Today’s Devotional

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} When I didn’t Get the Job…

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
My very first interview.  What I thought would have been my very first ‘real’ job.  I was beyond thrilled to accomplish this goal within the ending of the teenage years of my life.
I went into the job interview that one summer mid-June day, thinking that I’d be walking out of that place with great-confidence.  A guaranteed job and my new work schedule in hand.
Well let me tell you dear readers, if you were like I once was and you think that getting a job is super easy-peasy, I am sorry to say that you’re wrong.  Let me be completely vulnerable with you for a minute…Getting a job is difficult.  It’s hard.  It’s emotional.  And sometimes it just plain, old, hurts.  Like a lot.
I walked into that interview.  Excited.  Passionate and ready for all that God would have me to accomplish in that place.
Right before they came to get me from the lobby to begin the interview,
I went to ladies restroom where I began to pray the hardest I have ever prayed.  I prayed for peace.  I prayed for confidence in a humble manor.  I prayed that THIS would be my job.
I left that interview.  Yes, feeling confident in myself.  Feeling that maybe I would have this summer ‘dream job.’  I felt great about the interview, it went well and I felt that I had conducted myself professionally, especially for my age.  Obviously, they couldn’t tell me on the spot, if I had the job, but it felt like I ‘had it in the bag’ so to say. “I prayed that I would get this job, God won’t let me down on this one.”  At least, that’s what I thought…
About a weeks time had past, after that nerve wracking interview day.  My phone lit up…I was receiving a phone call from the Pastor who was hiring.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions, when swiping the green ‘answer’ button on my iPhone that day and then hearing the words “I am sorry to say, but we can’t hire you…”
*insert big GULP*
In those ridiculously low moments…Satan came with all his power, in hopes to tear me down and rip me to absolute shreds.  This situation was one, I was not at all prepared for.  My confidence was gone.  My heart ached.  I felt like a complete failure.  Like, as if someone just came and engraved failure on top of my name for LIFE.  I felt unworthy.
After I attempted to keep it all together on the phone, I ran to my bedroom, shut my door and collapsed on to my bed.  Right then and there, I began to have one of those good old-fashioned crying sessions.  I wept like I have never wept before.
My Mom came into my bedroom…and of course, my mom being my mom, had a profound statement for this situation and it changed my life in that moment, she said: “Just because you didn’t get that job, doesn’t mean that you’re not good enough.  Doesn’t mean that you will never get a good job, like this one.  God has plans for you.  Trust Him.  Wait patiently honey.”
I cling to those insightful words daily, as I walk through situations where my patience and grace are truly tested to their full capacities.
This experience in my life was where I wondered and questioned, “What in the great world, is the Lord trying to teach me through this awful and tough situation?”
Sisters, I have experienced one too many of those ‘situations’ in my life time, but I am reminded that these are situations, that I can now look back on and reflect.  I am able to see how God has taught me some very valuable life lessons through these tough seasons.
Let’s pray together, sisters.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for this experience in my life.  Although, it may have been quite painful at the time, I praise you for this opportunity to learn yet another life-lesson.  I thank you for the words that you uncovered within my heart to share with these readers and I ask that YOU would be with them today.  Be with them in the moments where they just feel like they are at the end of their rope.  I pray this all in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus! Amen!!!
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington
Taylor's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} There is Beauty All Around Us

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Written By: Taylor Fast

In the news recently we have seen the destruction of many communities throughout the world, which have led to refugees from these communities to come into our neighbourhoods to live and start life again.  We see people then, who speak a different language than us, dress differently than us, think differently than us, and believe in different things than us.  That is a GREAT thing.  I am writing this to remind everyone that we are called to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.  This means, no matter where they come from we love them.  I could only imagine the experience of moving to a completely different country where the cultures are quite different, I would only hope that I would be cared for and loved by others so that the transition of moving could be made easier.

What a great example of the Christian lifestyle we are to others, when we show love and respect for all- no matter how different they may SEEM to be from us.  If we attempt to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are refugees, we could think of a life of starting over.  You are separated from family, you miss certain aspects of your historical roots at home, and/or you may have been taken away from an education or career you loved back home.  We need to embrace all cultures and all people with open arms, as that is what God has called us to do.  He has called us to be Christ-like, and that means showing love for all.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2

The world can seem full of hate as we turn on the news, but we can be the beckon of hope for others.  Do not be quick to judge someone, but be open towards them instead with love and compassion.  Everyone has beauty and has a story to be told, whether it be someone in your classroom, your office, or in your neighbourhood.  No matter who, no matter where, we have a job to do, and that is to love others.

