fear {not}.

So, yes.

Dear one,

please do not be afraid. 

I know it's your gut reaction...

it's mine, too.

But, please, 

don't.

Again and again God speaks through His Word. 

Again and again He tells us not to be afraid. 

And that's easy to remember when things are 

good,

easy,

light.

But when things are 

hard, 

scary, 

uncertain?

Check, please.

I'm tempted to give up. 

Me?

I'm smack-dab in the middle of a tough spot

that has had me afraid. 

Good heavens, you'd think I'd know this by now. 

But God whispers and reminds me

it's okay. 

He can move in spite of my fear.

And He will.

Let's you and I do ourselves a favor today, okay?

Let's remember that God didn't give us a spirit of fear.

Nope. He didn't.

My fear?

My fear has had me feeling 

less-than, 

immobile,

defeated. 

You see, I forgot to truly, really trust that God is bigger,

and that the last thing He wants is 

a fear-filled me

and a fear-filled you.

So, friend?

Today?

Tell the fear to take a walk. 

You're a child of the King. 

And ain't nobody got time for that.

And trust that God's gonna make it all turn out just fine.

Will there be bumps in the road?

Sure.

Scary moments?

Most certainly. 

But God will be there

with us

every step of the way.

Fear not. 

Many blessings,

Deni

But as for you, Israel my servant,
    Jacob my chosen one,
    descended from Abraham my friend,
I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
    saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
    and will not throw you away.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

~Isaiah 41:8-10

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~2 Timothy 1:7

{All pics taken in my favorite bathroom in the Magic Kingdom. The Adventureland bathroom. 
Weird, I know. It has the prettiest tile, though...}

reclamation.

I wrote these words over a year ago, 
and forgot about them. Until two days ago.
God doesn't waste a thing.

I have lost things.

And I want them back.

Maybe you have lost things, too.

Time is short.

And I want my bravery back.

And my innocence, too. 

Please.

I want to look a bully in the eye

and say 

"no"

again and again. 

No.

And I want to think I can do what God has called me to

because I'm wired by Him to do it.

And I don't want to be told that I can't

just because I don't fit a mold

or presupposition

or traditionally-held thought.

That's not good enough.

And, 

through Christ, 

I am.

I want to sit and be

and not have the 

incessant to-do list running

like a ticker tape machine

in my head.

I want to just be. 

And, 

through Christ,

be enough.

I feel God starting 

a reclamation project 

in my soul.

He is taking the ashes

left by others

and building something

new.

And beautiful.

For what He begins,

no one but Him can

declare an end to. 

No one.

Maybe you have ashes, too.

Charred remains of once-beautiful things.

Maybe you've had enough 

of looking into your soul 

and seeing ruins.
And just maybe God would like to start a 

reclamation in your soul.

I know He would. 

He wants the best for you.

And He'll stop at nothing 

to declare you whole and well and beauty-filled.

Today?

Invite the One who reclaims

into your ruins.

And 
ask Him 

to 
rebuild.  

Many blessings,

Deni


To all who mourn in Israel,
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
~Isaiah 61:3

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
 When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
 I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.
~Psalm 91: 14-16


all pictures taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom
{the most photogenic theme park there ever was}

a waltz.

One two three,

one two three.

One two three,

one two three.

It's a dance, you know. 

A waltz, to be specific.

One two three, 

one two three.

This day could be 

rushed

and harried 

and running-around-like-your-hair's-on-fire

or it could be

a dance.

A waltz.

One two three,

one two three.

There is a melody in the air

floating just above you.

The din of the everyday

can drown it out if you're not careful.

What if...

what if God has a song to sing to you today?

What if He has the tune and the lyrics

all ready to go?

What if He's just waiting on you 

and on me

to hear the music?

To stop the noise,

and hear the lifting, lilting melody

that He's singing over us?

Today?

Today (and everyday),

God loves you like that.

He has a song for you.

All ya gotta do is stop and listen.

And then move...

one two three,

one two three.

Many blessings as you dance,

Deni

For the Lord your God is living among you.

    He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

    With his love, he will calm all your fears.

    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

~Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

{pictures taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom}