stacey

5 Minute Friday :: Real

May 4, 2012 By stacey 12 Comments

Can you write for 5 minutes straight without editing? Can you just write? Today I am using Lisa-Jo’s writing prompt of real…

Real.

Real. I see a four letter word that screams at me to tell it like it is. Tell you that I am worn thin by my marginless life. Tell you that I have met myself coming and going and I am slap.worn.out. All things are good but not all things are good for me. But lately, I’ve been trying to do all and be all to all people and it feels like I am just not quite all me.

I hear about being Jesus with skin on to others and the Real me just wants Jesus to be skin on to me. I long for a cool drink of water to sit with Him in the quiet of the day but really there has not been much quiet lately.

I know that this season I am in, is one of great needs pressing hard into a mama of four and a wife of one and a friend to many. I know that God has me in a place where I am constantly being poured out. But the Real honest truth, is there are not many drops left to be poured out.

So I am looking forward. I am going to sit and be Real and let the Real Jesus bring life back into my soul. I am going to sing. I am going to drink it all in. I am going to listen as a faith filled woman of God pours her soul out onto thousands and thousands of women. I am going knowing that this Real Jesus has a Real Word for me. I am going with the intent to sit. And bask in His glory.

Oh Lord. Thank you for your grace. That you draw me in. You know my path. I pray for an outpouring on your daughters. Meet us Lord. Meet me Lord. I am in Real need of You.

Filed Under: Connect, Write It, Writer.Girl, Writing

12 Comments

Today, I Met (in)Courage

May 1, 2012 By stacey 10 Comments

Today, I met (in)Courage.
She drove a hundred miles to chase down community. She smiles as my kids draw chalk pictures and hug her so tight she can’t breathe. I think how fun it is to have her sitting on my sofa, tweeting, and eating my coffee almond fudge ice cream.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She has a sweet southern accent that makes me wish I did, too. Her hands bring coffee with cream and she makes everything lovely. She shares her heart, and makes me want to share mine as well.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She was brave and came alone. She reads words on her laptop and drinks them soul deep. Her eyes shine when she laughs.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She loves Mercy and enjoys making a place for women to gather. Even when she can’t be there herself, she sends parts of her heart and prays as we meet.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She has passion and a God sized dream and she says it out loud to a room full of new friends. They receive it and give her hope back.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She gives precious gifts that will last longer than 3 hours and remind sweet women they are loved, cherished, and daughters of the King.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She is quiet, but inspires a friend to live out her God calling. She is faithful and sweet and the one we all need in our little corner of the world.

Today, I met (in)Courage.
She is a sister. A friend. A mama.
She is a lot like you.
She has a story like me.

Today, I met (in)Courage.
I’m wondering, did you meet her too?

Filed Under: Connect, Encourage

10 Comments

The Joy Dare :: Joy is Everywhere

April 30, 2012 By stacey 6 Comments

The Joy Dare is a challenge to find 1,000 gifts in 2012. 1,000 reasons to stop, count, raise my hands to the Lord and say, Thank you for this blessing. Joy is everywhere. It pours out from the heavens above. It breathes life into hard days. Joy finds me sometimes, even when I am not so good at looking for it. These few things here, are a sweet reminder to me to keep counting, because if I miss even one, I miss a part of His heart for me.

352. Friends who share wisdom.

353. My girls giggling with their friends.

354. Cool breezes on an April afternoon.

355. Tuesday with no where to be.

356. 10 years. 50 laborers. Serving others well.

357. Saying yes to 1 year, and seeing God provide for 9 more.

358. Red cheeked girls who jump on trampolines.

359. A God who keeps all of His promises.

360. Finding the perfect props for amazing costumes. For $1.00.

361. Nervous jitters giving way to stellar performances.

362. A boot scoot boogie by kindergarten class.

363. A Rae of Sunshine who lights up the stage.

364. Knowing God continues to write stories that will knit our hearts together.

365. Motrin for babies with fever. Amen.

366. Chalk drawings on sidewalks.

367. Getting it all done.

368. Katie. What a gift.

369. Chasing down community.

370. Women who are brave.

371. My husband who makes it all possible.

372. God’s heart for women.

****

What joy did you find this week? What joy found you?

Filed Under: Joy Dare, Thankful

6 Comments

Caution :: I’m a Hugger (in)RL

April 26, 2012 By stacey 5 Comments

This weekend it starts. (in)courage is bringing the beach house to your neighborhood. I am excited to be hosting one here in my neck of the woods. And I have to warn you, if you are coming, I’m a hugger. I know for some of you, the thought of coming to a meet-up where you don’t really know anyone makes you feel a bit like this:

I promise you it is not scary.

You will find:

new friends

familiar faces

fun giveaways

chocolate

coffee

and…..

(in)couragment for your heart.

I’m praying for you. First of all that God will have a specific Word for you. I’m also praying that you will leave our time together (in)spired.

I’ve got a hunch, that is exactly what is going to happen!

466 cities. More than 1200 women. One great big God.

See you at the Beach House!