Our Inspired Journey

Then there are the moments when she has her sights set on something she wants and regardless of how she gets there, she goes for it. It may not be full-fledged crawling but it gets the job done!

These baby steps our almost 8 month old girl is taking toward moving on her own, remind me so much of myself. Yes, I've mastered crawling, walking, running, skipping and jumping by now, but the Lord is reminding me lately of the value He places on each step we take more than our arrival at some destination. In my continuing effort to lay the thorn of perfectionism at His feet, I love celebrating Cora's progress alongside my fun boys. The party they throw for her each time she shows growth in anyway doesn't include fancy decorations and printed invitations...just authentic, jubilant celebration in each tiny move she makes toward her goal. And sometimes, they just dance alongside her as she rocks back and forth making no forward motion at all. I'm so thankful my Heavenly Father celebrates over me in the same way. Each time I choose to gaze into the eyes of the One holding me so near, He rejoices. His heart behaves much like my boys. Sheer, authentic joy over my movement toward him. It may have been a crawl, walk, run, or just a rock back and forth, but when my gaze is fixed on Him, His heart leaps at the sight of me...pretty unbelievable that we can move the heart of God in such a way, but it's true!

Yes, Cora has an "owie" on her nose. It's actually healed now. John didn't refuse to hold Cora because of her "blemish" and neither does the Lord turn ANY away who feel less than perfect. In fact, quite the contrary. He says in His word for all those who feel burdened, heavy-laden, blemished, to COME...He will give you rest. Cora's "owie" has healed now. John has put medicine on it several times a day since it happened, and the scar has significantly faded. It's mark is still there slightly. We don't just forget the places in our heart where we've been bruised...but God places His mark of healing over any blemishes we bring to Him and lightens the scars we thought would stain us forever.

My sweet kids remind me of God everyday. His love for them is real and love for me is life-saving. John and I would not be able to get through all that our weeks entail these days without Him. Between Marching Band, John's classes, Cole's therapy 3 times a week, Ryder's pre-school 3 times a week, my bible study, helping out in Ryder's Rainbow class at church now and starting up a PTO at Cole's school...we rely heavily on God's promise to sustain us through the journey He's called us to. Your life looks different than ours but God's promises are the same. Claim them today by praying this prayer or one from your own heart...

Lord, I believe you made me for your glory. I believe that YOU ALONE can meet my deepest needs. I want you to be with me every step of my day, reminding me that I am Yours and the steps I take are for YOU alone. Take from me any guilt I carry from my past and replace it with your cleansing POWER and LOVE in my life. I don't want to live one more moment without YOU. Fill me now, speak to me. I am listening for Your words that I know will speak life to me today. I need you and come to You now, laying my life at your feet. Amen There is a God big enough to handle your heart today, no matter how heavy it feels inside of you. Stop carrying it around and give it to the One who made it! He knows what you need more than you do! And then, start the celebration...the one that is best had in the arms of Jesus, for He knows you better than you know yourself. Cora relaxes in John's arms and stares into his eyes like no one else. When he picks her up, she knows she is home. My prayer for you today is that you would go home...just as you are...go home, and find the celebration that is there in the arms of your Savior, awaiting the arrival of the guest of honor (that's YOU) all along :)