Hosanna Emily's Blog, page 10

Nura: a Letter from a Minor Character

Me: FIVE days until publishing!!!!

But first. The guest post.

Okay, so maybe I just love all The Torch Keepers' characters and want you to get to know every one of them.
*shrugs* That's pretty true. But I still think you absolutely HAVE to meet Nura, a priceless, young girl who lost her sight before she could remember. Somehow though, she sees better than I do.
This little girl has gone through a lot, but she's more beautiful because of it. She loves the King. And now I asked her to narrate her story to me. So here 'tis.

(and I caught her in a talkative mood, which is rare! So enjoy that.)  =)





















Nura's Story

Okay, can we start now?


Me: Yup, go right ahead!

Oh, then I'm ready. *giggles* Should I start with "once upon a time" or somethin' else?

Me: Whatever you want!

This will be fun! *clasps hands together*
Once upon a time, my mama had a baby. It was me!
But that was a long, long, long time ago. And I didn't get to see my mama for a long time. There was a big storm–I'm scared of storms–and Mama and I were stuck in it. But 'Dira saved me. I am sad though, 'cuz Mama died. I miss her.
*brightens* I'm still happy though! There's lots of pretty things that make me happy. Like the stories 'Dira tells me. She tells me about the flowers and trees and sunshine 'cause I can't see them. And she says the sunshine looks like me, 'cause my name means "light." I smile when she says that. *giggles*
My favorite things are flowers and creeks and the woods and rain and dancing and lots of things. I like pink too ('cause 'Dira likes that best). Oh, and all my family. I love Gamma and Father and 'Dira and Ike and everyone else. Even Faine (but he needs to laugh more). He's super serious and grumpy. *hides laugh*
But the bestest thing is the King. I never met 'im, but I still like 'im a whole lot. Because He loves me. Sometimes I think about that. The King is so big and strong and brave, but He likes me–a tiny girl who has eyes that don't work!
I tell 'im lots of secrets. And He listens too! When I'm scared, He keeps me safe, and He gives me lots of good gifts (like sunshine).
Some people say the King is far away and doesn't listen to us, but that's silly. Because lots of times He does! When I talk to 'im, He always answers me. Not because I'm super smart or anything. He just loves people. Even tiny ones. Even ones that have eyes that don't work.
The King loves everyone. That's the bestest thing.

He loves me and you and everyone else. And Gamma tells me that He has good plans. Like that storm that took away my mama. The King still had a plan then. That's why I still smile; 'cause He loves me!
So... um... oh no, I can't 'fink of anythin' else. Is this okay?

Me: This is perfect! Thank you, Nura.

You're welcome. Goodbye everyone *waves*. You should go dance or pick some flowers now. I'm gonna. If 'Dira will take me, I mean.

Me: Have fun! *folds letter* 
So there she is. That little girl holds a piece of me that somehow grown-ups forget to express.
The idea that Jesus really loves. That He really answers prayer. That He really is good.
We forget. We get distracted.
That's why I love Nura. She remembers the truth–sees it–even with her blind eyes.
So go live the adventure. Savor it. For our King.  ♥

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

- Psalm 23:1-3

~♥~

Rekém: a Letter from a Protagonist

Me: Legends have heroes. They're strong and brave, slaying armies and solving mysteries. But real life is different. People struggle.
And in The Torch Keepers, the heroes struggle too. So meet Rekém, one of the two protagonists of the novel.
Guys, he is amazing. Yet when you read his story, you might not think so. I've had readers despise this guy, wonder why he is so cruel and cold inside. He makes bad decisions. He hurts people. But the truth is that even strong people need Love.
I asked (*cough* told) him to write a guest post, and I gave him some guidelines too; he's not the sort of guy that's natural at this stuff. I think Rekém would rather fly on a flame-wing or fight some battles than sit down and write a letter.
But I twisted his arm.  XD  So take a moment to meet this guy who somehow struggles a lot like I do.




Rekém's Story


Welcome, untrained one. I am Rekém, but I'd prefer to be called "Sir."

Me: Um, seriously? Rekém, we're not in an army right now. This is called a blog post, and it's supposed to be informal. 

