Women Praying Boldly: Waiting

{love this photo by Arrow & Apple}

I believe in the way God knits two people together when they stand before Him on their wedding day. Something sacred happens in that moment, something that will, with grace and intention and faith and hard work, build upon itself and grow in power and beauty and durability, with each passing year.

(Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist)

I believe in that, too — and even though I’m not there yet in my own life,  I do hope to see that heart’s desire fulfilled. The truth is, if I’m honest, I certainly thought by this point in my life I’d be engaged or married — or at least dating that person. But to re-quote something else from Shauna Niequist: “Life with God at its core is about giving your life up to something bigger and more powerful. It’s about saying at every turn that God knows better than we know, and that His Spirit will lead us in ways that we couldn’t have predicted.”

So, that’s what I’m trying to do. Trust — really trust — that He knows better than I do, and that I’m on the path I’m on for a reason.

And I’m praying boldly.

As I wrote about, here, I’m participating in an online prayer group for women who want to pray boldly for their future spouses/marriages. Periodically, I’ll be posting updates like this one, sharing with you how prayer is working in my life and what the Lord is revealing to me through the process of being a part of a focused prayer group.

August update:

A few days ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to start reading Proverbs 31:10-31 each day for the next month. I’m excited to see how He uses this in my life and my walk. I know I can be living these attributes out now, blessing others, while I wait on the Lord.

So far, I’ve been focusing on her strength. (The word “strength” appears a few times in Proverbs 31:10-31.) A few days ago, I looked up passages with the word strength and jotted them in my journal, asking myself, what does strength look like for a Godly woman/wife, and in what ways does the Lord provide strength to all who seek him?

* * *

I’m excited to continue to learn and pray. And in this season of singleness and waiting, I feel truly blessed to be discovering more and more of who God created me to be. He inspires me on a daily basis and reveals new adventures and creative pursuits that are wonderfully fulfilling. He blesses me with incredible friendships that add color and meaning to my days and family time that nourishes my spirit. So, even on the days when I look at my life and think, When God? I’m ready, and I’m so excited to meet a Godly man, a best friend to share my life with…

I know I have to trust where I’m at and appreciate this season for all it has to give me.

If you’re particpating in our Women Praying Boldly initiative, know that I’m praying for you, and I look forward to hearing your own unique stories. Let me leave you with this last encouraging quote from Shauna Niequist:

Part of being a married couple means that you create a new identity together, woven from your experiences and histories and lives…

I love that, because I know that my history will add to his, and together, our story will unfold exactly as it’s meant to — at just the right time — with God orchestrating each and every beautiful moment.

{k}

A Reason to Sing

Thank you to, Carmen, for posting lyrics from this beautiful song. I have a feeling I’ll be listening to this on repeat today.

Have a beautiful, blessed day, everyone!

{k}

A Good Reminder

{ From Work is not a Job }

“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” 

~May Sarton

{k}

I want to create hope & celebrate life.

I recently finished reading Shauna Niequist’s two books, Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet. I really connected with her writing, underlining certain passages and going back to re-read things. Her words spoke to my heart in so many ways.

I share her desire to pay attention to and give thanks for the little things, appreciating the everyday delights I am blessed with. And I, too, believe in the importance and power of storytelling and creating.

I know I’ve mentioned both books in recent posts, but I’d love to share a few passages from Cold Tangerines that I continue to go back to. I’ll share my thoughts on Bittersweet in an upcoming post.

Many of the sections that I starred and underlined in Cold Tangerines were about faith, trust, and truly embracing life as you’re living it — every minute, every hour, every day, every season. And like I’ve shared here before, that’s something I’m continually working on in my own beautifully imperfect life. And every day, I want my faith and hope to increase a little more, knowing that things are unfolding just as they’re meant to.

So, on to a few quotes… :)

“What gives me hope is the belief that God will be faithful, because He has been faithful before, to me and the people around me. I need the reminders. I need to be told that He was faithful then, and then, and then. Just because I have forgotten how to see doesn’t mean it isn’t there. His goodness is there. His promises have been kept. All I need to do is see.”

