take heart.

2016. 

It’s here and it’s new and I could say something hopeful and enthusiastic like it is brimming with possibility, but the truth is I haven’t really felt like that in a long time… 

I’m 30 and in (just less than) 2 months I will be 31. Several of my friends have said “make this the year of shell”. I don’t really even know what that means. I have had 30 years of shell. Sure, I can keep pursuing me - I will keep seeking the Lord and doing all I can to grow in Him and constantly seeking His face as I strive to become more like Christ. I will keep investing in ministry and doing things that make my heart beat - pouring into my people and loving my amazing foster teens. Hopefully I will get to travel. Obviously I will drink coffee and paint my nails and wear fantastic accessories and ridiculously bold lip colors. But if I was REALLY honest, I would love for this to be the year of SHELL + ______ (and that blank would be filled in with the name of the love of my life). I understand that God is not bound by the conventions of man and He doesn’t work on our timeline. To Him my 30 years is nothing but a blip. He is writing a beautiful and inspiring story with my life and I will look back and think the wait was SO worth it. But oh in my humanity I am so ready. The longing is real and the ache is gnawing and ever-present. I would LOVE for this to be the year my head stops pounding and ruining all my fun. When I can stop spending so much money and time on doctors appointments and desperately seeking answers. When it just doesn’t hurt so much. I would LOVE for this to be the year that I get to have that sweet reunion with my best World Changers teammates Michael Page and Emily Diaz and I get to jet set to San Francisco to see my sweet friend Joy and spend some time back in Bama with my dearest Sara. I would LOVE for this to be the year for ALL the things. But let’s be realistic for just a second because that isn’t really how life works, no year is the year for ALL THE THINGS. 

So I picked a mantra. One I pray will help me push through the year and keep my eyes on Him instead of becoming distracted and weary by the weight of life. My mantra for 2016 has been claimed and prayed over and I truly hope it will be a reminder for me in moments that just feel entirely too hard. 

take heart. 

“ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 {esv} 

May I have courage and be of good cheer regardless of suffering and trial and sorrow. The world is real and yet we have great hope for He has conquered. 

2016. take heart.