You know you should take a break when...

...you head into work with your keys STILL in your car. The car is running. You didn't notice because you were thinking of all the stuff that needs to get done during the day.

It is 10:30 when a co-worker comes in your office to see if you were leaving to go somewhere soon...because your car is running.

You then promptly check your purse for your keys. They are not there. You run to the parking lot to find your car. Keys are intact in the ignition. The door is unlocked. No one stole your ipod...or anything else.

All is well with the car.

Your mind is not well though. It obviously has a problem.


Yes my friends, I did this today.

I've always been an extremely focused person. I can put my mind to something and accomplish it in a brief period of time. I can get a whole lot done during the day, but this strength has a pretty bad weakness to accompany it. My focus makes me oblivious to just about everything else except for what I'm working on. This causes me to do some pretty stupid things sometimes.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has done this or something of the like! I'm only 22 and I already have Alzheimer's. Great.

I think it's safe to say that I just need to relax and rest my mind for a while...yeah...

a few thoughts on dating

This is us back in the day...aka: when we were dating.

Lately I’ve gotten several questions about dating. How do you know when you find ‘the one’? What is some advice on dating and God-scripted love stories? I can’t tell you exactly the formula that will work for you, but I can share how God led me.

Well, let me take you back to where it all started…


Silently I sat on my bed by the window, clutching my bible and Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot in my arms. “Daughter, I never promised that you would get married.” I heard Him whisper to my heart. After several months I realized that if God was asking for my dream of getting married, then He had a good reason to do so. So I gave that dream to Him – which sounds a lot easier than it really was for me. How do you really put into words what it means to surrender?

The rest of my highschool days pasted without huge struggles about being single. But soon those days were over and I found myself at a small Christian college. It was here that I struggled a lot with the desire for a relationship. Sometimes my heart ached so badly that I thought it would break from loneliness. It was a season of waiting. There were a few guys that I met on mission trips and various events and I’d ask God, “what about him?”

This is where I advise you to be very careful. Our hearts can be very deceitful. I can’t tell you how many times I thought “I could marry them” or “If they asked me, I would date them”. Don’t let your desires skew your thinking. Seek the Lord and He will reveal the right time. Lots of times He said “no” by never allowing me to see my crush again, or I found out they started dating someone else.

I met Jonathan the Spring semester of my sophomore year at a Bible study where he led worship. He had it all – he was tall, dark, ruggedly handsome, funny, outgoing and played guitar. I liked him more than anyone I’d ever met just from that first encounter. Even so, I didn’t pay him much attention the first few weeks. (He later told me that he probably wouldn’t have been as interested in me if I had. He didn’t want someone who just came to a Bible study to meet guys.) The next few months were spent getting to know each other at the Bible study.

How did I know he was ‘it’? Well, the first sign was our similar passions. Pretty early on he asked me where I thought the Lord was leading me in life – I had never met someone whose God-given passions were the same as mine. Exactly! Second, was the way he pursued me. He was careful, respectful and intentional. Some of the first questions he asked me when we started “talking” were about my salvation and views on the Bible (which made a big impression on me). I knew he was serious about me. He wasn’t just playing around with my heart – he told me that I was the kind of girl he prayed God would give him one day.

Once it became clear that it was almost time to move on to dating, we spent 2 weeks apart with no communication in order to seek the Lord. It was an agonizing 2 weeks for me. In my heart, I knew that I already loved him. Even so, I gave all my hopes for this relationship to the Lord. I didn’t hear a “no” this time. I felt at peace with moving on and I knew that Jonathan was a man that I could trust with my heart. Sure, I had a few doubts here and there as we dated, but they were mostly in regards to the real person I found. I knew that I could not change him, so I had to ask myself if these were imperfections I was willing to live with for the rest of my life. Time and time again, I said yes and fell more deeply in love with this wonderful (and yet very human) man.

Was it scary and overwhelming at times? You bet. Still, in those moments I knew that the Lord was leading me. I had no doubt that I had sought His guidance and He had led me to this man. He chose me and I chose him…and we’ve never looked back.

The things of the heart are deep any mysterious. I don’t know where you are or what your past looks like. I can’t tell you anything but to seek the Lord. He knows our hearts and He knows what we need far better than we do. Trust Him, wait for Him. Your heart may break. Your dreams may shatter. Your soul may ache. Mine did. But there is always a purpose. The plans He has are far better than we can ask or think.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

– 1 Corinthians 2:9

PS: I know I haven't gotten to some of your questions, but I promise the answers are coming. :)

~ make me a flame ~

I've been reading through "Shadow of the Almighty" by Elisabeth Elliot. This was inspired by what I've been reading:


God I pray, light these sticks of my life for You
Let all that I am be consumed
Make me a flame
Make me a flame

Take my life, for my life is not mine to save
Have it all Lord, and have Your way
Make me a flame
Make me a flame

Make me a burning flame
All-consumed for Your name
No matter how brief my life may be
And when this life is done
May it be Your name on my tongue
Jesus, for You I give everything

I'm no fool to give what I cannot keep
To gain more and more of Thee
Make me a flame
Make me a flame

Send me out, to light other souls for You
Let me make known to them Your truth
Make me a flame
Make me a flame

Make me a burning flame

All-consumed for Your name

No matter how brief my life may be

And when this life is done

May it be Your name on my tongue

Jesus, for You I give everything

Love Story Guest Post

Ah, ah, ah... Ah, ah, ah... Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah ah...