Keeping a journal helps me to look back and see His faithfulness and allows me to look forward with hope, knowing that He’ll continue to be.

“Life with God at its core is about giving your life up to something bigger and more powerful. It’s about saying at every turn that God knows better than we know, and that His Spirit will lead us in ways that we couldn’t have predicted.”

This quote has been on my heart all week. It’s been nudging me to give up control, trusting that His plan and His timing are perfect.

“I’m learning to just keep moving, keep walking, keep taking teeny tiny steps. And it’s in those teeny tiny steps and moments that I become, actually who I am.”

I love that thought. It’s from a chapter called Writing in Pencil, which I can completely relate to. I am the ultimate planner/daydreamer, always thinking about what’s ahead and what it will look like and what I’ll do when I get there, or there, or there. (See also her chapter called Waiting.) :)

And, finally, I’ll leave you with this last passage:

“I choose to do what I can do to create hope, to celebrate life, and the act of celebrating connects me back to that life I love. We could just live our normal, day-to-day lives, saving all the good living up for someday, but I think today, just plain today, is worth it. I think it’s our job, each of us, to live each day like it’s a special occasion, because we’ve been given a gift. We get to live in this beautiful world. When I live purposefully and well, when I dance instead of sitting it out, when I let myself laugh hard, when I wear my favorite shoes on a regular Tuesday, that regular Tuesday is better.”

So, here’s to plain-old, ordinary days — and here’s to this weekend. I want to appreciate every sweet, simple moment. And every day, like Shauna, I want to ask myself, What can I do today that brings more beauty, more energy, more hope?

{k}

Plans for a Summer Day

{ Love the bicycle photo shoot @ Modcloth }

I took a vacation day today, and I’m looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the beautiful summer weather we’ve been blessed with.

Today I think I will…

Sit outside on the porch. Read a book by the pool. Brainstorm blog ideas. Finish reading Bittersweet. Drink Peach Snapple. Write in my journal. Pray. Give thanks for the day’s blessings. Take photos. Visit with family.

…and make the most of every moment.

Hope you all have a beautiful Friday!

{k}

P.S. Any blog topic requests? Leave them in the comments section below. :)

Craft Show Recap (Better late than never?)

I realized I never posted photos from the spring craft show my sister and I participated in! :) Oops!

So, many months late, here’s a little photo story of our day:

You know my day HAD to start with a caramel soy latte. And this coffee shop has some of the BEST lattes I’ve ever tasted. ;-)

Business card display

It’s been a few months since I’ve sat down and created, and I’ve got some new ideas taking shape in my mind and heart. I’m looking forward to exploring them on canvas and wood. Plus, there’s another show this fall, and my sister and I are already dreaming up new display ideas. Can’t wait! :)

Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

{k}

We were made to create.

We create because we were made to create, having been made in the image of God, whose first role was Creator. He was and is a million different things, but in the beginning, He was a creator. That means something for us, I think. We were made to be the things that He is: forgivers, redeemers, second-chance givers, truth-tellers, hope-bringers. And we were certainly, absolutely, made to be creators. ~Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet

Lately, I am devouring Shauna Niequist’s words. Underlining passages, re-reading favorite sections, truly taking in each and every page. I finished her book Cold Tangerines a few days ago, and I’m almost finished with Bittersweet.

I love the quote above about being made to create. I am a writer, an editor, a painter. I create stories with words and paint, and I don’t feel like myself without those things.

My mom and sister create lesson plans that truly impact children’s lives. And my mom also creates the loveliest flowerpots. Her eye just naturally combines colors and plants to create beautiful, living works of art. Both of my parents create culinary masterpieces, cooking meals that nourish friends and family. Some friends of mine sing and create music that moves you like nothing else can. Other friends of mine, make art behind the lens of a camera.

Creativity is truly limitless.
Even if you don’t feel like you’re creative, you are—because you were made in His image, and you were made to create.

So keep making your beautiful, meaningful artwork—whatever it is—knowing it’s part of what makes you, you, and it’s one of the things you were created to do.

{k}