With tear stained cheeks and blurry eyes; a state of which I often hate. I cry out, I plead, grasp for hope. I know He hears me. I know He sees the pain.
Why do I doubt? Why do I fear? Why do I allow this heaviness to trample me?
I knew this journey would be tough; I knew it would require much hope and even more faith. But I didn't expect to feel this struggle - to feel like everything was crumbling around me. I not only feel stretched, but pulled and tugged to the limit.
I know that I am not alone. I know my Savior has not forsaken me. He is my comforter, my all. He is my strength and my shield. He leads me and prepares my heart. He cares for His beloved.
~~~
Dearest loved ones, would you please keep me in your prayers? Would you please pray a hedge of protection over me, the rest of my time here in NC and the new season in which God is leading me?
I knew before making the decision to move to Washington that it would be super hard; both in severing ties here and also venturing to the unknown, but I had no idea it would this treacherous... I feel like every time I turn around I am being attacked. I'm starting to feel the stress of it all and well, I'm just not sure how much more I can handle. I was so hoping to go out to Seattle recharged and ready to serve, but at this point I just feel drained and in need of stillness and quiet waters. Your prayers would be cherished.
Dwelling In Faith
Do you ever want to just turn off your brain and click this magical button that allows you to trust God wholeheartedly? Sounds a bit absurd, I know, but that's exactly what I've been wishing for the last few days.
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the things of this world and fret over what is or isn't happening. But why? God continually takes care of us. I know that when I trust in Him and walk in faith, those are the moments that I am most satisfied. So why do I stress? Why do I become so fixated on a single desire or a single speed bump and begin to take matters into my own hands? Doing so will not satisfy me, nor will it establish peace in my life...
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the things of this world and fret over what is or isn't happening. But why? God continually takes care of us. I know that when I trust in Him and walk in faith, those are the moments that I am most satisfied. So why do I stress? Why do I become so fixated on a single desire or a single speed bump and begin to take matters into my own hands? Doing so will not satisfy me, nor will it establish peace in my life...
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7
I want to live out this scripture. I do not want worry. I want to trust God wholeheartedly, even if it means Him having me on a roller-coaster and changing up my plans or not revealing details. I want to live by faith. I want to surrender my fears and my doubts, and live a life that's full of God's peace.
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
What a beautiful prayer that Paul prayed over the people in Ephesus. I want to echo it not only for myself, but for all my loved ones as well.
What a beautiful prayer that Paul prayed over the people in Ephesus. I want to echo it not only for myself, but for all my loved ones as well.
Be blessed all you wonderful blog readers :)
Cheers!
Rachel Grace
The below link is to a post my sister Kristin wrote for her Purposeful Homemaker blog. If you have time to check it out, I would so encourage you to do so! Kristin shares her heart about wanting to attain Godly wisdom and how scripture instructs us to do so. It's great! In a lot of ways I think it's frosting on the cake for the post I published Tuesday (March 22nd). I say that because to find peace amongst your trials you must seek God's wisdom in the situation. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading her post as much as I did. Much love, RGA
Post link: Unusual Wisdom. You Know You Want It
Post link: Unusual Wisdom. You Know You Want It
Deeper
At the beginning of 2010 I remember speaking to my dear sister Kristin over the phone and us both agreeing that the year would be a good one. We both felt spiritual growth readily in front of us and excited to embrace it; we knew it would better us and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.
Now, here I am three months after 2010 has concluded and I remember Kristin and I’s conversation. I meditate for a while on what really did happen last year and I am humbled and overcome by love. God revealed so much and dug deeper within my soul and my heart than He had ever done before. Last year brought many trialing times, but they always ended with freedom and thanksgiving; they taught me how to rely on God more and surrender the control I wanted. He targeted the things that had crept into the crevices of my being, freeing me from lies, fears and pain. I felt Him actively at work in my life, such as a gardener weeding his garden, and the result of His work created a healthier, stronger and more faithful daughter.
Now here I am in 2011 and things really haven't changed. The work begun last year has only intensified with each passing day. Deeper and deeper in the canyons of my heart my maker is at work. He's stretching, pulling, refining and solidifying. He is allowing trial after trial to come my way, but not because He wants me to fail or to suffer. No, that's not it at all. It's because He knows that the trials I face will only make me stronger; they will purify my heart and drawing me closer to Him. Satan may try to deceive me, accuse me, and belittle me, but the only one being fooled is him. The devil has no foothold in my life. The destruction he tries to bring my way will not stand.
