God Put Me Through Beauty School

Proverbs 2: 1-6: My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and IF YOU LOOK FOR IT AS FOR SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURE, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

IF YOU SEARCH FOR WISDOM AS IF IT’S A HIDDEN TREASURE….YOU WILL FIND IT!

Ok, I’ve read this scripture 5 zillion times. It was my staple scripture for almost a decade. But I just recently saw it with new eyes!

Several years ago, I was telling a skeptical friend about something God had done in my life. It was probably something similar to the things I share here…like when I blogged about “Holy Inside Joke! God’s in on it!” My hilarious boyfriend agreed to watch a silly girl’s movie with me and we were joking about it being our “fancy pants” date. I was leaning on my Bible at the time and looked down at a scripture that talked about wearing “Garments of Splendor!” I’m sure there’s a translation out there that says Fancy Pants! haha. It might sound like a small thing but it was Huge for me! I’m on a path to discover True Beauty and I learned something new about it. Most people agree that a sense of humor tops the “things I find attractive about you” list. So it made sense that the God who invented Beauty would also have a sense of humor. God wanted to be “in on the joke”….the fun side of my life. Who knew he could be that real in our lives!:)

So, it was probably five years ago and even though I can’t remember what I was saying…I’m sure I was telling my friend something similar to this…some new amazing revelation. At that time, he asked me a question that I didn’t think twice about …until now. After discovering more about God’s sense of humor, I woke up with his question so LOUD in my head: “What makes you, Missy Midden, think you’re so special that God would do all this for You.”

I think I finally have the answer!

The intent of the question was probably to point out I’m not really that special. haha It’s funny because I didn’t detect the skepticism at the time so I’m sure I answered enthusiastically as if he really wanted to know. I thought it had something to do with how God related to me personally as a creative person.

Ultimately, it was fair question. One that deserved a good answer.

The last few weeks, I kept thinking about the “wisdom” scripture. It kept coming up and rolling around in my mind. I sorta wondered what God was trying to show me since I had already dissected this scripture for years….but then I saw it! I saw the answer to his question. If you search for Wisdom as if it’s a Hidden Treasure….you will find it!! This suggests LIFE IS MEANT TO BE AN ADVENTURE! “Finding hidden treasure????” that’s like something out of Indiana Jones. Wisdom is universal…we all need it. So, these creative revelations are not just for creative types. God said we could have wisdom if we searched for it like a hidden treasure! Getting to know God IS the adventure. Our life is designed to be an adventure! So the only difference between my friend and me was that I chose to look under a few more rocks. I dug a little deeper in search of something significant. Something Beautiful. Pearls of Wisdom! I searched fully convinced I would find some new treasure! I would find God and Divine Inspiration for that moment of my life. I think it’s important to walk in Divine inspiration rather than be a slave to what seems safe and practical to everyone else.

So recently, I checked my treasure map, dusted off a little sand and found that God had a sense of humor. I discovered that God is so much more than the One who listens to our desperate prayers or approves our earnest pursuits and good deeds….but he Delights in our FUN TIMES! He asks us to rejoice …but look …he rejoices over us too! Isn’t that such a cool picture!!!

Zephaniah 3:14-17 Sing O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy…..The Lord the King of Israel is with you; never again will you fear harm…do not fear o Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great DELIGHT in YOU. He will quiet you with his love, He will REJOICE OVER YOU with SINGING.

Sometimes the “small” thing …IS….the adventure! Today, for example, I discovered true beauty can be found at Marshalls! haha (I’ll write about this next…it’s funny and meaningful)

So to finally answer my friend’s question…. We’re ALL that special!!! Look for Him and see what You find! I think this is when life will get interesting for you! This is the way to turn a dull life into a (better than Indiana Jones) kind of adventure!

By the way, when my friend was suggesting I believed I was a little “too special” …I was at the very lowest point of my life. What a testimony to the power of God’s adventure! Even though I was crushed in every way imaginable and it would have made more sense for someone to feel sorry for me….instead ….someone actually believed I thought I was “too” special! You know why ….because I was SPECIAL. I was blessed to learn that unimaginable treasure, an exciting adventure, pearls of wisdom and True Beauty can be found even in the darkest phase of your life. This adventure isn’t reserved for the rich, the creative, the stable, the ‘no longer hurting’…God never let me be a victim of my circumstances!

