Stripped Bare

This picture is me.

 Yes, you heard that right, I am this picture. Ok, technically I am in the reflection of the window, you got me there, but I am claiming that the stripped down, emptied out, vulnerable room you see, is in fact a very raw look into my life. 

The Room. 

Before I go off, spilling out my heart and what I am learning during this season in life, let me quickly catch you up to speed on the demo situation going on above. You may recall a certain harsh winter we Michiganders experienced survived last year. Well, our lovely home decided enough was enough and began to cave, quite literally! Now, fast-forward to this week, our trusty fix-it man is here repairing the under-the-surface damages done by the ice and snow. (Just in time for it to hit again, but rest assured we are prepared this time around!) 

My Heart. 

When I walked into our guest bedroom last night and saw this, I had to take a snap shot. Yes, because it's only right to document change, moments in the life of your house; but if I'm honest I needed  to take this picture because of what it reveals about me, my heart and soul in this season. 

God is breaking me, and it is beautiful. He is emptying the rotting parts of my heart and filling me with Himself, fresh and anew. He is building me up to display His beauty, as only He can. 

Change is never very easy at first, but I am learning that it is a beautiful experience when God is the one making the changes. He is stripping me down in small ways, like the fact that my house is in total disarray right now, everything out of place, yet I am ok with it. Yes, I am really looking forward to putting the pieces of my home back into working order, but the fact that I can sit in this space and not go crazy is an act of God. 

He is also working on revealing my discomforts and securities in bigger ways. Last month I attended a conference in Greenville, South Carolina where I knew exactly one person going into the multitude of faces. I don't necessarily enjoy being put into situations where I know basically no one, but let me just tell you that sacred things happen when we go where He calls. The beauty of stepping out in faith is that God never pushes you some place, without already being present there Himself. 

You see, there have been times in my life when I have walked through an entire season of questioning God, while wearing weak lenses that are out of focus. In those times it is impossible to see the big picture. God's picture. 

This season isn't like that though. By God's grace alone, I am wearing lenses custom fit by my Abba. My heart is in sync with His, and I can see clearly. By faith I am walking like Abraham, unsure of the final destination, but willing to follow and trust Him to lead me the entire way. The more I lean into Him, the clearer my vision becomes. This season is absolutely still a journey. I fail daily. He picks me up, sets me back on track, and reminds me again and again that I am HIS. 

I am overwhelmed by all the ways he is moving me, and can't wait to share more! For now I want to encourage you to stay tuned! Changes are on the way with the bedroom above included. You may even see some of those changes taking place right here on my blog, and I can hardly wait!

You are cherished my friend, You were created by the King of Kings! Won't you please let that truth  sink deep into your soul for a moment?

Wherever He has you right now, He knows what He is doing. Our days are filled-to-the-brim with unknowns and uncertainties. We are all being stripped down in one way or another. For today though, won't you choose to rest in His embrace with me? Let's lay down our fears again this morning and face today with arms open wide, ready to receive His blessing for today; even if that means being our guest bedroom wall, broken wide open and vulnerable.