*sighs* Okay. Let's go with this then.
I'm a leader of the Liberation. I guess it was thrust upon me before I was really old enough to decide. Back then, all I thought about was how cool it was to fly on a flame-wing and be strong like my brother who is the Prince of Érkeos. I wanted to be like him. Courageous, bold, fierce.
And I am. I lead armies. I take over cities with our emerald fire. No one can stop us.
Being a leader is hard sometimes. People think we're perfect. And sometimes it's true, I mean, we've worked hard to get to where we are.
But life isn't perfect, and we aren't either.
*stops* Hey, Author, I think we need to start over. I don't like this. I need to do more of the professional outlook and less about me. Maybe a tour of the camp or a lesson on battle technique?

Me: Sorry, time slot's getting short. I think you're doing great.


*shakes head* I can't go here.

Me: Okay. Then let's keep this easy. Tell them what your dream is.

Oh...
I guess. Well, it's just hard to describe.
My dream. It sounds easy. Ha. But when do people get to dream?
When I was young, my dream was simple. I wanted to do big things. I wanted to be like Teion, my brother. I wanted him to be proud of me.
So I did that. I am doing big things. I'm strong, one of the best fighters, most adept generals. But honestly... sometimes it doesn't feel like it matters anymore.
If I'm honest, my dream changed. It got smaller. A lot.
If I could choose any life, it would be to fly from this mess. To go back to the Sea where I belong and be free. To hide from the war and the blood and the death and be able to shut my eyes and find something... peace?
I'd stop trying to be brave and strong and courageous. And I'd find someone to share life with, someone who knew what love was. Who didn't need me to do anything to earn it, just gave it freely.
But dreams. *snorts* They don't happen anymore. Érkeos is stained in rebellion, in this war that blots the maps of history, and I'm stuck in the middle.
One doesn't run from trials; one embraces them. And so I'll keep fighting this battle so that one day I can really be free.
So... there's that.

Me: Hey Rekém, thanks for this. Your honesty is really good. One last thing?



*shrugs*

Me: I'll take that as a yes.  Could you wrap up with some practical advice? What do you want people to learn from your story?

Wow, I don't know.  I mean, does anyone really even notice anything these days?
But, I mean, sure. For all the young people out there, I'd tell them what I always told myself:
Be different. Be stronger. Be radical for what you believe in.
If you serve the King, do it with everything. Or if you've been disappointed by him like I have, live everything for the Prince.
Do crazy things sometimes. Be a leader.
But never do things half-way. Never give up, give in, until the mission is accomplished.
There it is. And now I have training to lead.

                  // Rekém




Me: *releases breath* That wasn't as hard as I expected.
To wrap up, friends,  Rekém is searching. He doesn't have all the answers, but his advice does remain the same.
Be radical. Don't let anything stop you from what matters.
Live everything for the King. He has a great purpose for you, and His Story is incredible.
One surprise before sharing  Rekém's theme verse:
The Torch Keepers now has a personality test you can take to find out which character you are most like!  Click here!

Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

- Psalm 44:21

~♥~

Emyir: a Letter from a Mentor

Me: *waves* Hello again! Today I'm here with a guest post from one of my favorite book characters: Emyir.
Okay, I admit it, all The Torch Keepers' characters are my favorite. XD But this woman is especially dear to me. I've learned from her life, and the way she follows the King inspires me. Honestly, I want to be like Emyir when I grow up.
Here's her heart.




Emyir's Story


Dear friend,
I don't know why the Author chose me to write this. Of all the amazing characters in The Torch Keepers, my part of the Story isn't the grandest or most beautiful. And yet I wouldn't chose to live another.
Let's start from the beginning: my name is Emyir, and, as a babe, I was chosen by the King.
I'll never know why, yet somehow he chose me out of a humble heritage and set me apart. With eyes the color of the noon sky, I was immediately recognized as different. It would take a novel in itself to tell the ways the King worked through my simple childhood, not because of my strengths or unique qualities but because of Him. His goodness. His grace choosing someone as insignificant as me to live His Story.
Maybe there will be a book one day, but that's also not important. What matters is the role He gave me in the Story.
If I had a title, I suppose it would be "mentor to the heroine." Another title I don't deserve. Really. The heroine, Kadira, is a dear friend, not a student.
Together, we're Torch Keepers. Our blue eyes destined us to such a role, and we serve in the mountain pass of Palatiel, where the desert meets the hills.
The job is simple: to keep the King's blue flame burning as a declaration to the kingdom that Palatiel serves the true King.
Because there's a battle raging. In the solitude of the mountain pass, the war and anger and blood seems so far away, but it's drawing near. And one day, we'll be fighting too. Loyalty isn't about who we say we serve. It's about who we'll die for.
That's why I'm here. No matter what pretend Princes come against our gates, I'll fight for the King. I'll keep His blue fire burning. I'll run into sandstorms to rescue His children.
To tell the truth, it scares me. I'm not brave or strong. I can't do it. This calling hurts, it wears, it steals my strength.
So I live today for the King. And I trust that He will hold me up tomorrow.
*shrugs* That's who I am. It's short and sweet and not as impressive as others. But I wouldn't trade it because it's the Story the King has chosen for me.

