Guest Post with Amanda Blevins: But God

God only knows....

The new song by For King and Country "God only Knows," resonates with me and ministers to me so much.

"God only knows what you've been through, / God only knows what they say about you, / God only knows the real you..."

Since my childhood, I have struggled with the feeling and the question of, "Am I good enough?!?!?!" For my friends, for my family, for my coworkers, for my church family, for literally anyone that I come in contact with.... "Am I good enough...good enough for their (people's) love, am I worth their time...their energy...that if they knew the real me or what I have been through, they wouldn't want me...

Before I share my story, a part of my testimony, I want to express that this is in no way to degrade, or embarrass anyone... this is to tell of what the Lord has done for me, where He has brought me out of, what He and He alone has done for me!!! And how you can find joy and peace through ANY circumstance!!

When I was very young, about 1 1/2 yrs. old, my parents divorced. We were raised by my father until he met my step mother (my mom) at the age of 3 1/2 yrs. old. My biological mother had custody of us on the weekends, then there was a period of about 12 years where we didn't get to see or visit her at all. I have always desired a mother/daughter relationship... with my biological mother... no matter what your biological parent(s) does or doesn't do to you, there is ALWAYS a longing to know them, spend time with them, know what they were like as kids, what they are like now "Do I take after them in looks or actions??" Just to know you are wanted by them, loved by them... from the one that birthed you into this life...I am so thankful for my step mother (my momma) who stepped in to fill that role for me...to step into a role to be a mother to 2 girls that desperately needed it.... all I can say is but God...

I spent many years telling myself,"You weren't wanted, you aren't wanted, you have no purpose, you aren't loved!!! You must have been the reason they divorced, or the reason she isn't here." I allowed the thought of UNWORTHINESS to flood in...to be planted and rooted...
My teen years came and those same thoughts followed me and held a grip on my mind and heart. They then turned into, "You are not pretty enough, skinny enough, you are not worthy of love, no one will want to date you or even want to marry you one day!!"

But God.... 

Fast forward to 2003, a young 16 year old girl went to a youth lock in weekend. I knew of the Lord for many years before that, but something was different this time. I remember sitting on the pew, heart pounding, which felt like it was going to explode from my throat and chest, like a pulling I could not shake or get away from or run away from even if I tried...but God...

All I remember is the Pastor giving an altar call to accept Jesus and I raised my hand. AlI I remember is eagerly raising my hand and hurrying to the front. That day was the first day of the rest of my life. That's the day I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior!! That's the day I found my worth!!!
Fast forward to many years later, about 16 yrs. later, when I get stressed with life, work, motherhood, being a wife, a sister, a daughter, just being me,...I have allowed those same old thoughts of unworthiness to creep back in and flood my mind... " You are not loved, you are not worthy, you are not worth people's time..." But the difference now is that I know the One who made me, who created me, who brought me through and out of so many trials that have made me into the person I am today. He has taught me that my worth is NOT FOUND in what others think of me, or found in a spouse, or a parent, or a friend. I now know that no matter what I go through, I cannot allow what others have done to me, or what life has dealt me, or any other circumstance to bind me, hold me back, drown me, or sink me. We CANNOT allow bad circumstances in our lives to be a crutch or an excuse to give up.

We ALL have things in our lives...that one moment that could over take us... that have happened to us that we could allow to control our lives and blame our bad decision making on. "Well, you don't know what I have been through, what so and so did to me. I have an excuse to live the way I want, to be drowned in fear, anxiety, and self doubt..." And, you know, I may not have walked though what they have walked through, but I do for a fact know that if you will give those things to God, He can take them and turn them into something beautiful!! I know He has mine time and time again!! I truly believe that we go through things to help others for when they go through those same things. For when they say, "Well, I am going through this or that, you don't understand, I want to give up, I want to give up on God!" you can say, "But, I have been there. I have walked through that, and with God, I came out the other side, VICTORIOUS!!!" You can be empathetic in a way you never were able to before you experienced it yourself!!

I hope this hasn't been too scattered; there are SO many more experiences that I would like to share, but I felt the Lord leading me to share this part of my testimony. The purpose: I want to encourage any and everyone to stop looking for their worth in people, in things, or even who you negatively see yourself as....but to find it in God alone!! You were made for a PURPOSE!! Don't try to be anyone other than YOU! Stop beating yourself up by allowing thoughts in that say you are not loved, you are not wanted, or you are not needed because of things that have happened to you!!! You ARE loved, you ARE wanted, you ARE NEEDED!! You are WORTHY!! Most importantly, don't allow unforgiveness to bind you into not allowing yourself to walk in freedom and into who God made you to be. Don’t blame your past for the reason you can live how you want to! Forgive!!! I forgive my biological mother and pray for her often. I know God restores all things for His good! We all have things we need forgiveness for as well. We have to stop blaming others and just give it all to God and watch Him move in great and mighty ways!!!

Someone is waiting for you to step into your calling, into your destiny, into your purpose, your worth, to help them find theirs!!!!

Forgive, seek God, and walk in it daily!!!

"God only knows what you've been through, / God only knows what they say about you, / God only knows the real you, / BUT there's a kinda love that God only knows!!!"

