Day 29

I love how many stars I can see at night.

On a good clear night I can go out on our porch and see so many beautiful stars. That whole this about the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas thing isn't just a song. So many nights I have taken beautiful long walks under the stars and sang to their Creator. 

So often I have looked up at those stars and marveled that the God who made all of those big beautiful stars loves me and cares for me. That God takes care of me with the same care that He used t place those stars. I love that. 

Day 28

I love journals.

Since I was 13 or maybe 14 I have off and on kept a journal. 

It's nice not only to write down my thoughts, but to look back later and see what God has done. It helps me process life. It helps me to slow down enough to hear Gods voice. It helps me to have perspective. 

I've also recently started keeping a prayer journal. Just so I can see how God answers my prayers. 

Plus I enjoy all the beautiful journals that I have gotten over the years. The leather ones have been my favorites or ones with verses.

Day 27

I love the way that God created time.

I heard it said in a sermon that God gave us time so that everything wouldn't happen at once. I love that. We have times of joy and times of pain. Times of peace and times to fight battles. Times to work and times to rest.

I love that God has made it so that we don't have to tackle all the joy or all of the pain at once.

He is so good.

Day 25

I love the promises of God.

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397513104595184662/

Today is Palm Sunday. The day that we celebrate Jesus riding into Jerusalem. He fulfilled the prophecies spoken of long before. He fulfilled all the promises He had made. Not one of them failed. 

The same is true today. I love that God is even now working to fulfill all the good promises He has made to me. 

Things like 

- He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion.

- I will never leave you and never forsake you.

- Commit your way to the Lord and whatever you do with prosper.

- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will make your paths straight. 

- I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. 

- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. 
- When you pass through the waters I will be with you. 

I could go on and on. There are so many promises that God has made to me. Promises that He doesn't have to make. He doesn't owe me anything and yet He chooses to promise me so much. He is good. He is faithful. May He be honored and praised forever.    

Day 23

I love that God has a plan. It's bigger than I can imagine. It's grander than anything I could dream up. It's not thwarted by my mistakes or the mistakes of others.

Even on the hardest days when I have come to Him crying holding shattered remnets of my dreams, He takes my trembling hands in His and reminds that He is still in control. His plan is still advancing. He will be with me. His plan will win.

Oh how often I have fought Him. Yet He still takes care of me and works to heal and restore me. His plan is always best. Always.

Oh my soul, trust in God. His plans are always best. His plans are always for your good and His glory.

The hardest time in your life may just be the beginning of His greatest work in you.

Day 17

I love how God works even in the middle of our tears.

Today I kinda had a rough start to the morning, but God still was lovingly calling to me. I was struggling with feeling down, but God kept sending me reminders of His love and that I don't have to live there. I open up Facebook and see something that brought up tough memories, but God cares for me.

In the middle of the tears God comes to me. He holds my shaking shoulders. He whispers kind words to me. He reminds me of His love. He tells me that He will work all this for good. He reminds me I'm not alone in the fight. He reminds me that He is still in control.

No matter how I'm feeling, no matter the tears that are stinging my eyes, no matter the pain that I'm carrying, it doesn't change the fact that He is still working. He is still making me all that I was created to be. He is still good.

Oh my soul. Trust in the God who works in the middle of your tears.

Day 11

I love that I get to serve on our church's media team.

Today at church you will find me back in the media booth pushing bottons so that lyrics will appear on the screen. I enjoy helping making the service come together. It's fun to be a part of the team and to help out the church.

It's a small thing, but I enjoy helping and getting to sing all those songs to God so many times. I'm getting in extra worship time. It's good.

Day 6

I love that I get to spend so much time in Bible study, prayer, and worshipping God. I enjoy my mornings in the word, the time I get to spend in Bible study, and the time praying for others.
And that I get to enjoy so many good sermons, books on spiritual growth, and biographies of those who have gone before.

Day 3

I love my job!

I don't think there is another place on earth quite like Hope Family Thrift Store.

Not only do I get to work for a Christian organization, but I also get to say that 100% of our profits go to helping disaster survivors. The people that I work with are great and it's nice to have a part time job to supply some wants in my life.

It's not perfect, after all the let me in the door, but I'm thankful I get to work there.

And today we are having our monthly 50% off almost everything in the store. So if you get a chance come by and see us. We will be running around like crazy, but happy that we get to work for such a great place. Always a new adventure and challenge.

I love the job that God has given me.

Day 2

Today I love that I can do 30 minutes of any workout I choose on a daily basis. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to make my body stronger and better able to serve by consistent workouts. Some of them are hard and I really have to push myself, but I feel so much better when it's finished. 

Two years ago I was only doing five minutes here and there or going on walks. Last year I worked myself up to 15 minutes on a semi regular basis. This year I stepped it up to 30 minutes.