I challenge you readers today, to love someone who you would normally find harder to love.  I also challenge you to be open-armed and gentle with everyone who crosses your path.

Until Next Time,
~Taylor

Lanissa's Posts

{Becoming} Being Empowered

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Written By: Lanissa Reale

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‘Beginning Your Becoming: Part 3 | Being Empowered’

We’ve reached the finale of Becoming Ministries’ first ever blog series: “Beginning Your Becoming”.  Becoming is the process of life that we choose to invest in as we become the woman that God created us to be.  And Becoming Ministries exists to: Celebrate and empower the teen-20something young woman to get comfortable in her own skin and buy into the process of life that God has in store for her!

I have a woman that I dream of becoming, and I know that you do as well.  But before we can begin this journey of becoming that woman, we have to understand 3 key factors.  If we’re going to embrace this journey of Becoming then we have to be willing to 1) embrace ourselves 2) Buy IN and 3) be committed to being empowered.  And thus that brings us to the 3rd and final factor: being empowered.

As much dreaming and hoping and fantasizing as we can do (and trust me, I’m right there with you), the reality is that our lives will be a process and they WILL include some very messy, unglued, “I NEED HELP” moments.  These moments will look different for each of us, and will change over time- but the beautiful thing about a life submitted and surrendered to God is that in the midst of the high and low moments… you are always safe when you are in Him.  But we have a choice, especially as young women, to begin to live life without a solid ground or to become empowered to take life on with surrender AND authority!  Because both are possible!

So how can we, as teen-20somethings, move from simply taking life as it comes to being empowered?  Check out the 3 steps below!

  1. Realize that it’s not about us.

One of the largest sinkholes that we can find ourselves in is the one called “entitlement”.  You see, we automatically think that being empowered means having power in our own right, being in control and having everything that we think we deserve given to us in a timely fashion of when we believe we need it.  But if we take a step back and gain some perspective- power and control mustered up by man’s own strength only leads to destruction.  Because the truth is, our flesh WILL fail us over and over again- no matter how pretty the circumstances may seem at first, and no matter how much it may LOOK like it makes sense at first.  We are selfish in nature, we want to be number one, we want success, we want to be insta-famous and we want all of the credit.  But the proverb is true that says, “pride always comes before the fall”.  TRUE empowerment starts when we realize that it is not about us.  At the end of the day, if we have given ourselves more glory with our actions and our words than we have to the Lord- then we have done ourselves an injustice.  Realizing that it’s not about you does not mean defeat, but it means surrendering to the Lord and giving authority to HIM to be powerful through you- instead of giving yourself authority to do what you feel is right. Being empowered is about what we allow God to do through us, not what we can do through ourselves.

  1. Staying close.

When the Lord created you in your mother’s womb, He had an intentional and fruitful purpose for your life.  He is our life source,  He is the only one whom we can put all of our trust in and He is the one who knows us from the inside out.  If we want to be an empowered teen-20something we have to realize the importance of staying close to the One who works all things together for the good of those who love Him.  Staying close means having a relationship with the Lord by spending intimate time with Him, being consistent in getting into the Word and living our life fully for Him.  Not because He has all the goods and is our “ticket” to success- but simply because He is God and we love Him.  If you want to be empowered- fall head over heels in love with the Lord and let your life be an overflow of that love relationship.

  1. Getting Connected.

It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert or somewhere in between, we all need people in our corner encouraging and empowering us throughout our journey of life.  If you want to become an empowered young women you HAVE to get connected with a group of people who are spiritually intentional in investing in your life.  And yes, this means giving some of your time to be intentional with others.  THIS is a great place where you, the teen-20something young woman, can get connected with ease.  But truly being connected doesn’t just mean receiving,  it also means giving back.  Here at Becoming Ministries you have the opportunity to not only get free content through email subscription, blog posts and social media posts- but to get connected with other girls who are going through the same stage of life as you!  How can you get connected to that community?  By commenting on the blog posts and conversing with each other!  Everyone wants a cheerleader, and we want to be yours!  Get started below AND STICK AROUND here at Becoming Ministries!

Your turn: Have you ever tried to take control of our life only to realize that you failed epically?  What do you think about being empowered by surrendering your life to God?  Comment below!

