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Saying “YES” to God in the Middle of Our Mess {And a Giveaway}

May 2, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

The weather was beautiful, warm with the perfect spring breeze, and I muscled the Sit N Stand stroller to the front door to go pick up Salem from preschool. I noticed something unusual with our door and called my husband to inquire.

{Important side note: Our house is for sale and has been for many months. It’s only been shown once.}

It was only then he decided to tell me about the realtor who had called the day before at 3:05 wanting to show our house at 3:30 the same day. Both of us were at work.

Now you tell me…do you normally leave your house in “okay to be shown to a potential buyer” condition when you leave for work on a Wednesday morning? Ok, me neither.

I cringed to think about the laundry piled in baskets on the floor, our unmade bed, the towels on the bathroom counter, Salem’s bedroom littered with an array of random “treasures” and the pallet on the floor she’s been sleeping on for the last few nights to “campout”. It occurred to me there might have even been a wet diaper on my son’s changing table. {cringe}

“You have got to be kidding me!” went through my head, along with a variety of other comments I wanted to make to my husband, but refrained for the health of our marriage.

Some stranger just entered our house and viewed our mess in all of its imperfect glory. Not okay in my book.

Sure, we had friends over on Sunday night and the house was far from perfect – piles of winter clothes graced the hallway waiting to be stashed in the attic for next year. The kitchen floor would have seriously benefited from a broom in the capable hands of my husband, the resident sweeper, but who were we kidding? Between the two of our families, we have 3 kids under the age of 5 who were going to dump half of their food on the floor before we were finished with dinner anyway.

When my friend Brittany called our house a “judgement free zone,” I knew I was on the right track. Sure, I like to tidy up before people come over, but even if there’s not time for that, our friends are welcome.

I’m learning to relax in the company of my closest friends and let them into my “mess”.

Ya’ll. This is new for me! I’ve spent years, years, making sure our house was just so before inviting people over. If it wasn’t for some reason, my stress level would go through the roof. But I’ve declared war on perfectionism, so not anymore!

I’ve learned that it’s building relationships that counts, not what my house looks like!

Lately I’ve embraced The Nester’s motto about our home: It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. And it’s true. I’m a recovering perfectionist and this is a struggle for me. My soul just feels more at peace when the dishes are done, the floor is swept, the counters are clear, and my bed is made. But what if I waited for everything to be just perfect to let people into our home, into our lives? Yep, it would never happen!

Yes, our mess drives me crazy sometimes but I have to be careful not to allow it to keep me from fostering and nurturing one of the most important things in our lives – loving people and sharing our lives with them.

But what if I waited until all the stars were aligned and everything in my life seemed perfectly ready for me to do what God is calling me to do?

I’d never make a difference. And my life would never shine His glory. And friends, Matthew 5:16 tells us that’s what it’s all about!

Oh, what a tragedy to miss out on something as extraordinary as the ministry of Mercy House, a maternity home in Kenya providing alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. Mercy House aids them in education, nutrition, housing, prenatal care, Bible study, counseling and job skills for sustainable living. Incredible!

No, that’s not what God is calling ME to say “YES” to, but it IS God’s dream for Kristen Welch and her family.

A self-described “ordinary” person with struggles, brokenness, fears, anxiety – the whole bit – Kristen did one thing differently than many of us. God asked her to use her ordinary life – mess and all – and turned her obedience – her “YES” – into something “extra”ordinary.

One step at a time, one prayer at a time, one “yes” at a time, God used Kristen’s life to change the world. She tells the story in her new book Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly Safe Faith is Not Enough.

Rhinestone Jesus is a peak into Kristen’s heart as she shares candidly how God turned her from a “good girl,” a teenager on fire for God but content to live a “safe” Christian life, into a woman broken through life’s challenges and unexpected experiences, now willing to say “yes” to God and trust Him in each moment, regardless of the outcome.

The book is a call to authenticity in the Christian walk. She challenges us to push through the fears of “what if” and instead to ask “what next God?” as we move forward one step at a time in faith.

Kristen shares her personal struggles in ministry, motherhood, and marriage and paints a picture of God’s incredible redemption through it all.

Not just a memoir, the book will walk you through your own journey of learning to say “yes” to God’s call by providing thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter that beg for reflection and action.

And for this recovering perfectionist momma, I love this quote from the book:

Saying yes isn’t really about doing it all, it’s about saying yes right where you are.”

That’s it. That’s the answer. I don’t have to get everything right, the stars don’t have to align, and my house doesn’t have to be spotless. I just have to say “yes” in the middle of my mess to whatever God puts in front of me today. One foot in front of the other. One step at a time, saying “yes” to living out my faith authentically.

I am thrilled to have been part of Kristen’s launch team for her book and her publisher Tyndale House has given me a copy to review and a copy to give away to one of you! The giveaway will be open until May 8th and there are several ways to enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This post is part of Lisa-Jo Baker’s 5 Minute Friday series, where she empowers bloggers to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a specific topic. Free writing. Writing just for the sheer joy of it. Today’s topic was “Mess“. And NO, this definitely didn’t take me the prescribed 5 minutes…but my fellow Five Minute Friday gals encouraged me that there is grace in the mess and to post it anyway! This post also contains affiliate links {full disclosure}. Also sharing with Women of Worship, Fellowship Friday, Beauty Observed, and Sunday Stillness.

Beauty in the Mess

April 11, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Her little brother is visiting his Mimi for the week and my 4 year old jumps at the opportunity for a rare uninterrupted moment to paint.

Hunched over the 1970s era leaf table with a wide swath of drawing paper taped down, her paint brushes littered among the homemade sticky paints, she diligently creates her work of art.

photo credit: via Eiimeon photopin cc

To me, it looks like a big sticky jumbled mess. Colors are everywhere; paint is on her hands, the table, the floor, her hair…and a bit on the paper.

I know better than to ask “What is it?” and instead say, “Tell me about it, doodle.” {Doodle has been her nickname since the beginning. My little artist.}

“It’s a rainbow mommy. You know, like God’s promises.”

Indeed it is.

Her sweet voice and messy art reminds this weary soul of the truth of God’s work in our lives.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

photo credit: TEBart via photopin cc

He is the promise maker and the promise keeper. He takes our broken pieces, our messy, and turns it into a masterpiece used for His glory.

Although we may not see the rainbow in the messy art, it’s not our job to see the full picture. The Bible tells us we can’t see the scope of God’s work, its fullness.

Instead, it’s our job to trust the artist and walk with Him one day at a time. And He will reveal the rainbow, the beauty in our mess, as we say “yes” to Him.

*This post is part of Lisa-Jo Baker’s 5 Minute Friday series, where she empowers bloggers to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a specific topic. Free writing. Writing just for the sheer joy of it. Today’s topic was “Paint.” Also sharing with Essential Fridays, Fridays Unfolded, The Weekend Brew, Recommendation Saturday, Sacred Speco, Beauty Observed, and Sunday Stillness.

Also…while we’re on the topic of saying “yes”…

I just started reading the new book by Kristen Welch, Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly, Safe Faith is No Longer Enough. It’s a pre-release review copy and the book launches May 1 (although you might can find it in stores sooner & pre-order on Amazon). I started crying in the Introduction ya’ll, so I know this one’s a good one that will challenge me in ways I need it. Can’t wait to share more about it with you once I finish! In the meantime, a whole tribe of people are sharing how they’re saying “yes” to God in the middle of their mess – check it out on Twitter.

I Am Who HE Says I Am: Letting Go of Perfectionism

April 4, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

I lay in bed, my head tucked into the crook of my husband’s arm, tears escaping from my weary eyes. Attempts at explaining how I’m feeling to the one person in the world who cares about me more than any other fail me.

The words “I don’t know” escape my lips over and over and he holds me closer.

All this striving to do things right, to do the practical things necessary to grow in my faith, to really trust God in the hard moments, and I’m still feeling like it’s not enough.

And I realize, old habits die hard.

The cycle of perfectionism, of feeling I must give 100% to absolutely everything, fearing failure, and then still feeling like it’s not enough, after awhile stops me in my tracks, yet again.

I Am Who He Says I Am: Letting Go of Perfectionism

photo credit: Daniela Vladimirova via photopin cc

It was just 5 short months ago after reading Emily Freeman’s book Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life that I started to realize the danger of constantly comparing my actual performance to this perfect version of me I had concocted in my mind.

“It’s time to read it again,” I said to my husband, after the tears had stopped; and he did what all good husbands do, listen.

Emily’s words, filled with the rawness of her story and God’s truth, broke open my heart and started the healing process.

I need the reminder again and again that I’m enough. That I’m pre-approved. That it’s God who picks up the pieces of my broken life and crafts them into a masterpiece, not me.

Sometimes the reminder comes in the form of God’s word. Ephesians tells us we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ. I love the truth that HE has planned the good things we are going to do, not us.

It’s not up to me to work and strive for approval. Instead, it’s my job to lean in, to listen for God’s Spirit to lead me in the good things he has planned for me.

What freedom!

Other times the reminder comes through sweet friends. Thank you Rebekah for putting words to my calling as a writer in a way that spoke directly to my heart and into my life as confirmation from God that yes, this is what He has for me in this season of my life. No more doubting, my words are making a difference and I will keep on.

And if God’s word on the page in black and white and a Christian sister’s encouragement isn’t enough, this week I listened to an interview with Jennifer Dukes Lee on the God-Centered Mom podcast talking about the release of her new book, Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval and Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes.

So I’m starting to get the message.

I’m pre-approved.
Worth it.
Enough.
Made perfect in Christ.
God’s masterpiece.

It’s my job to offer up my broken pieces and His job to make the work of art.

It’s my job to offer up my broken pieces and His job to make the work of art.

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Oh friends, may we continue to grow together in this!

This post contains affiliate links that help support the site and our family as we seek to become financially free of debt {full disclosure}.

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter

March 24, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Are you looking for Easter activities to do with your kids while at home during the COVID-19 pandemic? I’ve updated this post with 10 simple things you can do at home during the week of Easter! Find it here & share with others: 10 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Easter – COVID-19 EDITION

If you’ve ever struggled to find ways to teach your kids about Easter, this post is for you! I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve used with my kids along with other ideas I’ve found online for you to try.

While it can feel overwhelming to explain Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to a child, these resources will give you lots of ideas that you can use or adjust based on the developmental needs of your child and their level of understanding.

It’s so important that we teach our kids the truth that Jesus died for us, rose again, and is now alive – even when they are small.

Teach a child how to follow the right way; even when he is old, he will stay on course.” Proverbs 22:6

Let’s be intentional about teaching our children deep spiritual truths on a level they can understand and share with their friends.

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter: Hands-On Activities & Books

1. Resurrection Rolls

2. A Sense of the Resurrection: An Easter Experience for Families

3. Read a Children’s Book about Easter

4. Wash Each Others’ Feet

5. Resurrection Eggs

6. Read the Easter Story from a Children’s Bible

7. The Legend of the Sand Dollar

8. Easter Scavenger Hunt

9. All Wrapped Up Like Jesus

10. Easter Jesus Tree

1. Resurrection Rolls

Type of Activity: Baking

Supplies Needed: crescent rolls, marshmallows, cinnamon & sugar (or red sprinkles), melted butter, Bible

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus went into the tomb and then rose again. Jesus is alive!

For this activity, start with reading the Easter story from the Bible. Our favorite Bible for preschoolers is the Jesus Storybook Bible. As you work through the steps of the activity, remind your child about what you just read.
Spread out the crescent roll triangles individually on a baking sheet. These represent Jesus’ tomb.
Next roll one marshmallow first in butter and then in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. This represents Jesus’ body being prepared for burial with oil and spices. If your child is like mine (not okay with cinnamon), then try using red sprinkles to represent blood.
Place the spiced marshmallow in the center of the crescent roll, wrap it up, and press the edges together so the crescent roll seals. This represents the tomb being sealed with the stone.
Bake the crescent rolls according to the directions on the package.
After they cool a bit, let your child open up one of the rolls. The marshmallow is gone – Jesus is alive!

For a visual of all these steps, visit Courtney’s post about Resurrection Rolls at Women Living Well Ministries.

2. A Sense of the Resurrection: An Easter Experience for Families

In December on my husband’s blog I shared about Truth in the Tinsel, an incredible resource for teaching your children the Christmas story during the Advent season. It’s an e-book with scripture, crafts, and printable ornaments developed by Amanda White from ohAmanda.com.

She’s a former church planter and children’s ministry director and now a mom who has the spiritual gift of turning regular life things into teachable moments for her kids.

Here she shares about her newest resource parents can use to teach their children the Easter story:

“12 simple activities to be done the few weeks before Easter will turn your home into a memorial to Jesus’ death and resurrection. You’ll experience Jesus’ anointing, the Last Supper, Peter’s denial, the cross, the empty tomb and more. Memories will be made as your family uses their five senses to understand and believe the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This simple eBook includes printables, Scriptures and specific conversation and starting points so you and your kids can get a sense of the resurrection.”

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR LEARN MORE

Also, check out a sample page to get an idea of what the resource is like:

3. Read a children’s book about Easter

Maybe you’re reading this and you don’t enjoy baking and aren’t the crafty type (no worries, there is nothing that says you have to be crafty to be a good mom!).

You can still impart Biblical truth to your children on their level by reading books that tell the Easter story through the perspective of a child and on their level. Here is my personal suggestion for toddler/preschool age plus some I’ve seen others recommend:

Ages 2-5: What is Easter? by Michelle Medlock Adams

This is a board book that keeps little ones engaged with rhyming words while exploring the idea that Easter is not just about Easter eggs, bunnies, and dressing up for church. Instead, it teaches that Easter is about the truth of God’s son, Jesus.

What Is Easter? book by Michelle Medlock Adams

Ages 4-7: The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Mike Berenstain

The Bear cubs and Papa are candy-crazy this Easter! But Mama, with help from Papa, tells the cubs about Jesus’ resurrection and shows them that salvation is much sweeter than candy. Includes a colorful sticker set. {Amazon description}

Ages 7-12: The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher

With an informative text and glorious illustrations, this book explains both how and why people all over the world celebrate Easter. It tells the biblical story of Jesus’ Resurrection and then describes how people honor this day and the origins of these traditions. Hands-on activities help draw children into the spirit of this joyous celebration of rebirth. {Amazon description}

Looking for a different type of Easter book? Check out this listing of books about Easter. There books in everyone’s price range!

4. Wash each others’ feet

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: warm water, a large bowl or basin, washcloths

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus taught us to serve one another

Ages: 9-Teen

photo credit

Read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13:1-17.

Ask your children what they think that would be like to be the one washing another person’s feet or to be the one receiving the washing. Take them to another room where you have prepared warm basins of water and washcloths.

Play soft music in the background and encourage them to quietly take turns washing one another’s feet.

As a parent, you can participate in this process, potentially going first to visually show your children what to do and how it feels to be served in this way.

Afterwards, talk about how Jesus taught his disciples to serve one another before he was arrested and crucified and the powerful impact that made on them as they took on the job of spreading the gospel to the world.

Remind them that God calls us to serve just as Jesus did. Have them write down one way they can intentionally choose to serve someone else in the next week.

5. Resurrection Eggs

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: Set of Resurrection Eggs or make your own set

Biblical Truth Shared: Overview of the entire Easter story and the gospel message

Ages: 5 and up

Steel Wool via photopin cc

Resurrection eggs are a visual way to walk your children through the Easter story. Each egg contains a small trinket that provides a reminder of a portion of the story. Use the pre-made resurrection eggs set or make your own using an egg carton, plastic eggs, and small items you can find around your house.

Number the eggs with a marker so they will be in the correct order when you’re ready to talk about the contents.

You can hide the eggs around your home for a mini Easter egg hunt, then have your child put them in the egg carton in number order.