If you read The Torch Keepers, you'll see a glimpse into my world, but don't pay too much attention to that at all. I'm not the protagonist, and my part of the Story isn't as long or impressive as others. I'm simply one person that the King has chosen to use. Isn't that crazy?!
But before I slip away, the Author asked me to leave you with a challenge. So here 'tis.
Dear friend, maybe you're a Torch Keeper. Maybe you're not. Yet the calling remains the same.
Whoever and wherever you are, there are battles roaring, and Princes will arise to fight the King of the land. Never grow comfortable, no matter how safe your city feels. Never think "follower of the King" is simply a label that you can wear casually.
This is a war. Every decision, every moment, matters. You either live for the King or live for a lie.
If you don't have a torch, keep the fire burning strong inside your blood. Be radical. Look for hurting souls around you, and run into sandstorms to rescue them.
No matter the color of your eyes, you can be an ambassador to your city, your kingdom, your world.
Live for the King.


                  // Emyir


(Me): See? I want to live like that.
If you're wondering what it looks like practically, let's chat in the comments! I'm sure Emyir would be glad to share more of her heart as we all seek to live completely sold-out for our King.
What you do, read, say, think, hear, it all matters. The battle is real. It's fierce. But there's hope.
Before sharing Emyir's theme verse, I have a quick gift for you: my novella, The Mystery of the Midnight Trespasser is free on Kindle until Wednesday! Click Here. Go grab a copy and share with friends!
Do everything for Jesus, my friend. ♥

For thus the LORD said to me; “Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees.” ... (the watchman) listened earnestly with great care... “I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime; I have sat at my post every night.”

- Isaiah 21:6,8

~♥~

Ir-Haran: a Letter from a Minor Character

Me: *whispers* Hey guys, it’s me, Hosanna. Today I’m interviewing Ir-Haran, a minor character from The Torch Keepers. Just wanted to stop in and ask for a little grace here; he’s young, so I’ll be helping him along. Thus, I might have to step in a bit, and my text will be in italics, like this is.

Enjoy getting to know this small guy. I hope you love him like I do.




















Ir-Haran's Story


Um, hi, my name is Ir-Haran, and I’m five, and I like sabbax deer ‘cause my daddy takes care of them in his stable, and I don’t really like to dance or stuff like that. 
Is that enough? 

Me: No, we just got started! 

Then what else? 

Me: Tell them something… what’s your favorite color? 

Oh, okay. 
Well, my favorite color is purple. I like it ‘cause it’s really nice. People say it’s a girl color, but I don’t think that matters. I still like it. 
But I guess if you read the Story, you won’t know I like purple. Ms. Author never says what my favorite color is. Actually, she doesn’t say a lot about me at all.
I’m only in one of those thingys—the pages with numbers at the start. What are they called again? 

Me: They’re called chapters. 

