How to Make Your Heart Smile Today

My mom quilts.  She crafts with her hands.  It's talent that God has gifted her with and she makes some pretty quilts with her hands.  It soothes her and gives her something to do.  It's her artistic expression.

Some say that stitching intricate patterns in colorful fabrics to make a cloth picture is a gift.  And I would whole-heartily agree.  I think about how God gifts us with his talents, I can't help but think that those gifts are His creative voice that he breathed into you.

Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  My pastor said it nicely on Sunday..."you are God's poetic voice" in who He has made you to be.

That soothes me when I realize I don't have to be someone I am not.  And it also comforts me when I think about how God is becoming me to be more of a beauty.  I know...that was a gutsy thing to say. I am humbled when I read in the Bible I am made in God's image.  I honestly think that God is pretty wonderful...I like that image...I want to become his poetic voice.

When we compare ourselves to people that we only wish we could be, that is not being the awesome image that God imagined for us.  Don't try to be someone else.  Don't let man set the standard that God created for you.  Be you, the other person is already taken.  Be His poetic voice that boasts of His workmanship.

So stitch this truth into your life today...I am...you are...

.....the works of His hands, His artistic and creative expression.  His wonderful work.  And as you walk in faith, God is perfecting your poetic voice.   Perfectly measured with just enough lovely to reveal an intricate pattern, mixed with some beautiful.  Now sprinkle a cute little pink bow, (or handsome man tie) and you got yourself a smiling heart today.

Celebrate this...you are God's poetic voice.

The Sisterhood of The Pink Pants

My Pink Pant Sisterhood

Everybody needs a good friend...or two.   
God brings friends in our path to help us along our journeys.  We need each other!  

It was a cold day.  I stomped up the stairs disgusted with myself because I was late.

She greeted me with a smile and a bowl of homemade stew.  It was comfortable here.
We sat...we ate...she listened as my heart spewed.  She caught every word.

I can't get past that she cares so much.    She has been steadfast and unwavering in helping me discover my dreams.  Even though we haven't spoken of it...she is committed.

That's what pink-pants do..
listen and encourage.  


She cultivates growth.

In her pink pants, she tells me it's safe to let others inside.  The Enemy speaks of fear.  I fear judgment and scrutiny.  
I fear when I leave the door of my heart open.

I fear you will hate the ugly parts.

I fear your gaze.

"Be you" she says.  I don't have anything special to say, but God does.

Can we do life together?  Will you listen to my stories?  Do you care that much?

I have a fear of writing the end of this story.  She reminds me that all of the stories in the Bible are of people on the move.  There is God's movement in my heart and that makes me want to share with you.

She has tucked the fleece away for safe keeping.  No more questions.  
No more sowing seeds of mistrust.  

In the pink-pants circle of safeness I confess my fears.  She couches Truth to empower my thoughts.  She pages through my thoughts and 

doesn't wince.

Her pink pants boast hearts that are splattered and scattered.  Just like my many heart pieces.  She is like family.  We have a heart connection that goes deep.  Her heart-splattered-pink pants speak of softness and embrace my emotions.  She understands my deep feelings as they are tucked inside her confidentiality.

I bare my soul and she doesn't shudder.  She patiently listens in her pink pants and adds her well timed wisdom.  She interjects her thoughts and weaves them into mine.  She brings perspective to a view that is clouded.  She helps bring clarity.

The pink patterned pants were a comfort pick.  She loves my heart for what it is.  Her words of encouragement and constructive criticism are always welcome.

I am forever grateful as I bounce words off of the pink pants wonder...she lets my harsh words fall off.  There's no room for the negative.

 She won't destroy purpose.  She shields and protects me from myself.  She inspires.

We are moving on this together, women on the move….tucked into God's heart as 
we bare ours with each other.

I am grateful for my pink pants-God-loving sista'.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 17:17

Who's your go-to person you trust?