Egg #1: Oyster cracker (or bread) – Matthew 26:26

Egg #2: Silver coins – Matthew 26:14-16

Egg #3: Purple cloth – Matthew 27:28

Egg #4: Thorns – Matthew 27:29

Egg #5: Rope – Mark 15:15

Egg #6: Cross – John 19:16-17

Egg #7: Nail – John 19:18

Egg #8: Sign that says, “This is the king of the Jews.” – Luke 23:38

Egg #9: Sponge (with vinegar) – Matthew 27:48

Egg #10: Cloves or spices – Luke 23:5-6

Egg #11: Rock – Matthew 27:59-60

Egg #12: EMPTY! – Matthew 28:55-56

Annette from This Simple Home shares these scriptures and a free printable you can use to have all the scriptures quickly on hand while you’re doing this activity.

Another option is to read this book to explain the concept of resurrection eggs:

6. Read the Easter story in a Children’s Bible

Let’s not forget the most important part of Easter – reading the story straight from the Bible with your children. God’s word is our life, our breath, our food, our sustenance through the joys and challenges of our daily lives. We want to impress this upon our children as well and this is a great opportunity to do just that.

Type of Activity: Reading

Supplies Needed: Your favorite children’s Bible

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

There are many different options for reading the Easter story from the Bible. Depending on the age and developmental stage of your child, you can choose from one of these options or read straight from an “adult” version of the Bible.

If your child is reading independently, you may want him or her to read the story directly from the Bible to the whole family during a meal time.

If you have Resurrection Rolls for breakfast Easter morning, this would be a great time to incorporate the reading.

Here is my personal suggestion for preschool/early elementary age plus another that comes highly recommended:

Ages: 4-8 The Jesus Storybook Bible – Also available in Spanish & on CDs (audio version)

What I love most about this Bible is how each story points directly to Jesus. While all biblical stories are not included, key ones like creation, the fall, Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection are all part of this Bible.

All of the Old Testament Bible stories (Noah, Moses, King David, and more) point directly to Jesus, helping even young kids understand how Jesus is the central figure, the piece of the puzzle that makes everything in the Bible fit together.

Ages: 6-9 The Adventure Bible for Early Readers

This Bible is the New International Reader’s Version, a translation written for non-native English speakers. This makes it more accessible for your early reader.

This jungle safari themed Bible has lots of fun features including sections like “Life in Bible Times”, “Did You Know?” fun facts, “Let’s Live It” hands-on-activities, and “Words to Treasure” memory verses, along with games, a scavenger hunt, a dictionary/concordance, and 8 pages of color maps.

7. The Legend of the Sand Dollar

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: Sand Dollar Don’t live near the beach? You can purchase sand dollars here.

Biblical Truth Shared: God’s creation reminds us of the truths of the Easter story (Romans 1:20)

Have your child look at the sand dollar and all its unique properties. Ask him or her to describe what they see then read the Legend of the Sand Dollar poem.

Have your child break open the sand dollar to find the beautiful doves inside. My mother did this activity with my 4 year old last week and we both were fascinated and have a new appreciation for the reminder in Romans that God’s creation speaks clearly about his power!

There’s a lovely little legend

That I would like to tell,

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely

You’ll see that you find here,

Four nail holes and a fifth one

Made by a Roman’s spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,

Its center is the star,

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia

Etched on the other side,

Reminds us of His birthday

Our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open

And here you will release,

The five white doves awaiting

To spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol Christ left for you and me,

To help us spread His Gospel Through all Eternity

8. Easter Scavenger Hunt

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: a rock, two sticks, something black, something red, something white, something green

Biblical Truth Shared: The gospel message

Ages: 7-12

Take your kids to the park and read the Easter story (see suggestions above for options).

Give each child a list of items to find and a time limit. Once they come back with all the items, discuss the significance of each item as it relates to the good news of Jesus and God’s plan for his children. Sharing from Focus on the Family.

Digital version: Use a digital device and have each child take pictures of items they find. Then turn the pictures into a collage that you can print and display.

Rock – the tomb

Two sticks – the cross

Something black – sin

Something red – blood

Something white – a clean heart

Something green – growing in Christ

photo credit: daystar297 via photopin cc

9. All Wrapped Up Like Jesus

Type of Activity: Hands-on experience

Supplies Needed: Bible, a roll of toilet paper

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus conquered death

For: Ages 5-10

photo credit: MylesC via photopin cc

Read Matthew 27:57-61.

