Let the Carpenter Carve

Well I told you this blog would be risky-inconsistency, did I not?

Here I am a month and a half later, and Jesus has touched my heart once again. The fact that I can speak that brings such hope to my heart. He is faithful to continually change us, and shape us, even when it seems like nothing new has come in many seasons. That is exactly when he sweeps through like a fresh breath of air and reminds you that he is always with us, in us, and working to the day of completion. HOPE is a beautiful, earth shattering and rebuilding kind of notion, my dears.

This past month, God has been preparing me to hear about boundaries.... (Doesn't quite appear hopeful... does it? READ ON!) You see, chaos has run me flat to the ground! Between school, work, hormones, and LIFE, I have been spent, running from the inside out, and back in again. The thing about chaos is it does not just want a part of you, but all of you. My diet has been insane, my sleep has been restless, and my emotional stability went out the window with the rest of the mess.
As I walked into the women's life group I attend on Tuesday night, I was aware of how fragile I felt, and I needed some serious hope. God had a message to whisper to me.

Galations 5:1
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

I always love that freedom part. You know, the way we manipulate freedom in our humanness to declare any choice that feels best that day? I speak freedom to myself on many occasions to justify my over spending, over eating, 5th diet coke, you name it. The thing is this freedom eventually turns into just the opposite. Chaos. As the speaker so truthfully spoke, we begin to become enslaved to those things, that by themselves are not necessarily evil. Our addiction to them is what becomes a haunting enslavement. We must set boundaries around those good gifts from Jesus to truly live in freedom.

I have been so enslaved.... BY MY OWN WILL! By my fears, my schedules, my desires, that I have lost track of the freedom Christ died for! If that is not insanity, I'm not sure what is.

It's scary and uncomfortable to set boundaries.... Who likes to be told no?
But the promise of heeding instruction from the Lord is too good to pass up...
"Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding."
-Provers 15:31-32

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring your peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
-Proverbs 3:1-8

As I took small, baby steps to set boundaries from the Lord yesterday, I felt like I had failed miserably. But this morning when my eyes opened, I felt a deep refreshment in my soul. My eyes were less puffy than usual, and I felt HAPPY. The sun shone this morning after buckets of rain poured yesterday, and my leg which was LITERALLY hurt, feels healed. God honors the most humble of steps, and keeps his promises, his faithfulness, and encourages us all the more.
So step forward, move, fall, and be encouraged that the Lord is with us!!!
I love you with the heart of Jesus, and I am so glad we are in this together <3.

Til next time,
Phoebe

Let the Carpenter Carve