LeeAnn G Taylor - Embracing the Mosaic Life

Trusting our broken pieces to the Ultimate Artist

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Praising God in the Storm :: Our Miscarriage Story

August 27, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Lately a friend reminded me of the power of telling our stories. Stories are the essential connection between people. Shared experiences remind us we’re not alone in this sometimes scary world.

Today I’m sharing one of my stories, one of pain in the moment and how Chuck and I chose to praise God in the middle of our storm. Now, 7 years and 3 beautiful babies later, I realize it was the first of many experiences God used to grow our faith and highlight His faithfulness in our lives.


 

journal and coffee

July 2, 2008

It has been a long few weeks filled with every emotion imaginable. On May 15th, Chuck and I found out we were expecting our first child, due Jan 10th. We were so excited…our “five year plan” of starting a family after five years of marriage was falling right into place.

We kept the news pretty quiet, only telling our parents, our sisters, and a few close friends, until we had our first doctor’s appointment. I think that I thought the news that we were going to have a baby was going to really sink in once we had that first appointment.

What started as excited anticipation during that first visit quickly became nervous anticipation as our doctor became concerned that I was having some early complications. An ultrasound was scheduled for later that same afternoon.

I know it was the “peace that passes understanding” because I went back to work and was calm while waiting for the ultrasound appointment. Chuck, on the other hand, would tell me later that he had a feeling that something was very wrong.

The ultrasound later confirmed this when a heartbeat could not be detected. I should have been 7-8 weeks along. After a devastating conversation with our doctor, I had some blood work done and we headed home to share the news.

The next few weeks proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with more blood work and two more ultrasounds. My pregnancy hormones kept rising, but the baby was not growing properly and we could still hear no heartbeat.

The hardest part was not knowing what or how to feel, since at each appointment we were given a small ray of hope that the baby might be okay…maybe we were not as far along as they thought…maybe this, maybe that. It was more proof that only God knows us intimately, and medical science, though helpful, cannot always give us the answers.

Eventually last week we were told that the baby was not growing and that we should expect a miscarriage. After a week of waiting, I began to miscarry.

Through this all we have had an amazing support network of family and friends. God has continually placed people in our path who have been through similar experiences or who knew just what we needed to be comforted at that moment.

Although we are sad at the loss of this little child, we know God has more plans for us and our family.

I have been and will continue to cling to this verse:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and he will make your paths straight.”

Although we may not always understand, we must trust God and acknowledge His sovereignty over all situations, even this one.


Friends, it’s time we share our stories. Let’s lift up God working in our lives and shine His grace and glory!

What can YOU praise him for today? Share in the comments and let’s encourage one another to view our lives through the lens of gratefulness, despite our difficult circumstances.

When God Wakes You Up: A New Approach to Mornings

July 30, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

When God Wakes You Up: A New Approach to Mornings

photo credit: demandaj via photopin cc

I’m not a morning person. As a teenager, my mom had a terrible time getting me out of bed. Even after Chuck and I got married, there were times when he literally had to pull me out of bed in the mornings. What can I say? I like my comfy bed!

Even now, my night owl self can stay up until the wee hours of the morning to get things done. 

when God wakes you up

photo credit: Fosforix via photopin cc

There was a point a few years ago though that I realized I was missing out on an opportunity for the most productive time of the day – the morning!

It is no surprise that this realization came right around the time I had settled into a routine with baby #2. Staying up late at night was no longer a viable option when I was getting up multiple times a night to nurse and comfort a hungry baby.

The hour before both kids woke up was often my only distraction-free time during the day.

when God wakes you up

photo credit: Matthieu Luna via photopin cc

At the same time, I realized in order to stay connected to God and continue to build my relationship with Him, I needed focused time in the Word. In my current situation, that was happening sporadically at best.

That’s when I found Hello Mornings. Kat Lee (most wonderful encourager of moms!) from Inspired to Action published a free e-book called Maximize Your Mornings. After a quick download and review of the book, I realized I’d found something that might work for me.

coffee in the morning

photo credit: marfis75 via photopin cc

Sometimes we want something to change in our lives but we don’t take the needed steps to make the change happen.