Until Next Time,
~Lanissa Reale (lanissareale.wordpress.com)

Krista's Posts, Moments With Krista

{Moments with Krista} My Past Does Not Define Me.

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Written By: Krista Dunbar

My past does not define me.

Say those words aloud.  My past does not define me.  In just those words, there’s such a release and freedom that finds rest on my soul.  There’s an air of grace as the chains that seem to find my soul are unlocked and abandoned.

I hope you feel the same as you say those words.  But for some of us, those words serve as a reminder that no matter how ugly, how sinful, how tarnished or shameful the choices we’ve made in our past are, they DO NOT define us.

We all have a story.  We all have something we want to hide, just like Adam and Eve in the garden.

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”  
-Genesis 3:8

Almost instinctively, Adam and Eve hid themselves upon committing the first sin known to mankind.  While their account is written in the Bible, we too, even today, struggle with re-living and responding the same way…in shame and fear.  We know that with our actions comes consequences, good or bad and follow in step with Adam and Eve when we choose to hide ourselves from the One who cares for us and created us to be free from the messiness sin brings to our lives.

My college years were full of life and full of the bruises and tarnishes that comes with making the wrong choices.  When I would mess up, I would sink into pits of guilt rather than facing my mistakes and going to the One who could give me grace and forgiveness.

I don’t know you or your story.  I don’t know what you’ve chosen or what paths you’ve crossed.  No matter what your past looks like, dear one, know that you don’t have to hide.  Come out from your hiding place and show yourself to God.  He is the one who saves, provides forgiveness to our aches, tarnished hearts, and bruised souls.  He is the One who makes us fully whole and new.

Your past does not define you.  In Christ, you are a new creation.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
-2 Corinthians 5:17-19

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Melissa's Posts, {Worth}

{Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 3

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Written by Melissa Longval:

In the story of Rahab, we have seen how her source of worth came not from her reputation or occupation, but from God.  Like Rahab, we can trust God to use our past for good and to bless others.

In this post, we will see how God’s redemptive love reaches through generations to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ to the world.  And He chose Rahab to be a part of His plan.

God had indeed given the City of Jericho into the hands of Joshua and the Israelites.  Orders were given, marching began, shouts and trumpet filled the air…the great walled City of Jericho fell.  

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed…Joshua 6: 20

Every living thing was destroyed.  Except…

…Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her.  They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.  Joshua 6: 23

Rahab took a great chance on the God of Israel.  She left behind all that was familiar and comfortable to step out in faith…into a foreign world.  Not only were she and her family spared and allowed to live, but she lived long among the Israelites.  Not only was she living among them, but she married Salmon, an Israelite.  She not only married Salmon, but also birthed Boaz, the future husband of Ruth.  She not only birthed Boaz, but is the great…great- grandmother to Jesus Christ!

The prostitute from Jericho became the redeemed great ancestor of our Saviour…let that thought penetrate your heart.

If you are willing, God will redeem you.  And just like Rahab, you too become part of the family of God.  Your sins are forgiven and you are established in God’s Kingdom.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Hebrews 11: 31

You are so precious and valuable to Jesus.

By faith, the labels, bad choices, or even the terrible things beyond your control do not define you.  They do not determine your worth!

By faith, surrender them to God and trust Him with them…to do more than you could even think or imagine.  There is not one whose sin is too great for God to forgive.  No one is too dirty to be washed clean by the blood of Christ.  By faith…

 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1: 4-7

Out of the rubble of Jericho, Rahab and her family were saved, redeemed, and brought into the lineage of Christ.  Imagine what the Lord will do with your life when you give it to Him!

Until next time,
~Melissa

 

Taylor's Posts, {Love}

{Love} “The Greatest of These Is Love”

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Written By: Taylor Fast

Love is a very powerful emotion, and can mean different things with different people.  We love our friends, our pets, our family, and our significant other, but this love comes in all different forms.  We love them because they have a mutual love for us, and because they bring qualities that we really respect, or in the case of a pet- they are just so adorable, how can you not love them?

One of the strongest bonds of love I have seen is the love between family members.  Recently, there has been a very close family member of mine who has been struggling with health issues.  We had experienced a recent hospital visit that scared us all.  The love I saw for this person by my family members was enough to bring me to tears.  The connection, the hope, and the trust that my family showed for our loved one in need was pretty incredible.  We were all scared and uncertain of what the future would hold for this person in our lives, but God provided.  In these moments it is incredible to imagine that God’s love for us is just like the love I have explained above.  God’s love for us is selfless and is everlasting.

