In the Land of the Living

My sweet Sister,

Time out. 

Just breathe. 

As the new year rings in, I am sure that your entire feed is all about New Year goals of exercise and healthy eating, one-second-a-day videos, and pictures of family gatherings and giant meals together.

I just want to remind you that it's okay to lay low right now. It's okay to breathe. 

Sister, please listen to me. It is okay to not make life-altering decisions today. It's okay to think more about how far you have come this year than setting goals that are mountain high. It's okay to think about the things you fought so hard to overcome or that relationship you fought so hard for and lost. It's okay to remember the messy-- to remember how even in the midst of it all, God didn't care that it was messy. He cared that you were looking at Him dead in the eyes and refusing to break the stare. Even if you were hanging on by a thread. 

Breathe.

You do not need to know what lies ahead because you know that God is already there!

He has seen you tremble in fear, collapse in sadness, and praise Him from the highest of mountain tops this year. I pray that you never forget the sorrow and joy you endured through. It's important to remember as it was God's goodness that carried you through. 

If I could leave you with one final thought for 2019, I would say that the goodness of God is a real thing. It says in scripture that in all things, we know that God is good to those who love Him. He is good in the mundane, during times of failure and victory, and when our busy schedules are swirling above our heads.

This year, I pray that you are able to find joy in the every day. Not because our lives are always steady and perfect, but because we know that God is.

I hope this year, you are brave enough to take the first step. That you are brave enough to keep going when taking "one step at a time" is gut-wrenching. I pray that you are able to see your true worth not within the eyes of men, but God. Not your worth that comes from a number in your bank account or on a scale, but your worth that is found only as a daughter of the Most High. That you are able to move past the opinions of others who do not know nor care about the full story and are able to stop pretending to be someone different and run in the freedom that only comes through the sacrifice on the rugged cross.

I pray that you are able to see the goodness of God in the land of the living and see His mighty power even in the mundane.

​Sister, it is okay to be still right now.