Oh yeah, I forgot. I’m only in one chapter. And I can’t talk a lot in the Story because I have to leave pretty fast. My friend Ka-Dara has lots and lots and lots of chapters! Ms. Author calls her a main character. I guess I’m a littler character, even though Ka-Dara and I are the same age. But she is taller than me.
Hey, I did get something cool though! Ms. Author gave me my own theme song. It's called "Our Destiny Lies Above Us", and I think it's neat. So you should listen to it. (click here)
But that’s not what Ms. Author asked me to talk about. She said, “tell them your purpose in the Story”, or somethin’ like that. 
I’m not in the Story a lot, but I still have a purpose. I have my own little stories that you’ll never know too. Those little stories change the big Story. That’s why Ms. Author wrote me. 
My part of the Story was important for Ka-Dara and for my sister Ir-Ivah. So even though I’m a littler character, I’m still important. 
Sometimes people are like that. I’m not amazing. I have freckles and am short for my age, and I’m not really good at things like my friends are. I only have one sister (and she's bossy). And my mom and dad only take care of sabbax deer in the stables in a desert city in the middle of nowhere. I mean, Ms. Author doesn't even tell you the name of the city.
But I still have a purpose in the Story. 
I guess even little people can do things. The Story would change if I was taken out—Ms. Author told me that she put me in for a reason. So maybe everyone’s like that. Maybe people all have reasons in the King's Story. 
I’m only in one…whatcha call it… oh, one chapter. But Ms. Author still wanted me to tell my story, ‘cause she wrote it for a reason. It’s a little like how the King makes people and gives them different lives (even little lives) for a big reason. 
So, that’s all. I hoped this worked, ‘cause I just told everything to Ms. Author and asked her to write it (my writing is not super good). She calls it narrate, and I like that, 'cause it makes me not sound so lazy.
I hope you read the Story and my special chapter. But even if you don’t, I hope you live your own Story. The King has a purpose for you too. 

                  // Ir-Haran 


Me: (psst) Isn’t he cute? Sometimes I just wanna squeeze that guy. 
A few things… Ir-Haran is shy, but I’m sure he’d be glad to respond to comments. Ask him anything!
And when The Torch Keepers comes out, make sure to read his chapter, remembering that every life has a purpose.
I’ll end with his theme verse. Even though Ir-Haran’s life may seem sad or insignificant (no spoilers, sorry!), it isn’t. And friend, yours isn’t either. We may be brought low, we might feel dry or separated from others, but there is Hope. 
The King loves you.

They are exalted for a little while, Then they are gone. They are brought low; They are taken out of the way like all others; They dry out like the heads of grain.

- Job 24:24

~♥~

The Torch Keepers Release Month!

Hello Friends!
July has flown by in an array of editing, gardening, canning, memories, and so much more.  And now August is upon us.
Which means The Torch Keepers will be released.
In. One. Month.
Eep.
The last few weeks have taught me a lot, including how simply absurd it is for me to worry about this book.  God has brought me through every step. And He will be there for the release too.
So why do I feel a tense excitement inside?  XD
Guys - it's time for the release month partying!  I have so many ideas and no clue how they are going to pan out.  But now YOU can be a part of the release, get sneak peeks, and join me in exploring the book before it's released to the world!
Here's the August fun:
My characters are taking over this blog.  All month long.
There'll be guest posts, sneak peeks, and some fun surprises.  And if you hop over to my instagram page, there'll be quotes, character photos, and more!
If you want to join in, here's how.
Fill out the form below.
Tell me you want to be part of this, and I'll send you weekly emails with info, graphics, and surprises that you can share on your website/social media.  Or you can just savor the secret info all to yourself.  XD
AND you can interview me or my characters!
This release is open to any ideas.  Just scroll down, enter your info, and we'll go!


Link to Sign Ups



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Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.

- Psalm 115:1

What's your favorite part of a book release party?  Comment below!



~♥~

Secrets from Gardening (+ How They Change Your Life)

Once upon a time, you came into the world.
And a seed was born. It was like this big, empty plot of ground was assigned with your name, and the seed of you was dropped into it.
Ground can turn into lots of things. Trees grow up, towering like sentinels in a fortress. Melons and potatoes and pumpkins and squash spread in vining, curling tendrils. Corn pierces the sky with shining tassels beside the sunflowers who smile for a day and then gently bend in pouring wind.
There’s more. Vineyards of grapes and berries. Orchards with trees organized in rows. Grassy meadows where cows graze or hay is raked.
But, in the beginning, you were one seed. You grew, got your second leaves, and then your third.
The field was still empty. Way back then, you had decisions to make. Today, the same decisions are there, but maybe a little harder.
What’s in your field?
























Today I read in Proverbs,

Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.