The hospital visits were scary as we were told to wear gowns just to see our sick family member, but God prevailed.  God was able to bring healing in our family.  Through the physical and emotional pain, results were given and the healing could begin.

Though these health issues are a daily battle- our family sticks together and I am so thankful for the love we all have for each other.  I am also thankful that God shows this same love for us everyday.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

When you are feeling like love is lacking in your life, remember all the ones close to you that God has surrounded you with and blessed you with.  Also, never forget the fact that God loved you so much, that He allowed His Son to die for us.  There is no greater love then this.

Until Next Time,
~Taylor

Amie, {Life}

{Life} Not Today

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Written by: Amie Comber

Life.  Just that simple word makes me think of a million moments.  Moments like driving down a freshly paved road as the black pavement darkly contrasts against the stark yellow lines swerving back and forth into the horizon.  Or feeling the rough stones beneath my fingertips as I search for a handhold to climb one step higher to reach the top of the rock wall.  I think of hearing the splashes of millions of raindrops hitting the leaves on the row of bushes in my front yard, and taking warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.  Life.  My life is made up of so many moments.  From my very first breath in a foreign world, to this very moment as I try to vaguely grasp a few beautiful moments that make me think of my unique life.  Every moment has grown me in some way.

In this world that I woke up in many years ago, I have spent most of my beautiful moments smiling and laughing.  But I have also spent time fretting over fleeting problems, and battling many hard moments that make up the storms in our lives.  I’ve come to believe that every young lady has a list of specific lies.  They’re the lies that she will believe easily and they’re the most hurtful when they’re thrown at her heart.  Satan knows exactly what they are, and when she is at her weakest he whispers them into her ear over and over.  When I formulated this mental image of the enemy attacking me with a personal lie concocted just for me, it changed how I viewed my life.

Life.  My life is a battle.  It’s a spiritual battle between light and dark.  Every moment has choices, emotions, and either truth or a lie wrapped up into it.  God is a God of truth, love, and light, which means that Satan is the opposite with: lies, hate, and darkness.  God ALWAYS tells us the truth, and Satan will ALWAYS counter that truth with a lie.  When I feel a storm coming on, I realize that it’s not just simply a bad day, but I take a step back to evaluate what lies are behind the emotion or turmoil I feel like I’m facing.  When I find that lie behind a moment I shut it down.

Sweet girl, you do not have to be prey to falling and fleeting emotions.  You do not have to let the enemy knock you down time after time with a lie.  No.  Truth always wins.  Love always wins.  Light always shuts out the darkness.  The Holy Spirit living inside of you is stronger than any lie that could ever be thrown at you.  

That’s when I started saying two words.  

NOT TODAY.  

Sometimes I whisper it when I feel the tears about to spill over as I feel rejected, and sometimes I shout it and hear it echo off the empty walls as I battle the invisible words telling me “I’m not good enough,” that course through my mind.  Is a lie yelling at you?  Then SCREAM back the truth.  I promise you, the truth of God’s Word and God’s love will ALWAYS be stronger than that lie.  Do I have to feel alone?  NOT TODAY- because my God tells me He is always with me.  Do I have to feel like I’m not good enough?  NOT TODAY- He MADE me and cherishes me.  Those lies do not have to touch me today.  Repeat after me. “I AM LOVED. I AM HIS. NOT TODAY SATAN. NOT TODAY.”

Say that phrase as many times as you need to throughout your day.  You were given this beautiful day as a gift and you don’t need to let a lie steal precious moments away from you.  I have a challenge for you.  Right now, take out a whiteboard marker or a pen and paper and write in big bold letters, NOT TODAY.  Write it in a place where you can see it often.  I wrote mine on my bathroom mirror.  It’s the first thing I see in the morning as the sun reflects off of it, and it’s the last thing I see before I turn off my light.

Take everyday given to you, sweet girl, and live it to the fullest.  Every single day is filled with so many moments that are unique and should be treasured.  Remember your new phrase, and throw it back at the enemy when the lies creep in to take away what could be another beautiful moment.  NOT TODAY.  Today will be Yours, Lord.  Today will be beautiful.

Driving down the freshly paved road I whisper “not today” as I feel like fretting over the thought of not looking right for the people awaiting me at my destination.  Climbing one handhold at a time on the rock wall I think “not today” as the lie creeps in that I’m not strong enough to make it to the top.  As I walk out into a stormy day with the rain whipping my hair wildly about I answer the storm back, “NOT TODAY” as I feel the frustration about to creep in and sour my spirit.  Today is the Lord’s.  Live like it, sweet girl.

