Honoring Christ in the way I dress (Repost)

I originally published this post in November of 2021, and I recently felt led to repost it. I pray it can be an encouragement to someone today <3

Since day one, I've been Sadie's "Mama Ellie." My little sister is younger than me by almost 14 years (Mom found out she was pregnant with her two weeks before my 13th birthday) and we look alike to an unbelievable extent. She has big, brown eyes like mine and she knows how to make the best use of them at her age. Mom complied to a request from her one time simply because Sadie's pleading spilled over into her eyes, and later on Sadie decided to take advantage of that. Sitting in the "timeout chair" after doing something wrong, she focused on Mom and said, "Look at my eyes! Can I get down?" (It was adorable, but no, the strategy didn't work.) 

As a big sister to her as well as six other siblings (four of whom are also girls), I have a wide range of influence on them in my dress, speech, and actions. The other day Sadie and I got into a discussion about my clothes. I told her God gave girls skirts and wants us to look feminine, which was why I was putting a skirt on that day, and she answered in all seriousness, "Jesus gave me pants!" I wasn't expecting that response and tried to hide my smile as I thought of how best to explain to a three-year-old that yes, God allows us to wear pants, but at the same time He created us as girls and He wants us to look like girls and protect our purity. 

Our conversation soon backfired on me when, the next morning, I came downstairs for breakfast still wearing my pajamas: flannel "fuzzy" pants and a T-shirt. "Ellie," Sadie said, "did God make you a girl?"

Scrounging around in the fridge for the milk, I answered, "Yes, of course He did." I thought we cleared this up yesterday. Where is she going with this?

"But you're wearing pants."

Uh oh.

Let it be known now that I wear pants to bed; I wear them when I go jogging; I wear them especially during the winter, when it's cold, or when I'm biking; I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing pants, provided my heart motives are in the right place. I'm at the age where, led by the Spirit, I can make these decisions for myself. But I have sisters who are thirteen, eleven, seven, three, and one years old, and I want to be a role model for them now in this area.

In a day and age where girls are told to "be who they want to be" and let every curve of their body be exposed, it's vitally important that my sisters know the truth. It needs to be reestablished to them (and every young woman) that they're beautiful, they were created by God as girls, they're worth waiting for, and the only ones who should see and know everything about them are God and their future husband. No item of clothing (pants, skirts, dresses, shirts, etc.) should be worn to draw attention. If it's practical, then by all means, yes, wear it. 

The pastor from a church we attended this past year thought Mom and Dad had raised us according to some kind of cult based off our views on modesty and family, which is so not true! I want others to see a difference in me because of Christ. I want to honor Him with my body and with my clothes. That doesn't mean I don't struggle with temptation, because I do. There are times I want to "fit in" and feel tired of trying to stay modest when it seems no one else, not even other believers, hold the same convictions I do. 

I don't condemn those who are different than me. I was once turned off from someone's blog when it felt like the blogger slammed me for being okay with wearing pants, and that is not what I'm trying to do in this post.

Clothes don't make the Christian; the heart does.

"Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

Christian young ladies, we need to be confident in who we are in Christ. Our bodies are His temple; we're called to honor that. Today, let's examine our hearts and make Spirit-led decisions regarding every area of our life, including our clothing, to bring Him glory.

What're your thoughts on modesty? Do you have sisters for whom you need to set the example? Comment below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Thanksgiving Day, 2021 + Major Black Friday Sale on My Book!!

Around nine o'clock the night before Thanksgiving, my family experienced a very unexpected power outage. We were in the middle of watching an episode of Love It or List It on TV and popcorn was popping in the microwave when things went black. And eerily quiet. After we waited for a while and nothing happened, Dad found flashlights for everyone to take to their rooms, and we headed to bed. My bedroom is right next to the laundry, and usually I hear the delightful tumbling of the dryer or the swish, swish, swish of water in the washing machine, but not tonight. All was still. Not even my lovely, clackety bathroom fan was going. It was so silent, my ears literally hurt. Lying in my bed, I began to think of the things I easily took for granted . . . like the power, but, to be more specific, the lights, sound, and air conditioning/heating made possible through electricity. When was the last time I paused to even consider it? Shalom curled up on my feet and began to purr. Her purr had always been deep and rumbly, but especially tonight, when it competed with nothing except the hollow feeling in my eardrums. Closing my eyes, I determined to give thanks more often for the things that often go unnoticed, yet are unarguably significant. 