After years of telling myself I just wasn’t a morning person, I changed my approach and started praying for God to wake me up in the mornings. I joined an accountability group through Hello Mornings, set out my Bible and journal each night, and set my alarm.

You know what happened? God woke me up!

When I purposed in my heart to draw closer to Him, He was faithful and woke me up.

When we purpose in your hearts to draw closer to God, He will wake us up!

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His word is true:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a

Today, I challenge you to start drawing near to God and make a decision about the time you intentionally set aside for growing your relationship with Him.  

If you need a new approach to your mornings, try these steps:

1. Download the FREE Maximize Your Mornings ebook. Kat walks you through the steps of a morning routine in a grace-filled way that will set you up on a path to success.

2. Pray for God to wake you up! See Matthew 7:7.

3. Join a Hello Mornings accountability group. Registration for the next 6-week session starts August 4th and the official start of the session is August 11. Groups check in with each other in a variety of ways – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There’s a community for everyone!

If you have questions about my morning routine or Hello Mornings, feel free to email me at contact (at) leeanngtaylor (dot) com. 

And for today’s Worship Wednesday, I’ll leave you with the song that God woke me up with THIS morning! And a fun fact…in college, I was in a multi-cultural (but traditionally black-gospel style) gospel choir called Voices of Praise. This was one of the songs we sang on tour.

Today, I pray that God wakes you up! Remember His love never changes and He never fails!

If you’re reading in an email or blog feed reader, click here to see the video.

Hezekiah Walker – Wonderful is Your Name


All of my life I’ve never known You to fail
You remain the same and wonderful is Your name 

You woke me up this morning 
And You started me on my way
You put food on my table
You brought joy to my day

I’m glad Your love has never changed
And wonderful
And wonderful
And wonderful, wonderful is Your name.

Sharing today with Meredith at Woman 2 Woman, Saturday Linky Love, and Faith Along the Way.

You Are Loved Beyond Measure {Sunday Scripture}

July 27, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

On this day of rest, may you settle into God’s presence and seek His face, allowing Him to fill you to overflowing. Let your guard down a bit and soak up the truth of His passionate, expansive love for you.

Remember your strength comes from His word, the roots of your faith, and commit to making it a priority in your life this week.

As you offer your broken pieces and allow Him to craft your life into a work of art, His masterpiece, this is my prayer for you today:

I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit.

I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith.

As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers.

I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always.

Amen.                                      

Ephesians 3:16-21

You Are Loved Beyond Measure

photo credit: passionandgrace.blogspot.com

Do you have a friend who needs to hear that she’s unconditionally loved by God? Maybe she needs a reminder that God can do infinitely more than what she ever could imagine possible in her situation.

Take a minute and share this message of hope. Let’s continue building up one another with encouraging words daily!

Parenting With Purpose: Creating a God Centered Home

There is Power in Remembering

March 11, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

The fear grips me. You know the kind.

Chest tight, heart beating faster than a train barreling unrestrained down the tracks…and I wonder.

How does this turn out? How can this even be happening? How did we get to this place? Why me?

Sometimes it seems a struggle just to take the next breath, to accomplish the mundane things like brushing my teeth or combing my hair when there is so much pain and struggle in the storm that is now our life.

There was a time when I was in this place. And were you and I to sit together on a faded leather couch tucked in the back of an eclectic coffee shop with piping hot drinks in hand, maybe you’d share your story and it would be surprisingly a lot like mine.

Pain, struggle, heartache, and fear. And yet, God in the midst of it carried you and He carried me.

I’m sharing the rest over at Singing Through the Rain and I’d love for you to join me! I have the honor of sharing these words in Kathryn’s online space as she is walking through her own storm with a three year old and a three month old recently diagnosed with special needs as well as navigating the challenges that come with being a military wife.   

power in the storm

photo credit: Kuzeytac via photopin cc

 

I’m also linking up this week with Wedded Wednesday, Unite, and Sacred Speco.

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