Hello readers! We are officially three quarters of the way through the year and I am excited for what is to come. The past month and a half have been some of the toughest and most incredible times I have experienced this year. In the hardest times, my faith was such a bedrock and strengthened me when I felt at my weakest. It reminded me of my profound and innate worth, that it cannot be added to or taken away- by anyone or any circumstance. Through confusion and painful emotions, I felt God reassuring me that I was enough and that He had my back. And when the God of the universe has your back and cares about the things that you do, you can’t help but to have faith that everything will be okay.

It’s hard to summarize what the past few months have been like and what God has been doing in my life. So, I will instead feebly try to explain to you dear readers what my faith means to me, and give you a glimpse of what this blog is about. I have learned in these few months that it isn’t about what we’re capable of on our own, it is about owning our space and surrendering the rest. I believe that the mightiest and most loving God cares about each and every one of us and that we are already called worthy no matter what. So here are the reasons for my faith and what gives me the resilience to face anything that is before me.

“… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name, you are mine”

Isaiah 43:1

I believe that our lives overflow with unending grace, but where does that come from? The things that are inside of us - dreams, hopes, trust in ourselves and others - deteriorate and cannot regenerate on their own, not even with time. It is through what I know as God that has allowed me to experience a shattering of my heart and a framework of a world I knew, and still breathe, live, and love. Not once, but again and again. It is a miracle to live with a constant overflowing source of grace where there was once no faucet or a chance of rain, one that is available to you too. It is a gift to remember in the deepest parts of yourself that you are radiant and powerful, still.

Faith has been a cornerstone throughout my life and my relationship with God is how I experience the overflowing grace that my blog is all about. I believe this grace is for all of us, it overflows after all. My faith has guided me in all my peaks and valleys, and everything in between- it has been my hope when I was lost, humility when I was prideful, relationship when I was lonely, and blessings when undeserved. It has made every moment better- past, present, and future.

PAST

Faith has given me hope and comfort when I was at the lowest of the low. It has been a foundation to fight, persevere, and keep going. To withstand pressure, both external and internal. The pressures of what others think, material success, and my own expectations still exist but my relationship with God helps me find a way to not be overcome by them. My faith reminds me that my deepest pain and rejection will never define me and that I am more than enough.

It finds ways to comfort me, even when I am hiding. It sheds light, even when the path is hazy. It seeks and pursues me, even when I make a detour. It gives me love and acceptance, even when I do not have it for myself. Faith has not let me down.

It saved me when I was in a dark hole and has sweetened the beautiful moments. 

PRESENT

Faith helps me to let go of control and the false notion that I have the power to make everything go “right” or conversely, the full blame if it doesn’t. It is a relief to know the world will survive without me, and bliss that I am a part at all.

Faith gives me responsibility. To graciously receive the gifts that were given to me without taking them for granted, and to exercise them to help others no matter how small the impact. Faith gives me a relationship with God that is precious, intimate, and real. It alters my daily life, perspective and purpose, and future. 

Faith gives me the strength to be authentically me. It teaches me that I am uniquely and purposefully made and encourages me that any mistake I make is outweighed by the grace of God.

FUTURE

Faith gives me purpose. It helps me to be rooted in meaningful concepts of love, forgiveness, and justice. Faith spurs me to focus less on myself and care for others and the world. It helps me understand that the things I do now and how I live matter. It gives me the understanding that there are things I am meant to do and the guidance to do them with patience, grace, and wisdom.

Faith gives me hope that the best is yet to come.

That whatever is in my future is good and praiseworthy. So I praise him. I strive to live and speak in such a way that exemplifies his goodness and love in imperfect and inadequate ways, because it’s worth trying anyway. It provides peace and restores. It is a wellspring and source of grace.