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
For the waves of death encompassed me;
The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me;
The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD,
Yes, I cried to my God;
And from His temple He heard my voice,
And my cry for help came into His ears.
~ 2 Samuel 22:2-7
Christ is my shield, my fortress. He loves me. And in loving me, I know without a doubt that He wants to prepare my footsteps and prepare my heart. Just as He prepared David for battle by using the bear and the lion (1 Samuel 17). God will ready my spirit and allow me to face challenges that will strengthen me. "He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze" (2 Sam. 22:35). He prepares me for the tough times so that I am strong enough, can endure them, and reap the benefit of having gone through them.
I really wish I could continue, I feel like I have only scraped the surface, but I must run and therefore save the additional items for a later post. Thank you so much for giving this post your time, I really hope you walk away feeling blessed and encouraged.
Until next time. Cheers!
Rachel Grace
Now, here I am three months after 2010 has concluded and I remember Kristin and I’s conversation. I meditate for a while on what really did happen last year and I am humbled and overcome by love. God revealed so much and dug deeper within my soul and my heart than He had ever done before. Last year brought many trialing times, but they always ended with freedom and thanksgiving; they taught me how to rely on God more and surrender the control I wanted. He targeted the things that had crept into the crevices of my being, freeing me from lies, fears and pain. I felt Him actively at work in my life, such as a gardener weeding his garden, and the result of His work created a healthier, stronger and more faithful daughter.
Now here I am in 2011 and things really haven't changed. The work begun last year has only intensified with each passing day. Deeper and deeper in the canyons of my heart my maker is at work. He's stretching, pulling, refining and solidifying. He is allowing trial after trial to come my way, but not because He wants me to fail or to suffer. No, that's not it at all. It's because He knows that the trials I face will only make me stronger; they will purify my heart and drawing me closer to Him. Satan may try to deceive me, accuse me, and belittle me, but the only one being fooled is him. The devil has no foothold in my life. The destruction he tries to bring my way will not stand.
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
For the waves of death encompassed me;
The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me;
The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD,
Yes, I cried to my God;
And from His temple He heard my voice,
And my cry for help came into His ears.
~ 2 Samuel 22:2-7
Christ is my shield, my fortress. He loves me. And in loving me, I know without a doubt that He wants to prepare my footsteps and prepare my heart. Just as He prepared David for battle by using the bear and the lion (1 Samuel 17). God will ready my spirit and allow me to face challenges that will strengthen me. "He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze" (2 Sam. 22:35). He prepares me for the tough times so that I am strong enough, can endure them, and reap the benefit of having gone through them.
I really wish I could continue, I feel like I have only scraped the surface, but I must run and therefore save the additional items for a later post. Thank you so much for giving this post your time, I really hope you walk away feeling blessed and encouraged.
Until next time. Cheers!
Rachel Grace
Cat's Out of the Bag
I knew it was bound to happen sometime, and now the secret is out of the bag ~ I'm moving to Seattle.
Towards the end of December I was really wrestling; I knew that God was bringing me into a season of change, but I had no idea what that change would looked like. I cried out asking God what I should pursue, what change I should embrace, and His answer was an audible question. He asked me “what do you want? What do you really want?” I struggled with that for awhile, feeling like I couldn't make a decision. I knew I had nothing to lose, but I wasn't able to make sense of it all and therefore felt uncomfortable and hesitant to take a leap. But then I remembered something: God is my rock, my salvation, my fortress (Psalms 62). Wherever I go, I know He will bless me (Numbers 6:24-26) and watch over me (Psalm 1:6b). Why was I afraid? Why was I wrestling so much? I really had nothing to lose, but rather something to gain, no matter what I chose.
With a battle raging inside me, being pulled in so many directions and trying to make sense of chaos, I suddenly felt stillness wrap around me and heard for the third time “Rachel, what do you want?” My reply was the usual one - I wanted to go anywhere and do anything that was in God’s will for me to do. But then I heard more loudly “If an earthly father can lavishly give gifts, imagine what I can give you (Luke 11-11-13). You just have to ask and seek (Luke 9-10). That is my will for you.”
I knew right then that I was supposed to pursue moving to Seattle Washington.
Seattle has been on my heart for almost two years now, since the very first time I visited. My love for the city began as a simple seed of admiration, but grew into an overwhelming desire to immerse myself in the environment that touched my soul like no other. When I'm in that rainy city and I see the majestic cascades or olympics in the distance, I cannot help but feel God's presence and the love He has for us, even the least of us.