- Proverbs 24:27

A lot of times we do it backwards. We do step #2 before step #1. Maybe we’re planning sweet corn, but we forgot to mark out where the popcorn was, and everything’s messed up, and our garden is going to be ruined, and we think there's no hope for us.
We can’t build our house or plant our seeds unless our fields are ready. I’ve tried. Gardening the wrong way isn’t fun.

The Bible gives instructions - first we prepare the outside work.

I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.

- Proverbs 24:30-31

We’ve had gardens like that—overgrown with thorns, covered with weeds, boundaries broken down letting in the stray animals.
But once upon a time, I was given the garden of my life. And now, decades later, I see how it’s changed.
I have a lot of plots. Instead of Brussel sprouts, I have my writing. Where sugar snap peas might be, I have my job. There’re others too—my family, my hobbies, my talents, my chores, my friends, and everything else that consists of my life. Each one is like a plot in the garden of my life.
I like to think they’re organized plots. One here, another there, clearly defined and growing well. But a lot of times they’re not. Weeds grow, thorny. Walls collapse. I don’t have time for every plot, so I abandon some or focus too much on others. The plants twine into the plot beside them. Vines mix with bushes.
And I’m left wondering how on earth we can live fruitful lives when there’s so much chaos and weeds and distractions.
The answer: prepare your outside work
It’s not about the garden or the plans or the work I put into it. Without one thing, all else will be lost.
Weeds will come, rocks will cut, soil will dry and crack—unless I have my foundation. Unless I pile up mulch, scatter those woodchips across the ground, and let it do the work for me. It keeps the moisture in. It kills the weeds. It hides the rocks. The preparation is everything.
It’s Jesus.

Because I can do everything in the world and still be empty-handed unless He is the purpose. I can try to cultivate my writing, love my siblings, practice my music, learn a new language, but, without Jesus, it’s like watering a desert with a spoon and pail.



























Once upon a time, you were born and given a plot. Since then, you’ve grown plants and done a lot of work.
Maybe there were mistakes like I had. Maybe you accidentally grew thistles instead of wheat. Or maybe you thought your gem corn was so beautiful that you completely forgot about picking tomatoes.
It’s not about what we do. Our life could be a picturesque field of trees or grass or vegetables or anything else. That’s not the point at all.
Jesus needs to be there. The foundation, the substance that supports our plot of ground. He needs to be the reason we sing, the reason we work, the reason we take every breath.
It’s surrendering to Him. There’ll still be some weeds, some care, some work. But there’ll also be so much more meaning, fruit, rest.
At my house, we have a garden that’s half mulched and half plain dirt. Every day I go out there and weed it. Half of the plants are surrounded by hard, weedy earth that I must keep clearing again and again. But the other half, the garden surrounded by mulch, flourishes with vegetables and moist earth even in the driest seasons.
So today I’m stopping the weed picking in my life. And instead, I’m laying woodchips down.
Go grow a garden. Start it with Jesus.

Surrender.

Practically? It's asking Him what I should be doing. It's taking time to listen. It's stopping my schedule and following His. It's doing more than a little "Bible time" and letting Him have the entirety of my life.

That's what abiding is, and that's the only way we grow fruit.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

- John 15:16

(ps) Photos credit to my gardener + photographer brother.  =)



~♥~

Small Things Can Make Big Differences || a Guest Post

My little brother put a sticky note up on my wall. I still have it, although the locations have changed over the months. It's a square piece of paper, colored yellow. Five blue hearts are cut out of paper and pasted in a row, and under them his 7-year-old writing is scribbled in pencil marks: I Love You
There's no period. Under the words, there's a pencil heart that's oddly shaped. But it's one of my treasures.
Because that little note made my day. And every time I look at it, I smile and read the same words: I Love You
Small things can make the biggest difference. That smile, that hug, that prayer. We can become confused, thinking that changing the world means preaching a sermon or writing a book or being a missionary to cannibals. Maybe it does. But sometimes we change the world by sending one email. Or saying one word. Or posting that sticky note with the cut-out hearts.
My 12 year old sister had a school assignment last year. Although time has passed, I remembered that paper she wrote because it blessed me.
Because my sister is changing the world. She's not a missionary or mom or working woman, and she doesn't like being the center of attention. But my sister is full of thankfulness. She goes around the house saying "Thank you, Jesus" all day. She loves holding our baby sibling. She helps Mom.
Honestly, I want to become more like my 12 year old sister.  She's pretty awesome.  And she loves Jesus like crazy.
That's how you change the world. By being faithful. By loving Jesus.
Like the note my little brother gave me.  It changed my day, and it still makes me smile.  And my sister who constantly fills our house with her smiles.
Here's her post. Now you go--be Jesus to the world. We're cheering you on.
























