Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces, calling out the best of who we are. It comes in small inspirations. It comes in loving community. It comes in helping a soul find its worth. I want to add to the beauty, to tell a better story. I want to shine with the light that's burning up inside. This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful.

You can't understand light unless you understand darkness, because that's where life is most often lived - somewhere between the two. It's messy and it's beautiful all at the same time.
What we must do is to stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life, the real life that God sends us day by day. What we call our real life is but a phantom of our imagination.

Quotable Monday

Posted on 4/23/2012 at 3:28:38 PM

colorfulbouquet_bbb

~~~~~ We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety...But we need have no such fears. Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed. ~~~~~ Father, I want to know ...

Wordless Wednesday: life lately…

Posted on 4/18/2012 at 7:00:54 AM

IMG_0714

{guest post} songs for spring ~ part one by maria forsythe

Posted on 4/6/2012 at 9:35:43 AM

springwindowflowers_classy

I find that beautiful music has a way of creating happiness. I think that music has a way to change emotions and to create happiness, anger, depression, and energy. Spring music creates energy and joy, which is one of the many reasons why I am absolutely in love with Spring. The season is light, joyful, exciting, and ...

sweet sixteen

Posted on 3/6/2012 at 3:26:04 PM

larabows

this is a belated birthday post for my wonderful sister lara who turned 16 yesterday. alas, i did not have my act together and so this post is coming a day late. but the feelings and meaning are just as real as they were yesterday! i'm going to start off by stating the obvious: i can't ...

life lately

Posted on 3/4/2012 at 1:59:15 PM

IMG_0680

In lieu of an actual update, here are some photos from my phone over the past month or so...snow in Northern Virginia, flowers on Valentine's Day, a blizzard in Charlottesville, and, yes, my room actually did get that bad a week or so ago!

note to self

Posted on 2/23/2012 at 3:33:38 PM

contemplative_wonderfulstill

rivers and stones and the trees of the field, they sing in the night and a thousand tongues lay deep in your lungs to raise to the sky don't lie to yourself, o my soul—love your God. deep in your heart you feather and tar your folly and fear: expose them for the fools they are, ...

the ties that bind

Posted on 2/14/2012 at 4:41:04 AM

birthdaycupcake_heartit

"Never think that geographical distance can ever separate souls whom God has united by the ties of His love. The children of the world are separated one from another because their hearts are in different places; but the children of God, having their hearts where their treasure is, and sharing only one treasure---which is the ...

seven quick takes, streams in the desert edition

Posted on 2/10/2012 at 6:20:29 PM

girlfuschiabbb

the past two weeks, in particular, i have been so grateful for: 1. my four wonderful sisters 2. the occasional and unexpected ray of sunshine 3. free access to the gym 4. all means of communication 5. my parents and their unconditional love 6. my incredibly generous and encouraging friends, both old and new 7. God's abundant love, grace, and power made ...

Quotable Monday

Posted on 1/30/2012 at 5:35:23 AM

trees_bbb

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life. Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. ...

i have what i need

Posted on 1/23/2012 at 3:53:02 AM

orangescarf_littleditties

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ isaiah 41:10 i am not ready for the spring semester to begin today, but i know that God has given me everything i ...