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Guest Post with Amanda Blevins: But God

Mother's Day: A Day for All Women

Mother's Day has been especially important to me since May 12, 2013, because my little boy was due on that day. I remember how deflated I felt when he decided to skip over Mother's Day and come on the 14th. I felt bummed that I would have to wait a whole other year to celebrate . (If only my problems were still this easy to manage!)

Motherhood is a lot like adulthood; it gets romanticized, and the hard parts are difficult to process unless you're in the throes of it. All it takes is some spit up to the hair and some sleepless nights to reveal that it's not all baby giggles and adorable dimples. It's a beautifully terrifying ministry, an investment, a calling, a mission. It is definitely something worth celebrating; however, Mother's Day can conjure up feelings of grief and sadness...even shame and embarrassment for some. Memories stir up a heavy heart in the mother who has lost a child, and reality generates feelings of shame and guilt to the mom facing post-partum depression.

None of us have a perfect road, so why does Mother's Day have to be so "perfect?"

Some mothers have never birthed a child but foster or adopt. Some mothers have lost children inside or outside of their wombs. Some mothers are spiritual mothers, nurturing those in their lives and pointing them to Christ. Still, some women are fighting with their hearts, their bodies, and their pocketbooks to be mothers, struggling to hold a baby of their own in their arms.

Our stories are all different, but we all matter, and we can all minister to each other in our own special ways.

1. The woman wanting a family

This can be a difficult day for a woman trying to have a family. She might be doing her third round of infertility treatments, or maybe she's struggling to adopt. Maybe she hasn't met Mr. Right yet, and due to her age, she doesn't know for sure if she'll ever mother a child of her own. We can reach out to these ladies this week and let them know that we see them and that they matter. We can remember a time when they made a difference in our lives or helped us out. We can acknowledge that God is good, and that in His time, all will be made right (no matter how that looks)...that our plans aren't His and that we can seek comfort in his words.

2. Spiritual Mothers

These ladies are those who take us under their wings, nurture our souls, and help us grow in grace and wisdom. I think of the Titus 2 woman. Maybe these ladies could never have children of their own. Maybe they're your great aunt, a grandmother, your pastor's wife, or a neighbor down the street. Maybe it's your Sunday school teacher or your child’s. This is a good week to remind these "spiritual mothers" that they have made a difference in our lives and that they are useful and vital to the ministry in which they have been called to serve. It's a perfect time to let these ladies know how much we value their spiritual gifts and the time they have spent fostering ours.

3. Foster Mothers

These ladies are uniquely special, and I have been blessed to know a few. Seeing the foster system up close and personal can flood your heart with more emotions than you should ever be able to feel at one time. Sometimes fostering means finally getting to adopt a child into your family; sometimes it means falling in love with a child and having to give that child back. Sometimes it means getting a call in the middle of the night that you are now a caregiver to another human being. I can't imagine this kind of love this ministry entails. These ladies could use a word of affirmation on Mother's Day, letting them know that we see how God is using them with this ministry and what a blessing it is to everyone around them.

4. Women who have lost their Mothers

This day can be especially hard for a woman (or anyone) who has lost a mother. Silence is deafening on this day. Memories can bubble to the surface, and grief can produce bitterness. Grief doesn't exist in a vacuum; it doesn't go away, but it grows with us and changes as the seasons in our lives change. We should never feel awkward about talking to someone who has experienced a loss. This is a great time to lead by example and devote some time to this particular ministry. Sometimes a memory or a cheerful word and a hug could be all they need to get through what could've been a truly lonely day. We can always remind these ladies to lean on God's understanding for comfort and that when we're weak, He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:9) We can grieve with these ladies and help them praise God for the time spent and memories made with their loved ones.

5. Empty Nesters

These ladies are the ones telling us to slow down and enjoy these "little" years...the ones who wish they had kiddos running over their toes again. These ladies might miss the handmade cards and hand-painted flower pots, but they could also experience overwhelming "what-if's" and struggle with the past, especially if their children are currently in a state of waywardness. Maybe these mothers are widowed and experience intense loneliness. We can reach out to these ladies and let them know that they did a good job as mothers and that they're still useful in God's kingdom work. We can remind each other that the only perfect parent is Jesus and that we have the freedom to be thankful and gracious with ourselves and others no matter what season of life we're in. We can believe that our stories aren't over yet and that we will be praying with them to see how God can continue to use them.