We are all meant to be free….to live the adventure ….to wear the hat! Who Knows what we’ll find …there’s so much ground to cover!

I pray God gives you courage to search for him as if He’s a hidden treasure and the faith to BELIEVE you WILL find Him!

Love and Hugs…
Missy

Ugh….WAITING! WAITING for your soul mate to show up….Waiting for someone to say, ‘You’re hired’……Waiting on some kind of spark to bring you to life again….Waiting for that person to change….Waiting for everything to run smoothly for once, Waiting for the microwave to beep…WAITING, waiting, waiting….

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

You might be thinking, “Yeah but for how long? I’ve been waiting for years ….in some cases…all my life.” Ok and realistically sometimes a few minutes or a whole half a day!:)

But no matter how optimistic, “spiritual” or “strong” we are, we have those days we’re just sick and tired of waiting! I wonder if God can relate? I wonder if sometimes we’re really not waiting at all but Running as fast as we can in the wrong direction?…just to be moving?…just to be doing Something?

I wonder if, in fact, God is WAITING on Us?

So a lively, free-spirited friend of mine was going to bust if she didn’t have a summer ADVENTURE. Much to her Dismay….NOTHING was really working out but she felt like God was telling her He had something special for her. Even though she tried to venture out on her own a few times, ultimately, she surrendered and chose to wait on God wholeheartedly. During this process, I watched her go through a “boot camp” of life lessons and grow quickly. Then, on a casual, adventure-free day, she had eyes to see something New. She knew in her heart it was the “something special” from God. This adventure didn’t require a plane ticket because it was in her own neighborhood. It might not have been what she was expecting but it was Much Better. It was also something that had been there all along but she never really noticed it. I believe God didn’t give her eyes to see it until she was ready. I was inspired by this because I could see the wisdom and perfection of God’s timing. He wants to give a Good gift and maybe sometimes we have to learn a few things in the meantime. Maybe we need to grow from the little trials in front of us first. Otherwise, the gift might not even be a blessing. I believe God protects us so we don’t ruin our own good gifts….like pouting before a surprise birthday party because you thought everyone forgot about you. ooooo Just wait …. it’s gonna be worth it!

Isaiah 64: 3-5: For when you did AWESOME things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.

He is waiting on you to Remember Him….He wants your attention. He wants you to be ready….so he can give you an AWESOME gift…it’s all part of the Beautiful Adventure.

So maybe God relates to the pain we feel when we have no choice but to WAIT. He wants to give us unbelievable gifts and he’s not ignoring our needs nor our heart’s desires. He’s waiting. Waiting until the gift will be a blessing and not a curse. So, again, just maybe in all of our inner grumbling about having to Wait on God and thinking he’s taking FOREVER….maybe God’s actually waiting on Us.

It might not always be the case…but God I pray today we would stop and surrender. Instead of trying to manipulate our circumstances or expect the other person to change….God help Us to change. Help us to draw closer to you. Help us to remember your ways. And for those of us weary in well doing…help us to let You be the strong one. Help us grow a little more this week. Help us to see you in Heaven dying to give us a good gift:))

Pearls of Wisdom=True Beauty (from my niece Kelli): Don’t try to be so strong on your own. Give God your fear.
“He makes all things new. There isn’t room for perfectionism because God is already the perfect one and he doesn’t require that of you. He wants you to listen to him. Let him be the perfect one and let him make all things new”

I know I told you I was going to write about wisdom next ….shoot….I haven’t forgotten about it.
Hugs and Love
Missy

Isaiah 62: The Lord made a proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, you Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and YOU will be called SOUGHT AFTER, the CITY NO LONGER DESERTED.

I finally have a minute to share the GIFT God gave me this year for my birthday! He gave me a Name! Sounds simple, but it was attached to FREEDOM, Joy and an Incredible Adventure!

