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Life Is Beautiful

Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

When I Made Love My Idol

It’s been a bit since I posted. Life has been incredibly and happily busy. My children were both involved in musical theatre for the past few months and their show and the weeks prior occupied our lives. It was a joy and I was happy to put them first and cheer them on. Today, I’m back and sharing with you a guest post from a new friend, Kerrington Sweeney, President and Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries. I think you will really enjoy this…                                                                                                           
Leviticus 26:1(a) “Do NOT make idols…”

 

There I was, 18 years old and I already was creating myself an idol that would eventually lead to destruction.

This idol was something I desperately wanted, craved, and thought about on a daily basis. This something, I was willing to do anything for.

That idol was….Love.

This crippling condition drove me to the extremes of wanting any young man that would show interest and give me some sort of attention. I was wholeheartedly willing to put aside my standards, lay down my plans and dreams for a future God-Written love story, in desperate hope that someone, ANYONE would have me.

It was in a Sunday Church Gathering that I had a moment of conviction about this idol. When I had seen a beautiful loving couple walk into church and my first thought was “Why can’t that be ME?! Haven’t I been patient and served you well enough God?!?” When those last words were thought, I just knew something was wrong.

A hardness began to cover my heart. Well enough? What am I even talking about?!… I could never serve God ‘well enough’ to receive that as my reward, so to say. How did I come to this point of assumption of earthly blessings from God? I carried a demanding, selfish heart of expectation. Ouch! I know. Pretty harsh, right?

I felt the need to get on my knees at the altar that particular Sunday morning. I began to weep as I recalled all the demands and expectations I had ‘put’ on God. My idol had won. I was beyond consumed. I stepped back from my situation and began to realize that, that so-called void in my heart that started this mess in the first place, could have easily been filled if I was to seek God first, before I sought after my own selfish earthly desires.

“Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol. Anything that I give all my love to is an idol.” —Jimmy Needham (Clear The Stage)

Today, I summon you to stop. Examine your heart. Do you have an idol? If so, Give it up to God! Let Him fill any of your heart-voids. Never forget dear friends, that YOU are LOVED.

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington Sweeney is President & Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries, (www.uniquelyyoursministries.com) a ministry dedicated to challenging, equipping and encouraging women. She is honoured that God has entrusted her with this adventure of Ministry Leadership at such a young age.

She actively volunteers and serves on various leadership teams at church and in her community. She carries a strong mantle of community, a heart to love the unloveable, and walks with divine purpose to empower and compel women of the faith. She feels God’s ‘call’ to one day embark on the journey of a lifestyle fully committed to ministry.

Melanie S. Pickett, Kerrington Sweeney, Uniquely Yours Ministry
Book Reviews, Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Curious Faith

What are you curious about?

Other people?

How things work?

What about God? Are you curious about him and how he works?

As I’ve been reading Curious Faith: Rediscovering Hope in the God of Possibility” by Logan Wolfram, I’ve become more and more curious about God, who he is, what he’s doing, and why he loves me. (From her book, Logan Wolfram is a plate-juggling mom and interior decorator turned writer, speaker, and host of the Allume conference.)

I find that no matter where I am in life, there’s always more to discover, pursue, and unravel about the God of Possibility.

We are born with an innate curiosity to explore, marvel, and believe there is more to life. But, laundry piles up. Bills pile up. Ultimately, life piles up…” ~Logan Wolfram in Curious Faith

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Abuse and Self Care, Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

Comes the Dawn: Be Strong for Yourself

Have you been in unhealthy relationships? Probably at least one at some point, right? I sure have.

I’m still figuring out why: what led me to believe I didn’t deserve more…why I wanted to stay…what made me think I could fix it…or fix them.

When I was a junior in high school the assignment in my Creative Writing class was to find a favorite poem and act it out. I chose this poem that I’m going to share with you. Bear with me and you’ll discover its importance.

What surprises me about this poem is that I didn’t listen to it…then. I have loved the words all these years and felt their meaning and knew how true they were. But I just couldn’t apply them in my own life and empower myself.  It’s so often hard to think of ourselves as deserving of good things, good people, strength. To paraphrase Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman “the bad stuff is easier to believe.” Vivian could have used this poem too. Continue Reading

Book Reviews, Encouragement, Life Is Beautiful

During the Hard, “Just Show Up”

I have a confession to make.

I agreed to read this book and share my thoughts about it with you several weeks ago.

But I put it off. I knew it would be tough. This book rested safely on my desk between bookends, nestled in between some other excellent reading choices.

I’d look at it and feel a pang that I needed to really get going on it, but then I’d shy away.  Why? you’re wondering.  Let me tell you… Continue Reading