6. The Mother who wasn't there

Mother's Day can be difficult for those who weren't raised by their biological mothers. Maybe their mothers chose a different lifestyle over their children or maybe their mothers were simply not present in their children's lives for various reasons. I know from experience, however, that more youth than ever are growing up without their mothers, and Mother's Day can generate guilt, shame, embarrassment, and anger in people who feel as if they were picked over as children. We can remind these people of their worth and show them that they can have a place in the security of God's ultimate kingdom. We can also find a way to be thankful for these biological mothers because they did, in fact, give life to these children, and life is a precious gift, no matter how it looks to the eye of a mere human. God is in ultimate control, and he can bring us peace, fill our empty voids, and replace our anxiety with joy. (Psalm 94:19)

7. The Special-Needs Mom

Just like most things, Mother's Day is a little different for special-needs moms. Just the other day I saw a mom of three in the grocery store. She had twin girls and an older son. They were all piled in the buggy, stacked in there beside the bags of oranges and chips. I saw her bustling along while the kids smiled and picked at each other. "She was made to be a mother," I thought, and before I could stop myself, I said, "I wasn't. Motherhood isn't for me. I'm different" I couldn't believe what had just come out of my mind. Praise God I had been reading a book called Lies Women Believe, and I instantly began to realize that this was a lie I had been telling myself for years, and the sad thing is that I had believed myself. No matter how our kids look, learn...no matter what a piece of paper says...no matter how varied our children's needs are, we are still mothers with a purpose and a mission. Mother's Day can confuse us and muddle our thoughts about what a real mother is. We might begin to question our worth as mothers or if we're doing a good enough job raising our kids with differing needs and abilities. Maybe we're just sad because our kiddos might not even understand why we celebrate this day. This would be a great time to remind these mothers that they're doing a good job and that their motherhood mission matters.

8. Mothers who have lost children

This includes mothers who have miscarried or lost children outside of the womb. This is a day of extreme grieving for these mothers. Recognizing these mothers is a wonderful way to honor their children and their pain. We tend to steer ourselves away from awkward conversations because finding the words for this situation is almost impossible, but the best gift we can give these women are words of affirmation and validation on one of the hardest days of the year. Grief never ends; it follows us along as the seasons in our lives change. This kind of ministry is hard, but loving and ministering to these women is a wonderful way to make them feel noticed and validated as mothers. We can remind these ladies of Psalm 34:18: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." We can remind them that "All things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. Finally, we can remind them of what Jesus did on the cross...that he defeated death so we can be reunited with him and our loved ones one day in heaven. (1 Cor. 15:57) n

9. Mothers-in-law 

This is a group of ladies that movies and the media sometimes like to depict in a negative light. They might just be mothers "by law," but they don't have to be. Regardless of  the circumstances around our lives, we can use Mother's Day as a way to make sure these ladies feel loved and supported as members of our families. Sometimes these relationships can seem strained, but it's never too late to strengthen the bonds with these ladies who loved and raised our husbands. This is a time to thank them for loving our husbands, raising them well, being a good grandparent to our babies, and continuously praying for us. It's a great time to thank them for always being available for us and being good examples for us on our journeys as wives and mothers.

10. Step Mothers

Whether your dad remarried after your mother passed away, or your family went through a tough divorce when you were a child, these relationships can occasionally be complex and wrapped around mixed feelings. However, showing grace to this special lady in your life is a special, humbling way to minister. You can show your step mother appreciation and gratitude for loving your dad and taking care of your family. You can thank her for making a difference in your life and loving you and your family in a special, meaningful way. 

10. New Mothers

The sleep-deprived, the unshowered...the ones with stories of food fights, flying forks, playing princess, catching frogs, and kissing boo-boo's, the ones with tales of arguments on the way to church and on the church pew itself...they need a hug and a "good job." Mothers of this generation often feels pressured to follow strict "mommy rules" that would qualify them as good moms. Perhaps these vulnerable mothers are struggling with post-partum depression and feel as if they’re the opposite of the mothers they imagined they would be. Today is a great day to remind these mothers that they are doing a good job. See them where they are and give them grace. Tell them to relax and breathe...that it will get easier and that they will sleep again. Remind them that raising children is an incredibly important job and that God won't forget their diligence and dedication to their families. (Heb. 6:10)

11. Adoptive Mothers

I can't imagine the emotional and financial struggle these moms go through to place a child into their lives. Maybe they didn't struggle with fertility or finances; they may have simply wanted to mother and minister to a child who needed a good home to grow up in. I imagine these ladies miss the time spent without their adopted child, whether the child was adopted right after birth or years later, and I'm sure conversations with other moms about pregnancy, birthing, and nursing can conjure feelings of sadness and confusion. This is a time to validate these mothers and tell them they're doing a good job. We can remind them that they are special and important in their ministry of motherhood.

12. Single Mothers

Mothering is hard, but going it alone is even harder. This group of ladies mother alone in their homes for various reasons. Maybe they're separated, widowed, or going through a rocky divorce. Maybe they're fostering or adopting alone. Maybe they're young and had a choice to have the child they're carrying. We can let these mothers know that we see them, that we appreciate them, and that we are available to support them in any way we can. We can pray and thank God that he knows our needs and that He will meet our needs according to his riches in glory. (Phil. 4:19)

13. The Mother Who Mothered You

This is the time as young mothers that we're beginning to see we're a whole lot like our mothers, and if we look even closer, our daughters are a whole lot like us! (Sorry, Mom. I completely get it now.) Buying into commercialism is part of the fun, but I believe our moms would love to hear how we feel on this day more than any other gift on the planet! No matter if you have an adopted mom, foster mom, step-mom, or another member of your family raised you, Mother's Day is a great day to develop a habit of telling those who mean the most to us that we love them and thank God for them. We can remind our mother of how blessed she is because of how loved and admired she is by her family and friends. We can remind her of how she was there when we failed or needed advice. We can thank her for her sacrificial love and everything else she adds to our lives and our children's lives.