The power came back on around midnight (right as Dad was about to get the generator running . . . sorry, Dad). Early the following morning, my sister, brother, and I went jogging as planned, then came back to help finish up Thanksgiving Day preparations. Our relatives were due to arrive at any moment, and it was a marathon trying to get the house cleaned and the food cooked and served while simultaneously entertaining the littles and holding Ruby, who refused to be put down. It was one of our biggest (if not the biggest) Thanksgiving dinners my family has ever had, with dishes of turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn casserole, yeast rolls and honey butter, and a sweet potato casserole. For dessert, there was pumpkin pie, apple pie, ginger snaps, sugar cookies, and ice cream. Mom had to make enough for our whole family, plus two aunts, two uncles, and two cousins. And then for supper, of course, almost everybody had leftovers. Electricity fueled our gas stove, kept the ice cream cold in the freezer, ran the microwave, and allowed us to turn on the lights while we ate. Going without power wouldn't have been the end of the world, but it certainly would have been an inconvenience to us spoiled American people . . . especially during a holiday!

This Thanksgiving Day, I was given a reality check that made me especially thankful. In the midst of all this corona madness and political junk, we may feel we have a lot to complain about, but God commands us to praise Him and give thanks through every circumstance. He has a plan, He is working, and He has gifted us with oh, so much . . . more than we can ever, ever deserve.

I'm thankful for power (of course), a clean Christian series of books I recently found, laughter, my family, my salvation, the gift of being able to run/walk/jog, music, sunshine, my kitten, my computer, food, clothes, a house to live in . . . and the list goes on. What're some things you're thankful for? Drop them in the comments below, or simply say a quick prayer to God praising Him for these unmerited blessings!

A final note before I close this post: my book, The Whispers God Gives, is currently on sale at Amazon for only $4 per paperback copy (the original price is $7.99)!! This super deal lasts only till Tuesday, so hurry on over and snag your copy (or if you're looking for a Christmas gift for a tween/teenage friend, here's your opportunity)! CLICK ANYWHERE IN THIS SENTENCE.

Enjoy your weekend! Happy Thanksgiving! (okay, so I'm technically a day late, but hey, it's never too late, or too early, to be thankful.)

Blessings,

Ellen S.

"Do Hard Things" Bible Study

Hello friends,

We're having relatives fly in from out of state as well as picking Connor up later this week for Thanksgiving break, which I'm really excited about. 😀 Also, I've been studying for the SAT (prayers for that would be appreciated), catching up on my reading, and doing volunteer work. Shalom, I'm grateful to say, has settled in nicely. She's curled up in my lap as I type this. 😃 She is the sweetest, dearest little kitten. I love her so much.

*ahem* My reason for posting is to throw an idea at you guys and get your input on it.

This past year I read a book that invigorated and challenged me to live my life more boldly for Christ, and that book was Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris. Some of you may have heard of the book or even own a copy of it already, but for those of you who haven't, here's the link to check Do Hard Things out on Amazon. In a world where teens are characterized and held back from reaching their full potential due to culture's low expectations of them, a book like Do Hard Things is needed. I know it met me right where I'm at and encouraged me to not "let anyone look down on [me] because [I am] young," but to "set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). I would love to give other girls around my age that same opportunity to hear truth and live it out during the high school/teenage years (and every year after). 

So, I'm thinking of facilitating an online Bible study. Once a week, we would read a chapter from Do Hard Things and meet over Zoom (or Skype) to discuss our thoughts/answers to the study guide questions provided in the back of the book. We would also dig deeper into Scripture. It would be a time of growth in our faith and a great way to encourage one another in Christ to do hard things for Him.

The requirements to join are that you have to be between the ages of 13 and 19, profess having a faith in Christ, are willing to supply your own copy of Do Hard Things, and absolutely must be a girl (I'm not looking to start a youth group LOL). 

Are you interested? Drop a comment below. Commenting or emailing does not commit you to anything, but simply gives me an idea of those who might be interested in attending. 

I understand there are some of you who aren't sure due to privacy reasons, but again, comment below (or email), and we'll try to get something figured out, even if it's just to get you on an email list so you can (anonymously, if need be) answer questions or express your thoughts for that week's chapter.

Of course, I'm open to discussing further details, questions, dates/times, etc. Please talk about this with your parents, prayerfully consider participating, and spread the word!