Take the toilet paper and wrap your child up in “grave clothes”. If you have more than one child, have your kids take turns playing the part of Jesus and wrapping one another up.

After each child is wrapped up, have them try to break loose from the toilet paper. Talk about how Jesus’ followers must have felt when they found out that Jesus was alive. Sharing from Focus on the Family.

10. Easter Jesus Tree & Devotional

Kids are familiar with the concept of having a tree at Christmas so why not carry that over into Easter?

Ann Voskamp from A Holy Experience and author of One Thousand Gifts shares a free devotional including 17 days of Bible readings, a short & simple action point, and a full color ornament of classic art to cut out and use to create your own Easter Jesus tree.

Photo credit – Ann Voskamp – A Holy Experience

Interested in other ways to parent with purpose? Check out this series for more great ideas to use all year long!

This post contains affiliate links (full disclosure).

If you have more ideas on how to teach kids about Easter, I’d love to hear them! Please take a moment to share them in the comments.

If you find this post helpful, click on one of the share buttons to let others know about these practical ideas to share the message of Jesus with our kids.

3 Things God Didn’t Promise

February 24, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

It was a small, thin book. I’m not sure where it came from but I remember clearly the words on the front: God’s Promises for Women.

As a teenager in high school, every few weeks when I was feeling insecure about something I’d pick it out from among the various books piled indiscriminately on my bookshelf. A quick flip to the topic list would send me meandering down the path of figuring out my confused, hormonally driven feelings.

God’s promises. They were the list of things I could count on. I read slowly and my heart centered on promises of security, safety, strength, and salvation.

God’s Promises – photo credit: 55Laney69 via photopin cc

Each time after closing the little book’s pages, my heart was filled with confidence that God would take care of me, that He loved me, and that his son Jesus offered the promise of salvation and a home in heaven.

Oh, how I wish now I could go back to my insecure 14 year old self and offer a new perspective on the Christian life. One that reflects a truer picture of the scope of the daily experiences we live through as disciples of Jesus.

Although maybe it’s good that I didn’t fully understand.

Maybe by God’s grace he protected me from comprehending that growing as a Christian, the working out of our salvation, doesn’t always feel secure, safe, or full of strength.

But now. Now I am beginning to understand.

Understanding for me has been delivered to the doorstep of my heart, wrapped up in diverse packages.

Understanding has looked like:

Wandering through the process of developing my own faith in college
Suffering a miscarriage at 12 weeks with our first baby
Undergoing emergency surgery while 6 weeks pregnant with our second baby
Living under crippling anxiety for months while pregnant with our third baby
Learning how to trust my husband after years of struggles with pornography
Planting a church and the ups and downs of ministry in a church setting
Experiencing financial instability for the last two years as my husband has started his own business

While I truly now treasure the growth these situations have provided, I don’t know that I realized that this life of struggle and pain was what I “signed up for” when I decided to become a Christian.

I was a mere 10 years old and while I knew the right actions to take and the right things to say to make that decision, I certainly didn’t fully understand the calling of a Jesus follower. And maybe that was okay too since we all have to start somewhere on the path.

But as I move forward in my Christian walk, I want others to know that there are things that God does not promise and while confusing, they are the true blessings that offer opportunity for growth and development not possible any other way.

3 Things God Didn’t Promise

1. God did not promise days without pain, but he did promise strength for the day.

Isaiah 41:10

So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you;
don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, help you.
I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.

2. God did not promise laughter without sorrow but he did promise comfort for the tears.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles.

3. God did not promise sun without rain but he did promise light for the way.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my steps; it lights the path before me.

My prayer today is that we will all recognize and embrace the potential for growth and spiritual maturity that comes through suffering and challenges instead of seeing them as merely obstacles.

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

What experiences have you had that have allowed your faith to “blossom under pressure”? Did you ultimately find joy in them? Share in the comments and let’s encourage one another!

Scriptures are taken from The Voice translation. The above image is a vinyl decal I found on Amazon.

This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}. Sharing today with Sunday Stillness, Inspire Me Monday, Mommy Monday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Unite, Titus2sday, Teaching What is Good, and Fridays Unfolded.

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