“You have a specific place in the [Great Battle] line, a mission God made for you. (Your life has a purpose). That is why it is so essential to hear from God about your true name, because that name is the mission of your life.” Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

So, I was sitting at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans having a Beignet on the last day of a seven day video shoot for Louisiana Travel. Yeah, I know, it’s already a good gift. The work was behind us and I wanted to have some God-time before heading back to Florida. The timing of this trip seemed significant and I had a feeling God was going to show me something. I had no idea it would be so huge even though I went in with pretty high expectations. I started the trip ready to learn something that would prepare me for the next phase in my life. I was ready to let go of the old and embrace the new. So I was surprised to get to Louisiana and realize I had brought some of my troubles with me. Ug, I felt the weight of some unsettled issues, offenses and fears. But sitting at this famous café, in a powdered sugar haze, God lifted the heaviness and all the anxious thoughts.(God knows exactly how to get my attention haha). When I opened my heart to God and started writing in my journal I felt His nearness. His Joy. Something was definitely up. I knew the anticipation for something Great was going to happen in this moment. This was it….God had something for me.

I started thinking about the people we interviewed in Louisiana and the friends I got to see. Louisiana is known for good food, good music and a welcoming spirit. It’s true. In Florida, we see tourism as a business. In Louisiana, tourism gives locals the chance to show off their amazing culture to new people. I felt embraced. Then I started putting it all together. It wasn’t by chance God brought me to this welcoming state.

Let me back up a bit. God gave me the Isaiah 62 scripture before I moved to Sarasota. I had been abandoned by everything I loved but God said, “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ’see you Savior comes! See his reward is with him….You will be called SOUGHT AFTER, a CITY NO LONGER DESERTED’”. So I came to Sarasota and I realized, sitting in the café, that God had spent every bit of my time there preparing me to actually be able to RECEIVE this name! AHHHHHHHHH!!! …..And can you believe this was just days before my birthday. It gets better.

Before I could receive it…God had to deal with the thieves that have been stealing my God-given name and torturing me with deception for so many years. Their names? Abandonment and Rejection.

God set me free me from this giant cycle of dysfunction involving these enemies and then placed me with people that would help me walk it out in Sarasota. My boyfriend has a HUGE part in this area of freedom. The final test came recently when we decided to take time apart to seek God about our future. It was handled with such love and respect that I was surprised when I woke up the next morning FREAKING OUT!!! I felt the familiar tormentors Abandonment and Rejection say … “ha ha …you only thought you were free!” I was begging God for help and I felt like He was not answering these desperate prayers. You have to understand, this kind of torment is more than I can handle. My response, “what do you want enemy? The names of my family? Here you go.” But even my mom felt like my earnest prayers of desperation were somehow not right. I thought, “God if you expect anything more from me in this moment, then I’m gonna get in the boat with Jonah.” All the while, I felt God was saying there’s reason to rejoice. But this seemed cruel and why does it seem like I’m praying the wrong prayer? I had the defeated attitude that I would probably learn something…yay, joy, awesome…not really feeling it. But I woke up the next morning and….CUE THE REJOICING MUSIC….I was just fine. Sounds anticlimactic. Nope, I’ve broken up with boyfriends before and it’s a painful TWO YEAR process…NOT waking up the next day simply feeling FINE. But I realized I wasn’t really abandoned because God didn’t abandon me! AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I UNDERSTOOD THAT!!! I wasn’t staring down the barrel of heartache….I was FREE. God didn’t abandon me and he didn’t abandon my dream, my true heart’s desire. That’s why God would accept nothing less than REJOICING because there was REASON TO REJOICE.

God had to bring me back to a place that looked like abandonment and rejection so he could show me I HAD SIMPLY OUTGROWN IT. I’m looking to God to fulfill my dreams not a person. It wasn’t just a matter of casting out a devil and hoping it was gone. God had been leading me down a path of freedom for Years so in this moment I would be able to face my old enemies and say, “nah….it’s not working. I’ve OUTGROWN it.”

So, as I sat there, in the midst of sugary goodness and an amazing adventure, God says, “NOW, you are ready to Receive it. Your name is SOUGHT AFTER, a City No Longer Deserted. You will Never be Alone because your NAME is Sought After…all the days of your life. If you find yourself in a city that seems to have deserted you…I’ll change the city. You’re no longer attached to your tormentors. See? look, you’re in Louisiana. I brought you to a place to be embraced to make my point. You no longer have to fear. Your path is SOUGHT AFTER…all the days of your life. This is my gift to you. Happy Birthday.”

Teeeeeeeeeeeeears……………………………………………………………….

