Chels in Progress

There was a time in my life when God plucked me out of my comfort zone, and dropped me into a whole new environment.  I learned to rely on Him, trust Him, to look up to Him, much like when a child is scared or uncomfortable, they hold on tight to their parent's hand.  He taught me about grace and gentleness , patience and love .  My heart was light and full and bursting . But then, I was right back in a place I knew, and today I'm faced with the reality that I'm too comfortable again.  Today, I am burdened with the reality of my lack of grace .  In my striving to do well, I lost sight of people.  I was harsh.  I was uninviting.  My light was dim, and my love was small.  I was task-oriented before people-oriented.  I wanted to finish my job before serving. My heart was scrunchy and ugly today.  I was scrunchy and ugly today. In our striving, even striving for good things, we sin.  We stop relying on the Lord's stren...

God humbled me one day.  It was the first day I realized how truly selfish and prideful I was.  And then, He humbled me more.  And kept at it, slowly revealing my sinfulness that was causing me to build myself up.  And slowly, faithfully, He began to chip away at my pride.  Which, by the way, hurts.  It hurts real bad.  What hurts more, though, is looking back at my past and not having been able to see the areas of pride in my life, and now being able to see how they affected people around me.  The times when I wasn't gracious or compassionate, the times when I was rude or condescending, the times when I wanted something and tried chasing it, when God was clearly telling me that it wasn't for me.  "Hindsight is always 20/20," my mom used to tell me.  I get it now. Abba, Father.  Wipe away my pride even if it's as shocking as swiping a rug out from under my feet.  Break me down.  Show me what humility looks like,...

" Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 It's so easy to dedicate one single day to giving thanks.  If we even do it on that day.  But it's difficult to give thanks to the Lord unceasingly .  To thank Him for absolutely everything .  But it's also one of the most freeing things we could learn to do. Last night started out beautifully.  My shift ended with a huge compliment from my manager, a free turkey, the turkey fitting perfectly in my freezer, my dad making me a delicious burrito for dinner, and a tea party and Christmasy crafts with two very dear friends.  I was really excited for everything, and ready to go to sleep peacefully.  And then I got home.  The night completely shifted into something less than beautiful, the least of our problems being how very colorful my language turned in response to the ch...

One of the most beautiful cries out to the Lord that I have heard, and the prayers of my heart if they were a song. "...more and more I need You now , I owe You more each passing hour, the battle between grace and pride I gave up not so long ago So steal my heart and take the pain and wash the feet and cleanse my pride take the selfish , take the weak, and all the things I cannot hide take the beauty, take my tears, the sin-soaked heart and make it Yours take my world all apart take it now, take it now..." "Worlds Apart" - Jars of Clay ♥