Drawing a picture

It's funny how God equips us in different ways. The way he speaks to our heart and all he does in our lives. Rarely does it occur in a way we understand, at least for me. But, I doubt I'm the only one.

Today, sitting at a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with good friends and new friends, guess who is the one I connect to the most?

Addie, a 5 year old. Yup.

I don't know why it is that God has made me in such a way that I just understand and I love the way they think. Unadulterated, not hindered, and creative thoughts. She and I drew the most amazing story. First about her friend Laura and her birthday. A few of the things she had there? A cake, a blueberry muffin, a bouncy ball, a kangaroo, and a few other necessary great birthday items. Oh, but we didn't stop there. Then we covered Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first drawing we gave to Marc and the second she gave to me.

It's amazing how God blessed me in that time, but also how lonely I felt. I was doing what I was supposed to do and reaching this little girl and enjoying her creativity. I know it meant a lot to her because she hugged me 15 million times, asked and made me promise that I would come back and play, and gave me my name card that she had made for me for dinner so that I had to come back to give it to her.

As beautiful as it was, it still bothered me that I had that disconnect, where I didn't have that connection with everyone. Especially people closer to my age. But that's how God has blessed me and I feel like God is doing something in this time that he couldn't do if I could just jump into any situation and "fit in". God is bigger than that and he is bigger than my comfort. But he is blessing me all the same.

The proof is in this Christmas drawing where she helped me draw a cake (the perfect present of course!) that I had taught her how to draw earlier. A kid learning how to draw and realizing that she could draw like me (or better) because all it takes is practice- now that's amazing.

So no matter what you're dealing with, how uncomfortable you feel, or how unfair life seems, it's okay to cry out to God but after you're done try to look at the little things and trust that God's plan is way bigger than you could ever know, even time spent drawing with a little girl.

Love,

Liz

God is with you, he will not leave you or forsake you. It might not be easy but trust that it's the truth.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will raise you in my victorious right hand."
      Isaiah 41:10

Alive

Here and now with every breath
live like there is nothing left
and this will be my last
gasp of
air

life is not fair
nor is it for me
myself the center of everything
be

but rather God has shown me how
my life can be changed
and turned around
if I just give him the reigns
for a day and more
he'll show me what life is really for

the beauty before escaped
caught strongly by the nape
held back from all it could be
because before I refused to see

that God could
and would provide
but now I am alive.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
     Isaiah 30:21

He Is

One of my beautiful friends, Freddie, while talking about Christian community perfectly said," At the end of the day, love comes first." I just thought that was the most beautiful and amazing thing- to truly throw away judgement and condemnation and embrace the lifestyle Jesus had of loving everyone despite their sins and shortcomings and situation.

How amazing is it that we have a God who loves us not matter what and even when we don't feel him or know how he is working, he is. Why? Because he loves us and has great plans for us. And just like David, I believe that "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living*." I might not always feel like God is doing something great, but he is.

Embrace God in your community when it feels like you are all alone [because you aren't alone at all].

Love,

Liz ( :

*(Psalm 27:13-14)

Prosperity?

Twisting walk
stumbling steps
I hit my knees
collapsed
and wept

but God grabbed my hand
and picked me up
"hugs, please," I ask.
And he's right to the task

filling me with warmth
when the cold
surrounds
and tries to drown all of me
God picks up my chin
and helps me see

never letting me go
helping me always to grow
in who he is
and what he wants

I might not understand
but I have to know
that he does and he loves
and all will be well
I just have to push through this spell
and season
knowing that on the other side
there is a beautiful reason
could be the one I want
or something not even close

but thank you, God, for this healthy dose
of you and me
as hard as it is
its where I'm supposed to be.

Check out "Ocean wide" by The Afters or "Healing begins" by Tenth Avenue North for today's inspiration!

"May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word."
     Psalm 119:169

A Note

Sometimes we just need to change our soundtrack.

Our day is dictated in part by what happens but also by what we surround ourselves. Surround yourself with beautiful things today!

Love to you all!

Liz


"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
                        His love endures forever."
     Psalm 136:1

Caribou Characters

This mans voicecould calm a child
and leave him sitting
waiting
fidgeting
for the great story to abound
it could be about the little bird
that flits about around on the ground
and yet tales of Africa
roll off his lips
with wonderful sounding tips
and a perfect pace of diction
is this moment is it...
fact or fiction?

Such delight to be brought from this place
with couples of different size shape and race
of people alone and in mass
no stranger to pass
or bird to be missed
a sweet goodbye and a gentle kiss
by the sun before the cold and rain
surely a beautiful day
is God's cure for any pain.

"Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway."
    Proverbs 8:34 (on wisdom)

What God can do!

One would think
the impossible to be
of all the things in front of me
and yet when brought
into the light
the things that I did not do right
the things that I had failed to do

and so I stood and thought it through
God what do you want me to do
am I meant for this
is my time well spent
in investing and working so hard
when my heart is still remnants and shards
that you are taking apart and strengthening
stretching and lengthening

and here and now
what is this thing
what will this meeting bring

a choice was made
between chopping and slicing
the vegetables
a feast I was dicing
for animals and reptiles and such
my mind was up to too much

I need medicine I thought
a cure for this feeling
that has my mind lost
overwhelmed and reeling
but move forward God said
and watch what I do
I can lift this feeling from inside of you

and so I prayed that he would
and moved forward and tried
and a strength overwhelmed all of my insides

every prayer was answered
every hope fulfilled
as if this job was exactly as he willed
I did my best
and thought naught about the rest
and it became a time God has blessed.

"He raises the poor from the dust
   and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
   and has them inherit a throne of honor."
      1 Samuel 2:8