I got on the plane and opened Wild at Heart and started reading where I left off, “ The history of a man’s (our) relationship with God is the story of how God calls him out, takes him on journey and gives him his true name.” …..But the new name is really not new at all when you understand it is your true name, the one that belongs to you. [God called Abram off to a new frontier and gave him a new name, he took Jacob off the Mesopotamia and gave him a new name]”

God took me off to Louisiana….and gave me a new name.

I believe it’s a gift I can give! If you’re in my life and reading this….then you can know for sure ….YOU are not alone. God hasn’t abandoned you. He hasn’t turned his back on your heart’s desire. YOU are Sought After. You’re Not Alone. This is the deeply personal message He gave me to GIVE YOU!

So grab a powdered doughnut and celebrate! This is good news! Freedom is the Beauty of an Adventure with God!

Next, I want to write about seeking wisdom as if it’s a hidden treasure and addressing a question someone asked me years ago: “What makes, you, Missy Midden so special that God would do all this for you.” Haha…it’s a fair question even though the intent was to point out I’m probably not that special.
Love you!
Missy

After a good talk and prayer time with my mom… I was ready to start the 6th day of my Faith Walk Adventure. I have been amazed at how God is answering prayers and I’ve seen His hand at work in the lives of my friends and family. So with great enthusiasm, I gathered up several “hearts” to go with me today. This prayer walk isn’t just for me. It’s like I’m representing many of my loved ones as I bring my prayers before God.

There was, however, this um….eeeensy….weeeeensy…..just barely there….thought that somehow made it through my “this is wrong” sensors: “What about me, God? What about answering my prayers?” AWWWHHH…why is our nature so naturally stinky! But I didn’t pay any more attention to it and I started my walk.

The first thing that came to mind was a butterfly. God has given me a lot of visuals about a butterfly struggling against the cocoon in order to have the strength to one day fly. For the first time, I saw that I was Free from the cocoon and I was fluttering around the very Heart of Love and Beauty. It was such a happy, carefree visual and I could clearly see the blessing of being at such a place….even though it’s a place of Waiting. I was listening to this song called Wait Upon the Wind by Jason Upton and I felt assured that I would fly. I was just waiting for the right current to carry me. There will be a wind current just for me.

Jason Upton: Wait Upon the Wind

“I will wait upon the wind…I want you to carry me like you promised you would do. I can’t climb the wall all by myself. Carry me… Let me fly…I want to fly…let me fly…I need to fly. I will wait upon the wind….. I will wait upon the wind….” “so I wait on you o God..with my wings spread out…I wait….I know you’ll carry me with your gusts that are coming….”

As I continued walking, the “what about me” question seemed to come before the Lord. I sensed all the prayers, words and thoughts part like the red sea and there was a clear path to the Presence of God speaking a direct word to me, ………………..”Ask.” ……………..I sensed in my heart God was asking ‘what is it that you want?…ask.” and then silence….he was waiting. Ok, do I run for cover? repent? Say it wasn’t me? Beg for mercy? But I sensed that God really wanted to know the answer. I thought about King Solomon in the Bible asking for wisdom. Well, I did that for a decade. The next decade I asked to be closer to God….but now…I was on the spot and I needed to figure out exactly what it is that I want. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long…….”Breakthrough.” ……..That’s what I’m asking for God….Breakthrough. I didn’t feel the need to figure out the ‘how’ or in what way breakthrough should come. Just breakthrough. I also knew this wasn’t just about me. I came before the heart of God on behalf of all the hearts I took with me today! So I asked God for breakthrough in your life too!

My mom pointed me to the scripture Isaiah 58:6:
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Wow! (by the way, one of my friends sent me a scripture from this same chapter yesterday). What a confirmation that God heard my prayer, ‘what about me’? and he was ok with it:) “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose water never fail” Isa 58:11

I got back from my walk and sat down to start writing out my thoughts. Once again my niece called me. God set her free this week but walking it out is difficult. I was praying so much she wouldn’t feel so ‘heavy’ today. I was hoping God would give her even a taste of the amazing calling he has on her life.

LO AND BEHOLD SHE CALLS TO SAY…..”AUNT MISSY I HAD A BREAKTHROUGH TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!”

She said to me, “I anticipated heartbreak but God made my heart resilient without being bitter. He kept my heart close to Him even though I thought I was so far away from him. Instead of tears, God put laughter in my heart …I already cried ..it’s time to laugh!!

