Crappy Days.

Some days are just crappy.  

Sometimes the days turn into weeks, & the weeks turn into months.

Things don't happen like you hoped.

Things happen that you didn't expect.

Your plans fell apart.

Sometimes the people you thought would reach out or be there just aren't.  

For whatever reasons.  

Maybe they are busy.  

Maybe they don't know what to say.  

Maybe they've been lied to or decieved.

                                               Maybe they are having a crappy day too. 

I woke up after a day of blissful yard work - the yard of our rental house was a bit overgrown- and my arms were covered in poison ivy.  Then my legs were.  Then it spread to my face and it just was not getting better.

(And by the way - I never remember having poison ivy in my life....) 

So after a week of steroids and a shot in the butt, I *think* I'm on the mend.  

Oh- and this started on the FIRST day of my new job.  Which is at a cute little cafe downtown- and not anything I've ever done before - but it's time for new things.  So here I am.  

After a week of meltdowns in our family - did I mention this has been a HARD season? - I finally feel a bit of relief.  Kevin has a potential job and another possibility - and we are choosing to believe - to beleve UNTIL.  Until the prayer is answered.  Until things are better.  

Sometimes life is rough. Don't overspiritualize it or analyze it. Just be honest about it. Sometimes life is hard because the battle is hard. ‪

And maybe - just maybe- there is something really great on the other side of the fight.  Something precious.  Something that you just can't get the easy way.  

Keep praying, friends.  Keep going.   Keep believing.  

Until <3 

Christa 

Don't you carry stones.

We think we know so much.

We assume... And usually we only have partial information.

We have so many opinions. 

"I like warm weather. I like cold weather. I like Trump. I like Hillary. Chocolate is better than vanilla. Music preferences. Hair color. Job choices. College. This church is better. That person is this or that. The way we drive our vehicles. The way we raise our kids. I would do it this way. I sure wouldn't have done that. I would never...."

On and on. 

We think we know what is best. We think our way is better. 

And we call it wisdom... 

Who really knows best? Who is really qualified to judge? To see a mans heart and know his intentions? 

God, that's who. And if you call yourself one of His, you are required to do things his way. 

There is no other way, only his way. 

To choose love, as he is love. To seek him and his way. 

What does that look like?

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

Love hopes all things, believes all things. 

If someone is seemingly living lower than their potential, you are called to hope. If you think they aren't sorry or repentant, remember you really don't know...if you think you see something- you are not called to carry around stones to throw. You are called to bear all things. To believe. To pray for them.

We love to read this scripture at weddings or when we are feeling good. But to walk it out is another thing entirely. When someone has done wrong- or hurt us- or someone we care about- it's much harder to embrace. 

We'd rather point our finger and say what we think. Forgetting that 4 fingers are pointing back at us. 

Help us Jesus. Help us to remember we are all imperfect people in need of a savior. No one should have stones to throw. 

Teach us what real love is. 

Christa 

Nothing missing

It's our fifth day in a new place. 

Some have asked how we are. 

It has been bittersweet. Moments of bitter... Moments of sweet. 

The Lord has been faithful to meet me where I am. In my dark and lonely moments, He has given me laughter with my people and reminders of His love. Joy for mourning. 

When I felt people have failed me, and uncertainty threatens to choke me, He wakes me up with a song in my heart....

"I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord. 

Oh my God, He will not delay. My refuge and strength always. 

I will not fear, His promise is true. My God will come through, always. Always."

When things come and you didn't have time to prepare- you must choose to trust the Lord. No matter what. What other option do we have? 

To quit? To turn away from God? 

That's not even an option. He's our only hope. 

I am trusting in new levels. I am hopeful and expectant. I am believing for a full return of what was stolen.  Nothing will be missing. 

I know where my help comes from. 

I hope you do too ❤️

-Christa 

 

Choose wisely.

Sometimes you just don't have words for the feelings in your heart.

You try and come up with something, to do it justice.  But there just doesn't seem to be anything that comes close.

Life can hit you hard sometimes.  Things seemingly come out of nowhere and throw you for a loop.  Leave you trying to catch your breath.

And you are there wondering, "What now?"

There are several options when trauma hits your house.  Choose wisely.

* You can dig a hole and jump in it.

*You can try and pull as many as you can into your offense.  Continuing the pain and attempting to build a group to validate your feelings.  At the same time, hardening your own heart and distancing yourself from God.

*You can turn and curse God.  "Where are you?  Where have you been?  Why didn't you do something?"  "You've never been there anyway."  "You never cared."

*Or - you can fall on your knees.  Know that He is always good. No matter the circumstance or situation.

I choose this one.

The ONLY ONE who has any virtue is Jesus.  The only one that never fails. That never turns away. That never lies.  That never pushes my face into my sins or even remembers them.

The one that helps me forgive.  Helps me choose life.  Helps me move forward. Helps me go through the hard things.

Helps me love. Even those that gossip and accuse and assume.

Jesus.  He's the only one.

He gives me hope, that one day I can stand before him and he will look me in the eyes and recognize me...and He will ask me the question -

"Christa......did you learn to love?"  

And I pray that I will fall down at his feet, and whisper, "Yes. I did."


<3 christa

Heart hugs

Some weeks are just heavy. Busy. Just...a lot. 

Good moments, mixed with hard ones. And a constant tug on our hearts... Will we choose joy? Or will we choose offense? Peace? Or heaviness and anxiety? Guard our hearts? Or let all of it in...

One day at work, I got a text from someone across the miles. I've watched her grow up. Been blessed to be connected at the heart. And walked some hard times with her too. 

I thought about her and typed out a text. Then I deleted it. 

I started thinking..."she has plenty of people to encourage her. She doesn't need your words." 

So I kept going about my day, and let it go. 

That night she was in my dream, we were laughing and at the beach. It was a sweet dream.

The next morning, I got a text from her. 

A sweet, encouraging text. A reminder of times following Jesus together. Thanking me for pouring into her life. And sharing that she dreamed about me too. 

Coincidence? I don't think so. I believe when God connects hearts, they are forever connected. The enemy can do his best to divide. Our humanness can keep us from reaching out. Time can pass and distance can seem far. 

But Jesus loves for us to love one another. He nudges our hearts for one another. 

I needed that heart hug. I didn't realize how badly I needed it until it came. But I needed it. And I'm grateful for Jesus and how he loves us.   Maybe she needed my words too. I'm sad I didn't listen. 

Do you feel Him nudging your heart today? Maybe it doesn't seem rational. Maybe it doesn't make sense. Your mind may try and talk you out of it. 

But consider this... The someone on the other side may be in need of encouragement in a bad way. It could make all the difference. Don't discount the effect of your words. 

Reach out :) 

❤️ Christa 

Facing fear

Today I did something that scared me. I faced a fear I had. I faced the belief that I couldn't do something. 

I realized I had disqualified myself. I believed others could do great things... But could I? 

Last week I went to a women's gathering in Alabama. I was in a room of people that really believed that God could do ANYTHING. It was an atmosphere of dreams. I felt stirred- and felt His encouragement in my heart to pursue a dream I've had. 

Something that will bless and serve others. And glorify Him.

So last night I started. And today I took steps in that direction. 

Not to be mysterious- but things aren't final and I'm still praying for final direction ;) 

But -like Karen Wheaton says-  "what about God???" He is just so faithful. He gives us dreams and He longs for us to abandon our insecurities and walk them out. 

Do you have a dream in your heart? Will you believe for it to happen? Will you face the fear inside? 

The prize is worth the process - I promise:) and Jesus is with you every step. 

He has never lost a battle ❤️ 

We can do the hard things, friend. 

Much love,

Christa  

More than meets the eye

Last week I found the coolest little book. We were downtown shopping in a few antique shops and it caught my eye. I got it because it was small and old and cost $4.00, so why not? 

It turned out to be a book by Andrew Murray about prayer, and it has wrecked me. Thank God I found that little book. 

How many have passed it by? Not given it a second thought? 

There's always more to things than what meets the eye. 

I was asked by someone recently how I continue to love people after they hurt me, or use me. It took be aback - I had really not thought about it before. 

There are many relationships I have had that were one sided, mostly taking and not much giving. It comes with the territory being pastors. Honestly I guess I just conditioned myself - with years in ministry you kinda get used to it. 

Just because I smile and continue to show love- doesn't mean I dont hurt. I have feelings. I have been talked about and judged plenty. It seems to always find its way to my ears, the enemy loves that. 

But I give it to the lord. And if he leads me to confront, I do. But most if the time he leads me to pray for the one that hurt me. Keep silent and pray. When my flesh would do otherwise. 

So humbling. 

I have learned to take things with a grain of salt. People all have opinions and unfortunately we aren't great at showing grace and mercy in abundance toward one another. We are all growing and learning - if any are perfect you should open a school and teach the rest of us ;)

The only way to really love people past your means and to keep your heart open is to love with His love. Abide in Him. There's always enough if you love with His heart. It never runs dry. 

Don't let people cause you to turn your love off. We all fail and we will all fall short. 

Choose love. Like Jesus did. And still does.

Even with the hurt, it's so worth it. 

Christa ❤️