Monday, February 13, 2012
Sharing Compassion
I know it has been a long time...
It has been 1 year...
Actually, I kept thinking my journey with shedding light on abuse would all of a sudden be over. More than that, I was hoping...
After I was done with therapy, I thought:
“I’m Done”
After I saw my children’s friends subjected to it, I thought:
“I’m Done”
After brave women stepped out of prostitution into a permanent place of restoration and healing, I thought
“I’m Done”
Until....someone would make a comment, I would get a random phone call from across the country...
And deeper yet I know God was trying to show me over & over...
Sharing compassion and sharing freedom does not stop...
So that leads me to this spot right now - I see more than ever individuals need compassion.
People don’t need judgement.
People don't need assessment.
People don’t need advice
People - our children, our mothers, our fathers, our friends, strangers - need compassion.
xox
Monday, January 24, 2011
Inviting Truth
The Bible calms and inspires my soul. I can’t tell you how often I go back to the Word for guidance, inspiration and rest. I find it amazing how God’s Truth protects, forgives, heals and understands redemption is larger than pain in life.
I have no doubt without God’s word in my life, I would lead a lonely dark life. There have been numerous times when life didn’t make sense, life was beyond painful and life felt more against me than for me. Starting at the age of 3 and for years after, I felt each of those pains. Now at 33, I find life more beautiful than ever thought possible - because my heart has experienced first hand God’s redemption is truly larger than pain.
Freedom reigns over darkness.
Truth reigns over lies.
When I was in high school, my father would leave a particular verse out for me. I love how he knew me enough that I wouldn't make time for a long study in the morning, (as every precious moment to me in the early morning was sleeping in to the last possible minute) but he knew I would pass the kitchen to go out to my car - and pass his note with a scripture written on it for me.
Early on, my father taught me the power of inviting truth into my life - even if it was just a few words at a time...
One of my favorites he would leave for me...
ISAIAH 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand.
Inviting Truth...
One word at a time.
Sweetest blessing from my heart to yours.
xox
I have no doubt without God’s word in my life, I would lead a lonely dark life. There have been numerous times when life didn’t make sense, life was beyond painful and life felt more against me than for me. Starting at the age of 3 and for years after, I felt each of those pains. Now at 33, I find life more beautiful than ever thought possible - because my heart has experienced first hand God’s redemption is truly larger than pain.
Freedom reigns over darkness.
Truth reigns over lies.
When I was in high school, my father would leave a particular verse out for me. I love how he knew me enough that I wouldn't make time for a long study in the morning, (as every precious moment to me in the early morning was sleeping in to the last possible minute) but he knew I would pass the kitchen to go out to my car - and pass his note with a scripture written on it for me.
Early on, my father taught me the power of inviting truth into my life - even if it was just a few words at a time...
One of my favorites he would leave for me...
ISAIAH 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you
with my righteous right hand.
Inviting Truth...
One word at a time.
Sweetest blessing from my heart to yours.
xox
Monday, November 1, 2010
My Today
As I watch my children grow up, I see there are few greater joys than watching their souls blossom. And with that, comes the ability to know when to step in and step back in their lives to give there hearts room to grow. We have 7 summers until Sophie moves onto college...right around the corner.
This makes me more than ever take time and evaluate how I am spending my time, energy each week, and thoughts each day. I don’t have time to wait for things to happen to ‘make me happy’ (an old habit I use to put myself under - exhausting bondage) but rather learn the wise art of really learning to want what I have and see beauty in moments shared every day.
I am amazed in the last couple of months I see how my mind use to be in bondage to lies to the point I would obey my lies... I would obey my feelings of quilt - an emotion that all became to comfortable in my soul - to the point it would drive my actions for a quick high of escape and control...shopping.
I let that one go.
Time is to vital to let lies continue to dictate my joy.
My joy...bigger than watching my children hearts blossom...comes back to God and I.
Resting in God.
Actively pursuing God.
Being in communion with God. (This is when I take a deep breath, but often times that requires action that feels uncomfortable - but always freeing)
I love not just knowing but acting upon the truth God knows and grants the desires of my heart better than me so I can embrace any and every circumstance I am put into.