Expressing gratitude is not hard, and praying or reading good books is not like running a marathon, but these small and simple things done on a daily basis can bring blessings on your life. Sandra Cisneros wrote,

The older I get, the more I'm conscious of ways very small things can change the world, Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny things, isn't it?

Without the little things, the big things wouldn't be here at all!
Being thankful is so important. Dr. Seuss once said, 

When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad... you should do what I do... just tell yourself 'Duckie! You're really quite lucky! Some people are much more... oh ever so much more... oh muchly much much un-luckier that you!' 

Thankful people are always the happy ones. Take time to be thankful for what you have. You could have more, but you could also have less!
Compliments have been sent around for years and years. They brighten up a person's day or month, or even their whole life! Leo Buscaglia wrote:

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

 Abraham Lincoln told someone one day,

Everybody loves compliments.

Go give one right now. No harm can ever be done in giving compliments!!
How do you like to start your morning? I find that the very best way to get into any day is to read through God's Word. The Bible is our guide. It shows us how we should live, move, and breathe. I have asked my friends, "What are you reading in your Bible?" They always either change the subject of our discussion or say "Nothing right now."
There is absolutely no reason to not be in God's Word every day! You can take weeks or months if you want to think of a good reason. You'll never find one. It's just a short period of time every morning, but it makes a big difference!
Billy Graham once said: 

We are the Bibles the world is reading; we are the creeds our world is needing; we are the sermons our world is heeding.

How can we be the Bibles our world is reading if we are not reading the Bible?
Friend, I hope that now you realize how important little things really are. Our world is filled with only little things. That's what the big things are made of. Little things are everywhere, and sometimes we just ignore them and look to the big things. Let's stop that right now. Let's love, cherish, and care about the little things!

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 

- Luke 16:10

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. 

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

- James 3:4-5

~♥~

Our Struggles are Real

I sit at my computer, watching as a profile picture pops on the screen with three little dots.  They're typing.
Another face appears.  In this group chat titled "Prayer," we share what's going on.  How we're struggling.  How we need Jesus.  And then we do the fun part - share how He answers them.
The messages come in.
We're honest with each other.  One girl struggles with depression, her family has tension, and she feels like life has no meaning.  Another girl admits that her emotions have been in turmoil, and she's struggling with balancing life.  There are so many struggles, so much to pray for.
But then another comes in.  It's like someone timidly raises her hand as she types the words I've heard so often.  "This doesn't really seem important, but..."
I stop there.  Because I've said the exact same thing.  I have a prayer request that's "not really important," the praise report that seems so small.
But it isn't.  Because He still cares.























Sometimes we live like life is made up of lists.  We're not as good Christians as the girl over there, or our testimonies aren't as impressive as the person sitting beside us.  Our prayers seem small, our praises even smaller.
So we don't speak up.  When the battles come, they're only tiny showers compared to the huge thunderstorms that other people seem to be facing.
And when we forget the tiny blessings, forget the warriors who can join our side in the war, our battles become that much harder.
The truth is, He gives us exactly what we need to face at exactly the right moment.

For the black cummin is not threshed with a threshing sledge,
Nor is a cartwheel rolled over the cummin; But the black cummin is beaten out with a stick, And the cummin with a rod.

- Isaiah 28:27

Okay.  That verse might seem random, but it isn't.
God will give you more than you can handle - because He can handle it.  And, in the moment, He will offer His grace.  Every trial you face is for a purpose, for you specifically.
If you're cummin, God won't thresh you with the wrong tool.  He knows exactly what you need.  In the midst of the battle, He will be with you, sustain you, hear your prayers.
Your trial might not be with a threshing sledge; that's okay, because you're meant to face a stick instead.  Every trial is a time of refinement, like gold in a furnace.  The struggles are real, but they'll be alright.
These verses came up along with a quote in a book I'm savoring, Hinds Feet on High Places,

"See," said the Shepherd gently, "how various are the methods used for grinding the different varieties of grain, according to their special use and purpose."

- Hinds Feet on High Places

And then it continues to the next verse in Isaiah.

Bread flour must be ground;
Therefore he does not thresh it forever, Break it with his cartwheel, Or crush it with his horsemen.

- Isaiah 28:28

Flour has to be ground.  When I was eight, I took up the job of baking our family's bread with whole wheat.  I savored crunching the grains in my teeth, yet, before cooking, I slowly poured them through a grinder into beautiful, white powder.  The grit turned into dust.
Our trials might seem easier than another's.  We might not have a terminal disease, be in a car wreck, face depression or loss.
If you're being ground to flour, it's okay.  If your struggles feel smaller than the person who is broken with a cartwheel, crushed by horsemen, know that God is still with you.  The size of the struggle is unimportant; your heart is vital.
The enemy tells you that you're alone.  That no one understands.
They're lies.
Every trial you face is something that another person is or has faced.  And in every single lie, struggle, fear, He is able.

...there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

- Hebrews 7:19

And,

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...

- Hebrews 6:19

Every trial, every decision, every moment has a purpose.
He gives grace.
Dear friend, be vulnerable with Him.  With other believers in Christ.  Pray for those "unimportant" things in your life and in others'.  The big ones and the small ones.  Because God sees the heart.
When my friend posted her small prayer request, I was overwhelmed.  Because all the other girls in the group gave virtual hugs.  They all had gone through the same thing.  And they all knew how incredibly hard little struggles can be.
Your trials, friend, are hard too.  I can't imagine because I'm stuck facing my own.  But Jesus is able.  He is good.
You have a purpose.  Ignore those emotions and lies that are screaming, and seek Him.
You're never alone.  ♥


(ps)  How can I be praying for you?  What is the Lord teaching you?  Comment below or send me a PM through the Connect page, and I'd be thrilled to chat!

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

- Hebrews 4:15-16

This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.

- Isaiah 28:29

~♥~

When God is Still Good

Sometimes days are beautiful.
Like yesterday.  That warm sunshine curled around my loose hair, and we laughed and worked together in the barnyard.  A stranger smiled at me, but his eyes told something deeper - that he smiled because he had Love in him.
I wrote letters.  They said, "thank you" and "I love you" because it was true.  And with cursive on paper, I slipped them away with a stamp so they could fly away to a new home.
And hugs.  Those fierce hugs that mean so much.  The gift in a hand of a friend.  Eyes that smile as much as lips do.
As the day closed, night came.  That trickle of darkness that stained the day.  And I was there, in the middle of my family, laughing, eating, rejoicing in the little things that make life fun.
We slept or at least tried to.  With so many people in the same room, we laughed and talked and said goodnight a dozen times.  And then there's that third bathroom break and "can I get a sip of water pleeease?"





Eventually we slept.
And always, I thought the same thing:  God. Is. Good.

He is good.  Even when days aren't beautiful.
Or maybe every day is beautiful, we just don't see the beauty.  'Cause some days are hard.  I woke up today, my stomach curling like a fist.  When I stood, it lurched, and last night's dinner wanted to escape.
So I missed the group of friends, the plans we had.  With every smell of food, I wanted to run and hide and curl up and sleep without getting sick.
Yesterday, God was good.  It was easy to say.  But today, if things don't go as planned, the rain comes, the lightning hits, I want to still whisper in the storm:
God is good.  Today He is.  And tomorrow He still will be.
When water pours from the skies, I want to let it drizzle down my face and still see through it.  I want to blink from the drops, always knowing that the sun will come.  And when tears replace rain, I want to cry, knowing that He holds my hand.  He hears my prayers.
When the clouds are thick, I want to search for a rainbow.  I want to draw a picture, remember what lies behind the storms.  Even if that means a whispered plea of, "help me."
God is good, and He will still be good tomorrow.

Yesterday was a good day.  Today was too.  God changed my plans, but He gave me different ones that were exactly what I needed.
And He has a plan for you.  It's perfect, but that doesn't mean it's always easy or clean or pretty at all to look at.  Yet in the end, your story will be good because He is.
It's okay to cry.  It's okay to struggle and be sick and wonder what the purpose is.  But in everything, we can have joy because of the truth:
God is still good.
So remember.  He will always hold your hand.  In sunshine and rain.

