I’m drinking more coffee. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing - a study released yesterday that said 2-3 cups is good for you. Why don’t they say that about Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Can someone whip up a study with those findings right quick, please?
Anywho, that was a bit of a cold open on my part. But, none of us can ever really be sure where these emails are going to go - am I right?
This has been a week of too much and not enough. And I keep waiting for my heart and thoughts to center, to calm, and then stay that way for goodness sake. What I’m learning? Every day is a restart. This commitment to open-handed living isn’t a one-and-done scenario. I keep picking up what I’ve already laid down approximately 3025 times.
So maybe, this is a simple reminder for today: Lay it down. Let’s stop trying to avoid the hard, thinking it’ll make everything good. In God’s economy, the good is found in the hard.
What To Know
When Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24) - He knew that cross wouldn't fit comfortably under our arm. That cross couldn't be slung over our shoulders, forgotten as we forge our way through life.
We couldn't carry the cross without feeling the burden.
The heaviness.
The discomfort.
The pain.
He knew, because He carried His own.
And I think, at times, I've mistaken grace for ease-of-life. Mercy for a bump-less road.
"But that's not what the Bible teaches. Instead, it reveals that struggles are part of God's plan for you. Don't allow yourself to think the hard things you're facing are failures of God's character, promises, power or plan. Don't buy into the possibility that God is not as trustworthy as you thought Him to be. When you begin to doubt God's goodness, you quit going to Him for help.
There are times we cry out for God's grace, and we get it - but not the grace we're looking for. We want the grace of relief or release. We get those in little pieces - but largely - they are yet to come.
We need the grace of transformation.
God's grace isn't always pleasant. It comes in the form of something we never would have chosen ourselves. But it still comes." (Paul David Tripp)
When the reasons aren't clear - I reason my way out of His goodness. I believe I've fallen out of favor, so this must be why.
But the real key as you sit in the why? The "theology of uncomfortable grace.”
Here, on this earth - God's grace reveals itself in uncomfortable ways.
This may not be what I want. But, somehow, it's what I need.
What To Ignore
This week, all of you are the NOTM Style Contributors. Because we’re all trying to keep up with how short shirts are getting and if we really can bring back butterfly clips. Here are your current “I am ACTIVELY ignoring this fashion trend” responses:
Crocs - Ryan would firmly disagree
The return of low rise - x423523 of you. seriously. that many. With our forces combined, I believe we can put a stop to what will only end in photos we can’t show our children.
Crop tops - Why are we bringing crop tops AND low rise at the same time? Fashion hates me. That’s why.
Feathered eyebrows - Mine look feathered…mainly because the tweezing has gone to the back burner…
Tiny sunglasses - I’ll be honest. I’ve yet to see someone who doesn’t look like they’re playing a 2022 version of Clue.
Barrettes/clips - I tried. For like a minute. And I was left uncertain and feeling like I’d just left my first grade teacher, Mrs. Farr’s, classroom.
Wide legged/loose pants - BUT I LIKE THE FREEDOM OF THEM
Giant white tennis shoes - I’ve gone the way of white tennis shoes and have lived a season of regret.
Uggs - Thank you. Thank you for recognizing my pain.
Florals - Okay, but I love a floral print to distract you from all the doubt I have in the barrettes and white tennis shoes.
I can safely say - you are my people. I see you, you see me. We see each other.
What To Try I haven’t decorated a room since before 2015. Seriously. My creative ability runs drier than my heels after a winter in Nikes when it comes to home decor. My anxiety is spiking at even the thought of choosing furniture. Part of adulthood is knowing your lane. And leaning on those the good Lord entrusted home-style to. I leave a key under the mat, a budget on a text and hightail my way to literally anywhere else while the home-life creative juices flow. I asked our Home Life Contributor, Candice, what her process looks like…
What it looks like to go through the design process with me:
Schedule a consult: If you’re building, we’ll go over home plans. If you’re moving, we’ll schedule a walk-through.
Set an overall budget: Decide what items are must haves and decide what items are wants.
Determine your design style: If you’re married or living with roommates, this may take a minute to nail down one cohesive look! I recommend incorporating something for everyone, it doesn’t have to be “this” or “that”.
Determine a color scheme: What colors make you calm/peaceful/happy? Do you tend to lean toward moody and dark or bright and clean palettes?
I draw up a vision board and you give it the green light or let me know what you would like to tweak.
Once your vision board is finalized, I send you a gallery of links to each item I’ve carefully curated and we put together the home of your dreams!
The greatest feeling? Making your house feel like home. Next greatest feeling? Not having to do it by yourself. Next greatest feeling? Stepping into a beautiful house that all your visitors think you did. Next greatest feeling? Thinking it’s Thursday and then remembering it’s Friday. Yep, I think that about sums up the “greatest feelings” category.
I love Fridays. I love how it always is filled with expectation. Anticipation. Even if all you’re doing is hosting a Baby Doll Party (for which you have no idea how to carry a theme like that) and forcing your husband to create a baby-themed scavenger hunt for the party.
It’s the little things, all together, that make up this big life. Lean into them. Notice them. Live. Them.
P.S. March’s Collective is NEXT Thursday, March 31 at Backroads Market at 6:30 p.m. We’re speaking to the In Spite Of moments - that whole walking faithfully through circumstances you would’ve never chosen? Let’s talk through it.