My joy stems from pursuing God’s glory.
It’s simple.
To often I complicate life and expectations for what I think my joys should be...
until I see a picture like the one above...
and I get it...
That’s joy.
Pure joy.
My joy.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
This makes me more than ever take time and evaluate how I am spending my time, energy each week, and thoughts each day. I don’t have time to wait for things to happen to ‘make me happy’ (an old habit I use to put myself under - exhausting bondage) but rather learn the wise art of really learning to want what I have and see beauty in moments shared every day.
I am amazed in the last couple of months I see how my mind use to be in bondage to lies to the point I would obey my lies... I would obey my feelings of quilt - an emotion that all became to comfortable in my soul - to the point it would drive my actions for a quick high of escape and control...shopping.
I let that one go.
Time is to vital to let lies continue to dictate my joy.
My joy...bigger than watching my children hearts blossom...comes back to God and I.
Resting in God.
Actively pursuing God.
Being in communion with God. (This is when I take a deep breath, but often times that requires action that feels uncomfortable - but always freeing)
I love not just knowing but acting upon the truth God knows and grants the desires of my heart better than me so I can embrace any and every circumstance I am put into.
My joy stems from pursuing God’s glory.
It’s simple.
To often I complicate life and expectations for what I think my joys should be...
until I see a picture like the one above...
and I get it...
That’s joy.
Pure joy.
My joy.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
Monday, October 25, 2010
No Fear
“I have your freedom and am holding it for you until you are ready to receive it...FEAR”
This quote struck home to me. It not only struck me, it stung me. It stung me deeply.
Within the same week, a sweet friend of mine told me - “Amy, you are holding back..fear is still driving you from doing your business...”
She was right.
And within that same night, I didn’t want to give fear anymore room in my life and launched my business:
LILY JANE
And now that I’m off and running with it, I see even more how much fear was holding me back...fear of failure, fear of disappointment, fear of loneliness. I still fight a lie that says when I am alone I will be hurt...wow, I love exposing my lies; exposing my darkness...they always show me how ‘shallow’ and untrue they are! And I see more clearly than ever, I am never alone but always in the palms of my Redeemer -and why would I run from that when it is Christ that makes me complete.
No Fear.
LILY JANE
...doing this to raise awareness of freedom for hundreds of more little girls that at one time were silenced but no longer want to live with that fear.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
This quote struck home to me. It not only struck me, it stung me. It stung me deeply.
Within the same week, a sweet friend of mine told me - “Amy, you are holding back..fear is still driving you from doing your business...”
She was right.
And within that same night, I didn’t want to give fear anymore room in my life and launched my business:
LILY JANE
And now that I’m off and running with it, I see even more how much fear was holding me back...fear of failure, fear of disappointment, fear of loneliness. I still fight a lie that says when I am alone I will be hurt...wow, I love exposing my lies; exposing my darkness...they always show me how ‘shallow’ and untrue they are! And I see more clearly than ever, I am never alone but always in the palms of my Redeemer -and why would I run from that when it is Christ that makes me complete.
No Fear.
LILY JANE
...doing this to raise awareness of freedom for hundreds of more little girls that at one time were silenced but no longer want to live with that fear.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
Monday, October 11, 2010
God's Promises
Oh, how I love spending time on the beach. There is something about watching the waves come in and out and yet be still as it is happening...reminds me of God and His love for me - regardless how much is going on - I’m always in the palm of Gods hands and He is holding me...caring for me....protecting me....
No Matter What.
Oh, how I LOVE the promises of God.
I’m Free...Free from condemnation
I’m Secure....Secure that God works for my good in all circumstances
I’m Protected...Protected, established, anointed and sealed by God
I’m Accepted....Accepted as a child of God
I’m Complete...Complete in God
Perhaps the most precious part of being a child of God, is His promises are for all souls that call Him Abba Father. I love to share the power of Gods promises; most of all to my children.
As I watch my children grow up and I remind them every day of my love for them - It amazes me how much they need to hear it - how much they need to be reminded - in spite them hearing for years and years...I am no different at 33 -
Every day I spend time reading the Bible - not because I have to or it makes me a better person - far from that.
