FAITH
I sure miss those days when I had all the time in the world to hang out with Jesus. I'd wake up late (clearly, I'm talking about pre-children days), make a coffee and then open up my Bible and linger there for a looooong time. I know those days aren't gone forever but right now my alarm clock is my 7 month old daughter and once we're up it's nursing, coffee, breakfast for both kiddos, get ready and get on with our day!
Usually I don't get my quiet time until both babes are quietly napping....and that's ok. This is my current season and God has been so faithful and so full of grace. Maybe some of you mama's with little ones can relate!
Today I'm so excited to share with you an e-book devotion called Just a Minute by Lani Lupul. It's an amazing resource that will encourage you and help you in your daily devotion. You can read it like a book or use each chapter as a daily devotion.
Hope...defined as "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best". I've often been someone who hopes for the best. As I've shared before in this place, I'm a natural optimist...sometimes a realist...and sometimes a pessimist but mostly an optimist. And sometimes that has gotten be into trouble. My hopes were not met, and I ended up disappointed.
My heart is heavy tonight. As you probably know, six men died and 19 were shot in my country last night. They were shot because they were muslim and it breaks my heart because I have been naive to believe that that kinda thing would never happen north of the border in safe ol' Canada.
A few days ago I shared your favourite posts from 2016 but I thought I should do a little personal reflection...
Oh twenty-sixteen, you were one wild ride.
I entered the year with an optimistic outlook as per usual (my #2 strength is positivity after all!) This was the year I was going to meet my baby...the one I was waiting for, the one I had dreamed about.
My favourite moment from our Christmas Eve service last year was singing Silent Night by candlelight. Working in a church, Christmas is always a crazy time and for my role, Christmas Eve is always go-go-go. Last year I was around 16 weeks pregnant and I remember experiencing some anxiety and fears that something potentially was wrong. I remember trying so hard to keep it all together but inside I was a basket case.
A few days ago I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 and the words above jumped right off the page. Trust steadily (in God), hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. I was moved, challenged, and inspired and I immediately wrote them down.
Today I am 32. I don't know what it is but I look at that picture above and I feel that I look 32...which is odd to me because I feel like I've been 29 for the past 5 years...and will say I'm 29 for at least five more.