Blessings,

Ellen💜

Best News Ever

In a world marred by sin, no one seems to know whether most news being released by the media is "fake" or "real." I don't aim to make this blog a political platform, so I won't dive into examples, but I'm sure you're all essentially aware of what I'm referring to. And because of this, lines have been drawn . . . and crossed. America is divided. Families are getting torn apart. Hearts are heavy, and restoration seems a long way off. 

I want to take this opportunity to remind you (and me) of the news that is always real and never-changing - not yesterday, not today, not ever. The news of the Gospel: of Jesus' death and resurrection. Our Savior is alive right here, right now. Nothing fake about it. The cross won the war for our souls; Christ's blood gives us access with confidence into His presence. (Ephesians 3:12, 2:13) Surrounding us are people who can injure or even kill the body . . . but not our souls. We are called to stand firm in this, and not to shrink away. (Hebrews 10:39) The power of Jesus inside us gives us boldness. If we ask, His grace will strengthen us. (2 Timothy 2:1)

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? If not, you can make the choice to do that at this very moment. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." It's as simple as that. No works of your own required; just faith in the work already accomplished at the cross. 

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Interested in knowing more? Drop a comment below. I'd love to converse with you further on this subject that's very near and dear to my heart. 

Our God is a God of divine love beyond human comprehension, and He desires for us to know and experience Him on a whole new level. There is still hope in this world, but not of this world. And that hope is Jesus. <3 (Ephesians 4:4-7)

Not only is this real news, it's also the best. news. ever. 

Praying for you all today. <3

Ellen S.

Paid In Full

Soon after getting back from our vacation at the beach, Mom and I went grocery shopping to pick up some essentials. It wasn't long before our cart was piled high with yogurt, bread, milk, and a variety of snack food and fresh fruit and we were heading to checkout. As we unloaded our items onto the belt, we heard a voice say in front of us, "I'm going to pay for their groceries."

I looked up from the container of strawberries I had just placed on the belt, and a wave of shock doused both Mom and me like a bucket of icy water when we realized the person was talking to the cashier about us. I turned to Mom and mouthed, Is she serious?

Mom gaped at the young woman. "Oh no, really, we're fine. I don't think you realize just how much we have."
"We're buying for a family of eleven," I supplied, knowing from experience just how much money our family shopping trips could amount to. 

"And we're able to pay," Mom continued. "Why don't you pay for the man behind us? He only has a few items and--"

"Nope." The woman grinned and leaned on her cart, undaunted. "You were behind me in line. I'm paying for your groceries."

"But--" Mom swallowed and tried again, but the woman wouldn't take no for an answer. No matter how much Mom protested, she didn't budge. 

Dazed, I put the eggs on the belt and nearly tipped them over. Mom was so distracted, she didn't even notice. (Which I suppose is a good thing.)  The cashier bagged the last item and rung up the total, and just as we figured, it was in the hundreds. The woman didn't hesitate, however. She stuck her credit card in the machine and paid for all of it. 

When we asked her why she was doing it, she replied simply, "Because I felt led to."

Mom and I walked back outside to the car absolutely stupefied. Mom was crying, she was so touched. It was like a whisper from God telling us there are still kind people out there, even when the world around us looks dark and broken beyond repair. 

It also reminded me of God's grace, and how my debt has been paid in full - even though I didn't deserve it. He shed His blood for me to become the "once and for all" sacrifice, and I don't have to work for that forgiveness anymore. He's already inserted that perfect "credit card" that covers the price of all my sins and has told me over and over, "It's a gift, Ellen. Accept it."

My friends, we don't have to toil for our salvation . . . God has it ready to hand out to anyone and everyone who asks it of Him. And once He's already put in His "credit card," we would be fools to yank it out and insert our own, wouldn't we? Recognize God's grace for what it is: a gift. Free. Just as alive and active now as it ever has been and ever will be. 

Join me in living fully in His grace today. <3

Blessings,

Ellen S.

The Need to Evangelize // My First YouTube Video!

I've recently been taking a speech course for school called Secrets of Great Communicators by Jeff Myers, and tonight video-taped for the first time my full-length speech focusing on the NEED TO EVANGELIZE (with my family as the audience). I'm so excited to be able to share it with you all on my mom's brand-new YouTube channel! Enjoy. 😄

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Thanksgiving Day 2020

2020 has been a crazy year. Corona. Lockdowns. The messy presidential election. But through all of it, God has instructed His children to REJOICE and GIVE THANKS. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Today I'm especially grateful for answered prayers. Some of these prayers are years old, with others lifted up more recently. To name just a few:

Ruby had a healthy delivery into this world and is continuing to thrive. Her laughter is the sweetest thing ever. <3

God showed me in His own time when, where, and how to publish The Whispers God Gives. He's allowed me to see the impact my book has made on others.

