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Girl Curls

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Faith Not Fear

I'm finally back at the gym.  Without driving these past several months that was one part of my life that had changed.  In many ways it was a positive change.  I realized how much I loved rising early to spend time in the Bible instead of trying to find quiet time throughout my day with the kids.  There is something so serene about a quiet and still house, before the sun (or kids) rise.  :)

Now that I am driving again, I decided it was time to join a gym on our new side of town.  There was some hesitation, because I want to make sure I guard and protect this quiet time with the Lord I've come to crave.  I talked it over with Andy and asked for him to help me keep this in balance.  Balance.  That is the key.  I've realized how often I can allow myself to go to the gym but still have other mornings to linger in the Word.  I spent time considering whether or not it was wise to join the gym again during this season, but honestly I have found that having a few mornings a week to myself outside of the home add positive aspects to my life.

One of the parts I have missed the most about my early morning gym times is when I get on my cardio machine and pump up the volume of my praise music.  Don't be surprised if you see me at the gym singing along while running.  I love Christian music!  I love the lyrics!  I love how the Lord speaks to me through songs!

This week at the end of a workout I hopped on the treadmill and got the machine and music started.  I was overwhelmed by the clarity of the Lord's message this morning.  Over and over again I kept hearing the word fear.

Fear.

Why do I allow fear to take so much control of my life?  I began to consider the many ways fear creeps into my thoughts and actions.

What I found is that a lot of it revolves around my children.

I'm afraid something will happen to my kids.

I'm afraid I'm not a fun enough mom. 

I'm afraid I am not preparing them well enough for their future.

I'm afraid I'm too hard on them and hold them to unrealistic expectations.

But, these are not the only thoughts that hold me captive.

I'm afraid I'm not good enough to answer the call God has placed on my life.

I'm afraid that I say the wrong words and hurt someone unintentionally.

I'm afraid when I pray, He won't answer.

I have other fears.  Fears that come and go.  Fears that seem small and insignificant when looking back on them.  Fears that can at times suffocate me because of their enormity.

But, as I was ministered to through beautiful melodies I realized that true faith has no fear.  My faith in Christ reminds me that in Him are all things.  Do I believe He is in control?  Do I believe that all things work together for good?  Do I believe He listens to every thought and word I send His way?  Do I believe He loves me?

If I believe these things, then there is no need for fear.

As I was putting one foot in front of the other and these thoughts were running through my head, this song began to play.  It's one of those moments where I wanted to lift my hands and praise the Lord, not caring that I was in the middle of the gym.  But, if I did that, I would be the girl who flew off the end of the treadmill, instead of the girl trying to sing while running.  :)

Take a few minutes to listen to this song and let the words wash over you.

We are no longer slaves!

I am a child of God!

I am a child of God!

I AM A CHILD OF GOD!!!

 What fears steal your joy?  Are you being suffocated by fears that you can release to the Lord?

Let them go them.  Remind yourself that you are a child of God.  Say it out loud over and over again until you believe it....and then say it again.

As a side note, these kids left a little while ago for a weekend with the grandparents.

An entire weekend to ourselves!  Where do we even begin?

Last year this was the weekend I signed up for my trip to Israel.  I'll let you know if I sign up for any more amazing trips this weekend while they're gone. ;)

    

Unexpected Journeys

This was my view as I began the sunset walk down the Mount of Beatitudes.  Taking my first steps, I had no idea what would be in store for me journeying down this mountain.

Our teacher, Lysa, was leading the crowd and I decided to hang back so that I could consider and ponder and take a moment to process the ways the Lord had been speaking to me during my time in Israel.  My earpiece was in and I listened to the words Lysa was sharing until her voice began to crackle and the words cut in and out because of the distance between us.  I had loved her teachings and messages throughout our trip, but in this moment I was able to quiet the voice as I let the earpiece hang and I began to hear another voice...a voice speaking directly to my heart.  Throughout this trip, God would use unexpected moments to encourage me, challenge me, whisper loving words, and remind me how powerful and precious His Words are.

As I enjoyed the quietness and the beauty around me I found myself walking alongside another woman from our group that I had not yet met.  We struck up a friendly conversation talking about what and how we would share when we returned.  As our trip was coming to a close I was feeling a little anxious.  Where do I begin?  How can I possibly share with someone when I have so much I want to say?  Would others want to hear about what I saw or what God did in my life?  I told her how grateful I was that earlier that day one of the Proverbs 31 ladies shared that we should choose one or two moments that really stood out to us so that when we returned home we would have something meaningful to share without overwhelming ourself or others.  It was then that I discovered she was also on staff with Proverbs and our conversation led us to talking about how she is a writer and author of books, which steered us to a discussion about walking in obedience to the Lord.

Lysa had taken a wrong turn down the mountain, which made the walk a little more exciting, so at one point there were several people standing alongside the path so that we could hold on as we carefully maneuvered down the incline.  As Glynnis grabbed hold of the hands reaching out for her she said something to me.  I didn't hear her, so I politely nodded my head and said "yeah".  I quickly realized that was not the response she expected when she repeated herself by asking the question, "Is there something the Lord has asked of you that you haven't responded to?"  I was caught off guard by her bluntness and directness so without thinking I told her a desire the Lord had placed on my heart.  Up to this point I had only shared this with a handful of people.  I had been protecting this gift, being afraid of someone saying something to take away this "call" on my life.  As soon as I shared I began to cry.  I cried because I never share this God given dream.  I cried because I am insecure and unsure of myself.  I cried with relief in freely sharing.

More often than not in recent months the Lord has continued to show me that in the unexpected moments He reveals more of Himself to me in unexpected ways.  I am beginning to crave the unexpected.  This is not who I am.  I have a plan.  I have a schedule.  I stick to what's comfortable.  But, recently my joy is found in special surprise moments and revelations from the Lord.

I've come home from my time in Israel with many other moments like this.  Moments that I love to share and other moments that I have kept between the Lord and I... for now.

As I have been reading through the scriptures, praying to the Lord for direction on how to walk in obedience with this path He is leading me on, I came to this verse that stopped me and loudly spoke to my heart.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Do you see that?!!  He obeyed even when he didn't know where he was going.

My daily prayer is this.  I want to obey and trust Him, even when I don't know where I am going.

So let me ask you,

"Is there something the Lord has asked of you that you haven't responded to?"

If so, share it!  Tell me, tell your spouse, tell a friend, or as I did, a sister in Christ that you just meet.  Find the joy that comes in obedience.  The joy that awaits you as you step out in faith trusting the Lord even when you don't know where you are going.

Look for the unexpected message in unexpected places and at unexpected times.

He is always sharing.  May we always be listening.