the first post since forever // a heart reminder

“whatever you’re desiring right now, know this: Jesus is better.” 

. . .

worth fighting for

Some days you're fine. and other days you're not...and that pain starts to creep into the dark spaces of your heart - the places that maybe you've forgotten about, or have just ignored.  And you start to feel. 

But you want to heal, completely. and you want to let go, and move on.  cause you know - deep, deep in your soul - that there are far better things ahead than what we leave behind.  

So you look for something to try and give you comfort - to help you remember.  and you run across beautiful words like Scott's. and you find hope.  and you find strength to keep going forward. 

to keep fighting.  Cause you know that anything worth having in this life doesn't come easy.  And you know that a butterfly only gets his wings through the struggle of breaking through the cocoon.  And that truly, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.  

So you hold on, because you know that the promise of the rising sun is on its way. 

----------------------------------------------

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed,” 

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.                    -Isaiah 54:10

hope in the midst of hurt...

// Even in the midst of pain and confusion...He is still good, and we are still loved. // 

"Our notions about happiness entrap us....

We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form."

 Thich Nhant Hahn

words to remember...

I have been having a lot of fun making these typography / quote / picture things....  I love them because I set them as the lock-screen on my phone, and then every time I turn on my phone I see the truths that my soul needs to remember and grasp hold of....

xx,
bailey =)

*** just look up

we are both under the same starry sky. and we are both held in the hands of the One who breathed the stars into being.  the One who writes our stories.  who knows our hurts.  who catches every tear we cry.  and who promises that all things will be beautiful in their time.  and Who promises that He will be with us every step of the way. 

look up. 

the way of the Lord is good...

"He knew her lack. He knew her vulnerability. He knew the ways Ruth had been hurt and the things she’d lost. And He provided her just what she needed at just the time she needed it. It may not have been the life she would have chosen, if she had her way. But it was the way of the Lord, and the way of the Lord is good..."

{to read the rest of the post click here ) 

leave it all behind, and come to the Well...

Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind, 

Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind,

I have what you need, But you keep on searchin, 

I've done all the work, But you keep on workin, 

When you're runnin on empty, And you can't find the remedy, 

Just come to the Well.

You can spend your whole life, Chasin what's missing, 

But that empty inside, It just ain't gonna listen.

When nothing can satisfy,And the world leaves you high and dry, 

Just come to the Well

And all who thirst will thirst no more, 

And all who search will find what their souls long for, 

The world will try, but it can never fill, 

So leave it all behind, and come to the Well

So bring me your heartNo matter how broken, 

Just come as you are, When your last prayer is spoken, 

Just rest in my arms a while, You'll feel the change my child, 

When you come to the Well

reminders that He loves me

I once had a friend who told me that whenever she saw anything heart-shaped it reminded her of Jesus' love for her.  So now whenever I see anything in the shape of a heart - a rock, a leaf, a puddle, etc…I think of her, and also am reminded that Jesus loves me.  

I came upon these flowers when I was at the arboretum with my grandparents and I had never seen them before.  And they made me so happy! =] There are actual flowers that are in the shape of a heart! How cool! 

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."  
{Psalm 36:5} 

thankfulness through my lens || may 18

…this song...

Cal·va·ry

 

noun, 

1.

Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. Luke 23:33.

"Calvary covers it all, my sin and shame don't count anymore. All praise to the one Who has ransomed my soul.  Calvary covers it all." 

thankfulness through my lens || may 11

~ my mom ~

(I was going to write this on my mom's birthday…but it was a super full day.  So, since my sentiment remains the same, and today happens to be mother's day, I wanted to share it.) 

This lady. She is amazing.  She acts as mother, wife, daughter, role-model, teacher, dietitian, prayer warrior, house-cleaner, cook, friend, chauffeur, doctor, nurse, editor, advisor, shoulder-to-cry-on, exercise-partner, cheerleader, play-buddy, fashion consultant, accountant, schedule coordinator, comforter, follower of Jesus and so, so much more.

I realized, not too long ago, just how amazing my mom is.  You see, while I have been going through my own trials, and trying to figure out life, my mom has been there to listen to me, talk through things with me, cry with me, pray for me, and remind me of God's promises.

But she doesn't just do this for me - she does it for the other six people in this family.  Every day.  And that's not to mention her own stuff that she has to walk through.

I think that then next time someone asks me who my favorite super hero is  I'm gonna say, "my Mom." 

