Hey sweet friends! I’m back again to share more from my Memory Keeping: Faith Edition notebook. The stories and praises that are included in this book are important to my faith story and I hope that sharing them with you can help us both stay grounded in our faith and in God’s word.
When I begin a page, I usually start with a photo. It is a colorful and visual representation of time and can hold so many different stories in just one capture. In this case, I had a recent photo of myself with a beautiful scarf that I wanted to use in my notebook. At the start I was not sure which story I wanted to tell because a few ideas were floating around I wasn’t settled yet. This is typically the point when I go to product to help guide me. I sit with some Illustrated Faith products in front of me, I read the scriptures that are referenced and I let God speak into my heart. In this case, I had some of the digital supplies from February on my desk – La-La-Love and A Love Story. Not only were the colors a PERFECT match, as I began to read through some of the verses and the phrases within the designs I came upon this:
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6
It reminded me of the contrast between places I’ve been and where I am currently in my life. It reminded me that life isn’t easy. It isn’t always beautiful and magical and sentimental. Sometimes there are bumps and bruises and sometimes there is excrutiating pain. But when God is right there getting you to where you need to be, this is something to be thankful for.
In my memory keeping, it’s appropriate to include some of the not-so-perfect parts of life and this entry is a thank you note for sticking with me and blessing me along the way – even though roads were rough and I often did not understand why this was my life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
When you bump your elbow, do you always remember that specific incident years later? Probably not. You may remember how it felt and that it hurt for a bit but you move on. When you trip and fall as a kid and you are left with a nasty wound on your knee, does your Dad remind you to be more careful and watch where you’re going? Most likely the answer is yes. But you don’t stop walking just to avoid falling. You lean on someone who you trust, hopefully you learn from your mistake and you recover.
If we can translate that into our relationship with God, and life bumps you or crushes your soul, you can go to Him to make you feel better just like you did with your parents when you were small. That’s the kind of Father He is. He wants us to go to Him for the little bumps as much as the big wounds.
My story is riddled with reasons I needed God. Reasons that I needed to cry out for his help because the hurt was enormous. Thankfully there are also just as many reasons I just needed to chat and say hey, thanks for my blessings!
For me, all the messiness is what leads me closer to God because I know that whatever I have been dealt in life, He has provided me a way through, out or around these obstacles. His love has been steadfast, even when life has been tough. And He has made me a girl with a happy heart!
This is part of my story and even though it isn’t always rainbows and sunshine, I have grown in my Faith because of my experiences. It’s what makes me unique and special. So what is your story made of? Is it made up of hurts and bumps too? Write about them. Let God know you trust Him and document your journey! Until next time, friends!
Andrea =)
Illustrated Faith A Love Story Cards by Shawna Clingerman | Illustrated Faith A Love Story by Shawna Clingerman | Illustrated Faith La-La-Love by Elaine Davis | Illustrated Faith Tile Alpha Set January Colors by Elaine Davis | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Date Stamp | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Blank Ink Pad | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Enamel Hearts in Black Eyed Pea | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd .65 Pen | Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers
