What are you shopping for?

I wasted so much time shopping today! My two favorite pairs of jeans have holes in them. Anybody else’s thighs communicate? Yet when I came to the end of my search, I didn’t have any items in my cart. But the reason took me off guard.

I was shopping for things new clothes can’t provide. Searching for feelings of worth, joy, value, affirmation … I came up empty. Maybe even emptier than I when started.

Not sure why I search all the other places before I go the only One that truly fulfills. As a stylist, I know all the fashion tricks, what to look for, what constitutes a good buy, how to spot quality, … and when it’s not actually a fashion issue. (Looks like I’m a little slow on that last one.)

True beauty flows from the heart, from spending time at the feet of Jesus. Let’s not get so caught up, we forget about the internal work sweet friend.

Trust Chapter 319

When you fully let go, it frees you, and opens your eyes to see what God was protected you from. Don’t look down, look up!

I’m realizing a trend. God brings me something good for a season, I hang on too long. He asks me to let go. I plead with God, ask why, and maybe throw a little fit. It’s not until I fully surrender that He shows me why. When I see the whole picture, I don’t want that thing I thought I wanted for me either. His protection and love for me, told me no - no matter how much I begged Him to change His mind. Trust He can see more pieces than you can and He is working for your good.

“Wait on Me”

Interesting how often God uses multiple mediums to convey and then reaffirm the same message. I was talking to God about my husband the other day, being very frank and asking some bold questions (and maybe whining just a smidge.) 

God’s response, “Wait on Me.” 

Ok, … Ok, I think I can do that. Thank you for answering so clearly. A few minutes later, “But Lord, I’m having a hard time waiting.” 

I was immediately taken back to a sermon, “What you feed – grows.” Ah, so true. If I’m watching Hallmark in my downtime, the desire to be in a relationship will grow. (It only takes a few days to fall in love in the movies.) If I’m spending that same downtime praying for my people, my heart will grow in love for them.

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Last night God said, “Wait on Me.”  What sermon do I hear today while getting ready? Hasty Faith (I highly recommend this sermon series by Transformation Church. God has used it to speak so much truth into my life. I’m only about halfway through it but God’s timing is so perfect, no matter how far “behind” I am.)

Hasty Faith: talks about waiting on God and not moving too quickly. (fancy that) Some of my notes are below.

Saul gave the sacrifice before Samuel came. How many things have you done before God came?

(He is speaking my language)

If you move before it’s time to move, like a runner on the starting block, they are disqualified. You are going to run, but wait for the signal lest you be disqualified. (You are going to get married, but wait on God.)

Point 1) Hasty Faith can cost you forever. 

If satan can’t get in front of you to stop you, sometimes he goes behind you to push you. “Ya, ya do that.”

A few minutes of impatience cost Saul his entire legacy. 

It’s not time yet. No idea how long God wants me to wait. No idea what it’s going to look like on the other side. But I do know the gravity of moving too early. 

So we are waiting ON Him. Not waiting with Him, like sitting in a waiting room together – but waiting on Him, trusting, leaning, and resting on Him.