Just Be.. even through the Loss

Just Be... Even Through the Loss

Have you ever just wanted to throw the covers over your head and fast forward through a day? This is how I feel about this day, January 21^st, as it was the 19^th anniversary of my Dad’s death.

Even after all these years I still remember vividly every part of the day. It was such a cold, dreary and rainy Friday night!

As much as it hurt, and the pain was unlike anything I had ever felt, I’m beyond grateful for my family and friends that stepped in and LOVED me. The days after Dad’s passing seem like I was living a dream each day only to be reminded that this was reality!

Lessons I’ve learned:

1.     If you are walking through brokenness, keep pressing into Jesus! He’s the only one that can heal you! God gives you everything you need.  He is close to the broken hearted.

2.   Don’t push your grief to the side. Deal with it and don’t keep it inside.

3.   Let yourself go through the emotions.

4.   Dig your heels deep into the LORD.   Run to scripture.

5.   After a loss, my sweet friend JenMac wrote scriptures on post it notes and placed them all over my house.

*Side note:  I still have them up in my house.

6. When you need a cry – cry!  When you want to talk about your loved  one- talk about them!

7. As my Uncle Robert said “Just Keep Moving.”

         8.  If you have a friend with a recent loss keep checking in on them.   They need you as they navigate through this journey.

Just Be... Reflective

Just be… Reflective

 As I lie in bed thinking about the weekend, I’m just in Awe of all that God has done in my life.  First of all, preparing to answer the questions for the women’s retreat really stopped me in my tracks.

I am typically a bubbly, energetic, and usually really happy person.  But when my world shattered I lived in defeat and complete brokenness for a year and a half.   Fast forward 4 years and I have learned to be completely thankful for the people he placed in my path.  

My family - They were there, grieved with me, and are continually by my side.  I’m incredibly thankful for their unconditional love, constant prayers, and pointing me back to Jesus in my brokenness.  It was a long season of being broken-hearted and they loved me through it. 

When in complete devastation, I called my dear friend Holly who walked through this journey with me. She has stayed a constant in my life.  

The woman who has loved me like a sister and let me be a fake aunt to their kids- Julie- embraced me but gave me a lot of tough love and scripture.  

Both Holly and Julie include me in their family events and have let me invest in not only their lives but their kids as well.

I’m beyond thankful that Chrissie asked me to grab dinner and I cried through most of it... From that night on she has discipled/mentored me through all different emotions going on 4 years now. She has pushed me in my walk with the Lord, challenged me to go deeper in my walk, and cheers me on through every situation! 

I never dreamed I would get to be a part of a Bible fellowship class with the most amazing teacher and friend- Deb.. She has been a faithful friend, letting me be salty at times, but not letting me stay there, and not afraid to push me..

Everyone needs a Brooke in their life.  I remember the details so vividly of that weekend and she was there every minute. They were moving into a new house and I just wept. She has encouraged, loved me, and wept with me.  

To all those who are in my TRIBE and daily impact my life- Thank you for being a part of my journey, for leading me back to scripture, encouraging me, and being a constant in my life no matter through the mountains, valleys, or low times.

God has placed amazing women in my life that I’m incredibly thankful and blessed to have in my life daily.  They’ve shown me what a TRIBE looks like.

Tammie has become one of my dearest friends, never judging, always knowing what to say, and I’m completely thankful God placed her in my life when he did.  In a few weeks I’ll be 39. This is not the path I thought I would be on, but God has been completely faithful!

If you’re walking in disappointment or hurt right now, look for the Victory and do not live in defeat.

Just Be... an Influencer

Just Be… an Influencer

I’ve been thinking lately about different situations in my life and the different relationships that have been placed there. 

I desire to be someone that makes a difference in others’ lives by allowing them to see something different in me. I want to make an impact on others that reminds them that they are loved and a treasure.

The Lord has placed people of all ages in my life. As an only child, I’ve been extremely blessed that many of my friends have let me be a part of their lives and their families.  To some of these kiddos I am their “Fake Aunt”. During this season of singleness I have been able to just be there to attend b-ball games, church performances, sleepovers, random adventures, and the lists goes on. But my biggest goal is that I am influencing their lives in a positive way.

      Recently, I’ve encountered different people that I have been able to just chat with in places like the line at McAlisters, Starbucks, Sprouts, and Krogers. 

An Influencer has to be careful of their words because of the people we are surrounded by. I don’t want to be a Negative Nancy but a Positive Polly !

         So I am committing to be a positive influence on everyone around me.  Who do YOU influence?

Just Be...Celebrating the Victory

Just Be… Celebrating the VICTORY

This past week I set a goal to stop drinking Coke Zero. I’m excited to celebrate the Victory of meeting this goal. I am trying to get rid of things that my body doesn’t need and start with small steps in my weight loss journey.

You see, for me, I don’t always walk in Victory. Sometimes I forget to give GRACE to myself which leads to walking in Defeat. We should strive to walk in Victory and celebrate not just the big milestones but the small ones as well.

What is a Victory?

The dictionary defines it as:

·      The overcoming of an enemy or antagonist.

·      Achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.

What does God’s Word say about Victory?

1 Corinthians 15: 57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This reminds me to keep walking with the Lord, to dig into scripture, and to walk in Faith that I will have Victory.  I am intentionally looking for the Victories Christ has for me.

Apply:

This week I have added two new goals to my no Coke Zero:

*One is to get up earlier in the morning for my Quiet time (5:00 am)

* No fried food

This week I hope you will be looking for the VICTORY in your life!

I’m praying you will WALK in VICTORY and not Defeat!