We can make every day Mother's Day by never failing to honor and appreciate these ladies of grace who give us spiritual and physical life.

The celebration doesn't have to end Sunday. 

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Mother's Day: A Day for All Women

The Music of Missed Milestones

Last night, after we read an Easter book that ended with Jesus sitting at the right hand of God, Caroline asked, "Where is God?" 

Wow. I didn't know what to say or where to begin. How do you break something down so huge and abstract to a little girl of two? But my heart beamed. She had asked me about God, and I was going to say something. 

"He's in heaven...in the sky." 

I probably could've come up with something better, but that's all I managed to say.

"Why?" she replied.

"Well, he's watching over us. He lives in your heart, too."

She didn't ask anything else, so I left it at that. 

But as I left her room, sadness filled my heart. Isaac has never really asked questions about God. One thing about being on the autism spectrum is the struggle to understand abstract concepts like faith. I've often battled with this, wondering if my son will be saved from sin, if he will understand and grasp needing a savior, wondering if God will understand if he doesn't. This is tough stuff.

One of the first things I remember about our journey was seeing a little girl praying around her table one night on Facebook. She was Isaac's age. She had her chubby hands clasped together and her head bowed. She whispered some words while the family cheered and clapped. They were two. My heart began to fill with sadness and jealousy. I kept wondering, "Why can't I ever get Isaac to imitate us? Why doesn't he even want to try? What am I doing wrong? How did I mess this up?"

Thankfully, he's just beginning to understand prayer. For a long time, he struggled with this. If we were praying at church and sometimes at home, it scared him. I don't think he could grasp why all of us were bowing our heads and getting quiet while one person seemingly talked to himself. 

Still, though, things are different for us, and even though it's hard to talk about it, I feel like it's my responsibility to communicate our struggles sometimes, to give our song a melody. 

Some of our songs have slow, steady rhythms that weave into our hearts and minds, staying with us forever. 

These are the bittersweet ones...beautiful because they remind us of where we've been and echo our homesick-for-heaven hearts. They give us hope. They give us promise. 

They crescendo and build with hope only to plummet back into the minor notes to remind us that this is not our home.

These are found in my family's songbook. Sometimes I have trouble turning the page and instead linger on the music of missed milestones. 

Often I find that my voice is rusty, I'm using the wrong songbook, reading the wrong lyrics. 

This can't be right. 

I feel the melodic joy building in one minute, and the next I'm plunging head first into the minor notes all brimming with rough edges and chaos. They sting. They hurt. 

Sometimes I watch my little boy at church and say, "God, what was in your mind when you created this little boy?

Before he was ever in our hearts, I prayed for him. I bargained with God. "Make him different, God," I said. "Make him special. Make him stand out. I promise to give him back to you." 

I imagined a preacher, singer, song writer, or artist. I visualized him possibly in front of the pulpit, singing, teaching, and passing on his legacy and testimony. I envisioned a little one singing in the choir and inviting his friends from school to church. I imagined sweet prayers with chubby hands smashed together.

But life isn't what we always have in mind.

Key change.

Instead, I watch him fidget, lie down, squirm, make noises, and exist uncomfortably in his own skin at times, and I wonder. 

Will this ever make a difference for him? Will he ever understand?

The enemy says that Isaac won't ever understand God or anything on that abstract of a level...that nothing that emotional will ever permeate his realm of thinking...that his sounds, squirms, and over-stimulated mind will always take precedence over the Word...that his literal mind will never grasp the wonder of salvation and community...that he will always be held prisoner by his own mind.

And with this, my voice falls flat. Sometimes I lose it all together.

This is when I'm reminded of Paul, the great martyr and teacher that he was. He often communicated with people and churches from a great distance. He poured out his life and love into his letters, and he depended on these epistles to share the message of God's sovereignty and to give his readers a hope of righteous identity in Christ. Alone in his cell, Paul had to truly believe in something he had absolutely no control over. He had to love those in which he could not communicate or monitor. He  had to love and forgive those he was angry with. He even had to forgive himself. I imagine he felt stuck at times, vulnerable, and powerless. I imagine he felt lost and confused, probably how Abraham felt when God led him to the mountain with Isaac in tow.

But, y'all, the song isn't over. It wasn't then; it isn't now.

"Fulfilled by love," that's what Paul teaches us about in Galatians regarding the old law and Jesus' sacrifice.  He says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal. 5:6

When I walk into the sanctuary and see my church family keeping my little boy so my exhausted heart can hear the Word, I am fulfilled. When his grandparents take my little boy to spend the night at his favorite places, I feel fulfilled. When Isaac's teachers and paras send me messages of encouragement or pictures of him enjoying himself at school, I feel fulfilled. When friends tell me they saw Isaac or interacted with him, knowing it will warm my heart, I feel fulfilled. When my son learns something knew and wants to show me, I feel fulfilled. 

My stubborn heart that lingers on rules and formalities does not fulfill me. My plans don't. My expectations. My broken dreams. The developmental checklists. 

Love. What fulfillment.