Until next time,
~ Amie  

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Blessings Beyond. 

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Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
~Romans 12:2  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

…Do you ever feel that God just sometimes passes over you in blessings?!  Do you sometimes get feelings of neglect and envy, when others receive blessings and you don’t?

Not long ago, I was experiencing these painful feelings on a whole new level.  As I watched tons of people on my left and on my right…(literally, we were all sitting in a church pew.)  Each of them were receiving high-substantial financial blessings.  I watched people, literally cut in front of me (in the pew) to begin blessing the people around me.  Not a one came to me.  I felt so unworthy of this “blessing.”  I felt over-looked, past over and yes, even neglected.  I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to be sewn into.  Like I had no purpose or any future prosperity.

This was most definitely NOT how God wanted me, as a Daughter of the Almighty King, to be feeling and yet I still was feeling it anyways.  I’m human.  I feel pain at times.

Now of course, me not receiving a financial blessing that day, wasn’t at all because God was punishing me horribly or He was terribly disappointed in me.  In fact, in that very powerful moment, I truly believe with my whole heart…that God actually was giving me a different type of gift.

It was the gift of learning a very profound important life-lesson.  In those moments, a total revamp of my realization on blessings was birthed directly into my heart.

~Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Walking away from this situation with a forever changed mindset.  It’s not always a pain-free process when a change of our heart happens but, it’s worth it.  It’s normal for us to feel pain and sometimes even have anger about these types of situations involving change…because we feel like we don’t truly need this change to take place in our lives.  These are the same feelings, I experienced that day.

~Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Now, I must mention one more thing before closing…the really only unfortunate part of being blessed with one of these important life lesson-learning experiences…it isn’t really a tangible gift.  It’s not something you can hold in front of you, or eat, or wrap-up all pretty in paper, with a cute red bow.  This is something you can’t even purchase with all the money in the entire universe.

These profound God-ordained, life lesson moments are what will change your life forever and will continue the amazing process of shaping you and cultivating you into the very person, that God has truly called you ultimately to be.

~Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Never feel neglected or passed over.  God may just be blessing you with an important life-lesson.  Sometimes, you can’t really see it’s ‘fruit’ before going through a little bit of a process of pain and then after awhile you come into a brand new realization.

Ultimately, you will always walk away from situations, such as this, either radically changed or with an important deep thought to continue to ponder about changing your life-style of living.  Never forget, God doesn’t just “pass over” His children; He blesses us beyond our own understanding.

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

Joceline's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Every Line Tells a Story

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney

As I have looked at my face over the passing years, I have found the reflection I see in the mirror to be ever so quickly changing.  No longer does my skin have that youthful glow like it did on the day I said I do.  No longer does it have that soft suppleness that I wore even while being a young mom.  Now as I look, I see things have started to age and show.  When it comes to outward beauty this can be very disheartening for us as women as we are so often judged by our appearances.  How long we can stay youthful looking, defying gravity!  I am here to tell you don’t be discouraged…

My face tells a story.

From the crow’s feet that have crept in around my eyes, which some days feel like they appeared overnight, but these are from timeless visits year after year, summer after summer, taking my girls to the park sitting on the bench squinting watching as they had the best time, running jumping, climbing, swinging …All the while calling to me to make sure I was watching their every move.  That’s where they came from.  Would I trade any of those sweet dancing, twirling memories for a few less lines around my eyes?

From the furrow on my forehead that has now permanently parked itself there… that even bangs couldn’t hide, these are from many sleepless, worrisome nights, rocking, cradling my darling babies through whatever sickness they had succumb to.  Would I trade any of those precious times I was able to spend praying for my children, not only for their healing but for their futures…would I give that up for a smooth, wrinkle free brow?

From the smile lines that now encompass my mouth, these are the ones I got because my heart was so filled with love for my girls, I couldn’t help but smile.  From the times they said something just absolutely adorable, to the day each one learned how to read, the day they accepted Jesus into their hearts, to the times we laughed and laughed till our bellies hurt.  These lines are my favourite; with a grateful, joyful heart I earned these ones.

As you look deep into your reflection, take the time to observe the lines that have now taken up residence on your face and instead of being discouraged by what time has done to you, remember the times that have gone into your story.  Before you know it, a beautiful smile that can light up a room will spread across your face, and that my friends is where you’ll see… a life well lived that is full of true beauty.