She was laughing and full of joy and when I told her about the breakthrough prayer, she said, “O now God’s just showing off.” hahaha

I told Kelli having the understanding that it’s POSSIBLE for God to make your heart resilient instead of bitter is POWERFUL! THIS WILL REACH MANY, MANY PEOPLE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES! How amazing to see her walking around with a new pearl of wisdom! How beautiful it looks on her. She’s stepping in to her calling…to the beautiful woman God made her to be!

Thank you God that YOU ARE GOOD! Thank for all the ways you fill our lives with BEAUTY. Thank you for the pearl of Wisdom Kelli gave us today! Just one more beautiful treasure…. We love you!

One more day to this walking fast!

I want to leave you with another pearl of wisdom from my friend Bobbie. She added this comment, “humility is the most underrated power we possess…” Wow…this is something to think about!!! Thanks for sharing BEAUTY!
Love and Hugs-

There were three parts to today’s Faith Walk Adventure: Humble yourself, move forward, and boldly say thanks.
Dying Star by Jason Upton

I started listening to this song and the lyrics: “Star how beautiful you shine…you shine more beautiful than mine….worldwide is your strategy …. but shining star I hope you see…if the whole wide world is staring at you …they can’t see me……. I want them to know me…but they can’t see me….” God wants His Love to be known. It’s His love that sets people free! I immediately cried out to God for a clean heart. I want His love to shine in my life. I want His freedom to be written on my forehead, His Love on my hands and His beauty on my heart. Forgive me God….

Then, I thought of the vulture I saw on yesterday’s walk. It was a vulgar scene! Gross. Ugly. These were the words that came to me: “You’ve been looking at the “ugly” things. (pain, setbacks, rejection, failures). Start looking ahead to the blessings God has for you…to the amazing Love story He has for you. Don’t look back more than you have to. You are not attached to the vulture. You’re free. The ties have been cut. God took the handcuffs off…and you are free to walk away and you are free to stay. Lord, continue to give us vision of your Love so we don’t think twice about hanging around a vulture. RUN into God’s beauty. Run! Run into the Light!”

Near the end of my walk I started praying for loved ones. I started off, “Please Lord would you help…..Please Lord would you provide….Please Lord…” I felt a boldness rise up in me and I immediately changed my prayer to: “Thank you God for your help TODAY!
Thank you for breakthrough in finances TODAY. Thank you that there’s break through TODAY. Thank you that there’s Victory TODAY! Thank you that there are nets full of fish TODAY! Thank you that there is breakthrough in my loved one’s life Today!Thank you that there is freedom to walk in TODAY. Thank you that your love is here for us Today! Thank you that soul mates are making their way towards one another Today! Thank you that my friend’s heart is being changed TODAY. Thank you that new vision is being placed in his heart Today. Thank you that my loved ones are being set free Today! Thank you God that your taking care of my business Today. Thank you that you’re taking care of my rent Today. Thank you that you’re taking care of my next step Today.

Wow! Amen!:)))

2 more days …..

Love and Hugs
Missy

TODAY I WITNESSED THE POWER OF PRAYER! TODAY I DISCOVERED THIS 7DAY WALK/FAST WAS A GOD-THING NOT JUST A GOOD THING!

This song by Jason Upton “Gideon (Valley/Victory)” is a BATTLE CRY! It starts off slowly with a cry from the heart “I don’t know what to do…but my eyes are on You…” and the last 2 minutes become a RAW DECLARATION: VICTORY IS YOURS O LORD …VICTORY IS YOURS!

Today’s walk took a very different turn! It was an intense battle! This was the day to pick up my rightful authority as a child of God and say No the “vultures” tearing away at who God made me to be. It was strong! I actually walked past an actual vulture tearing into a dead animal on the side of the road. It was vulgar. It seemed to emphasize the strength God had given me over the “vultures” in my life and just how gross it would be to let them anywhere near me. I have to explain something…the fierceness of these prayers seem to come out of nowhere! I started my walk happy and peaceful. I wasn’t really struggling with anything. But for some reason…I was called to a Battle!!!!

I listened to this song and declared, “Victory is yours o Lord…” Over and Over! I spoke this over those close to me, too! Then I sensed the need for quietness. I turned off my Ipod and just walked. I wondered what I was supposed to pray next. Then, “Thank you Jesus that it’s done….Thank You Jesus that it’s done…Thank you Jesus that it’s done ….” started spilling out from the depths of my heart. I couldn’t stop saying this the rest of the way home. Thank you Jesus that it’s done.