One prayer that I have prayed far too many times to keep count - "God, help me shine like a light in the darkness. Help me be a living vessel that displays your love, your peace, your joy, and your heart. Use me to reach the unreached and to reveal your love to them." I want that prayer answered wherever I go, but especially in WA.
Though doubts have crept in and spiritual battles have been almost constant, I know that God is preparing me for something spectacular. I really do believe He's going to bless my time in Seattle and use it to bring much growth to my personal walk with Him, and possibly to my career/ministry. I am sure there will be hard times (withdrawals perhaps... from my beautiful nieces and nephews especially; just thinking about distance hurts), but through thick and thin I believe God will reveal Himself and help me find a life of eucharisteo.
Before I wrap this up, I would love to ask my dear friends and family to please keep me in your prayers. I have felt more spiritual warfare in the last two months than I have the last few years combined. I believe I'm stepping on some toes and getting ready to do something very influential in my life and that has satan not so excited.
If you would please pray for:
- restful sleep
- extra income opportunities
- a smooth transition for my trainee at my current employer and for my coworkers as they handle the switch off
- a job/income security once I move
- confidence as I meet with future photographers/employers
- and for opportunities to get plugged in at a new church community and with new friends in Seattle
Thank you dear ones.
With much love,
Rachel Grace
Towards the end of December I was really wrestling; I knew that God was bringing me into a season of change, but I had no idea what that change would looked like. I cried out asking God what I should pursue, what change I should embrace, and His answer was an audible question. He asked me “what do you want? What do you really want?” I struggled with that for awhile, feeling like I couldn't make a decision. I knew I had nothing to lose, but I wasn't able to make sense of it all and therefore felt uncomfortable and hesitant to take a leap. But then I remembered something: God is my rock, my salvation, my fortress (Psalms 62). Wherever I go, I know He will bless me (Numbers 6:24-26) and watch over me (Psalm 1:6b). Why was I afraid? Why was I wrestling so much? I really had nothing to lose, but rather something to gain, no matter what I chose.
With a battle raging inside me, being pulled in so many directions and trying to make sense of chaos, I suddenly felt stillness wrap around me and heard for the third time “Rachel, what do you want?” My reply was the usual one - I wanted to go anywhere and do anything that was in God’s will for me to do. But then I heard more loudly “If an earthly father can lavishly give gifts, imagine what I can give you (Luke 11-11-13). You just have to ask and seek (Luke 9-10). That is my will for you.”
I knew right then that I was supposed to pursue moving to Seattle Washington.
Seattle has been on my heart for almost two years now, since the very first time I visited. My love for the city began as a simple seed of admiration, but grew into an overwhelming desire to immerse myself in the environment that touched my soul like no other. When I'm in that rainy city and I see the majestic cascades or olympics in the distance, I cannot help but feel God's presence and the love He has for us, even the least of us.
One prayer that I have prayed far too many times to keep count - "God, help me shine like a light in the darkness. Help me be a living vessel that displays your love, your peace, your joy, and your heart. Use me to reach the unreached and to reveal your love to them." I want that prayer answered wherever I go, but especially in WA.
Though doubts have crept in and spiritual battles have been almost constant, I know that God is preparing me for something spectacular. I really do believe He's going to bless my time in Seattle and use it to bring much growth to my personal walk with Him, and possibly to my career/ministry. I am sure there will be hard times (withdrawals perhaps... from my beautiful nieces and nephews especially; just thinking about distance hurts), but through thick and thin I believe God will reveal Himself and help me find a life of eucharisteo.
Before I wrap this up, I would love to ask my dear friends and family to please keep me in your prayers. I have felt more spiritual warfare in the last two months than I have the last few years combined. I believe I'm stepping on some toes and getting ready to do something very influential in my life and that has satan not so excited.
If you would please pray for:
- restful sleep
- extra income opportunities
- a smooth transition for my trainee at my current employer and for my coworkers as they handle the switch off
- a job/income security once I move
- confidence as I meet with future photographers/employers
- and for opportunities to get plugged in at a new church community and with new friends in Seattle
Thank you dear ones.
With much love,
Rachel Grace
Happy New Year!
Just a quick little post.
Wishing each and every one of you a very grand year ahead. May 2011 bring many joyful memories to you and your loved ones. Have a blessed New Year!!!
Much love :)
Rachel Grace
Wishing each and every one of you a very grand year ahead. May 2011 bring many joyful memories to you and your loved ones. Have a blessed New Year!!!
Much love :)
Rachel Grace
Merry Christmas :)
May today bring much joy and love to you and your loved ones!
Best wishes,
Rachel Grace
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