One of the most humbling things I find when thinking about Jesus is that He knew us before He died for us and He chose to anyway. He knew things we would do, say, think, He knew everything and still He willingly went to the cross out of love. True love.
If you're like me, you mess up all the time; You say too much, say too little, post something on Twitter or Facebook that could be hurtful or taken the wrong way and instantly delete it (by the way, that was me this morning). We, as people, are a mess. Forget us messing up, we are the actual mess. The good news is that Jesus loves the mess.
When I think about this concept of Jesus' love and how we are supposed to mimic His love to others I think about how I constantly fail. Like I've probably already failed a thousand times today. Because someone has made me mad, disappointed me, hurt me, done something that I think they shouldn't have, etc. The problem with all those statements is that they are focused on what is done to me. And then, I am reminded by a steel small voice that is always on time, "Hannah, it's not about you."
Mimicking the love of Jesus means loving the mess just as He loves it. Easier said than done, right?
There is a quote by Steven Furtick that I love but that also punches me in the gut everytime I read it. It says, "Do you ever think: How could God know me so well and still love me so much?"
The answer that I have to that is I don't know how that is possible, but thank goodness it is true. We are called to love and see people as Jesus loves and sees them.
Today, I am especially reminded that it's not about me. It's about loving Jesus and loving others. And Jesus loves the mess.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
my Daddy...
I have written about my Daddy on a few occasions just because he is awesome but after having lunch with him today, I just felt the need to tell how amazing the man truly is.
The most important and admirable quality about my Daddy is that he is a Godly man that gives my family an amazing example of God on a daily basis. He will admit that he also fails daily, however, he does his very best and his very best is pretty dang good. I am beginning to understand the love of God more fully because the example of love that my Daddy sets. I am learning that God truly does want the best for me because my Daddy always reminds me that it is his desire as well. And I am learning that God is ALWAYS there, no matter what, because my Daddy has set that example as well. I am a lucky girl that has had an amazing Godly man in her life from day 1.
Another amazing quality about my Daddy is that he points me and pushes me towards Jesus. He is encouraging but will also look me in the eyes and tell when when I am being bogus or ridiculous. He is real and that is such an admirable quality in a Dad these days.
Anyone that has ever seen my family wouldn't hesitate to say that I am a spitting image of my mother. And anyone that has known me and my Daddy for longer than 5 minutes would have no problem pointing out that we are exactly alike. Some of the worst family fights we had growing up were between him and I. Looking back, I think it was because we both just liked to argue and our personalities were both strong and identical. There are many reasons why I am just like my father, but the reason that I love the most is that we both have the ability to love with our whole heart. I could speak for both of us in saying, if we're not going all in there is no use in doing it at all.
With that being said loving with your whole heart gives the opportunity to have your whole heart broken. I have been the absolute closest to my Daddy in periods of intense heartbreak. I'm not just talking about boy heartbreak but school heartbreak, friend heartbreak, and softball heartbreak as well. He understands how I feel because he has been there. He knows what to say and where to point me because he loves Jesus with his whole heart. He knows how to comfort me because I am his daughter and he knows me.
Our Heavenly Father is exactly the same. He has been there, He knows how the story ends, and He knows us because He made us. If that isn't comforting then I don't know what is.
I am so fortunate to have a loving Daddy here on Earth and a Heavenly Father that loves me more than I could ever imagine (enough to die for me). And I am so so thankful that they love each other.
So Daddy, if you ever read this, thank you for being the man of God that you are in leading our family and leading me. I am honored to be your little girl. I love you.
Hannah
The most important and admirable quality about my Daddy is that he is a Godly man that gives my family an amazing example of God on a daily basis. He will admit that he also fails daily, however, he does his very best and his very best is pretty dang good. I am beginning to understand the love of God more fully because the example of love that my Daddy sets. I am learning that God truly does want the best for me because my Daddy always reminds me that it is his desire as well. And I am learning that God is ALWAYS there, no matter what, because my Daddy has set that example as well. I am a lucky girl that has had an amazing Godly man in her life from day 1.
Another amazing quality about my Daddy is that he points me and pushes me towards Jesus. He is encouraging but will also look me in the eyes and tell when when I am being bogus or ridiculous. He is real and that is such an admirable quality in a Dad these days.