God is our composer. He’s the Great Musician. He knows the lyrics to our song, because He penned every word. 

So what is God? A big question with a simple answer.

God is Love, and because of the example of his sacrifice, I too can relinquish any mental or emotional bondage I have over my life and my circumstances. I am free to love and forgive, and I am free to sing about it. 

This is why I sing; maybe you'll want to sing along, too.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." 2 Tim 1:7-9

I've Been Singing 'Bout my Lord for so many years 
I've Sung when I've been happy 
Even Sung When I've had Tears 
I've even had Folks ask me 
If It's All Been Just A Show 
But the Reason That I'm Singing 
I Want the World to Know 
Chorus 
I Sing Because There is an Empty Grave 
I Sing Because There is the Power to Save 
I Sing Because His Grace is Real to Me 
I Sing Because I Know I'm Not Alone 
I Sing Because Someday I'm Going Home 
Where I Shall Sing Through All Eternity 
Verse 2 
I've Sung to Those Walking Through the Fiery Trial 
I've Watched Their Saddened Faces Turn Into Happy Smiles 
I've Bowed my Head and Whispered 
Lord, Please do the Same For Me 
And I'm Glad That I Can Tell You 
He's Always Given Victory

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The Music of Missed Milestones

Guest Post with CeJe Thompson Hearn: A Decade of God's Grace

A decade, ten years, that is how long my family has been on the Autism journey. I like to believe that I am not old. However, in the Autism world, I am ancient. Zachary was first labeled “Autistic” at three years old. Shockingly, this diagnosis was actually somewhat okay with us. I had been called “nuts” by so many pediatricians there was almost some redemption in a label. I remember when he got the diagnosis, walking out of Children’s Hospital with my Mom. I put Zach in his car seat and then I walked to the front of our car and just looked over the edge of the parking deck. It was a beautiful day and I remember breathing deeply and holding my breath for a moment, letting it out, and looking at Mom and with full determination saying, “I wanted answers. We have answers. Now we know what to do.” Looking back, that breath and statement of assurance was probably one of the most hilarious moments of my life. I had no idea the path we were about to walk down, what my child would require from us and what would be required of him. However, even then I was aware that the diagnosis of Autism changed everything about how I saw my own child.

Autism is a more common diagnosis now. I do not say that to belittle the diagnosis. I say that to applaud all that has been done in the form of research. Just last year, the Alabama Legislature passed historic insurance reform led by the late Jim Patterson who Zach was privileged to meet during the discussion phase of that bill and before that during Leni’s Law. (Yes my 13 year old is cool enough to hang in Montgomery haha) Yet, at the time of Zach’s diagnosis, Autism was rare. We didn’t know about Autism and despite what I’d said, we had no clue “what to do”, we just knew we weren’t going down without a fight. We quickly discovered that all of the therapies we needed were going to require us to win the lottery or rob a bank. Zach needed speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy and he could also possibly benefit from music therapy and equine therapy. $$$. We were encouraged to get a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Doctor, which was only located in Georgia, and didn’t take our insurance, so we did it. Zach went through another round of terrible testing that designed for him a special diet of foods only Hollywood millionaires could afford to maintain. Yet, we did it all. You see, we were before Autism was prevalent in schools and churches and even public. My family was on a hamster wheel willing to run as long as it took, and ready to spend every dime we had to “fix” our child. Writing that sentence and remembering all we put him through breaks my heart.

I wasted Zach’s childhood in many ways. For six years I spent so much time wanting society’s picture perfect child, that I missed God’s perfect picture. I wanted to hear, “I love you”. I wanted my child to read me his first book. I wanted to fuss about going to baseball practices and say “no” to a spend the night party. I wanted Zach to be invited to a party - he never has without his sister. I wanted to hold a real report card without an IEP evaluation. I wanted us all to sleep and eat and go places like normal families. So, I focused on these things and “fixing” them. I also prayed God would change Zach to be like other “normal” kids. I am again ashamed, but I’m being honest. I missed the beauty of my life with my son because of an inability to seek God’s will for his life instead of my own. Like I could know better than my child’s creator?!

Then one day we realized Autism was not our only issue. Zach also had a very life-threatening illness. That’s when I woke up. I was broken and thrown into a place where I was forced to recognize what was really important, Zach, just the human-being Zach. He was my God-given gift; just as he was; God didn’t want me to make him into something else. If God had needed someone different he would have made someone different. I was to treasure what I had been given, an absolutely gorgeous child. He didn’t say, “I love you,” but instead I learned that if I say it, and watch he will squint his little eyes and touch my face to tell me back. He will still cuddle in my lap at 13. We do therapies at school and in summer, but we have quit torturing this child with every new idea that comes along. Zach didn’t need to be fixed, we did. God knew that, and Zach was given to help us. When I finally realized this fact, I remember thinking so clearly, “I want to meet my child.” He was also sick and I didn’t want to lose him and never know him. So I became Mommy, not therapist. I watched “Cars” and “Milo and Otis” 10,000 times. I learned to flip flash cards, Zach’s favorite stem. Then, eventually, I would be brought cards, the same cards, daily. We had our first game. I had become a Mom and I had let my child become a boy instead of a medical project.

