Restore Your Joy In Me // The Gospel

Hello friends,

Taking things for granted, we all do it! We all do it way more then we should. I often try to reflect on life and all that I have, yet there are so many every day things I don't think about, but if I didn't have, my life would be so completely different then it is now. I am sure you can all relate with that! It is something I hate that I do and wish so badly that I wouldn't, yet I do over and over again. It is angering! Why can't I change and be appreciative for all that I have and was so lovingly given without doing anything of worth? 

I think one of the biggest struggles I have is taking the gospel for granted. You can choose to disagree and say that you would never do such a thing, but think about it. For me, I have grown up in a christian family. I read my bible almost everyday, go to church and work in Sunday school, I use to attend AWANA and now attend a private christian school for homeschoolers. I think I know it all! The gospel is something I hear hundreds of times I know the story by heart and could quote quite a few verses along with it, but somewhere along the way, I forgot what I am actually preaching.

I am preaching a story of love and sacrifice. Love and sacrifice for me, for you, for everyone! Yet, I am being blinded by my own cockiness and so called knowledge of it, and forget the real meaning of it.

Us Christians often do this! We know all about the bible and what it has to teach. Whenever the preacher starts talking about how Christ died for us, we begin to mouth along not realizing the pure joy and excitement is should be giving us. 

This is wrong.

Christ, the perfect son of God, who, I will say again, was perfect, died for us. Why? Because He had an unending, unobtainable, unstoppable love for us. For all of us. Every single one of us filthy humans who can never seem to get anything right. He was Sacrificed so we could have a relationship with Him. How can I just skip over that? How can I not be full of joy, and sorrow, for all that He has done for me? I am so ashamed.

Lord, restore the joy of your salvation within me and help me never take this amazing love you have for me for granted.

With love,

Elizabeth

Dried Puddles

Photo via Unsplash

tears splash on the bathroom tile.

drip drop, drip drop

they roll down my cheeks

and form a puddle at my feet.

standing in that place was like drowning.

there were voices i couldn't control.

no one would pull me back up,

i was pushed down deeper and deeper.

lies, gossip, ugly words,

those are not what defined me.

beauty is being yourself wholeheartedly

strength is pushing through life’s hardships.

the tears are dry now

and my puddle is no more.

for i have something even better,

God’s love shines in my soul.

Coffee Dates // Favorite Places

Dress/Forever 21. Cardigan/Plato's Closet. Leggings/Target. Boots/Ross. Scarf/Fred Meyer. Belt/Stiches. Purse/Gift. 

Hello everyone,

I bring you another outfit post! I wore this yesterday to church and then walking around in Bellingham. My friend Chloe and I walked on the board walk and then got some coffee and food at Woods Coffee, a super awesome coffee chain. It is kind of like Starbucks, but better. We had a nice little chat about summer and how we want to spend it. I love talking with Chloe, she is so sweet, funny, and has a great heart! It is always a pleasure hanging with her, plus she is a great photographer. We're hoping to come back sometime in the summer to have a picnic at the park near by, swim, and do some shopping at all the cute stores Bellingham has. This is one of my favorite places to visit so you will see it on the blog again, I can guarantee it! 

What did you do this weekend? What are some of your favorite places near you?

With love,

Elizabeth