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If you’ve been around for the last year, you’ve heard me reference @unsupermommy. Maggie sent me her book last year (which is a MUST READ for new moms), and shortly after, God pressed me to take writing seriously. . I cautiously asked Maggie if she’d be interested in talking with me about writing, and little did I know she’s not only a gifted writer, but also an incredible mentor. . We began discussing writing regularly. She’s equipped me and challenged me and taken up residence in this place that used to feel lonely. Anything you’ve seen on my blog in the past year has been ripped apart and transformed for better by her generous and wise teaching. . But chats about writing soon morphed into motherhood and marriage, and my life is deeply changed because of her discipleship. The Kingdom has come more fully in my heart, in my marriage, motherhood, and ministry because of the friendship God has forged between us. . (Wish we were with our other writing people too @writercaroline and @gentle_leading 😘)
Happy birthday to the man I adore most. One of the great privileges of my life is to witness up close the work of the Lord in your heart. I’ve learned that the Kingdom is big enough to come in little ways, in little homes, in a relationship between two people. . Your thoughtfulness preserves me. Your faithfulness protects me. Your kindness and grace humbles me. Your love and service brings me both great delight and joyful rest. . I could not be more grateful for you. Being married to you, being a parent with you, these are some of the sweetest gifts the Lord saw fit to give. . #marriage #wordsworthnoting
Never have I been more needed in my life. No sooner do I take a step out of sight than I hear the sound of my name unceasing from her little lips. . She can’t rest until she’s with mama or near mama, saying mama more times than anyone says anything, to the point that after spending a day with us, my sister asked, “Do you ever get tired of it?” . I can take all the deep breaths and rehearse all the truth, but what strengthens me to answer my daughter time and time and time again with grace and patience is that God continues to help me acknowledge how so much like her I really am. . The times that I want to despair and hide and grow impatient and just not be needed, God kindly shows me that this in and of itself is evidence of my neediness. . I am weak. I am unable to meet all of my daughter’s needs. Knowing I’m like her stirs up compassion. This place of reality, when I don’t check out to indulge in my own comfort or preserve my life, but confess, “God, I need you,” humility presses into me. . And humility makes me a fit vessel for the power and nearness of Christ. Because if He will increase, and He must, I must decrease. Being needed constantly brings me to the end of myself, where I’m invited to die with Christ. And if I do, His promise is to produce His very own life in and through me. . #preachingtomyownheart #heyharpergirl #risenmotherhood #amothersheart #2corinthians4 #wordsworthnoting
I can’t get over Jesus’ conversation with Martha after her brother dies. She’s grieving and likely disappointed that Jesus didn’t come, didn’t care, that He didn’t show up. . She speaks a jumble of words, a mixture of faith and frustration, trying to believe. She uses truth to comfort the ache she feels. “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know God will give you whatever you ask.” . Jesus enters in there, looking for an opportunity to reveal Himself if she would allow room for Him. She responds again with, “*I know* he will rise again on the last day.” I know these things. I know these truths, Jesus. I know what’s supposed to relieve my aching heart. . Don’t we do the same thing? We’re wrestling with real frustration, real pain, real disappointment and lack of understanding. But we say, “I know God has a purpose. I know this is a season. I know this hard is making me long for eternity.” . And all of this is true. But Jesus essentially says—that’s not enough. True facts are not enough to comfort an aching heart; only the revelation and embrace of God Himself will do. He tells Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.” . In our hard and confusing and disappointing places, let us forsake forcing ourselves to try and believe and instead make room for a new encounter and come face to face with the Person of Jesus Christ. . #womenintheword #preachingtomyownheart #lampandlight #wordsworthnoting
Entering God's rest is a matter of receiving what He ordains for us rather than resisting it. . Of living in a posture of surrender rather than opposition, especially in a time of testing. . Of not hardening our hearts when we sense His calling and leading. . Entering rest goes hand in hand with allowing ourselves to be exposed by the Word—every inch of our hearts inspected and picked apart by that which is living and active, nothing hidden or kept from its intent to make us evermore able to experience rest. . Entering the rest of God entails leaning into our weakness and learning to receive more of Christ. More of His fellowship, more of His compassion and empathy towards us, more of His ministry of grace and mercy. . If you’re anxious or troubled or apathetic or bitter, the call to enter His rest remains. I pray your heart is softened towards it. (See Hebrews 3-4 for more) . #sabbath #rest #womenintheword #wordsworthnoting