Until Next Time,
~Joceline

 

 

 

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Another Year Has Gone By…

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Well today, it’s Valentines Day.  *Insert heart-shaped confetti and many red roses bouquet pictures all over social media.* yay…..

I remember growing up all of my life, envisioning what my future Valentine’s Days would look like.  My fairy-tale went a little something like this… My darling Prince Charming, would take my arm and whisk me away, out to my front lawn where a horse-drawn carriage would be awaiting our arrival.  This is then where he would pick me up, literally right off my feet, and place me gently into the carriage.  Covering me with a toasty warm hand-stitched quilt and then handing me a hot cuppa tea in a to-go mug.  We then would drive away, right into the evening, keeping each other warm on that bitterly cold February night.  Enjoying each other’s company under the moon light.

Later on, our driver would drive us right into the nearby forest…where deep into the woods, we would come upon a ruggedly-old cabin.  Where flickering candles and a roaring fire in the old-fashioned stone fireplace would light the inside of this abandoned, one room abode.  We would enter into this special place, and see that the floors were adorned with red rose petals and a hot dinner prepared for two, would be awaiting for us.

This would be where my life would end, begin, and continue on forever…

This precious lad I called ‘my valentine‘, would get down on one knee and ask me to be his forever love.  His Wife.  His soul mate.  We then would begin to dance in the outdoors, as the stars shone from the heavens above.  The Happily Ever After I dreamt of for years was to begin that one special night.

I had a very vivid imagination growing up, as you can tell…Valentine fairy-tale dream-story ending now.

Today is nothing like I had ever dreamt of, or imagined it would be.  Yes, I am still single.  Still waiting for that ‘Prince Charming’ to magically waltz into my life.  To be vulnerable with you…Even though I am young, at times I question if I even still have a chance left at finding my one, true love.  No special romantic proposal will take place this evening and no, my happily ever after I have always dreamt of, will not begin today. But that’s okay…

I have come to a point in my life where I am just pleased with where I am at.  I am at, what it feels like is a season stand-still, where I am just “Okay” with how my life looks.  And that’s alright.  In the past, envy has at times taken over my joy, in celebrating beautiful milestones with my friends.  Especially in the areas of celebrating…dating, engagements and marriage. Valentine’s Day has always just been another painful reminder of something I don’t have.

I read a scripture verse recently, that I have read at least a thousand and one times.  I could possibly even recite this specific verse to you, backwards if you asked me to.  It is a verse, that I am very familiar with.  But this time, when I read it, something different happened in me.  Like never before.  It truly clicked.  The words came to life.  My eyes were opened.  It changed my perspective and broke a strong mindset in my life.

John 10:10 says, “I came so that you may have Life and live it more abundantly.” 

It was in that very moment, that I realized I had been wallowing in a vault of self-pity and drowning in a sea of hurt, rejection and anger towards others.  I just knew that I knew, something had to change.  “Why was I at a point, where I was just okay with my life?!”  God sent Jesus to us, His Children, as a gift.  He sent Him, to give us life.  He sent Him, to give us life and life more abundantly.  Readers, do you know what abundantly means to God?  We can’t even begin to fathom it.

Personally, what I believe it means to live ‘Abundantly’ is…to live a life that is so captivated with The Heavenly Father, that in all seasons, situations and circumstances around us seem but so small, because of the big God we serve. Although, my heart desperately, daily yearns for an earthly relationship, my first and forever love was nailed to a cross 2,000 years ago in the place of me. He was willing to be the sacrifice for all of my mistakes and sins. Everything I ever did, have done, or will do was laid upon His shoulders. 

We are to live in total surrender to our Saviour. Because Jesus came, to give us life and life more abundantly. So although, I won’t be proposed to and my happily ever after won’t begin today, my hearts true desire is to, love unconditionally. Trust my Saviour, my precious forever love and live life and live it well. Will you join me?

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

About Kerrington Sweeney: 

  

Kerrington Sweeney is President & Founder of Uniquely Yours Ministries. She is so honoured that God has entrusted her with this adventure, of Ministry Leadership at such young age. She presently serves on various leadership teams at different churches and actively volunteers in her home town. 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. 

Kerrington, adores journaling, public speaking, shopping, leading, and star-bucks with a friend! She feel’s God’s ‘call’ to one day embark on the journey, of a lifestyle fully committed to ministry and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.