I simply spend time reading God’s promises everyday because lies so quickly like to settle in and throw false truths at me. I see how powerful thoughts are because from thoughts come actions. And if I want my actions to make an impact of freedom for others, the best place to start for me is to dwell on God's promises...
No Matter What.
God’s promises.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
No Matter What.
Oh, how I LOVE the promises of God.
I’m Free...Free from condemnation
I’m Secure....Secure that God works for my good in all circumstances
I’m Protected...Protected, established, anointed and sealed by God
I’m Accepted....Accepted as a child of God
I’m Complete...Complete in God
Perhaps the most precious part of being a child of God, is His promises are for all souls that call Him Abba Father. I love to share the power of Gods promises; most of all to my children.
As I watch my children grow up and I remind them every day of my love for them - It amazes me how much they need to hear it - how much they need to be reminded - in spite them hearing for years and years...I am no different at 33 -
Every day I spend time reading the Bible - not because I have to or it makes me a better person - far from that.
I simply spend time reading God’s promises everyday because lies so quickly like to settle in and throw false truths at me. I see how powerful thoughts are because from thoughts come actions. And if I want my actions to make an impact of freedom for others, the best place to start for me is to dwell on God's promises...
No Matter What.
God’s promises.
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Heartfelt Receiving
I’m learning the art of receiving...
receiving help
receiving advice
receiving love
I was stubborn for years because it was simply a trust issue. I was taught with my abuse people who are close to you hurt you. However, due to my amazing soul mate, unconditional friends and God’s divine road of healing, I’m learning more and more life does not need to stay in a lonely box but rather become a beautiful circle of support and heartfelt help.
As I live in a smaller community for the first time in my life, I find myself experiencing the joy of sharing life with others -and letting them help me each day. I look back at my life - living in different cities - and how hard i tried to do ‘it all’ on my own (even with having phenomenal friendships). I somehow had the lie tucked in my brian to do ‘it all’ was a golden ticket of great worth...I know - a complete lie and even foolishness - but I see more and more - just because I am capable of something, doesn’t take a way my need for great support still. If anything, I’m finding when I let others help me, I become stronger and life is much lighter on my heart.
I love how God created my soul for relationships - even if life along the way tried to steal that seed.
a few years ago - or even a year ago - help would have felt to vulnerable for me...when I let my heart receive help, I’m vulnerable and letting go - everything but being in control...
heartfelt receiving...
receiving Jesus
receiving Life
receiving Freedom
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours!
receiving help
receiving advice
receiving love
I was stubborn for years because it was simply a trust issue. I was taught with my abuse people who are close to you hurt you. However, due to my amazing soul mate, unconditional friends and God’s divine road of healing, I’m learning more and more life does not need to stay in a lonely box but rather become a beautiful circle of support and heartfelt help.
As I live in a smaller community for the first time in my life, I find myself experiencing the joy of sharing life with others -and letting them help me each day. I look back at my life - living in different cities - and how hard i tried to do ‘it all’ on my own (even with having phenomenal friendships). I somehow had the lie tucked in my brian to do ‘it all’ was a golden ticket of great worth...I know - a complete lie and even foolishness - but I see more and more - just because I am capable of something, doesn’t take a way my need for great support still. If anything, I’m finding when I let others help me, I become stronger and life is much lighter on my heart.
I love how God created my soul for relationships - even if life along the way tried to steal that seed.
a few years ago - or even a year ago - help would have felt to vulnerable for me...when I let my heart receive help, I’m vulnerable and letting go - everything but being in control...
heartfelt receiving...
receiving Jesus
receiving Life
receiving Freedom
Sweetest blessings from my heart to yours!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Psalm 103
I find myself treasuring words from the bible, more and more - The words are music are to my soul in my constant world of change and growth. Often times when I find my mind starts running 100 mph, I will stop and just read...there is nothing like reading the bible for me - It is my anchor; It is my rock; It is my freedom - It is what enables me to extend grace when I don’t think its possible; It is what enables me to stand tall when everything around me is telling me to sit down; and It is what shows me over and over I have a Redeemer that heals every hour.
PSALM 103
PSALM 103
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