I am now thankful for Autism. We were told all of the bad things about Autism; no sleep, no social life, marital problems and money problems are guaranteed; yep they are all there... Nonetheless, nobody tells the good stuff. We have had a lot to laugh at. Our marriage has been made stronger. Our daughter has learned empathy and kindness that is extraordinary for a child her age. We have been humbled as we are forced to realize “perfection” isn’t always possible, “normal” is relative and sometimes you must ask for help. We have also seen that many people are very good. Lastly, and most importantly, we have learned God is faithful. Psalm 86:15 says, But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. He has seen us through every step of this crazy journey and given us the world’s most perfect tour guide to carry us along the way. We have truly experienced a decade of God’s grace in action.

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Guest Post with CeJe Thompson Hearn: A Decade of God's Grace

This Is Thirty-Two

This week after reading an online article, I read the author's biography and marveled at her photo in admiration.

I hope I age like that. She looks great! I hope my writing grows in maturity so mine can somewhat resemble hers one day. She’s incredible!

After a quick Google search, I sat blinking at the screen.

1986.

This woman was my age. 

This has been happening more often now. I see more and more amazing women at the height of their careers, heading up motherhood ministries, writing books, reaching people through their testimonies, owning their seasons of motherhood with grace. They give me so much inspiration until I realize these women are my age or younger. 

That's when it hits. 

I feel so behind. So messy. So unprepared for the life ahead of me. Everyone else seems so poised for this thing called adulthood...even those younger than I am. 

Sometimes I feel like a baby foal, clumsily grappling around trying to find my way, trying to finally become who I'm supposed to be, finally growing into my full height.

A couple of weeks ago when my son had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, I was a wreck. He also had tubes placed inside his ears. I felt like a child watching my son cry as he woke up, powerless and temporarily out of his senses.

I was powerless and out of my senses.

Even though I could feel the prayers of my family, friends, church, and community, the following days were some of the darkest times in my life. It was hard before, and now the world had turned upside down. 

At one point during his recovery, he was waking up six times a night. Administering pain medicine every three hours to a little boy who doesn't want to swallow was hard. Trying to explain to him why his throat hurts so badly was hard. Going on little to no sleep for two weeks was hard. Telling an already picky kid he can't have his favorite foods was hard.

And at one time I thought it was going to get the best of me.

I am too old for this. I should know what to do. Why am I still so lost at 32 years of age?

I scrolled past the mom blogs. I didn't open the emails. I didn't have the time or energy to read any of the books stacked on my bedside table. 

For two weeks I sulked.

It hurts to be on the other side. It felt like my light had been turned off from within. I was officially tired of being strong. I was tired of everyone else having it together. I was tired of feeling so clueless, so fragile. 

Ladies, two-thousand and nineteen tells us that we're supposed to know who we really are...like REALLY know. 

My thirties were "supposed" to be my glory years, going to practices, volunteering at school, making adorable little peanut-butter-jelly sandwiches in assorted shapes. I had a certain idea of what being a good mother looked like, and I basically never benchmark now that I think about it. In fact, I probably don’t even qualify at my best. Almost six years in, and my life is basically a 180 of what I expected.

For the past two years, the pressure of this world keeps me aware of my limitations and how they consistently stifle my confidence, my creativity, my faith. It doesn't take a self-help book to tell me to set goals, achieve my dreams, "make it happen"...to ultimately put myself first. Goodness. I was born that way. I was wired that way. I'm human. It's natural to want "self" to be happy.

But God's grace gives me the strength to listen closely to distinguish between what I'm meant to do and what I think I'm meant to do...what the world says I should do and what God says I should do...who I am and who God says I am.

But I can't hear him if I'm listening to myself. 

I can't find him if I'm constantly feeding into the lie that I deserve more, that my life is so flawed that I deserve to be dissatisfied and discontented. 

No matter what I happen upon in this life, no matter how guilty I feel, no matter how behind I feel, God is still God, and he designed me to live my life and my life only. He created me to share my story, not someone else’s. He made my plans so that I could glorify him through it all. He has arranged my life so that I can find myself through him at age 32, 15, or 95. 

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." Galatians 5:24

Walking through the Spirit doesn't always mean we will be comfortable or completely "self-actualized." Being a child of God won't always mean I get what I want. It might mean that I don't ever materialize in this world the way I imagined. Sometimes it's going to feel like a sacrifice, but what better way to feel more connected to Jesus than when we are humbly and willingly discipling those He has entrusted in our care...when we are disconnected from this earth and pulled away into a peculiar place to wait for him to call us home? With joy?!

Well, the weeks finally turned to days, and the days turned to hours. Isaac eventually healed up, and he was back to himself, finally breathing regularly and sleeping peacefully. I eventually got a good night's sleep. He eventually ate his favorite chips. I eventually got to read again.

We survived.

Honestly, aside from Isaac's surgery, there have been many times since becoming a mother that I haven't felt shiny. And there will be more.

But this doesn't mean we can't glow. When all is dark, that's when our lights shine the brightest. 