THEN!!!!!!!!!! I finished the hour of walking, I went to open the gate of my courtyard and wondered What exactly was done. I considered how I would write about this POWERFUL time of prayer. Before I could even get through the gate…my niece called. For that last hour she had been on the phone with her family facing an epic Break Through battle! It was the crescendo of many battles that delivered the root cause and by the end of it….She Won! She was Set Free from the “vultures” ultimately trying to steal from her! Her dad told her to get off the phone right at that minute and call me. He sensed there was more! WOW WOW WOW….because right at that minute I was saying “Thank you Jesus that it’s done.” AMAZING!!!!!!!!! –THIS– is why I was called to a battle at that exact hour! I was battling along side my family without even knowing it. HOW CRAZY UNBELIEVABLE!

My niece is a prayer warrior who speaks God’s words into my life regularly! How amazing is God’s LOVE! When she was down He made sure she was Covered with prayer! I knew my walks were a good idea….I was blown away to see it as an assignment straight from the heart of God! There was Rejoicing!!!

My nieces and my brother made a toast for this year (We 3 Queens toast) to: The Joy of the Lord is my strength!!! God is strengthening us to walk in Joy! In all the fun of these annual toasts ….God is setting us Free to become the beautiful daughters (and sons) of God He created us to be!

This is what I have for you today: I can say with fully refreshed confidence that God is working on your behalf in unseen realms! Hold On! It’s gonna be worth it!

I’m grateful my niece let me share part of her story with you! My nieces ROCK!!!!! You are both so BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I can’t wait to see what God continues to do in our lives!

3 more days…..

Love and Hugs
Missy

I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about walking for an hour when I woke up this morning. haha!

I am carrying out the “marching orders” to stand in faith by walking for an hour every day for a straight week. I’m using this time to thank God for His love, beauty, freedom, breakthrough and the picture He gave me, “nets full of fish.” No matter the actual circumstances or what happens the rest of the day…I will have spent an hour thanking God and choosing to set my mind on truth: God Loves Me…He will take care of me! Faith isn’t a neutral or passive idea…it’s a call to action. To Believe! It’s a pretty vulnerable place. You’re hoping for what is not yet seen and when you’ve been kicked out of your comfort zone it’s so easy for defeating, fearful and insecure pictures to dominate your thoughts. So, this 7-day walking adventure is like a jump start to winning the battle going on in my thought life: Fear vs. Faith.

Today’s Walk:
As I said, it wasn’t easy to get started. I woke up with about 5% enthusiasm. But, on my way to my walking spot I stopped by the Sarasota Farmer’s Market. It’s a place I’m guaranteed to find Golden puppies to pet.:)) After getting my puppy lovin’ I started tearing up. Not entirely strange for me but a little unexpected. When I reached the marina it dawned on me… God was already putting intercession on my heart. There’s such a sweetness to His presence and this is what makes me tear up. While there wasn’t anything super special about today’s walk, I did notice a growing appetite for stillness. quiet. I believe God needs me to be a little quiet and he’s calling me into it.

My sister, Bonnie Kelly, emailed me such an insightful response to yesterday’s (day 2) post! It’s so good and she said I could share it with you! Thanks Sis! You are the big whoop! (haha)

Response:
Welcome to my world:) I will never forget when God answered a desperate prayer of mine-He answered me in such a miraculous, supernatural way that I almost missed what He actually said; “I will teach you to fight.” It wasn’t until the next trial came that I began to understand what He said – and when it came I was completely flabbergasted, literally a mouth dropped open-what-tha… moment, “but I thought You set me free from this!!!!!!!” And in that still small voice He whispered, “I’m not fighting against you, I’m for you- get up, fight! TAKE what I’ve given you!” And that began my first battle lesson. Like that song says, “Welcome to the War”:)

God thank you for loving us! Thank you for the revelation that you’re not fighting against us …You are on our side! You want us to be FREE! To Fly! Thank you for teaching us! I pray you would give us strength to win the battles this week. I also pray your sweet presence would come down and soothe our hearts and give us a safe place to rest today! We love you!

