Joy is not found in the midst of easy situations. It is found in the presence of God. We do not find joy when we are looking for joy, we are given joy when we are looking at Jesus.

This year I turn 33 to say that I was not super excited about it was an understatement. Birthdays normally don’t phase me. But when they do, they aren’t the normal numbers. 30 was fine. 27 was hard.

A rumor is something you hear second hand from someone, that may or may not be true. It is not something you experience first hand. It is not necessarily fact. Often it is something that is misconstrued, misinterpreted, or exaggerated in a negative way.

Anxiousness is running a race

With a finish line that keeps moving

Anxiousness is being pushed from behind

But not knowing in what direction

Stepping outside reminds me that I’m living

The breeze through my hair

and the sun on my face

reminds me that I take up space.

I asked to hear God’s voice

And He spoke to me

He sounded like the rustle of pages

He sounded like prophesy

I forgot my freedom

When I remembered my chains

Instead of forgiveness

I lived in my shame

One day you will look back and tell this story

And it will only take a couple sentences

And they will say “oh that sounds hard.”

What if we entertained our neighbors

Like we entertained our insecurities

Welcoming them in often

Hearing them out

The frosty view from my window

A reminder that it’s ok to go slowly

To tiptoe into a new season

To tread lightly

To enjoy the untouched blanket for a moment more