No matter what tomorrow brings, we can choose to rejoice.  





Dear friend, what's going on in life?
This post ended up feeling like poetry, and I wish life was always like that (think roses and flourishes and fancy words).  That'd be lovely.  But either way, in the end, He is good.
Yet if it doesn't feel like it, know that He is there.  Always.  You're never alone.
Happiness comes and goes like the sunshine, but Joy doesn't.  We rejoice in the Lord.  He is constant, faithful, with us.  So never give up, friend.
Some days are beautiful, and some days aren't.  But still, praise Him.
God is good, and He will be good tomorrow.

That's a promise.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

- Romans 8:28

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

- 1 Corinthians 1:9 

~♥~

This is Why God is Good

A few weeks ago, I said goodbye to a friend, and I thought it was forever.  We had met through a program that she was now graduating out of.  And so I sat down and wrote a card to her.  On the top were the big, painful words:  Final Letter.
But it wasn't, somehow.  God brought us together through another avenue, and my Spanish friend sent me an online message.  As we chatted back and forth, she exclaimed over how she loves God and is seeking Him and is so thankful.  I smiled and responded in Spanish.
"Sí, Dion is tan bueno!"    (Yes, God is so good!)
My fingers paused on the keyboard, waiting.  She began to type back, and a message popped up.  This one was in English.
"Me too and tell me how."
The translation messed up the grammar, but I understood her question.  And I sat there for a minute, not sure how to respond.
Because we say God is good.  We try to sound Christian by using the expression over and over again.  We even use it as excuses for when we've had bad days but still try to sound okay.  
God is good.
But how?
























Today I read a beautiful psalm that's actually not in Psalm at all.  It's found in 1 Chronicles.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD!Call upon His name;Make known His deeds among the peoples!

- 1 Chronicles 16:8 

It continues,

...Talk of all His wondrous works!Glory in His holy name...Remember His marvelous works which He has done,His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.

- 1 Chronicles 16:9-10, 12 

After the beginning of the piece, David does exactly what he tells us to do.  Going back through history, he recounts why God is good.  David talks of God's glorious works, from rebuking kings, protecting His people, and confirming His promises.
 And, in the end, the people respond.

And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD.

- 1 Chronicles 16:36 

Is that us?
Do we talk of God's wondrous works?  Do our lives show that we are glorying in His holy name?  Do we even remember the times He answered our prayers?
It's true:  Dios es tan bueno.  He is so good.  All the time.
Can you tell me how?  And do you live like it?
Recently, I met a guy who didn't stop talking about Jesus, about the Holy Spirit, how He is working in the man's life, and how thankful he is for God's direction and grace.  And I wondered: if I truly love God, won't I do the same?  Do I talk more about myself than the God I am dedicated to?
I want my life to be a continual outpouring of His grace.  Or in more practical words:
I want to reflect Jesus, not myself.
To talk like Him.  Love like Him.  Smile like Him.
I want to be like Jesus to this broken, hurting world, bringing shalom to the hearts that are hungering for hope.
























There's a common phrase in our house that someone always says when we head out on errands or any other trip:  Remember to be Jesus!  That's my goal.  Not to become Him, but to be so much like Him that I reflect the way He lived.
God is good.  But my beautiful, Spanish friend reminded me that it's more than just saying it.  How is He good to me?  And do I live like it?
My answer could be a mile long.  God is good because He gives me hope.  Courage.  He brought me a job when I was seeking His wisdom in that decision.  He drew me through the long years of school to soon graduate and move to new adventures.  He gives me a future.  He never leaves me.  He helps me overcome every "impossible" trial and issue I face.
God is good, so good.
Dear friend, it's your turn.  We follow a good, faithful God; tell me how.  How is He working, how is He strong in your life?
But more so.  Let's live like it.  Let's live like we truly believe God is good.  And go tell the world.  Find someone and share why God is good.  Then find someone else.
Share the Gospel by sharing how Jesus is working.  Start with one person and be Jesus in their life.
And wherever you go - remember to be Jesus.

Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,Give to the LORD glory and strength.Give to the LORD the glory due His name...Oh worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

- 1 Chronicles 16:28-29

~ ♥~