Sometimes your hair is dirty, and your eyes squinty, and the
sunset faded before you could get out there with a camera, and you’re actually
cold because autumn in on its way. But you laugh anyway because God is right
there in the little everyday things. He created smiles and sunsets and shirts
that make you feel happy.
Sometimes you feel down, and life seems overwhelming, and
even things that are considered normal stress you out, and you feel like you’re
living in a fog because even thinking takes effort. But you learn anyway
because God is right there even when it doesn’t feel like it. He promised pain
won’t last, and goodness and mercy for every day of your life.
Sometimes you feel ordinary, and everyone seems to be able
to do life better than you, and look prettier, and write better, and reflect
Jesus more. But you share anyway because
God is right there revealing Himself. He whispered that anyone can be
used of Him, and no one is mediocre because He hand designed every
facet of us all for a specific purpose.
Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it feels terrible. But you keep going anyway because God is there during
great times, and hard times, and exciting times, and depressing times, and shameful times, and ordinary times. And the
truth is, He’s always going to be.
++++++++++++++++
Hello people! It’s been a while since I appeared here,
and I’ve been missing it. I guess the above paragraphs are a brief summary of
my life lately: I was down and too focused on myself to think about blogging; I
was caught in the trap of thinking I had nothing valuable to share. But God was
there, and life is good. He still is there, and I’m learning to laugh. I feel
like a big lesson God’s been bringing to my attention during this time is faith
– the importance of faith, the relevance of faith, what faith even is. I’m
planning to share about that next!
Seriously though, tell me how your life is going! Anything
new or exciting happening? And if you’ve been feeling down or alone too, please
know that God is there and you are so loved. Feel free to share (blog.applesofgold@gmail.com) too,
because I’d love to support you in whatever way I can. Stay strong, friends. I
pray for you all!
Loved this. Life goes through so many different phases, we need to remember to trust God even in the darkest of times.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! <3
Thanks so much, Gray! And amen - God is always the constant in our changing world. xx
Deletelook at you, you adorable thing!! <3 <3
ReplyDeletethis post was SO GOOD.
Aw, you're too kind! Thanks, Sophy. I really appreciate you!
DeleteYou are so beautiful Jessica - thank you for this post!!! I've missed you in the blogging world and I've been praying for you these last few weeks. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kara! You're a blessing. I appreciate your prayers and sweet comments so much! xx
DeleteThe second paragraph struck home. Life’s been feeling a bit overwhelming at times recently and sometimes I’ve just felt like I’ve been in a fog - but thank you for the reminder that God’s with us.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Jessica, I’ve missed your posts but I understand why you took a break... which is fine to do sometimes :).
Thank you for using your gift of writing to write these beautiful and encouraging words. I’ll be praying for you.
Great post!
Ah, I know that feeling. I hope you're able to keep drawing strength from Him and knowing that spring will come.
DeleteThank you so much for your encouragement! I appreciate your prayers and sweet support so much. I'm praying for you too! xx
Heyyy! I've missed your wonderful words girlie. <33
ReplyDeleteWell...nothing really new, the the norm. Theater, dance, singing, piano, school, biology, art, writing, Church. xD BUT (and this is definitely what I was leading up to muahhahhaa) I'm going on a mission trip!!! I'm epically excited, because it's gonna be my first one out of the state. :DDDDD I cannot WAIT to do God's work and spread His word and travel and have adventures and new experiences. I feel super blessed, cause this is super special. <333
Missed your posts so much
xxxx
LOL "the the norm", what I THOUGHT I wrote was "JUST the norm" :PPP
DeleteAw, thanks for the warm welcome, Amelia! :) It sounds like your normal is pretty busy, and focused on the creative arts (which is great)! And that is awesome you're able to go on a mission trip!! That's a great opportunity, and I hope it goes really well for you! I'm sure you'll grow and have fun, and most importantly spread the bright light He's given you. I'll be praying for you, and thanks again for your comment! xx
DeleteThis post was so sweet. Thanks for sharing, Jessica! <3
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures too. You're so cute! And I absolutely love your shirt. :D
Thanks, Faith! Praise God! You're so kind. And thank you - it makes me think of summer and sunsets and happy things. :)
DeleteAMEN! God has given EACH of us a VOICE - each is different! There is no better voice... we're all special and all have a unique, IMPORTANT voice from God! :D Awesome post, girl! Definitely something I've been reminding myself, too.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
-Ang | thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com
That's so true! Keep sharing the light He's given you, girl! Thanks so much for your comment - many blessings to you too. xx :)
DeleteIt's so good to hear from you AND see your beautiful face again, Jessica! Your encouragement is as timely as ever. "Sometimes you feel ordinary, and everyone seems to be able to do life better than you, and look prettier, and write better, and reflect Jesus more." That's where I was recently, but the truth is that Jesus can use every one of us for His glory. If we're writing for Him, all that matters is that we're doing what He called us to do. Nothing less, nothing more. ♥
ReplyDeleteI love you, my friend.
Aw, Hosanna, you're such an encouragement! Amen - He can use whatever we are as long as we're willing! Stay strong, friend. You're a beautiful inspiration of God's love. Love to you too! xx
DeleteYou are such a beautiful human being Jessica. <3 EVERY SINGLE POST, you have ever written has been a bundle of inspiration and awe and yet you are always so humble and kind. Your words throw sunshine everywhere. Also I love those pictures! You have the most gorgeous smile and that blouse is really cute.:) May the Lord bless you on this journey called life, it's a crazy path sometimes!
ReplyDeleteAnna, thank you for being such a bright light! Your comments always cheer me so much. :) Thanks for your kind words, and all glory to our Creator. May He bless you too, whatever life looks like for you at the moment - it is certainly unpredictable! xx
DeleteThank you! I needed these words today
ReplyDeletePraise God! So glad they could speak to you, LaKaysha. xx
DeleteThank you for this reminder: "Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it feels terrible. But you keep going anyway because God is there" YES thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration, jessica <3 God has used your words to speak truth to me and so many others. keep shining, girl :)
Aw, thanks so much for your encouragement, Autumn! And all glory to God - I know it's not in me. :) Stay strong, friend, God's using you in mighty ways too! xx
DeleteThis was a nice post :) I liked it. The pictures were good too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's so nice to hear from you. :) I hope you're going well - thinking of you! xx
DeleteLovely post- thank you for sharing! I get caught all too often feeling those same things, and can definitely relate.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, Korin! Thanks for your comment. Stay strong - we're in this together, friend! xx
DeleteWe all feel down sometimes - but Jessica, never feel like you don't have something valuable to share. I think God has spoken to me so many times through you, and I'm sure others honestly feel the same way. I mean, today it's what you said about life feeling hard even though it shouldn't be, and not reflecting Jesus like we should be, and then the encouraging whisper "no one is mediocre because He hand designed every facet of us all for a specific purpose".
ReplyDelete- Jem Jones <3
Aw, Jem. Thank you! God used your reassurance to encourage me. I need to stop doubting and get on with sharing what He gives me!
DeleteI hope you're able to find joy in this season - I know life feels ordinary sometimes, but keep holding on. God's got you, and thanks again for your comment. You're a blessing!
Awe we all feel that way sometimes girl. Keep smiling, and pushing onward and upward - you can do this. Sometimes the deepest valleys, darkest alleys, and most painful, dreary days are our greatest blessings in ways we cant see.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Ash! I appreciate it. :) Sending hugs! xx
Delete