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“It’s no secret that our bodies are never the same once we become a mom. We’ve hosted another human inside of us before their entrance into the world. We’ve nestled babies in perfect positions that demand our muscles reform and reshape right then and there to keep them in that blessed sleep. We’ve toted toddlers on hips fashioned for their desire to be our constant sidekicks. We’ve done more squats than we ever wanted to because why can’t their tiny little hands hold onto anything for more than five seconds? . We look at the facts, even at the children who once were small enough to dwell within us, but neither of these negates our longing for our bodies to look like they did on our wedding day. We get lost in the story this world begs us to believe is true: . When you can wear certain clothes, you will have freedom. When your body is fit and firm or cute and curvy, you will secure the affections of your spouse. When you lose a few pounds, you will no longer envy the mom in better shape. When you can get to the gym, you will have peace. When you look a certain way, you will find rest.” . Beyond humbled to share the truths God has worked deep into my own heart in the @risenmotherhood article, Reflecting Glory in our Post-Partum Bodies. Link in profile.
“I know it in my head, but not in my heart.” A familiar refrain to the haunting question of the Fall: “Does God really love me?” . If we are ever to know the love of God that actually surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18-19) and makes its way into the fabric of our being, yes even into the knowledge of our hearts, then we must be in gospel-centered community. . In a society where it’s easy to be connected without commitment, we might shy away from a group that will challenge and exhort us to live in the way of Christ. When we get close to people, we are likely to feel the sting of offense and the blindness of sin, and these are no small storms to weather. But how else will we experience the costliness of grace and forgiveness? . Many of us have been hurt by the church, truly hurt and need healing. But oh friends, let us not give way to the lie that it’s more dangerous to be in community than out. Unless we let others see what’s underneath our exterior, how will we know the soft touch of a gentle word full of compassion, one that balms the soul and gives us courage to hope? Even courage to confess and ask for help to turn from hidden sin? . Friend, really consider—how can we know the love of Christ if we never die to self and serve another, honor another, care for another above ourselves? . God’s love is relational. And as He strengthens us by His Spirit and nourishes us by His Word, He intends we comprehend His love together, “with all the saints.” . (a handful of the friends I have the privilege of doing life around the gospel with, who are teaching me about the deep, deep love of Christ❤️)
It’s still the most frequent instruction I give—love is patient and love is kind. But as she’s grown, we’ve needed the next two in Paul’s piercing description of love in 1 Corinthians 13—love does not envy and love does not boast. . When “I want” and “mine” spill from the lips of a toddler, it’s tempting to cringe and sigh and respond with annoyance. It’s easier to try to crush the flicker of desire with the quick fix of outward behavior rather than to bend low and blow it out with exposure of the heart. . But we must do this hard labor of showing them the way of love. Our sin nature pulses in the way of self. Our gut reaction resists the idea of putting others above self, giving self, denying self, even dying to self. They must see this stark contrast time and time again if they will ever confess how little they are able to love without first being loved by God in Christ. . As I correct with asking her to repeat this language—love does not envy and love does not boast—I find opportunity again and again to share both solidarity and the gospel. That we cannot love in our own effort, that Jesus alone loved perfectly, that He came to give us new hearts so we may know love and be given love for Him and neighbor. . (teaching Jacob about how love endures all things☺️even the love of his sister💗) . 📷 @morganhibbsphotography
Maybe you’re waiting on something. Something you really want. A person to enter your life, healing from a deep wound, an end to a certain injustice, a response to your vulnerability. . You hang in the balance, and the scales communicate your lack of control. You disengage and distract to keep from worrying or bracing yourself for constant disappointment. But when the quiet comes, you feel the weight of your waiting, and you wonder. . You create narratives to make sense of it all. “Maybe it’s because...” We’re meaning-makers. We find words to console our emptiness, and the dangerous ones stake claim on our identity. . But when our hearts are oriented around the missing thing, it’s like our hands wrapping around the wind. Our hope is hollow, and it can’t hold the weight of our questions, our anguish, our disappointment. It will tell us lies about who we are, and it will threaten to cover us with shame. . Beloved, in your waiting, orient your heart around God. Come to Him in prayer—He will hear your humble questions, your anguish, your pain, and He will treat them with all the tenderness of a broken heart. Be moved by His character—He will remind you of His faithfulness and be steadfast in love towards you. Find refuge in the God of your salvation—He will continue to make provision for you and carry the heavier part of your burden. . You still may not know the meaning, but you will know the Truth. . (a shot of our “Unexpected Season” Verse Card Set By @rachael.viv❤️)
You never squash her silliness. You fan it to flame until it’s full blown and overtakes her, until she’s a child in the fullest sense of the word. Carefree, unashamed, uninhibited. . I learn from you, how to love her and let my rigidity go. How to empower her right out of her fear, when I find little success to make her move. How to captivate and inspire in moments of tension when all I want to do is to persevere. . And when I watch you love her, I’m tender. But of course you know that. She’s so much like me, and when you love her, I see the ways you’ve always loved me. Though until now, I didn’t know just how loving it was. . (Y’ALL this picture by @morganhibbsphotography!!!❤️😭)