Love and Hugs
Missy

Dry Tortugas State Park by Stephen McFadden

When God said He was doing NEW things …He wasn’t kidding! I am in the midst of doing a “new thing” and I can’t wait to share more details!

I pray today God would give us His wings to FLY! I pray we would step out and BELIEVE he has incredibly GOOD plan! He understands You ….and knows your heart’s desire …. He hasn’t forgotten you! There are so many adventures along the way…so whatever you’re facing today, let’s FLY….fly with the peace of God…powered with JOY and thankful hearts! Thank you God that you are Good! Thank you for this day! You made it and it’s gorgeous! Thank you for filling our lives with so much beauty! I pray you give us eyes to see it….even on the dark days! Help us to be grateful when someone smiles, when we see kindness in someone’s eyes, witness a beautiful sunset, even a picture of God’s beauty. May we be faithful with the little things….like saying thanks.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NLT) “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.”

Let’s Get Back On and Ride….

With failed attempts and dashed dreams I find myself hesitant to hope for God’s best around this next corner. Caution is taking the place of faith. Caution is one of those words that can be rationalized. It sounds balanced and smart. While ‘balance’ and ‘being smart’ are good things, I believe the “caution” I’m experiencing is a mask for fear and defeat. I’m not willing to actively -believe- (believe that God has a good plan, plans to prosper me and not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future…) like I did before so many back to back setbacks. There are so many scriptures that talk about not fainting at the end of the race…and words that remind us to Press On. I feel like I’m fainting into a numb, cautious mode. But when you spell it out….what good does this do? Why not have faith? because I’ve done this so many times recently…I put my heart and soul into work that failed. Why not believe? Because maybe God has more of a so-so plan for me this time. I’ve been so blessed before …maybe I’ve used up all my “blessing and favor” cards. Why not hope? because I’m emotionally, spiritually and physically drained. What happened to me???? Rather than waking up with an open heart towards God, wondering where His adventure will lead me….I let TV console and entertain me. Has it worked? Not at all!

So today, I choose to get back on the horse. I choose to throw “caution” to the wind and BELIEVE! Believe that God’s plan for my life is good! It’s good TODAY no matter the circumstances! There’s beauty for me to experience TODAY even in the midst of a murky, confusing pit. It just depends on what I choose to see! I see this “pit” as a cocoon! Let’s believe for things we don’t see yet! Let’s see the beautiful wings of a butterfly emerging from all that’s holding us back! Let’s be irrationally thankful! Why not? Being cautious with my faith has only given me the sense that life is somewhat within my control and five million zits on my face!:)

Don’t get me wrong, we may not be able to get back on the horse without God’s strength…we shouldn’t event try! But when we are weak, He is strong! So, God, I pray today you would give us strength to simply -look- in your direction. Give us strength to listen to what you might be speaking to our hearts. Like a trainer that says “give me one more push up” …God…give us strength to BELIEVE one more time! One more day! Today! There will be more to come …but today ….Lord …one more time! c’mon …you can do it! Don’t look at the long road ahead …let’s just give ‘one more’ Today! We can do it! “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” Lord, don’t let us faint at the end of a race. We’re asking Lord. We need you! Thank you that your word doesn’t change. You don’t have a so-so plan for us and we can’t use up our “blessing and favor” cards. Your mercy is new every morning! Help us to throw all those words that are keeping us back into the abyss today! Let’s see those words as the enemy and not you! Thank you that you are a Good God! Thank you for your beautiful adventure! Thank you for giving us eyes to see it! Thank you for giving us strength to get back up and ride…..

Love and Hugs-
Missy

(My sister directed me to an Oswald Chamber devo that is so good! I placed it in the comments)

Last night I hit a wall! I went out to meet a friend and it prompted some kind of panic attack. Wow! This doesn't happen to me! I called my mom and for the first time since the Paris stuff...I cried about it. In my mind, I know God's going to come through! I know He has a good plan regardless of any outcome! So my faith is strong. However, I can't seem to get around the pain! This Hurts!!!!! I think I automatically dismiss any notion of actual pain because my mind is concentrating on God's good word--his many good words! But then, how do you explain a panic attack? I realized last night, this battle has taken a toll--physically and emotionally. Just like with a woman giving birth--pain is inevitable. It's part of the process! I need a breakthrough and from deep within me I'm crying out to God: GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!!!