I remember as a kid going to sleep on October 30th to the sound of my mom’s sewing machine humming along… and waking up the next morning to the same sound. So many times she stayed up all night long to construct costumes ranging from Princess Leia to Laura Ingles Wilder. On several occasions my brother and I were sewed into our costumes as we headed out the door. I can remember being thankful, but I can also remember being frustrated and nervous. Afraid that it wasn’t going to come together, not trusting that I’d have a costume to wear at all. Several times questioning if one of those flimsy, store bought plastic costumes (the ones that plagued the 80s) might have been a better option.
This morning as I finished up Lily’s costume I had a new appreciation for all those hours my mom spent bringing to life the characters in our imaginations. Every year, until this one, Lily has worn a costume from the Disney store. They’ve been cute, but they’ve never been unique, until now. On Friday after much deliberation and angst she took a brain break and started dancing and spinning the pretend record in front of her. And just like that it hit us… “DJ Jazzy Lily“. So today as she heads out the door she’ll be carrying her homemade “two turn tables and a microphone” costume and feeling like a rock star. I’ll be cleaning up the piles of neon duct tape, hair color, paint and makeup.
When I look back I realize I should have had more trust in my mom. She never let us down, she always got it done (even under the duress of anxious faces and rolling eyes), and it was always awesome.
So my encouragement to you today is to two-fold. Trust the people in your life that show up for you. Instead of doubting them, encourage them. Pour into them and see them for who they are, not what they can do for you. And don’t be afraid to be unique. You can be like every other princess or super hero (and that’s totally fine), or you can be an obscure reference to a rap artist from the 80s and dance to the beat of your own drum.
The 40 Days of Scripture Challenge is kicking off on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 and will conclude on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023. This free 40-day challenge is an opportunity for you to kickstart a daily, diligent and disciplined study of God’s Word. Maybe you’ve always wanted to study the Bible, but haven’t known where […]
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Memorizing scripture has been a conviction of my heart from the Holy Spirit lately. I don’t know about you, but these last few days since the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas on the morning of October 7, 2023, my heart has been heavy. The stories of what is happening in Israel are nothing short […]
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It makes me feel uncomfortable inside, but recently, when I find myself without anyone to talk to at a gathering (like after church or at a social event), I walk over and just join another group. It might seem silly, but for me, it’s always a little scary. Joining groups I haven’t been invited to […]
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So this guy pulls out a Bible on a plane… It sounds like the start of a joke right? Except, it wasn’t a joke. In late September I headed out on an adventure from the mountains of far Northern California to the mountains of East Tennessee for a Christian women’s retreat for writers, podcasters and […]
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Encouragement for the Day Ahead
Words of encouragement, inspiration and biblical truth to move you closer to Jesus
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