I love that I can challenge myself and grow more in this and become better able to serve where God has me. 

Day 1

I get incredibly more than I derserve. I can't tell you how many people have told me what I deserve. You deserve a guy, a nicer house, a better life, and on and on. 

Honestly now, I see that the life that I have is so beyond what I deserve. Everything that I have right now is a gift from God.

For the sin that I have done I deserve to be separated from God forever. But that's not the way that God wrote my story. He saved me, called me, redeemed me. He gave me what I didn't deserve. He gave me a new life, a new identity, a home forever, a place in His heart. This is the life I live by faith through the blood of Christ. It's not anything I do, it is all given to me by an incredibly loving God. 

I'm thankful for what I don't deserve, but what has been graciously and lavishly given to me. 

In 100 Simple Words #7

“Can you ever forgive me, Kelsey?”

The words fell on Kelsey’s heart like cool water.

“I should have defended you. Especially after what Megan did. I was so confused and I let that confusion hurt you. Seeing you at the party last night made realize that my silence was hurting you. I’m so sorry.”

Kelsey took in a deep breath. It was as if God was whispering, “I am here. I am with you. I have not abandoned you.”

The proof of this sat right in front of her, drinking a vanilla cappuccino.

Tears fell, and she nodded her head. 

In 100 Simple Words #6

This is nuts!

Kelsey drummed her fingers on the table waiting for Jenny to show up.

It’s only 3:30 and I’m waiting here at the coffee shop for a “friend” who didn’t stick up for me. What could she possibly want to say to me?

But Jenny had sounded so sincere that Kelsey couldn’t refuse. Even at 3:30 in the morning.

“Kelsey?”

The timid voice startled Kelsey. She jerked up and saw the familiar face standing before her.

“Jenny”

A brief silence ensued.

“I bet you didn’t want to see me again.”

Kelsey just stood there. What should she say? 

In 100 Simple Words #5

Kelsey turned over on the bed. Another hour had past. No sleep had come to her weary body.

God, if you are with me no matter what, why do I feel so alone? I worked so hard on that story, only to have it stolen by a friend. Where were you when I was wronged?

As if on cue, the phone rang.

Kelsey glanced at the clock. 3:04.

Who could that be? I knew I should have turned it off before I went to bed.

Kelsey picked up the phone, “Kelsey here.”

“It’s Jenny. I need to talk to you.”

Of Simple Goings And Doings

Yes, so yesterday I looked up and went, "I have a blog that people look at on occasion and if I don't post soon they might think I have fallen off the face of cyberspace.

Life has been really good lately. I've had a lot more peace even though my schedule has been hectic. God's helped me to focus on what I am working on and do my best there. It's been very freeing.

Last week I did my first day of hospital volunteering. That was so much fun. I like the people I get to volunteer with and they were very kind to newbie me.

And this weekend we had some dear missionary friends from Africa come over for a visit. I haven't seen them in 4 years and it was a real treat. Hearing about things through e-mail and facebook just isn't the same as a sit down talk. We had a great time hearing their stories and sharing what God was doing on this side of the Atlantic.

This week I have a lot going, but I'm not really worried. I know that God is going to give me the strength and courage to do all that I need to do. For now I can rest in that.

Simply Grateful # 30

Day 30

That I can count all these blessings and post them. I enjoy recounting all the things that God has given to me. Anytime I make a list like this, I feel so full and blessed. Besides I know that this is just scratching the surface of all I have to be thankful for.     

Simply Grateful # 25

Day 25 

Sundays. I’m thankful for days to just relax, take a break, and spend time with God and my family. 

Simply Grateful # 21

Day 21

My blogs. Meditations of His Love, I’ve really enjoy writing for you and seeing people be encouraged and strengthen through those posts. Homemade Ministry, you were my first blog and I still enjoy having you around to encourage girl in their craft lives. A Christian Playwright, I enjoy dreaming about all the things I plan to do with you. I love writing plays to put on you and seeing what God will do with you. Simple Thoughts, you in many ways are my personal blog. In you I share my heart and stories of what God has been teaching. And for all these blogs, I pray that God will continue to bless and encourage other through you. 

Simply Grateful # 19

Day 19

Time. Gregg Harris once said, “God gave us time so that everything wouldn’t happen at once.” And I am so thankful that it doesn’t all happen at once. Dealing with it as it comes is hard enough; I can’t imagine dealing with it all at once. Thankfully with the gift of time I can celebrate the victories and work through the hard times. 

Simply Grateful # 17

Day 17

Spiritual mentors. My parents, Brennan Manning, Wayne Jacobson, Gayle Erwin, Pastors, Max Lucado, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss have all had a profound impact on my walk with God. They’ve helped me see new things about Him and encouraged me to walk forward in Him. I owe them more than I can ever repay.