Lessons from Psalms

It amazes me how reluctant we are to embrace changing rhythms…we clutch onto stanzas of our lives with desperation, usually forgetting that we hate monotones. The songs of our lives have to change – need to change – otherwise we grow stagnant, bored, deaf to His voice. And nobody likes a dead beat.

God’s updating my playlist right now, and I’m trying to accept it by dancing a little bigger, singing a little louder.

He has taught me that change is mostly about caging my fears…about locking each one up and choosing to step into all that tomorrow offers, unhindered.

Change is about being refined – admitting we are diamonds in the roughest of roughs and allowing the heat of his love to smooth our jagged corners.

Change begins with letting go; allowing the good, the bad, and the ugly to sift through our fingertips into his hands which are big enough to hold this world and our baggage…yes, every little piece of it.

If you can align yourself with the pulse of His heart and leave the worries of this life in His palms, I promise you’ll be able to wrap your head around this change thing.

And he’ll proudly call out to you, as all loving fathers do.

Don’t you feel lighter, child? I’ve seen your suitcases full of regret and grief, anticipation and disappointment, weariness and confusion. Doesn’t it feel good to lay it all at my feet?

Dance free now, daughter. Dance free now, son. Let me see you shine. Let me whisper love into the quiet spaces of your today. I satisfy the longing soul and I fill the hungry soul with good, good things.”

My heart calls back in response – Jesus you are beautiful. And that is the beginning and the end of everything. You are radiant and worthy of all honour and praise.

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand….oh how abundant is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you…Blessed be the Lord for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me…Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” Psalm 31 (Emphasis added)

Out of His Mind (Griffin House)

Ever come across those songs that speak to you exactly where you are in life? Or maybe they whisper to a person you once were…even prompt you to chase after the person you want to be.

Today while I cranked out a paper I had Pandora going. Pandora has totally morphed into my Mountain Dew when it comes to essays. And today, Pandora was on point. Song after perfect song kept coming on and I felt myself wanting to Tweet pointed lyrics at all kinds of people. Then this guy started singing and something about his voice got me – got me good.

See the funny thing about my friends – and life in general I think – is that boys are such an integral part of conversation, behavior, plans, dreams etc. We wear a killer LBD to feel confident and glam, yes, but also (more often than not, let’s be honest) to attract a guy’s attention. We complain about a lack of interest, too much interest, or not the right interest. We compile the Pinterest wedding board before we’ve even interviewed the potential husbands.  There’s a valid method to our madness – we were designed for relationship after all. But sometimes, I think a simpler factor motivates our boy-directed, slightly obsessed thought process. I think we’re afraid that we’ll repeat mistakes, miss the same signs, lose something precious, or, still worse, end up alone.

Here’s what I want to say with the help of Griffin House: you’re one of a kind. And the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind.

You’re beautiful with or without a man to tell you so. You’re precious and treasured with or without a man to tell you so.  I feel like so many women believe they’re the problem and live with that burden bogging them down. This is so far from the truth. If a boy’s ever wronged you, hurt you, taken you for granted, or robbed you of the joy that is rightfully yours: he was out of his mind. Proclaim this anthem over yourself and your story – you’re worth a wonderful man, but your Creator declares you wonderful just as you are. So wait for Mr. Right. I believe he’ll come around, if you’re patient – although patience is a whole other dilemma for us ladies. Just remember the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind.