The Flourishing Note is an extension of the Godshaped blog. I wanted to create a space to encourage you in practical ways, in addition to reading the devotionals.  By personalizing present events and sharing the real and raw things going on, I hope to cultivate connection, inspire, and strengthen our relationships with the Lord!

My Verse right now:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 NLT)

I have put this verse around the house, it is a verse that keeps coming up. For some time, I have been struggling with discipline spiritually, physically, and especially emotionally for a few reasons. My confidence has been shaken from making some faith-filled changes and taking some risks. I am entering into a new season of motherhood as my children are becoming more independent. My oldest is about to graduate high school, my middle child will enter high school next fall, and my youngest is nearly leaving elementary school. Lastly, friends, perimenopause is a real thing that’s taken a physical and mental toll on me. I have had so many changes going on in my body, causing me to visit various doctors just to try to feel somewhat healthy and normal again. I have allowed the grips of stress and worry to dictate my feelings for some time, but I am gaining some stability again. I believe God magnified this verse because I needed that nudge to move forward in His care and maybe you do too!

My favorite Song right now:

My husband has overcome so much this past year, and I love seeing him encouraged in the Lord as it inspires my faith. He shared this song with me, and I just appreciate it. Certain lyrics to the song spoke to me, “Tell the enemy he doesn’t own my soul, I am taken back what the enemy stole!” Take it all back is a song that gets my blood pumping first thing in the morning and reminds me to cling to God and keep perspective!

Flourish:

Three questions to ask yourself and reflect on as we say goodbye to October and hello to November/December!

1. What has shaken your soul and how can you process it in the Lord?

There are some prayerful decisions my husband and I have made in the recent months. We were peacefully led in a certain direction, but to our surprise I have been negatively affected in ways. I’ve wrestled with confusion, disappointment, and even fear. Yet, I have reached a point of dependance on God. I know we prayed for Gods best for our family. Now I must take a stand and trust in the Lord regardless of my feelings. I am challenged to hang on to God’s word and promises, but when I take the time to reflect on all the ways he has showed himself faithful before, I can trust Him. I am not saying it is easy. Trust isn’t easy, but that’s where faith must step it up and grow. Strength is built through struggle!

2. What can you slow down and relish in life?

I enjoy being busy. It is the way I am wired, but this season I purposed to say no to some good things so I can really relish and linger in some other spaces of my life. We live in a time with so many opportunities, messages alerting us all day long demanding our attention, but you know what- sometimes missing something and simplifying our lives is healthy and just what we need. One of the many things I am changing is turning off my phone alerts. I realized that so many things are competing for my attention and because I only have so much energy each day, I decided to be intentionally about where I want to spend it!

3. What is your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition?

My momma passed away a few years ago during Thanksgiving week. It was unexpected. We had just gone bowling a few days earlier. I am so grateful for that family time I had. The awesome memories of her sweet face and the sound of her laughter that night. My new favorite tradition is reading my mom’s hand printed recipes written to me. I enjoy making her Banana nut and zucchini bread then sharing it as a gift to others throughout the holidays.

Books I am reading:

Flourish- Live loved, Live Fearless and Live Free by Margaret Feinberg

This is an easy and fun devotional with no homework, but rather a prayer to meditate on. A couple friends and I are meeting up two times a month to pray and go over anything that speaks to us throughout the weeks we have read. The devotional is refreshing. I love how Margaret Feinberg is full of passion for God and pursues him intentionally with such a fire. Throughout the devotional, she reminds us to look for and to God each day. She confidently reminds her readers that in Christ we can “live loved, live fearless, and live free.”

Don’t Look Back written by Christine Caine

My best friend sent me this book as a gift to remind me to live in the now, full of hope for the future. She knows I can get stuck in the past, taunted with regret at times and second guess myself. I am just in a few chapters and already the book is so captivating. Christine Caine tells her stories in a way that makes you feel invested and encouraged to dig deeper into scripture. I love how she reminds her readers to reach a place of perspective and seek wisdom from God to move forward. A quote from her book, “Still, I imagine we all find it easier to stay stuck than risk moving forward and what might come with it, like stepping out into unfamiliar terrain and feeling more uncomfortable. Like experiencing more hurt, more disappointment, more suffering, or more betrayal. It’s little wonder the writer of Hebrews said that we must focus our eyes on Jesus. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

Hinds Feet on High Places written by Hannah Hurnard

What a great book and devotional all in one. Hinds’ Feet on High Places is an allegorical novel that I have read with my children. I recently picked it up again because it is the type of book that each time you read it you find new discoveries that inspire your walk closer to Christ. I identify with the main character named “Much Afraid”. I think we all can identify with her at some point in our lives. Yet, what I love is how Much Afraid’s character is transformed as she grows in trusting the Good Shepherd. Often, we can feel lost and alone throughout the struggles we face, but when we step out in faith, we discover that God is in the details and cares deeply about our pain. He never wants to leave us afraid and hopeless.

These wonderful books will encourage you wherever you are in life!

New exercise:

For the past few weeks, I have been coming home from work and taking 15 minutes to pause before I do anything else. I meditate, stretch, and do a couple of planks. What a blessing this little time has been to my body, mind, soul, and family. I love how the quiet moments reset my mind. I can feel the stress of the day melting off my body instead of building up in my neck and shoulders.

Someone Insightful: Meet my Sister-in-Law Jen.

 I admire my sister-in-law in different ways. Since Jen has come to Christ, she has always had a childlike faith that over the years I have seen her faith in God not only move mountains, but also, she has learned a Godly wisdom from the Lord that led her to simplify her life and glorify him in her daily tasks. Here is what she has learned:

After much prayer, Jen decided to take on the mindset of simple is better and minimize the things in her life. This simple and basic approach to material things gave her a clear vision of what inventory she needed to manage and what she needed to let go of. The minimalist approach has created a more peaceful life for her and has infused peace in her home for her family. Once upon a time, Jen was totally overwhelmed, burned out, and stressed-out mom who felt like she was suffocating in her home. She had so much to manage, and all the misplaced items and clutter were sending her messages, like pick me up, put me away and wash me. It was screaming for her attention, but she felt she had no time. Eventually, Jen realized that with God’s help she could simplify her home and life by having only the items around her home that she needed. It took months but she challenged herself and family to let go of the clutter and inspired them to be accountable. I sat down with Jen to talk about how God impacted her life in this way, and she said, “I wanted to please God with my attitude and actions and trust him with the process of much needed change. My husband and children are happier, and our home feels lighter!” A few tips from Jen: You don’t have to be tormented or overwhelmed with daunting tasks and lose your joy over so much housework and clutter stress. Letting go of the things that clutter your mind, heart, space, and no longer serve a valuable purpose build momentum. When the family works together, set a timer and do a 15-minute pick up around the house, taking thought of what can be thrown out instead of shoved somewhere. Everything needs to have a home! Jen enjoys keeping a tidy home, but now when family or friends come for a visit, she is freer to relax and enjoy the company.

BIG THANK YOU!

I wanted to thank you for being faithful readers, it truly spurs me on in this calling to write. The truth is that every writer longs to encourage, using words to highlight the deepest longings of the heart and awaken the soul. Writers hope to inspire through the creativity of storytelling. My joy is to cheer you on closer to Jesus, by sharing the stories of my life that magnify God’s presence in the everyday.

If you are encouraged, please feel free to share the GodShaped blog and Flourishing Note with your friends! You can subscribe at Godshaped.blog below.

On that note, don’t forget that you are loved and invited to flourish!

In Him,

Billie