Anyone that has ever seen my family wouldn't hesitate to say that I am a spitting image of my mother. And anyone that has known me and my Daddy for longer than 5 minutes would have no problem pointing out that we are exactly alike. Some of the worst family fights we had growing up were between him and I. Looking back, I think it was because we both just liked to argue and our personalities were both strong and identical. There are many reasons why I am just like my father, but the reason that I love the most is that we both have the ability to love with our whole heart. I could speak for both of us in saying, if we're not going all in there is no use in doing it at all.
With that being said loving with your whole heart gives the opportunity to have your whole heart broken. I have been the absolute closest to my Daddy in periods of intense heartbreak. I'm not just talking about boy heartbreak but school heartbreak, friend heartbreak, and softball heartbreak as well. He understands how I feel because he has been there. He knows what to say and where to point me because he loves Jesus with his whole heart. He knows how to comfort me because I am his daughter and he knows me.
Our Heavenly Father is exactly the same. He has been there, He knows how the story ends, and He knows us because He made us. If that isn't comforting then I don't know what is.
I am so fortunate to have a loving Daddy here on Earth and a Heavenly Father that loves me more than I could ever imagine (enough to die for me). And I am so so thankful that they love each other.
So Daddy, if you ever read this, thank you for being the man of God that you are in leading our family and leading me. I am honored to be your little girl. I love you.
Hannah
Friday, October 25, 2013
Comfort
I recently started a new book called Wilderness Skills for Women by Marian Jordan. How the book ended up in my hands is too ironic for words and an unbelievable story in itself so I won't even go there right now, however, it ended up in my hands at the most perfect time. I have really not been able to put it down and I have learned so many amazing things reading it.
In the last chapter I was reading, the author made a comparison of our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and our earthly fathers. Now I have been lucky enough to have a Daddy that tries his very hardest everyday to show me what Jesus looks like. Of course he fails every now and then but his example has been amazing and I am so thankful for a loving, caring and supportive father.
The first comparison I am reminded of is one that one of my best friends pointed out to me. She told me to think about how much my Daddy loves me. And if any of ya'll know my Daddy you know he absolutely loves his little girl. He tells me all the time that I am the little girl that he waited for and always dreamed of (I told ya'll he is awesome). But my friend told me to think about how much my Daddy loves me and how hard it is for him to see his little girl hurting, and then to think about that love in an immeasurable way and to think about Jesus loving me and I am his daughter and when I am hurting, He hurts also.
I think we often forget to see Jesus in that light, that he is our Father.
When we are joyful, He is joyful.
When we hurt, He hurts.
Jesus is after our joy, and when we are experiencing anything less, He hurts too. The most amazing thing, though, is that He is the answer to that hurt. And even though He is feeling it with us, He is calling us to Him all at the same time. Because He is a Father, and we all know that a good Father, which He is, always knows what to do to make everything okay.
The second comparison that I am reminded of is one that I read in the book I was talking about. The author talked about a time when something scary happened and she couldn't fall asleep. She said her father walked into the room and sat down in his chair and within minutes she was fast asleep. I couldn't help but laugh when I read this because that is totally me. I really don't enjoy being by myself anyway but I really don't like it when my Daddy isn't around. I'm sure its not just me but being around my Daddy brings me comfort, I feel safe, and I am at total peace. There is no worry, no anxiety, no fear.
When is comes to our Heavenly Father, the same things apply. He is a good Father and He loves His children so much. I am really starting to understand how comforting and peaceful the presence of God is and how when He is on His chair, or throne, which is always, I can feel at ease, safe, protected, loved, adored, cherished, and the list goes on and on.
Whatever the circumstance in my life, I can rest in the fact that my Heavenly Father is with me, always. And His presence brings peace and comfort, always.
In the last chapter I was reading, the author made a comparison of our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and our earthly fathers. Now I have been lucky enough to have a Daddy that tries his very hardest everyday to show me what Jesus looks like. Of course he fails every now and then but his example has been amazing and I am so thankful for a loving, caring and supportive father.
The first comparison I am reminded of is one that one of my best friends pointed out to me. She told me to think about how much my Daddy loves me. And if any of ya'll know my Daddy you know he absolutely loves his little girl. He tells me all the time that I am the little girl that he waited for and always dreamed of (I told ya'll he is awesome). But my friend told me to think about how much my Daddy loves me and how hard it is for him to see his little girl hurting, and then to think about that love in an immeasurable way and to think about Jesus loving me and I am his daughter and when I am hurting, He hurts also.
I think we often forget to see Jesus in that light, that he is our Father.
When we are joyful, He is joyful.
When we hurt, He hurts.
Jesus is after our joy, and when we are experiencing anything less, He hurts too. The most amazing thing, though, is that He is the answer to that hurt. And even though He is feeling it with us, He is calling us to Him all at the same time. Because He is a Father, and we all know that a good Father, which He is, always knows what to do to make everything okay.
The second comparison that I am reminded of is one that I read in the book I was talking about. The author talked about a time when something scary happened and she couldn't fall asleep. She said her father walked into the room and sat down in his chair and within minutes she was fast asleep. I couldn't help but laugh when I read this because that is totally me. I really don't enjoy being by myself anyway but I really don't like it when my Daddy isn't around. I'm sure its not just me but being around my Daddy brings me comfort, I feel safe, and I am at total peace. There is no worry, no anxiety, no fear.
When is comes to our Heavenly Father, the same things apply. He is a good Father and He loves His children so much. I am really starting to understand how comforting and peaceful the presence of God is and how when He is on His chair, or throne, which is always, I can feel at ease, safe, protected, loved, adored, cherished, and the list goes on and on.
Whatever the circumstance in my life, I can rest in the fact that my Heavenly Father is with me, always. And His presence brings peace and comfort, always.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Lies...
I came across this after someone posted it on Facebook. Upon reading it, I was struck and shocked at how accurate it was and how it does not just apply to marriage but dating relationships and being the kind of person and having the kind of relationship that always points and looks to Jesus instead of wordly things. It totally acknowledges that relationships are work but with Jesus at center the relationship can be everything that Jesus intended it to be. Jesus is after our joy, He loves us way too much to give us anything less. Take a look :)
Friday, October 4, 2013
I am SO loved.
Over the past week, I have realized the amount of people in my life that love me, believe in me, want the best for me, and best of all, the number of people that love and trust Jesus and encourage me to do the same with my whole heart. I have never felt so supported, loved, or believed in in my entire life.
I am loved. And it is not because of anything I did, it is because of Jesus putting wonderful people around me that understand selflessness, encouragement, listening, and simply being a friend.
People are going to let you down. They will disappoint you, hurt you, break your heart, and a million other things that may never make sense this side of Heaven. But you are not alone. You are never alone.
I am SO loved. SO SO SO SO loved. And for that I am eternally grateful.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Thankful...
It has been a while since I have written and every time I start again I wonder why I ever stopped. Anyway, a new goal of mine is to share 5 things I am thankful for at the end or the beginning of the day. Soooo, today I am thankful for...
1. My wonderful father. He has the ability to make me feel like the most special little girl in the entire world. He knows my heart and never fails to continually point me towards Jesus.
2. Hannah Bradley. This woman is the epitome of a friend. No matter what I need, convenient for her or not, she does what she can to make my day so much better. She also loves Jesus with her whole heart and encourages me to do the same.
3. My friends. I am realizing now more than ever that they care about me so much and want to see me happy.
4. Softball. Most days the sport I play because I love is a sport I look at as a just one more thing to do in a day. I am learning that I do it because I love it and it has the potential to be an amazing outlet from the stresses of everyday life.
5. Jesus. No matter how much I fail, which is a ton, His grace is enough and reminds me everyday that when I am faithless, He is so faithful. He is a good Father and loves his children.
Reflecting on all the good in life is so helpful, especially when life has got you down and won't let you up. Being thankful and being deliberate about sharing it has really allowed me to look at my life through an extremely positive lens and I am now seeing how truly blessed I am.
-hannah
1. My wonderful father. He has the ability to make me feel like the most special little girl in the entire world. He knows my heart and never fails to continually point me towards Jesus.
2. Hannah Bradley. This woman is the epitome of a friend. No matter what I need, convenient for her or not, she does what she can to make my day so much better. She also loves Jesus with her whole heart and encourages me to do the same.
3. My friends. I am realizing now more than ever that they care about me so much and want to see me happy.
4. Softball. Most days the sport I play because I love is a sport I look at as a just one more thing to do in a day. I am learning that I do it because I love it and it has the potential to be an amazing outlet from the stresses of everyday life.
5. Jesus. No matter how much I fail, which is a ton, His grace is enough and reminds me everyday that when I am faithless, He is so faithful. He is a good Father and loves his children.
Reflecting on all the good in life is so helpful, especially when life has got you down and won't let you up. Being thankful and being deliberate about sharing it has really allowed me to look at my life through an extremely positive lens and I am now seeing how truly blessed I am.
-hannah
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