Take me there

I'm a pretty good live in the moment gal.  I appreciate the here and now as well as anyone. Let's be real- I'm sentimental and could connect with a brick wall.  But, alas, my mind has its wanderings. Have you ever seen pictures that completely inspire you?  Maybe even make you cry?  Today I was looking around and would have given anything to be transported to wherever these were.  Sometimes its good to do a little wandering:) Sometimes I think we need a little inspiration.  So here's mine for today.

Tuesday Truth

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo Buscaglia

I think we don't often realize the power that God has given us to love people.  He has given us the power and authority to love people as he does. To do life with each other and to help spur one another on.  In big things and in tiny things. We can be Jesus with skin on.  We can truly show each other the body of Christ.  Pretty cool:)

Hot mess express

Lately, I have been super emotionally. Like girly emotional.  This is kind of new to me. I usually like to have a little emotion and then push on.  But, it appears that I'm changing my ways.  Sometimes against my choosing. All aboard the hot mess express.  Any ways, it has all got me thinking.  I keep thinking about the word vulnerability. Vulnerability means you are liable to be wounded. Doesn't that sound awesome...  But for real do we really want to be vulnerable?  I've thought about this.  A lot.  Being vulnerable is not telling some one (the right someone) all the good stuff about you.  Unfortunately, being vulnerable is the good and the bad. Even the ugly.  And boy it can be UGLY.  Trust me.  It is a huge risk.  But, I keep thinking about how special it is to be known. How special it is to be loved. And how incredible and freeing it is to be known and loved.  At the same time.  It kind of blows my mind. 


I have also thought about it in a deeper way. Sometimes its a lot easier for me to be vulnerable with a dear friend and maybe not so much with God. Even though God knows it all, I tend to be less communicative.  And I think it has to do with control.  I also think it has to do with fear.  And then I got to thinking, have I truly given God my heart?  Have you?  I am not sure, but I'm definitely going to be thinking about this a whole lot more.  I know the fears I have and the trust that I lack. It's a vulnerable deal.  It's like a giant pile of vulnerability ( lots of times I don't want to step in it.)...  How does one even actually walk this out? I'm not sure.  But, I have a feeling I will be finding out... Like it or not. 


I came across a Psalm that really struck me.  Being in relationship with God and each other is life.  Out of relationship with God and each other is death.  Sometimes I feel like its too easy to have one foot in each. Sometimes I don't feel like I have the power or even the want to always choose life.  Frankly, its harder and messier. But, we were created for life. We were made to be in relationship with God and with each other. From the very beginning we were made to be vulnerable and to do life together.  I think that is extremely hard sometimes and frankly, I don't feel equipped to do it. Luckily, for us, we don't have to be.  Please don't get me wrong, I rarely do this correctly (my people have to re direct me often).   I read this Psalm and it just got me. I want to be in the land of the living. ALWAYS. FOREVER.  I know that I have and do see the love of God through other people.  100%.  It is the most evident to me through people that love me and walk alongside me.  They risk it.  They are vulnerable and they are loving.  They are the land of the living and they are all in. They are in relationship with Christ and they are loving me. The more loved that we know that we are, the bolder and more confident we will be.  And I think that is where I find the Lord. Check it out. Love to you all.

Cruisin

I've been staying with the Jones kids this weekend and it has been pretty stellar. Last night I convinced the girls to go for a sunset boat cruise and much to my surprise, they agreed (with no bribery).  Last night was BEAUTIFUL.  I have probably spent half of my life floating on Hobcaw Creek, but I must say, last night was one of the best.

McClellanville

Last weekend our bible study took a little road trip to McClellanville.  It was so fun.  I don't want to say I was surprised or anything (because I knew it would be fun), but it was AWESOME.  I love just sitting around talking until way late. Or going in the boat and just drifting around.  Early Sat morning Anne (we lead the group together) and I went on a little boat adventure. We happened upon some dolphins feeding and just playing. It was amazing. We must have just puttered around there for an hour or so in utter amazement.  Seriously- so cool.  They came right up to us and I swear they knew exactly what they were doing..  We just so happened to do the same thing Sunday.  I was legitimately sad when we had to leave.