True, I'm about to have another birthday; my hair is still graying at a rapid rate; I'm still disorganized; I still start things I’m not sure I can even accomplish; I still fumble around in the darkness of reality wondering where I fit inside this plan of God's; I still tumble into my valleys wondering who I am; and I'll probably always feel inadequately equipped to carry out my role in whatever season I'm in.

However, these seasons of being uncomfortable with our earthly identities are packed with purpose. They remind me that I’m not made for this world...that the perfection I long for can’t be found here but another place where God gives the light. (Rev. 22:5)

Maybe those weeks of no sleep and frustration were meant for me to increase my prayer life. Maybe my moments of powerlessness were meant to humble me. Maybe all my guilt keeps my heart softened and my hands folded in prayer. Maybe my dreams keep my heart childlike and hopeful. Maybe God simply wants me to get through all this to be a light for someone else.

And we can be a light even when we don't feel very shiny. 

We can thankfully rest in these truths: No matter how I might interpret the Word, the Gospel will not change. When I fail him, He will be right where I left him. If he chooses to heal us on earth or in eternity, he saves his children. No matter how much better another woman is at cooking, decorating, or styling her hair, no matter how many she has in her following or in her good graces, I am enough. I am who I am supposed to be and where I'm supposed to be. 

I am created for God to chisel away at the parts of me that I need to shed, revealing only what can be used to glorify him: the parts that reflect His light.

Nothing more, Nothing Less.

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime [...] put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Romans 13:12-14

The same God that allows us to find our soulmates is the same God who will usher us through a painful diagnosis with no cure. The same God that gives us our children is the same God who takes us through the death of a child. The same God who forgives my sin is the same God who forgives yours.

Through joy and pain, the best and the worst moments, God is there.

I can't ignore the things that have broken me, the parts I had rather leave in the darkness, the parts I had rather not remember, the unspoken things that make me question my worth, my path, His will. I can't hold them against God because they're just as important in fueling the lamp of my heart.

I pray my light always burns brighter because I'm hiding behind his will.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1

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This Is Thirty-Two

Guest Post with Jennifer Hood: I See Grace

There are many things I can tell you about cancer…

I know firsthand, because at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

I could tell you about the tests, the agony of waiting for answers, the procedures and treatments… but for this I have something more personal.

January 29, 2018

I received the call from my surgeon: "You have cancer."

Even though I was expecting this diagnosis, I was still shocked. I don’t remember much of what he said, but I remember being told that I was going to be okay, that their plan was to get me well so I never missed any of Eliza’s life events. As you can imagine, that was very important to the mom of a 4 year old.

My husband held me, and with words of comfort, he soothed my frightened heart.

Now at this point, I would have settled into the couch with a blanket and a box of tissues and cried into the night…. BUT the Lord had other plans for me.

First, my Father and Mother-in-law arrived. They hugged me and told me they would be here for me. They would help me in any way. We wouldn’t be alone in this season. James, my father-in-law, shared with me Romans 8:28… and this verse has been my hope.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

No matter how hard things were, I had to believe that God was working "even this" for my good…for His good and His glory.

A little while later, my two sisters-in-law, Mallory and Alia, showed up with pizza, chips, snacks and all of their families. We were having a party… there would be no more crying that night. It turns out, you can still laugh and have fun, even when you just got the worst news of your life.

One of the best pieces of advice I received came from my father-in-law…

He told me that when gold is put in the fire, the man doesn’t walk away and allow it to be burned up… he takes it out at just the right moment. That is what God is doing with me. He allowed me to be put in the fire, but He did not leave me. At just the right moment, He will pull me out of the fire.

I imagine this was harder for my parents because they live a few hours away. But they have made so many trips to Double Springs this year. Day trips. Sleepovers. My Mom has stayed with me weeks at a time when I was too sick and recovering from surgery. My Dad never complained about bringing her to me and having to be on his own all week.

My sisters, Stacey and Tina, have uplifted my spirits many days by just the normalcy of daily chats (and Snapchats).

How do you put into words that something so awful can bring so much good?

GRACE. 

God has shown me so much grace this year. He has healed me from cancer. I’ve been able to work. I’ve been able to go to church. Honestly, I’ve never felt so loved in all my life.

I didn’t want Eliza to remember this as the year I was sick, so when I was able, we did things.

We made memories.

Blake took us camping for the first time (right in the middle of chemo treatments) and you know what? It was fun. We went to the movies. We went to Rock City and the Aquarium. We went to Disney on Ice. We walked in our town’s Paint the Town Pink for breast cancer awareness.

And let me brag on my husband just a tiny bit.

I am so thankful that I have had Blake to lean on. I can’t imagine anyone else that would care for me the way he has. I know it’s been a tough year for him too, but when it came to me, he was there. No matter what. I truly believe we are closer today than ever.

So when I look back at this past year, I don’t see the hard times. I don’t see myself sick on the couch or recovering from surgery. I don’t see the tears and exhaustion.

I see grace.

At the beginning of my journey, I resolved to try my best to glorify God in every step of my journey, and I hope to glorify Him in every day of my life.