After experiencing belly spasms for a number of years and trying to fight back with prayer, pills, doctor's appointments, and diets, I finally realized one of the main factors behind the problem: a food allergy to corn in any form (kernel, flour, starch, syrup, etc.). Adjusting to life without corn is difficult at times, but also so very worth it. The difference in my health has been amazing.

Image found online.

Growing relationships with my siblings. :D

Being able to get away for a few days. 

. . . and so, so much more!! 

Through the comments, your own social media site, email, or private thought, I encourage y'all to join me in counting the many blessings God has given us even amidst this 2020 chaos. What are some prayers He's answered? How has He grown you through this trying time? Let's make it a point to remember not only to thank Him today, but also every day we have His breath in us. <3

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! 

Blessings,

Ellen S.

A Lesson on Time

Yesterday afternoon I brought my siblings (ages two, six, and eight years old) along with me to take a walk, snap a couple pictures, and pick up the mail. We shared lots of smiles and tucked away some priceless memories. Life would be so boring without these sweet lil' kiddos!

Sadie and me. <3

And, as this outing helped remind me, I've recently been challenged to think of how I use the time God has gifted me with. Life is so fleeting, and each passing moment so precious. How, then, can I best serve my family, friends, and, ultimately, Jesus with the way I utilize my days here on earth? 

Wellll, for starters, I must be ready to die to self, even when it seems really, really hard. 

Those occasions when I'm on a roll with my writing and a sister asks to be held? Yep. When I'm in the middle of reading a book and Mom wants help with supper? Yes. When a diaper needs changing, or clothes have to be laid out, or a mental picture of that dirty sink in the bathroom bubbles up right as I sit down to watch a favorite episode of I Love Lucy? Yes, yes, YES.

Our time is not our own. We were put here to be stewards for God in every aspect of life, be it time, money, or otherwise. 

And if it's not what He wants me doing right now, nothing - not surfing the blogosphere, not pouring into the Word document I'm hoping to finish and publish, not reading the new book I've been waiting for - will ever even come close to matching the glory of the Kingdom work Christ has set before me to carry out. 

It's a constant battle to us all to stick to this mindset, but one that with Christ's help can be conquered. I encourage each one of you to pray today for patience and wisdom as you seek to live out every second of your life for God's glory. May we never lose sight of the reward that awaits us at the finish line! 

Click the video below to listen to an encouraging song by one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists, Jeremy Camp.  

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Seven Days of Hope Blog Tour!

Two sweet friends of mine, Abby Elissa and Sawyer Marie, are hosting a SEVEN DAYS OF HOPE blog tour, and I'm so excited to be a part of it here on Ellen's Musings! They asked me to share a gorgeous graphic (made by the blog tour hosts), personal words of encouragement, a quote/saying that brings me hope, and a favorite song. :) I've enjoyed visiting all the blog tour "stops" thus far, and it's my prayer that y'all are blessed by my teensy post as well. <3

QUOTE:

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." ~ Jesus (John 16:33)

A LITTLE PERSONAL ENCOURAGEMENT:

As I prayed for wisdom on what to share today, God provided that my mom published an Instagram post about hope and . . . 🦋butterflies🦋. Nothing short of miraculous, considering she didn't have the upcoming blog tour anywhere on her radar as she worked on lettering her own quote and small, hope-filled devo. And in turn, she inspired me to also use these wonderful little creatures to spread encouragement with you.

I've always had a strange obsession with butterflies. Perhaps it's because, as a younger girl, I had my own creative way of daydreaming which resembled that of a butterfly in flight. I loved to dance around the house with my arms spread out at both sides, swirling them like wings. Up, down. Down, up. 'Round and 'round again, till my breath grew short, my limbs ached, and at last, with a satisfied grin, I collapsed.

My dad, catching me running by, would smile and call me his little butterfly. The name stuck longer than this unusual dreamy habit of mine (thank God), entering into my teenaged years and turning into a Gmail address, NaNo username, etc. It's special to me, like a precious little bond between my father and me that I don't ever want to let go of.

And now, so many years later, butterflies serve as a reminder of something even more than a fond childhood memory.

Because they haven't always been full-grown butterflies, but rather caterpillars first crawling, then eating, then being bound by a cocoon until the day of final maturity arrived. 

There's a lot of growing still to be done in your life and mine. Growth that means pushing through the hard and trusting that the darkness won't last forever.

In the moment we feel like we're dangling above rock-bottom is when our cocoons grow solid and our wings develop. We turn from caterpillars on the ground to butterflies with a destiny. To soar in the sky, gorgeous wings flapping, elegant bodies a testimony to our Creator. The pain will flee, beaten by our Savior's light. Our cocoons will unwind, air fill our wings, and we'll swoop forth. Free. Beautiful. Leaving the old and finding the new. Ready to show that the darkness is but for a moment, and the upcoming splendor for an eternity. 

Friends, even during the darkest days, when your cocoon squeezes tight and everything looks bleak and without light, remember: He is our Hope. And He will bring us safely through the valley in which we're travelling. There is no storm so long the sun will not shine; no path so winding the end does not come. 

Rest in Jesus, and place your hope in Him. The Giver of life itself has promised to be here for us. Always. And He has already conquered the world and won our souls so that we might have peace. <3

TRUST HIM.

SONG:

As an unarguable music addict, picking just //one song// to share with you guys promised to be a struggle. Almost Home by MercyMe was my original choice (after much deliberation, of course). And then Amazon Music switched into auto-play one afternoon, and I felt God's nudge to do another song. One I'd never heard before, but soon fell in love with.

"I Have This Hope" by Tenth Avenue North

(for those of you on mobile phones, you can listen by clicking HERE.)

LINKS TO ALL THE OTHER STOPS ON THE TOUR:

Blessings,

Ellen S.

It's All About Perspective

Rain. First pattering, then thudding. Hitting grass, wood, glass, cement. Puddles form upon the earth, small rivers streaking through. 

Grey clouds layer the sky, their ridges taking on the look of a garden freshly hoed.

I rise, slip into my sandals, and turn my gaze to the window to spectate. My heart thrums a little in disappointment as reality sinks in: the gloomy weather means no running, no walking, and certainly no bike-riding. Not for a while, anyway. 

My shoulders slump, and I sigh. Grabbing my Kindle and journal, I flop down on the bed and begin my devotions. After that, it's time for breakfast (Special K + bananas) and checking my Gmail inbox. Then I tap open the weather radar app and observe the blotches of green and yellow headed our way.  

I swallow. So much rain! 

"Dad, will it stay like this all day?" I ask, showing him the phone.

"Let's see." He promptly reaches over and uses two fingers to expand the map. All of a sudden, the huge blob of predicted foul weather looks teensy in comparison to the rest of the US. More like a moving dot than anything else.

"Nope," says Dad cheerfully. "Looks like it'll last for the morning, then go away." And he continues helping Sadie with her breakfast.

Wow! That's . . . different. I stare at the new image on my phone screen and feel some of my earlier tension slip away into nothingness. 

Looking at the late-summer storms from a different angle - an angle far from the blown-up version I generally used - served as a much-needed lesson on the power of perspective. 

Perspective is a very important part of our lives. It determines everything, from how we feel to how we act. It can ruin us, or it can shape us.

Choose now how you want to view the world. Other people. The daily chores you're assigned to do. And yes, even a weather radar app. 

Will you zoom in close, see the overwhelming amount, and become discouraged? Or step back and see how things appear from God's eyes? He sees things as they are: fleeting. Gone in a  moment. And everything He allows to enter our lives is for our good and His glory. 

May we trust Him and seek to find the bigger picture instead of grumbling about one part of it. He knows the whole story, from the beginning of time to the end. We can rest in this, rest in His peace, His love. These hard things of life shall pass, leaving eternal glory and splendor in their wake. I can hardly wait for that moment! 💜💜💜

Are You Ready?

Tuesday, August 4th, 2020

5:45 AM

The sudden peal of shrill beeping noises from my alarm clock slices through my thick haze of sleep. I stifle a groan, roll over, and punch the Snooze button. I'm not ready to get up yet.

I'd been up till half past eleven the night before with a new book. It had seemed worth it at the time, but now . . . All my body wants to do is sleep, not awaken at 5:45 to brush out my hair and ready for the day. 

I burrow deeper into the covers. Just for a few more minutes . . .

As you can probably guess, those "few minutes" quickly turn into another hour. Before I know it, it's a quarter to seven, and I don't feel any closer to rising. 

From downstairs, I hear bowls and spoons clattering as my siblings have their breakfast. Rain pounds on the windows outside, while violent gusts of wind whip tree branches against the glass. I grimace. For sure this storm wins the prize as one of the worst we've had so far this summer.

I release a breath and pull my blanket farther up over my shoulders. No running for me today, I reckon.

Oh, well. All the more time to work on WIPs inside a warm, cozy house.

Energized by this idea, I'm just about to crawl from bed when my little sister, Marah, comes in. She plops down in my rolling desk chair and strikes up a "hello, darling" type of chat. (does this occur every morning? hm, yep, just about. nothin' out of the normal about it.) In mid-conversation, we hear a strange ringing. Neither one of us can place where it comes from, so we go on in our talking.

Suddenly, one of my brothers leaps into my room and exclaims, "Ellie! Get downstairs now. There's a tornado warning!"

Marah springs from the chair, and I shoot to a sitting position. "Wait, what?!"
My hands fly to my tangled hair. I still have to use the bathroom. And my Kindle remains unopened, the next part of my daily Scriptural reading undone. I'm not ready!

No time now. According to our radars, the tornado is close.

I push back my blanket and make a mad grab for my computer, Kindle (+ Bible), hairbrush, watch, a couple hair bands, phone . . . essentially anything I can think to find in the next frantic two minutes. From the floor below, Mom yells for me to "c'mon!" 

Arms full, I charge down the stairs, flannel pajama bottoms sweeping my ankles and with my hair tumbling in loose waves around my face after a brisk, ten-second combing. 

Please, God, keep us safe! 

Thankfully, after about twenty minutes in the basement, the threat goes off, and our house is still in one piece . . . and now my stomach is growling for something to eat. I scurry upstairs (so much for not running, heh?) to stuff a jug of almond milk and a package of Special K into my mail bag (which was hanging conveniently from the railing), then return to the basement to eat.

I notice my hands shaking as I pour cereal into my bowl. Boy howdy, was I so not prepared for this! 

Mid-morning, as the clouds clear and bright, glorious sunshine spills down, I can't help but notice the parallels between this true story and the life of an unbeliever. 

They push off getting ready for Jesus' Second Coming. "I've got plenty of time," they say. Well, so did I . . . or at least that's how it seemed. Until the call came, and I realized I wasn't even close to ready. 

Jesus told us that His return will be like a "thief in the night." Unexpected with no warning. 

Are you ready? 

Friends, the breath you're taking right now could very well be your last. Are you prepared to face Jesus? Or will the time come for Him to bring you home and you panic, realizing you've never repented, never asked Him to enter your heart, and now it's too late?

Please, don't wait one second longer. Right here, right now, confess to God that you're a sinner in need of forgiveness and His love, and you'll be guaranteed a room in Heaven. Best of all, once you have Jesus in your heart, you're 100% ready for that moment when He returns to bring you home. <3

Praying for you all! 

Blessings,

Ellen S.

"Oh My Soul . . ."

Descending the stairs at a run, I slide into my flip-flops and dash for the closet to grab my warm brown jacket. Still pulling up the zipper, I join Mom at the door. She retrieves her purse and phone, and together we make our way outside. 
The car awaits us in the driveway, a royal coach on gravel. We get right in and start off. Mom cracks the window, and I plug in her phone so we can listen to some music. Otherwise, all is quiet for a while as we each sit back and relax. 
Soon, I notice Mom is taking us through a beautiful scenic route. Between tall, dipping hills that send my head spinning, I watch the trees and brush go by, colorful drops of green amidst a background of greyish clouds and light rain. And I'm once again swept into wonder at the works of our Creator. 
My ear picks up the words playing on the radio, and I recognize the song as an old favorite titled "Oh My Soul" from (guess who?) Casting Crowns.

