Broken and Hurting Does Not Equal Contagious
I walked into juvenile court today. My heart heavy, yet full of hope. Young boys shackled together by chains around their wrist and ankles. All of them dressed in matching jumpsuits, their faces full of fear and hurt.
My World Went Dark…
In Memory Of The First Son To Ever Hear My Heartbeat
Christopher Parrish Barrow
The day you were born was filled with hope and joy. Hope for my future at the young age of 18 and hope for yours.
My world went dark March 21, 2016.
I can feel the anxiety and panic in the air as it rises up in my body. I vacillated between knowing something was terribly wrong and hope.
I ache to hold you. My tears still spill unexpectedly.
Come As You Are
There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God.
There are consequences to our sin but you need to know deep in your heart that there is no sin that is too bad, and no choice that can’t be redeemed.
This notion that we have to clean up our life before we approach the throne is a lie.
Come as you are.
There is no broken or mistake that God can not redeem.
The Hum of a Thousand Bees
The sound must be like the hum of a thousand bees. Yet, God knows our distinct voice.
When Life Doesn't Feel Abundant
It has been almost three and a half years in this season of our life, and it sure has not felt like abundance. It has felt more like deception and greed stacked on top of an earth-shattering journey of loss and grief. Oh how deep the arrow penetrates the soul when the instigators of the hellish vortex you find yourself in comes cloaked in Christianity, friendship, and even those you love.
Called but Am I Enough?
I knew the conference was God’s preparation to have me step out into my calling and I just didn’t feel adequate or equipped, and the truth is I am still struggling. I kept thinking, God you know my brokenness and my baggage; I have made a lot of bad choices. I have hurt a lot of people, some intentional and some not, including myself, on my path of self- destruction. God kept saying back to me, yes you have, and I am going to use it for my glory so get over yourself. I have forgiven you and I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not harm you. Plans for your future. You are ENOUGH, because I am ENOUGH.
90 Seconds and a Wig Adjustment
Don’t you wish that is all it took…90 seconds and a wig adjustment to get our life together? 90 Seconds to soothe your deep hurt and disappointments?
Violent/Broken/Bloodied/Bruised/Restored
“Your son is dead. We think he may have swerved to miss a deer and lost control”. Collapse, shock, saltwater waves pouring over my head sucking me under, burning my lungs, stinging my eyes. I want reach out to comfort others around me that are feeling the impact but I can feel nothing, hear nothing. Paralysis.
Breaking The Stronghold
In Matthew 10:37, the bible says, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” This verse struck my heart. My sin piercing deep. Great remorse spilled forth. The sorrow of my sin that once again proved me unworthy of the grace Jesus so freely pours out on me. I knew I loved Jesus, I knew I was saved by grace, but I wanted to learn to love Jesus more than anything, even my own flesh and blood. My children.