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Guest Post with Jennifer Hood: I See Grace

Guest Post with Rachel Meigs King: We Are Created in His Image

Like most women, I’ve spent many mornings looking in the mirror and not liking what I see. And like most women, I have taken extreme measures thinking that if I was “skinny” then I would finally feel good about myself. My journey to positive body image has not exactly been an easy one. It has been full of twists and turns with several bumps in the road, but it has been through this journey that my faith in God has grown by leaps and bounds. And it is through this journey that I discovered a major calling and purpose for my life.

I have always struggled with being overweight, even as a child. I grew up in the south, where the fried food is abundant and we celebrate everything with casseroles and apple pies. When I graduated from high school, I took a job as a receptionist where I worked twelve-hour weekend shifts. Most of the time, we would grab pizza and soft drinks to get us through the long days. At the same time, I was in college studying for my accounting degree, so every moment I wasn’t at work, I was busy working hard on papers and studying for final exams. I was exhausted, running on very little sleep, and fueling my body with junk food and “emotional” eating. I realized that my clothes were beginning to get snug and I had to go up a few sizes when I went shopping for clothes, but my mind still did not seem to notice that my body had a problem.

One day, I went in for a routine exam at my doctor’s office. She took my blood pressure and noticed that it was elevated. She asked if I had been experiencing any problems, and I told her about the constant headaches I had been having but had always assumed were due to the stress of my college career. She then proceeded to tell me – at the young age of 21 – that I had hypertension and would need to begin taking blood pressure medication. My doctor told me it was probably genetics, but deep down I knew better. After further research, I confirmed what I already knew -  my issues were most likely due to being overweight. Here I was, 21 years old and already on medication for life. That was the breaking point when I made the decision to take back control of my life before it got completely out of hand.

I started my health and fitness journey by going down the same roads I had tried in the past: counting calories, low carb diets, wraps, diet pills, cleanses, fad diets…and again, I was left frustrated. I came to a hard realization that I had been going at this all wrong. I had been depending on myself, when in fact, I needed to turn this over to God. I had sinned in my gluttony and I needed God’s help to overcome it. I began to learn about clean eating and how to fuel my body with whole foods. I stopped eating “low fat” and “low carb” and just ate more lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. I cut out processed foods and artificial sweeteners. I learned how to prep my meals in advance so I would not be tempted to grab fast food in a time crunch. I also learned how to portion my food so that I was not overeating. I made workouts a top priority.

I was able to lose 45 pounds and come off blood pressure medication. I was elated that I had finally seemed to overcome this thing that had plagued me for so long.  But then something unexpected happened...I became obsessed. In fact, I became so obsessed that I made sure I only ate between 1,000 - 1,200 calories a day. I told myself I had to work out every single day, and if for some reason I missed a day, I felt guilty and would punish myself by limiting my calories even more. I purposely did not go to certain social functions where I knew there would be junk food. My hair started to thin. My face was sunken in, which made me look so much older. I was under-nourished and over-exercised. Once again - even though it was on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I was unhealthy and had stopped treating my body as the temple that God had given me.

Oh friends, if we could only see ourselves the way God sees us! Then maybe - just maybe - we could learn to love ourselves just the way we are. We would be intentional about taking care of ourselves, not for vanity, but for our health’s sake - so we can be better moms and wives and take care of our families to the best of our ability. Thank God that He was able to get a hold of me, once and for all, just before I met my husband back in 2015.

 My “why” for this health and fitness journey is about so much more than a number on the scale now. It is about my relationship with the Lord – taking care of the precious gift He has given me while using it for His glory. Yes, my journey resulted in a physical transformation, but more importantly, it resulted in a transformation of the heart. I am grateful that the Lord used this part of my story to help me discover one of my callings – to encourage and support others along their faith and fitness journey.

Just recently, I was faced with a new body image challenge - pregnancy.

It may seem like a somewhat taboo topic, but I think every new mom goes through the thought process that she is never going to look like her old self again. Don’t get me wrong: I am eternally grateful for this precious gift that God has given me. He has fully equipped me to carry this baby, and all of the healthy diet and lifestyle changes I have made over the years have prepared me to be strong and ready to give birth. And although I know ALL of this, the devil tries to nag me with those old thoughts when I look in the mirror. He tries to get me down and tell me that this is the new me and I will never look fit again. He gets in my head during my workouts when I can’t lift as much as I could just a few short months ago and tells me that I should just give up. Thank God for saving me from the days where I dwelled on the thoughts that I was “less than.” Thank God that I know that He will be right by my side during the postpartum period, and He will run the faith race with me...and I will be stronger and healthier than ever. And then - more than ever - I will have a reason to be the best version of myself - to set a good example of positive body image for my son.

It is true that God has given us the gift of physical attraction. I believe we have a responsibility to take care of our bodies for our health and to honor our spouse. And when I am overly critical of my appearance, I dishonor God’s creation, insult my husband’s taste, and make my spirit less attractive. Instead, I should remember that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

We are God’s masterpieces. Not His sketches and not His rough drafts. If God sees us as His priceless creations and His works of art, why would we want to change our appearances? Why would we want to be any different than we are? You are a masterpiece. You are beautiful. God loves you. You aren’t supposed to be like anyone else.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

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Guest Post with Rachel Meigs King: We Are Created in His Image