Oh, my soul
Oh, how you worry
Oh, how you're weary, from fearing you lost control
This was the one thing, you didn't see coming
And no one would blame you, though
If you cried in private
If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows
No one will see, if you stop believing

Oh, my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone

Here and now
You can be honest
I won't try to promise that someday it all works out
'Cause this is the valley
And even now, He is breathing on your dry bones

I release a breath and take a moment to inwardly whisper, Thank You, Lord. Once again, He used something so simple like a drive, a view, and a song to give me a much-needed boost, a reminder that He's got this. Every bit of it.
Recently, COVID-19 has us all down. Tired. Stressed. Ready to get out, get away. Just be done with it all.
I don't know about you guys, but because of this I have been feeling very weary. This whole pandemic was indeed something I didn't see coming. I resent the new normal - face masks, closed doors, restrictions everywhere. Things just seemed to change overnight, and I don't like it. At all.
But, as God used this little road trip to remind me, the season of my life may have changed, but He still hasn't. The God who made all creation, the God Who is continuing to put breath in our lungs and a beat in our hearts, the God Who promised never to leave or forsake us . . .  is the same God Who reigns today. Nothing that happens in this life can ever change that.
And as hard as things may seem now, He has a plan. 
Mark Hall (lead singer of Casting Crowns and the author of the song I quoted above) wrote "Oh My Soul" during a trying time in his life, when he had just discovered he had cancer in one of his kidneys. It was a hard struggle for him, yet God used it to bring about a song that now, years later, is ministering to so many all around the globe. 
Including me.
We're not alone, and God is calling us to lay our burdens down at His feet. We're in the valley, and currently heading down a very windy, bumpy road, but soon we will enter glory, and all this pain will be forgotten. 
Don't lose heart, my friends. He is working in and at all moments of our lives. Trust Him, for He has promised to be our Peace. <3
Praying for each one of you!!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Easter In 2020

Happy Easter, everyone!! JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN!! <333
On Easter Day of last year (April 21st), my family followed the usual routine: get up, get dressed, go to church, come back to a tasty Easter dinner, and then depart to our rooms for a few hours of quiet-time, during which we allowed our food to digest. (I also returned to the Internet that afternoon after a forty-day break.) 
This year, things look different.

Church buildings are closed all over the globe. People are urged to keep a distance of six feet apart from each other, masks are used when going to the grocery store, and it doesn't appear anyone prepped for the big Easter meal. After all, it's not worth risking our health just to run out and pick up a ham and some cranberry sauce. 

So, yes, to many people, Easter is ruined. There're no huge bunnies, baskets full of chocolate, or stuffed eggs littering the yard. No friends are coming over and no families are visiting. 

Yet, if there's one thing this coronavirus pandemic is pointing out, Easter is not about these things. It's not about big meals and bigger bunnies, nor egg hunts and chocolate. It's not even about going to church. 

It's about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As my mom is fond of remarking, Easter to us as Christians happens every day, not just one day a year. And if we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again to make us new in Him, nothing else matters. 

Today, like any day, is the day to shout our joy. Today, like any day, is the day to sing praises to our blessed Redeemer. The government may have closed the church buildings, but one thing it cannot do is close the church itself, Christ's body. 

Perhaps God is using this unexpected time in quarantine to keep our focus on Him, and not on the temporary things that slip away like a breath in the wind.

Praise Him today for your health, for the family that's with you, for the fresh new morning and the blooming flowers. Praise Him for the gift of His Son. 

HE IS RISEN INDEED.

Click the video to listen to one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns, "Hallelujah."

Holding Onto Truth In a World Filled With Fear

Hello all!! Ellen here, reporting to you live in her St. Patrick's Day attire (green shirt and grey sweat pants). While her family is not one to celebrate the holiday, Ellen's siblings have made it a tradition to pinch whoever isn't wearing green on March 17th. Hence the shirt that she only wears once a year.
Okay, time to get back into talking first-person. XD
As you guys are well aware, the coronavirus is e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. It's on the news. It's in people's homes all around the globe. It's made us shut down restaurants, theatres, schools, and libraries. It's even succeeded in changing Walmart's hours, which have been 24/7 for as long as I can remember. It's emptied the shelves of sanitizers and Lysol wipes. It's closed the door to gathered worship with more than 50 people.
There's no escaping this "state of emergency." It hangs over us like a dark shadow, threatening to steal our peace and replace it with anxiety. 
As we watch everyone around us get hysterical, load their carts with toilet paper, and take off to quarantine themselves at home, our faith can begin to sway. We can begin to doubt. We can begin to think, What if my family catches this? Our newborn baby? Would half of us end up in the ICU?
In the midst of all this fear and panic, we need to remember the One in Whom we've placed our trust. We need to cling to His truth and His promises. We need to let things go. We need to surrender our whole lives to Him. 
He still has us, even if the world around us feels like it's whirling out of control.
Psalm 91:2-6 holds such a deep, comforting assurance from our Savior, one I think we all should reflect upon, especially now. 

