The Lord had been leading to come home, to be with my babies, for a while. Some days it seemed like He was taking His own sweet time on it, if I can be completely honest, and others I was grateful for any ‘delays’ in the process because I was very intimidated at this new prospect.

Some days I still am.

But there were always little things – faithful words of encouragement, little ways the Lord would move this circumstance or provide a new opportunity – that peppered my way with reassurances that He was still moving, still working, still making a way. 

Truthfully, He has always done this, but sometimes it takes it being in the area of one of my greatest desires for me to really recognize, really see.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

It was one day, in a very unexpected context, that the Lord spoke to me through 1 Corinthians 15:58,

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

There were lots of subtle intricacies about this verse that struck me in the moment, hitting on my insecurities, my doubts, my impatience, etc. But I knew in that moment that this was going to have to be a signpost for me, something that I needed to keep right in front of me, a daily reminder.

Let nothing move me.

If God has given you a dream, something you know that is not of yourself and probably involved Him even changing your heart at one point to even want the thing, then cling to it. Keep it in front of you. Don’t let anything move you from what He is leading you to.

Not your fears. Not your selfishness. Not your timeline or agendas.

(cue death to self)

And give yourself fully to it. Sell the farm to buy the field. Matthew 13:44-45

Do what is your part, and then trust God to do His. He is faithful to complete what He has started.

“The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

I was reminded this morning of this verse, of the morning the Lord impressed it upon my heart and told me to EMBRACE the calling to be at home with my babies all.the.time.

There was something powerful about that moment (maybe you’ve experienced this before). Despite myself (my intimations, hesitations, unanswered questions, etc.), I felt emboldened for the task. Empowered. Ready. Pretty darn significant for those that were walking this journey with me.

The truth that God is a Present God is powerful. I can give myself fully to what He calls me to because He will be there, equipping and filling  and extending His grace over and over again. It’s not up to me. He produces the fruit. He brings the growth. I just have to submit and allow Him to do it in me.



Lord, thank You that You are a God that has made a way for me eternally and makes a way for me daily. Your grace is sufficient for everything I will face today. Help me to embrace this truth and walk with You in it.

It has recently been brought to my attention that I am stressed concerning some things in my life (not a surprise, but I guess sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to make you realize that something may be more of an issue than you thought). So, I have been purposefully trying to seek out biblical passages and truths about joy and peace, to find out ways that I am forsaking these gifts in my life and therefore experiencing unneeded stress.

This devotion below really spoke to me this morning concerning receiving God’s peace, and I wanted to share, in case anyone else needs this little nugget of truth today.

“MY PEACE is the treasure of treasures:  the pearl of the great price.  It is an exquisitely costly gift, both for the Giver and the receiver.  I purchased this Peace for you with My blood.  You receive this gift by trusting Me in the midst of life’s storms.  If you have the world’s peace – everything going your way – you don’t seek My unfathomable Peace.  Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.  Adverse circumstances are normal in a fallen world.  Expect them each day..  Rejoice in the face of hardship, for I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 13:46, “When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Does anyone else like the “Unsubscribe” feature on newsletters?

In this season of my life, when I feel not only the desire but the necessity to simplify, I LOVE what that little unsubscribe link can offer me at the bottom of the email.

Confession: I used to be a subscription junkie. In order to not miss out on any upcoming deals at my favorite stores, or any encouraging blog posts, or whatever, I would subscribe to just about anything.

This is not a good thing to do when you consider your inbox a type of to-do list, by the way. Good to know yourself and your tendencies.

SO, I am turning it around! Now I get a wonderful little high, a new a wonderful sense of accomplishment from unloading a lot of this unneeded distractions and time-sucks from my life.

Unsubscribe? Why yes, thank you. (check)
Unsubscribe to all? Yes, definitely. (check, check)

It’s the little things.

But it has also encouraged me to take a longer look at other aspects of my life as well.

Where have I started subscribing to things that aren’t necessary for me right now? What have I allowed in my life, in my head, in my heart, that doesn’t line up with what the Lord is doing? What voices? What influences? What activities that drain my time and energy?

(In light of my past experiences, my current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams…)

So, I’m asking myself today what I need to unsubscribe from?

Lord, help me identify the things in my life that speak things that don’t foster what You are speaking to me, what You are doing in my life. And then help me to intentionally choose to no longer allow them the high ground in my life in which they current take up real estate. Help me create new habits where old ones need to be demolished. Help me see things that aren’t beneficial to where You have me now and where I am going with You. Help me to say “yes” to the things that bring life and encouragement to me, my family, and those around me. And help me to say “no” to the things that don’t. I need Your wisdom. Thank you, God, that not only hear me when I pray, but pursue my heart and prompt me to pray in the first place. Thank You for loving me and not allowing me to stay where I am, but constantly calling me forward, after You. Amen.