My mom is my super hero, and her super power is Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is #1 in my mom's life.  She has made Him her rock and foundation.  Almost every morning of my life, I have woken up to my mom in the art of pursuing her Lord and Savior.  That's one of the things I most admire about her - her persistency and faithfulness in knowing Jesus.  And it's not because she "has" to, or she's doing it religiously - it's because her heart really hungers and thirsts to know more of Him.

For my mom's birthday, our family wrote out 50 reasons why we love her.  And my favorite was one that my nine year old brother wrote.  "You’re really into the Bible, and you always want to be reading it, and that helps us more to be better in Jesus."  I love it because it's so true.  My mom always wants to be in the Word. but not just by herself -  she wants others to join her.  And to experience the life and blessing that comes from seeking Jesus.  And that has hugely impacted the lives of her husband, kids and the people around her. 

I am so thankful for my Mom.  The biggest, most important lesson I've learned from her is this:  Jesus loves me.  And there is nothing that I can do or say to make Him love me any more or any less.  And that He only wants goodness for my life… And those things are far more important than any math lesson or cooking lesson she could ever give me.

She has made a huge impact on my life - not just here on earth, but for eternity as well. 

Mom, you are a priceless jewel.  I don't know why God saw fit to put me with such an incredible woman, but I am so grateful He did.  

Happy Mother's Day!

 Love you<3

"What is a mom but the sunshine of our days and the stars of our nights." 

thankfulness through my lens || april 25

.. dirty dishes .. 

Why dirty dishes?!  It's the sign of food. A meal.  A time that has been shared with other people.  

It means that I spent time with the people I love most.  

I am so thankful for my family.  I would not be who I am today without them.  They encourage me. Challenge me.  Inspire me. Pray for me.  Make me laugh.  Cry with me.  Put up with my craziness and annoying-ness (hey, that's what siblings are for, right?!) 

I know that my family life is not normal, and for that, I am thankful.  When so many families are breaking apart, and hate being together, that is not the case for us.  We see each other a lot, and still enjoy being together.  We loves playing board games - like all the time.  My siblings are my bestest friends.  My parents? Incredible.  

Do we have bad days? ohhhh yes.  Do we fight? We're human - duh.  Are there days that I want to clobber my siblings, and vice-versa? ohhhbviously. (hehe, love you guys ;D ) 

But we forgive.  We do second chances.  We remind.  We encourage.  We share.  We play together.  We pray together.  We work together. And clean together.  And dance together.  And cry together.  And eat together… 

And this is only by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.  Why He chose us? I have no idea.  But, I am so thankful for the family He has put me in.  

I know that this is only for a season.  That tomorrow this could all be different.  So, I want to relish the season of life, and place that God has me in right now - even if that means washing dirty dishes.  

{And yes, you can remind me of this in a couple days, Mom. ;) }  

thankfulness through my lens

\\ that God can meet me anywhere \\

I find healing when I play the piano.  It's a time to just bare my emotions.  I don't have to come up with the right words.  I can just play.  And let the emotions out.  It's in those moments where the Lord brings hymns to mind - His truths to my heart.  I remember.  I trust.  I feel.  I play.  In those moments there is a calming assurance that comes over my restless heart…  

Piano is kind of a ministry for myself.

\\ painting \\ 

I always said I couldn't paint.  Then I wanted to try.  So I did.  And I really enjoyed it.  I'm not very good, by any means.  But, I have fun doing it - and that's what's important.

A friend told me to try it.  "It's really relaxing," she said.  So, I took her advice.  She was right. =)

I think I want to do more of this…

 "If you hear a voice within you saying 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." 




(To read my original post about "Thankfulness Through My Lens" click HERE…) 

thankfulness through my lens

|| friendships and memories ||

I love my wall of pictures.  So many good memories.  So many happy times.  So much to be thankful for.  I realized today that the Lord really has blessed me, abundantly, with so many friends in my life. Whether old or young, new or old, family or not..I have been surrounded by so many people who love, support and encourage me - consistently.   

I have so much - and so many - to be thankful for. 

So, while this isn't that amazing of a picture - it is special to me.  Because it conveys my heart, and reminds me that   I. am. so. blessed.  and Jesus. is. so. good. 

And there is always. always. something to be thankful for. 

And when I choose thankfulness, I'm choosing joy.  

|| thankfulness through my lens ||

\\ the peace that comes over my soul as I read His words \\

"Sex, Marriage and Fairytales"

“Because of Me it is finished, you’ve been made new.

You’re spotless, you’re blameless -there’s no sin in you.

Because His death was a proposal - He wanted you no matter the cost.

Where some guys propose on a knee, Jesus proposed on a cross.”

This video is so spot. on.  I love this guy's passion.  It's all about Jesus.