Ariel's voice floated through my head almost every night before I went to bed. It was official. I was obsessed with Disney's The Little Mermaid. She was everything I aspired to be; she was beautiful, adventurous, friendly, brave, she had the most gorgeous voice...and she had...

Prince Eric!

I dreamed of him as often as I sang myself to sleep with Ariel's songs. How often was that now? Oh yeah, every single night.

Wish I could be part of your world!

And how I longed to be part of his world. I even drew myself getting married to Prince Eric when I grew up. In those pictures he was perfect and so was everything in my life...I even had red hair just like Ariel!

What does Price Eric have to do with our love story? Well, jump over The Honey Pie Archives to find out!



Can I live here?

I can't remember where I saw this, but isn't it awesome?

...knowing God on earth...

It is so easy for my heart to become languid and for passion to lay dormant in my soul. Sometimes it is of great benefit just to go outside, to clear my head of all the distractions of daily life and get alone with God. Today is one of those days. I seem to have let "doing things for God" become a burden instead of a joy. Even so, when I finally quiet my heart - He is there. He calls me to come and taste the delights of knowing Him.

I have always loved this quote from Jim Elliot's journal:

"I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious. To stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coat-tails and the heavens hailing your heart - to gaze and glory and to give oneself again to God, what more could a man ask? Oh the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth. I care not if I ever raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead through the vast star fields, to explore His delicacies, whose finger-ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, tough His garments, and smile into my Lover's eyes - ah, then, not stars, nor children shall matter - only Himself." (Jim Elliot)

I want my heart to know that same overjoyed bliss in knowing my Savior on earth.

Today, I know I just need to push pause on all that I need to get done and just rest in Him, worship Him, seek Him and remember...

I am small...

My life is brief...

He is eternal...

Knowing Him is beyond comparison...

"When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,

what is man that You are mindful of him,

and the son of man that You care for him?"

(Psalm 8:3)

The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), and I can see it, hear it if only I take a moment to marvel and the magnificence of my God. Life is too short not to live it running passionately after Jesus. Like Paul, Jim Elloit and countless others, my goal is to know Him...but sometimes I lose focus. 

Throughout my life I have found that spending a little time out in nature and in prayer helps to rejuvenate my soul and refocus my heart to seek after knowing more of God. What has worked for you?

Her children rise up and call her blessed...

Dear Mom,

Tomorrow is the day we have always honored you. We write you cards, give you gifts and tell you that we love you. This year, that didn't quite seem enough. You have given me so much more than I can fit in a card or summarize with "Happy Mother's Day!"

You raised me with love and in the fear of the Lord. Almost every morning we had "Bible time" and I still remember drawing out the Psalms and Proverbs. What you instilled in us at a young age has left it's mark; it has not returned void. You taught the Word and it's principles in everyday life. Loving God was always more than merely going to Church, it was a way of life to be passionately pursued. In everything you taught us to seek the Lord. 

You spurred our creativity. Nothing was ordinary in our house. You cared more about our learning than a spotless house. Indian teepees, Pioneer wagons, Medieval castles, and forts of all shapes and sizes donned our living room more often than not. Once, you built us an ear that we could actually crawl through, and another time you really made me carry water like I had gotten it from well. You didn't just teach us, you made learning come to life.

Mom, you taught me how to love life. You are certainly more of a free spirit than uptight, and I love and appreciate that about you. Our home was always a happy and upbeat place because of you. I can't even count all the dance sessions we had while cleaning up the kitchen or the late nights you spent with us laughing in our rooms. Life was always an adventure to you. We could be lost in the middle of downtown Atlanta, but you said "It's an adventure kids!" Even going to the mall with you was "an adventure in how to be patient" especially for the boys! I can already tell that I'm going to be just like that with our kids as well.

You are very bold and are not afraid of being different. Your love for the Lord flows out into telling others about Him. I love that you simply cannot hold it back. I am so grateful for the weeks we spent in India together. It was a huge blessing for me to share Christ with my precious mother by my side. I loved watching you share the Good News of Jesus so passionately! You are set apart because of your passion for Christ. I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful example to follow.

You've always been there for me Mom. You have served us with such love for our entire lives. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of all that you sacrificed for us, and how ungrateful I have been at times. I am so very blessed to have a mother that loved me so much. You loved me enough to discipline me, to correct me, to teach me, and to train me up in the way that I should go. Not only that, but you hurt when I hurt, you were joyful when I was joyful, you were proud when I accomplished something and so much more. I have become who I am because of you. Your love and support has given me the desire to go after great things.