I have to say- When our group first started, I was petrified. In fact, I thought maybe Cassie picked the wrong person to help with this situation.  But as time has passed, I have been amazed.  It has really turned into the coolest thing.  I love everybody in there. And that is pretty cool. I mean, there are like 30 lady friends in there. Crazy cool that all 30 are so cool and different.  I love that I am the youngest and the oldest is 80.  We are all about intergenerational-ness over at the SAMP.  I have learned so much in there:) I just feel so thankful to get to do it.  It does help that I get to help lead it with one of the bestest.  Here are some pics from our dolphin adventure:)

Getting Lucky

So I am feeling incredibly lucky right about now. This year I've gotten to help lead a bible study at St. Andrews.  There are a whole ton of reasons why I feel lucky (maybe I should say blessed?). One, is that I get to lead it with one of the best people that I know (and she hasn't killed me yet). Second, I have learned more in these last few months than I have learned in most of my walk (probably because I actually have to learn what we are bringing to the group).  Thirdly, I pretty much adore/want to be friends with every one of our people.  Like adore them so much that I want to tackle them when they come in the door.


Lately, we have been learning about the body of Christ. I hadn't truly thought about this in a while. Or ever.  All I know is that when I get to talking about it or reading about it, it's all I can do to not explode.  I finally figured out why.  I will admit that I am not the best at seeing/receiving God's love in the conventional ways. Like reading the Bible (I rarely do it) or praying.  I see it in people.  I see it in the Body.  And here is why. When we accept Christ, He is in our hearts. Forever.  Essentially, we become Jesus with skin on. Or at least we hope to be.  I have seen God's love in other people.  I feel EXTREMELY lucky because I feel like I am surrounded by incredible people. 


Here is where it gets interesting.  Life is about relationship. Love is about relationship.  Relationship is about love, vulnerability and sacrifice.  We were created to be dependent.  Shocker I know. However, we have been raised in a culture of self sufficiency and independence. In fact, we are taught to not need or even ask for help.  So when we do feel needy or not equipped, we don't love that feeling. In fact, I personally feel sick to my dang stomach.  Well, I hate to break it to you (and me), but we were created to be dependent and ask for help. From God and from others. What we don't or can't get from God, we have to get from others.  We were made to be in community with each other. This may scare some of you, but it is so reassuring to me (probably bc I feel ill equipped on an extremely frequent basis..).  We were created to do life together.  With God as the source and people by our side.  You see, because we have Jesus/God/Holy Spirit in our hearts, we in turn have God's grace in our hearts. And we have the chance to share it/give it to our people.  Our people hold us up. They support us. In the good, the bad and the ugly.  And we get to do it for others as well.  I LOVE THIS.  Seriously. I can't shut up about it.  When I feel the most loved by people, I feel the most loved by God.  It's real and it is tangible.  I know its extremely hard to be vulnerable. Trust me.  I don't like word vomiting to someone just as much as the next person. It takes me like 5 hours to get out one tiny little thing.  And then I usually feel like junk right after.  But, it keeps coming back to the same question.  Is the risk worth the reward?  Really think about it.  In my opinion. Yes. Hell Yes. It is worth it.  Seriously.  Think about it. 

Every time I read this quote below I want to cry.  Shot to the heart every single time. Can you imagine if you were known? And then truly loved?  If you were shown God's love?  I'm pretty sure it is worth it.  Now don't get me wrong. I botch this situation up on a daily basis. Trust me.  But, I keep praying that one day it will all click. Or that I would see God's love in it all.  I pray that I could do it. Really do it. That I could be real. That I could take the chances.  That it wouldn't take me 27 loops around town to talk about something that makes me want to die. (Bc chances are I'm probs not going to die) That I would not be limited by my own fears, doubts or negative thinking.  That I could become the one He created me to be.  It's not easy and I think it probably takes a shiz load of time.  And I am far far far from it. But, with some help and a whole lot of prayer, I think its a possibility.  Like it or not- Praying that for you all too:)