 With Halloween just a few days away, I find myself reflecting on a different kind of fear — not the spooky costumes or haunted houses but the fear that has quietly crept into my heart during what should be one of the most joyful seasons of my life. Here I am, newly married, about to move states, buying our first home, starting a new job, and preparing to welcome a little one next June. God has been incredibly generous, pouring blessings upon blessings over me, yet I find myself daily fighting to keep fear from overtaking my thoughts. It’s been a true exercise in faith, and through this journey, I’ve started to make a conscious effort to count my blessings each day. Despite my fears, I have absolutely no trouble finding an abundance of things to be grateful for. I have an amazing, godly husband I’m so proud to call mine and our start to marriage has been full of joy, fulfillment, and grace. We’ve been surrounded by an incredibly generous support system that made our wedding and celebration beyond what I ever dreamed. Through God’s provision, we’re moving back to my hometown, surrounded by family, and are closing on our first home together this week. Despite the move, God provided me with a new remote job, giving us stability and peace of mind. And the most incredible blessing of all, we recently discovered that we’re expecting a baby — I’ve always felt that motherhood is my truest calling, but I had accepted long ago that health complications might make my chance at motherhood small and difficult. Despite the odds, God answered our prayers for parenthood. My tally of blessings is already so overwhelming without even acknowledging the daily provisions God lavishes on us of a warm home, a comfortable bed, a full belly and a loving community! These blessings fill my heart with gratitude, but with each comes its own kind of change and responsibility, sparking an overwhelming sense of responsibility to steward all that God has given us well. Some days, it can be difficult to keep the what-ifs from rising to the surface and overshadowing the greatness of our blessings. What if the move doesn’t go smoothly? What if the demands of my new role become overwhelming and I can’t swing it? What if I can’t juggle it all? What if parenthood comes too quickly and we aren’t as prepared as we think we are? I feel the weight of each new responsibility and the challenge of managing it while maintaining my peace and growing closer to God. And admitting all of this can feel extremely shameful. I am blessed beyond measure - why is thankfulness so much harder to practice than fearfulness in a time where God has shown me again and again that He is a faithful and gracious provider? Proverbs 3:5-6 has been a guide through these days as I struggle to conquer fear and stay in a mindset of thankfulness: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Fear may come, but faith conquers it every time. And when my heart begins to sink with the fear of not being good enough for His blessings, I will repeat Psalm 7:17: “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” As I take the change one day at a time, reminding myself to let go, trust God and treasure the blessings, I hope to make thankfulness a cornerstone of my household. We all have our seasons of change, and if there’s one thing I want to leave you with this month, it’s this: count your blessings and lean into God’s faithfulness. Whether the blessings are flowing like a river, or hardships seem to abound, our God is directing our paths and being faithful beyond measure.
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The Best Laid Plans7/3/2024  Lately, my life has been consumed by constant thoughts of my upcoming fall wedding. More and more, the monumental date has seemed more like a ticking bomb rather than one of the biggest blessings God has given me. My childhood dreams are coming true and one of the most kind-hearted, loving and Godly men is vowing his love and pledging faithfulness to me for the rest of his life and yet every happy thought of my wedding has become clouded with worry and anxiety. Plans are falling through left and right and I’m attempting to adjust the delicate vision I weaved in childhood to fit within the constraints of budget and timing and all of the intricacies that come along with planning such a big event. It’s been difficult to continue on planning with a heart of thankfulness; I can’t help but feel a bit down as a cloud of disappointment builds with every change of plans. Anyone who knows me understands that I’m a planner. I believe God designed my type-A personality and analytical brain as a blessing, though it's challenging to feel that way when continual shifts in well-laid plans stir such deep negative emotions and thoughts within me. I recognize that I am not alone in grappling with anxiety and sadness when things don’t go according to plan. Life often throws us unexpected curves—plans change, dreams evolve, and uncertainties abound. For many of us, these shifts can trigger anxiety and even lead to bouts of depression. As Christians, however, we are called to a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and His greater plans for our lives. It’s much easier to write or read that statement than to live according to the truth of it though. Embracing God’s sovereignty, surrendering our plans and finding peace in uncertainty while resting on God’s promises is not such a simple task. After much reflection, I believe that the start is recognizing that our God is sovereign, a realization that can bring immense comfort regardless of the situation you face. Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before ALL things, and in Him all things hold together.” Despite our best-laid plans, God sees the bigger picture and orchestrates all things according to His perfect will. This doesn’t mean that life will be free of difficulties, but it assures us that God is in control. We may think we see the whole picture, but God has every piece of the puzzle of life and we only have one. Trust in His sovereignty and His design. Recognizing God’s sovereignty makes it easier to ultimately surrender our plans. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” It takes humility and trust, but surrendering our plans to Him and acknowledging that His ways are higher and His timing is perfect is the only way to bring true peace in our uncertainty. In times of uncertainty, it’s important that we center our thoughts on what we know of our sovereign Lord and rest on the promises He has made us. Even when our plans crumble, God’s plans for us are rooted in love and purpose. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” - Jeremiah 29:11 “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. - Psalm 33:11 As you lay your plans and struggle when they change, it’s my hope that you will practice finding peace and even joy in the challenges and ambiguity. For anyone, this is a difficult thing to do. We have 65 days till the wedding. It’s my goal to spend every single one of those days thanking the Lord for my many blessings and looking forward to living out His great plan even when it upsets my own.
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Embracing Change8/1/2023  Change is a constant and inevitable part of life, and it is with a mix of anxiety and excitement that I pen this letter to you, our faithful subscribers and supporters of The Fellowship Focus. Over the years, our beloved magazine has been a beacon of inspiration and knowledge, sharing the message of faith, hope, and love with communities near and far. Today, in this issue, we announce a significant transformation that we believe will propel us into the future and enable us to spread the Good News and keep our churches connected and supported even more efficiently.
As many of you may already be aware, The Fellowship Focus will be embracing a new chapter in its journey. We have made the decision to transition from a traditional print magazine to an entirely digital publication. This shift comes with careful consideration and a profound understanding of the changing landscape of media consumption in the 21st century. Tags:
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10/29/2024
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