we all have something to share

The week I moved in with the Hodges back in February, Tam put up a blog post to let people know. It was short and sweet, but beautiful (and still brings me tears to this day). In it, she asked everyone to share something that would help strengthen my heart. "I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have."

The responses that flooded in were absolutely incredible. They were filled with encouragement... truth... wisdom... love. I am as amazed now as I was then at the incredible friends God has blessed my life with. I may lack in many areas, but this much I know is true: I am rich in friendship.

Anyway... I was reading back through all those amazing comments again tonight, and I got a lump in my throat when I came to Gitz's.

"don't let fear have the power. be faithful to the struggle and live to fulfill, not understand."

There is still so much for me in her words. Maybe even more today than back in February.

And while I wrestle to understand the full meaning of those statements and how to live them out in my own life, I have to smile with tear-filled eyes because Sara showed me how.

She is my greatest example of not letting fear have the power, being faithful to the struggle, and living to fulfill rather than understand.

Just... wow.

With how impactful (why isn't that a real word?) all the comments on that post were to me, I'm going to cheat and just ask you Tam's question again. Because you guys have some seriously good stuff to share, and I can use every ounce of it I can get my hands on!

So -- without first looking back to see what you shared on Tam's post back in February ----

"I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have. Maybe it’s an old saying handed down from your Grandparents. Or, a favorite verse. Or something you’ve learned in your own life-journey. Perhaps share words of encouragement… Whatever it is, share it here."

I know we will all be better for it.

red letter day

It's a red letter day. No, it's not a holiday. Or my birthday. Or really a day of any special significance at all.

It's just another Monday.

Which is more than enough reason.

It's a red letter day.

His new mercies kissed me awake this morning.

He commanded the sun to shine and the earth to spin and gravity to do its job.

He breathed out so I could breathe in.

So who am I to grumble and complain about just another Monday?

It's a red letter day.

And I need to live like I believe it.

Less griping. More gratitude.

Less frustration. More praise.

For He is worthy.

And I am blessed.

On this red letter Monday.

iSpy

Let's have a little fun together this holiday weekend, shall we? I say we play a round of I Spy. Remember that game? Of course you do...

So, let's pretend for a moment that the commenter immediately before you has the magical ability to look through your computer screen. They can see you and your surroundings. (Don't be alarmed. It's only make-believe...) And you can look through the screen of whoever stumbles along next.

So with that in mind, here's how we play:

Respond to the last comment and tell us what your through-the-computer visitor might have spied based on their clue.

Then leave a clue for the next person, telling them what you spy through their screen.

Make sense?

I'll start us off. I'm looking through the computer monitor of the first commentator, and...

I spy with my little eye something that is out of place.

our (virtual) wall of thanks

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is my post-it-note wall of thanks.

I'm declaring this our very own Gritty family wall of thanks.

And my first post-it would be:

Don't know Sara? Read about her Choose Joy legacy...

What would yours be? (List as many as you want!)

If you're on Twitter and Instagram, let's keep adding to our #WallOfThanks there all day today.

Happy Thanksgiving, my amazing Gritty family!

it took a storm

I think about all that the disciples must have heard... and seen... and experienced. And I honestly can't even imagine.

I mean, I read through the Gospels and when I look at the stories from the perspective of the disciples... just... wow.

The teachings they heard. The miracles they saw unfold before their very eyes. The healings they witnessed. Their inner-circle conversations with Jesus.

Amazing.

It's clear they believed. They left their nets... their jobs... their families. They dropped everything to follow Him. They walked with Him, served Him, and told others about Him. They loved Him. They put their faith in Him.

But despite all they'd seen, heard, and experienced, it took a storm to compel them to worship Him.

Jesus stayed on shore for some solitude and prayer time, and sent His disciples across the lake in the boat. A storm kicked up and the sea grew rough. They were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared, walking on the water toward them.

"Take courage," He told them. "I'm here."

Peter responded in reckless faith (which I love), and climbed over the edge of the boat, walking on the water toward Jesus. When he focused on the wind and waves, Peter became terrified and began to sink. Jesus reached out and grabbed him. Together they climbed into the boat and instantly the wind stopped.

Then, the Scriptures tell us -- "Then the disciples worshipped Him. 'You really are the Son of God!' they exclaimed."

Now, I have no idea whether or not this was the first time the disciples actually worshipped Jesus. But from what I can tell, this is the first recorded time. And there has to be something to that.

After all they had witnessed, it took a storm to compel them to worship.

The very presence of Christ in the midst of their fear and pain and struggle, led them to worship in a way they never had before.

Sometimes -- oftentimes -- there is more insight to be gained and lessons to be learned in adversity than in success.

Sometimes -- oftentimes -- we see Christ in new and compelling ways more in trials than in triumphs.

And sometimes -- oftentimes -- we can glorify God more because of our sufferings than our miracles.

Now, believe me, I don't like that any more than you do.

But my own experience tells me this is as true for me as it was for the disciples.

In the darkest of darkness, when the storms are raging the hardest, those are the times my heart is most drawn to true and genuine worship.

Because He is worthy even in the storm.

And He is worthy even if He doesn't save me from the storm.