Your love for the Savior is unparalleled. I am so thankful that I grew up in a home where my mother read the Bible and lived out it's principles. I have so many sweet memories of us sharing what the Lord had taught us and reading God's Word together. When you pray, it is powerful. When you worship, it is authentic and often with tears. I have never doubted that you fear the Lord. 

One of the things I am most thankful for is how you loved Dad. You have truly shown me how to love and honor a husband. I pray to be a wife like you have been to Dad. You always supported him, deferred to him, followed his leadership and showed him how much you loved him. We respected him because you respected him. He is certainly worthy of it! I can remember several times when you just broke down in front of us and cried saying "I am so blessed to have your father as a husband!" You have shown me how to be faithful. You always did what he asked, even if it wasn't convenient - You made it a priority. I can't tell you how thankful I am for your example as a wife!

Mom, you are so beautiful. You radiate Christ and His love. You are an amazing woman and I hope to follow in your steps.

See the great heritage you are leaving for your children? We rise up today and call you blessed. "Many have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruits of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:29-31) We praise you Momma!

I am blessed to call you Mom. You have given me so much that I can never repay. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us. You are one of the most precious gifts that God has given to me.

I love you!

Your daughter,

Jennifer

Braided Crown Tutorial

Where I live, summers are suffocatingly hot. Because of the humidity and heat, my hair normally finds it's way into a ponytail. However, this is a fantastic alternative to summer's signature hairstyle. This my friends, is a Braided Crown - the slightly more sophisticated version of Heidi Braids. However, I have to admit that I saw this first on A Cup of Jo.

Here is a little tutorial for this updo. You can either watch the video or follow the photos.

You're going to need some hairspray. My roommate in college got me hooked on this stuff.

You'll also need bobby pins, lots of bobby pins.

First, make two loose braids.

Wrap the first braid around the front of your head, fairly close to your hair line and pin in place.

Wrap the other braid around the back of your head and tuck the ends into the first braid.

This is what the other side will look like. You can twist your hair to cover the bare spots.

Now all you have to do is spray it all in place! Voila! 

In a perfect world...

Sometimes it is just fun to think about what I might like my perfect world to be...other things might include never having to do the dishes, a house that stays clean, and clothes that wash and dry themselves. haha.

Today I rather wish I was in my perfect world, but I know these little annoying things are important in teaching me discipline. Even in the little things I can strive to please the Lord.

But seriously, I wish I never had to do the dishes...however, I have a sink full and they are begging me to wash them. Off I go...

What would your perfect world consist of (if there was such a thing)?

I hope you all have a blessed Wednesday!

True Beauty

Believe it or not I have not always felt pretty or like I fit in.

There were lots of times when I felt ugly and unattractive, unwanted and left out.

Other times I have placed too much emphasis on my looks, taken pride in my fashionable outfits and what was painted on that morning.

I have been teased about my weight and insecure about my breakouts. I have thought myself better than others and succumbed to pride in appearances. I have felt vain for putting on nice clothes and make up and like I didn’t ever look nice enough.

True Beauty vs. Vanity – don’t we all struggle with it?

The other day I read an articele on Cross Walk from Jill Swanson, author of Simply Beautiful: Inside and Out. This is how she starts her book talking about “Beauty Without Vanity”:

"Balancing beauty with humility is an ongoing struggle for today’s woman. None of us want to appear vogue on the outside and vague on the inside. If we were to be honest with ourselves, we would all like to look the best we can. Clothing and appearance affect how we feel and think about ourselves. They can lift our spirits and help give us confidence to face the real world.

 "The body is God’s handiwork. We have a responsibility to take care of it and to present ourselves in a way that will compliment the Kingdom of God. How we appear on the outside reflects our integrity and competence. Through initial contact with people, fifty-five percent of our perceived credibility is based on appearance alone! First impressions lay the groundwork for establishing trust and believability."

There is something in a woman that longs to be affirmed, to be seen as beautiful. Even though this is true, my heart has been humbled lately. Through The Difference Project I have seen just how much emphasis I have put in what I put on. Sure, I want to take care of myself like the article was saying, but I want to radiate beauty from the inside even more so. I truly needed to be reminded of this.

The most beautiful women I have ever meet have been radiant with Christ. They just glowed with His beauty. Sure, they were all shapes and sizes, had different eye color and skin tone...but what I noticed was not their outfits, hair or make up. What I noticed was their heart for the Lord, an inward beauty that made their outward appearance beautiful as well.

The world's standard of beauty will always be changing, but the Lord's standard never changes. This is the kind of beauty that I desire above all else. I want to see myself as the Lord sees me - as His precious daughter. The world may look at me according to their standards of beauty, but true beauty lies in having a heart like His. May I ever gaze in the mirror of His Word and seek to be like Him - the most Beautiful One.