicole's album Gold has been on repeat for weeks now.}
• Just spending time with the Lord ~ While I was single, I had several 'dates' with the Lord. Where I would purposely seem to be by myself at dinner or out so that I could be with Him during those moments. Like you would spend time with someone in any other relationship. 

Other things have changed since I got married two years ago:

• Praying with the hubby ~ now something that we strive imperfectly to do together.
• Talking about or sharing sermons with my husband.
• Reading good books with my husband.
• Balance in spending time alone with God and spending time with the Lord together with the husband ~ requires a lot more balance and effort than those single days.

A lot of the struggles I dealt with while single have in fact disappeared or been resolved. But they have been replaced with different ones with marriage.

Instead of feeling lonely, I now struggle to try and prioritize spending time alone with God and trying to be purposeful in setting aside time to spend with my husband pursuing God together.

Rather than finding discontentment with not being in a relationship, engaged or married....I now find that I could easily be discontent with feeling my marriage should be better or we should have children by now. 

It has definitely been an eye-opener while being married to see that it seems the 'grass is greener' on the other side. While single I was desperate to be married and pursuing the Lord together with my husband. Often now I realize how much easier it was to pursue the Lord while single as I didn't have to do that as well as spend time together with my husband pursuing God. 

Regardless of where you find yourself in your relationship status ladies....I hope you glean wisdom from the posts of this wonderful linkup and grow in learning how to pursue Christ and trust Him with where you are at. 

As Paul said:

'I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.'

(Philippians 3:8)

Hope you have been encouraged and continue to pursue the Lord with all your heart.

Whether you are single. Dating. Engaged. Or married.

Much Love,

L

That Perfect Valentine. {On My Heart}

 

This is perhaps more of an {On My Heart} post, but since it is Valentines Day, I thought it appropriate to share an article I return to every February 14th since reading it a few years ago.

It was written by a wonderful Sister-in-Christ who shared what the Lord taught her while she was praying through her ideal husband.

Having written a similar list myself (when I was 16), I am a huge advocate of this idea. Being able to prayerfully consider what qualities you desire your husband to have (and even from yourself before you get married).

Then pray and ask the Lord to help grow your future husband in these ways.

When a guy then comes into your life and doesn't display these qualities, trust the Lord that this may not be the guy for you.

If he is, the Lord will show you.

I found this super helpful as it showed me any 'red flags' in a guy and helped keep my heart in the right place when meeting someone who I was taken with.

With that in mind, this sweet girl was praying through her list of qualities and felt that the Lord was answering her:

I prayed for a man committed to God.

Jesus smiled, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

I prayed for a man that would be a spiritual leader.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man cometh

to the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

I prayed for a man of high standards and integrity.

 “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.”  I Peter 2:22

I prayed for a man of the Word.

 “I am the living Word, and

I came to live with you.”  John 1:14

I prayed for a man that knew how to be a servant.

 “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”  Philippians 2:7

I prayed for a man that was full of spiritual life.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

I prayed for a man of faith and prayer.

Then I watched with amazement as He went out and spend all night in prayer...for me!  Luke 6:12

I prayed for a man that would provide for my needs.

He not only fed the five thousand long ago, He also feeds me today! Mark 6:41, Philippians 4:19

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader. Someone to look up to spiritually.

 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for a man that knew how to love others...even the unpleasant outcasts.

Jesus replied, “In that while you were all yet sinners [the lowest outcast],

I died for you.”  Romans 5:8

I prayed for someone that would help me walk closer to God.

And the more I got to know him, the closer I drew to God.  Psalm 23, Matthew 6:33

 {Adapted from The Perfect Valentine, Set Apart Girl Magazine, Feb 2009, Used with Permission}

What a beautiful reminder sweet friends, that all we desire in a relationship can be found in our first love.

In Christ alone. He alone satisfies.

Not even an earthly relationship compares.

Life is not more satisfying once you have a husband in your life.

He alone satisfies our every need.

Valentines Day is a day we can spend remembering our Love for the Lord. 

Don't get depressed, remember His promises on this day.

He has beautiful plans for you and longs for relationship with you.

If you want a love story today, start an eternal one with your prince. 

He won't let you down.

Much Love,

L

 
 {Photo Credit: Stephanie Bohde}