My mission is to provide you with inspiration and encouragement to live everyday to it's fullest. I do this by sharing the simple things in life such as recipes to the most difficult of things such a life. We all know life is a struggle and many days a balancing act, but I am here to inspire you to do it well. Everything I write about is designed to inspire as well as encourage you to be a "better" you that you can be. Everything I share is raw and real. I do not cover up or sugar coat what I write about. This would benefit no one. My goal is for you to walk away feeling uplifted and encouraged after leaving my page. Lastly, I am here to remind you that you are… enough and beautiful… just the way you are.
Are you waking up exhausted physically, mentally, or emotionally, from a hard week?
It is my prayer this encouragement will serve as a means to refresh you and remind you no matter how difficult or stressful life might be that you are special and important.
No matter how beat up or unimportant you may feel, you are not!
No matter how unappreciated you may feel, you are not!
No matter how insignificant you may feel, you are not!
No matter how unworthy you may feel, you are not!
My friend, you matter more than you know!
God made you special and He didn’t make any mistakes.
Big Hugs to anyone who needs one today.
If you would like a safe place to land to vent or share or cry out I am here.
Just leave a comment below and I will read it. If you wish to leave it personal, I will not make it visible.
I want to send out a note of encouragement to those who may be struggling during this time of celebration.
As the holiday season comes to a close and we approach a new year, often times the pain we are holding now, we take with us.
There are many who are:
Experiencing health issues and are in the hospital
Fighting against complicated health issues
Struggling financially
Grieving the loss of a loved one
Lonely
Lost
Suffering with PTSD and other emotional disorders
These problems do not discriminate because of a holiday season or a time of celebration nor do they automatically go away.
But, be encouraged my friend!
God sees you.
He sees your pain. He is drying your tears. He is calming your fears. He is healing your body. He is healing your heart. He is meeting your every need!
Here is an encouraging verse to cling to today.
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Psalm 75:26
Hang in there and know you are not alone. God has not abandoned you or forsaken you, instead He is holding you and is strengthening you.
Merry Christmas to everyone who is on Christmas vacation and Christmas break.
It is my sincere and heartfelt message that you are able to make some precious memories and spend some quality time together.
Take the time to rest and watch Christmas movies together.
Take the time to fill your home with the sweet aroma of home baked Christmas cookies together.
Take the time to build a uniquely “your own” gingerbread house together.
If you live where it snows, take some time to play in the snow together. Make a snow angel family, go sliding, or make a snowman and then enjoy some creamy hot chocolate afterwards.
Take some time to sit in front of the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree or the warmth and sparkle of a fire in a fireplace to reconnect with the relationships you have missed or have been struggling with.
The time you spend and the memories you make will be the best present you can give to each other this year or any year.
To those who are not on vacation and are struggling, whether it is with grief, loneliness, discouragement, frustration, anger, or PTSD, know you are not alone. I see you.
For many, it is hard to see the joy the holiday season brings, but if this is you, I want you to know you are not alone.
It is my prayer God will soften the pain you feel and will provide you with a peace to see the sparkle of joy this season whether it is through a song that will touch your heart or the twinkling of Christmas lights you may see in the passing of your day.
It is also my prayer this verse will touch your heart and provide you with the comfort and peace you didn’t know was possible to feel again.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
God wants us to remember that He sent His Son to give us the assurance there is better to come.
We don’t need to be hopeless or discouraged because no matter how bad life may seem right now, there is better to come.
Take some time in the week to come to seek God and receive His gift of grace, peace, and comfort.
Big hugs to those who are struggling and suffering today and big hugs to those who are celebrating the season with those who have embraced them.
I hope today is one that is full of sweet blessings and the making of sweet memories.
I am, however, mindful of the many who are struggling despite it being a holiday.
If you are one who is struggling, I will send up prayers for you.
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, I will pray for you.
If you are feeling lost and lonely, I will pray for you.
If you have a heavy heart, I will pray for you.
If you lost your job, I will pray for you.
If you have family you can’t spend time with, I will pray for you.
If you have a Service Member who is not home or is deployed, I will pray for you.
If you have a loved one working today, I will pray for you.
If you have a sick loved one, I will pray for you.
Today is a day of mixed blessings and emotions for so many because life, although it is beautiful, can still be messy no matter if it is a holiday or not.
I have a challenge for everyone, whether it is a wonderful day or whether it is one that is difficult.
Seek to find your blessings today.
“… Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
So what are you thankful for?
Let’s share our blessings. I am looking forward to seeing your responses.
How quickly a lack of communication can create a wedge between relationships.
God created us to be communicators with those around us.
Whether that be with our spouse, family, friends, or co-workers.
Without proper communication then miscommunication is it’s replacement.
It is better for someone to tell you something you already know than it is to not say anything.
I can promise you, what we tell ourselves in replacement is always far worse than what could be said.
Consider today, those around you who you have not talked to for a while, and make an effort to reach out and tell them you love them and appreciate them.
They may need to just hear that today.
Sometimes it’s just the simple words that “need” to be spoken.
Are you living in a season where everything seems to piling up around you?
Are you struggling with feeling like you are failing at every turn, no matter how hard you try to get everything right?
Are you living in a season where every decision you make is wrong and everything you say is incorrect and disputed?
The struggle may be real, but the reality is not.
HD Benson
The reality is, no matter what society says, their opinion is never the reality.
What is real is this, “You are a Child of The King”.
God wants you to know He sees your pain, tears, and frustrations.
He knows what your struggles are and how weary and broken you are from them.
He is calling you, sweet friend.
He is calling you to come spend some quiet time with Him today.
He wants to refresh you and hold you in His arms.
So run to Him and be encouraged and strengthen today.
Disclaimer: I am tempted to hit delete instead of post because this season is real for me as well.
It is my prayer, if you are battling this same battle, that you find rest, peace, and comfort today in the arms of your Heavenly Father, who loves you to pieces.
I am sharing one of my favorite Christmas songs with you today. Click on the link in the above image to listen to this beautiful song.
This is one that touches my heart year after year. It is also one that seems to be overlooked, but I don’t know why.
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don’t we see Him more?
Lyrics excerpt from Becky Kelley’s song, “Where’s The Line To See Jesus”
As many of us grow more tired and weary from the hustle and bustle of this very busy season, I want to encourage you to take a moment to warm your tired and weary heart with the sweet lyrics to this Christmas song.
I also want to inspire you to take a moment to sit back and breathe. Enjoy the twinkling lights, the soft sounds, and the sweet smells of the season that you brought to life for your family and friends.
Lastly, I want to remind that it is ok to take a moment to open your heart, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.
May you find a sense of peace and joy in the few days left of the Christmas season.
Home Life & Encouragement 