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust." For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. (emphasis mine)

As you walk into Target today and see the bare shelves and large crowds, remember this. As you read headlines, remember this. As you start to doubt, remember this.
The coronavirus may be big, BUT OUR GOD IS ALWAYS BIGGER. <3
Praying for you all!!

Blessings,
Ellen S.

A Servant's Heart

Today's post is centered around something we can never quite get enough of, something very valuable and worthy of attention.


I don't know about you all, but there are times when I may feel overwhelmingly grumpy and worn out. On these days, I prefer just to curl up in bed with a good book and forget everything else. 
I don't want to think about changing a diaper, laying out clothes, or catching up on all that pesky school work. 
Needless to say, this is not the right attitude. Not by a long shot.
So, how can I get the right perspective? How can I be Christ's servant and love the work He places before me to do?
I have to ask HIM. I have to bring my heart and pour it out at His feet. I need to seek, so I can find. I need to knock, so the door can be opened. I need to humble myself before Him and ask for help. 
I need a servant's heart.
A heart that doesn't grumble or complain. A heart that longs to do nothing more than bring God glory. 
A heart willing to serve.
And if I ask my Savior, I know He'll provide the strength, the willingness, I need to keep pressing forward.
I encourage you to make this your goal as well. Every morning, before you begin the day, whisper one request, "Please, God, give me a servant's heart."
He truly answers prayers, and He will give you what you need to move on. 
By ourselves, we are nothing. But that's okay, because He wants us to rely upon Him and let Him be our everything. <3
Praying for you all!!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Gratitude

Written at approx. 8:00 AM on Tuesday, March 3rd

As I sit here jiggling a wide-awake newborn in my right hand and try to type with my left, I have some of my favorite music pouring from the speakers, two more of my precious sibs spinning each other around on my desk chair, and a heart bubbling with gratitude. <3 

I can feel Ruby's belly moving as she breathes; I can look down into her beautiful sapphire eyes and press gentle kisses to her soft, round cheeks.  I can see the sunny sky outside my window and envision a walk and/or bike ride for later on today. I can hear my siblings as they chatter and laugh. 

There's so, so, so, soooooooooooo much to be thankful for, if only we would take the time to count our blessings. The fact that you're reading this post right now means God is giving you breath in your lungs and a beat in your heart. Your story is not over yet - rather, there is so much more in store for your future.

What are three things you're thankful for today?

Where Are We Turning?

Mom slips Ruby Jane into her bouncy seat and securely locks both buckles. 

I stand off to the side, watching. My littlest sister's eyelids begin to unfold, and I see the deep blue in her irises. She waves her hands in the air and grunts. The front of her too-big sleeper comes up into her face, and she opens her mouth, thinking she's been offered something to eat. When all that touches her lips is fabric and not milk, she raises a fist. First one, then two fingers into her mouth . . . Still nothing, and by now she's frustrated. Her face scrunches up, and she wails. Her belly craves something more, but she's unable to find what her body really needs. 
Sleepers and hands might work for a moment, but nothing can ever truly replace the warm, nourishing deliciousness of Mommy's milk. 
As I gaze upon this spectacle, and see Mom lift Ruby from her bouncy to feed her, my heart thrums. Aren't we all like this? Storms rise up in our lives, questions, doubts, fears . . . and we turn to the wrong things to fill us. We turn to people, books, money, on and on and on, any one thing we think might has the answers. 
We bury ourselves into substitutes, things that may work for a while but will never truly fill us. 
Jesus says He is the Well, the only One Who can heal us, restore us, and give us peace. Yet we grab our shovels and beat at the ground, digging our own wells . . . which quickly dry up, so that we draw only dust. 
We're never going to find peace this way. Our hearts will never be full. Our mouths will only get drier, our hearts emptier.
Friends, I urge you, whatever you may be dealing with today, take it to God. He knows you. He MADE you. He understands what you're going through, and He wants to help carry your burden. 

And if you're someone who has not yet asked Jesus into your heart, do so. Right now. You're never too far gone for Him. Ask Him in. Confess the wrong you've done and ask Him to make you new, and He will do it. Not only that, but He will flood you with indescribable joy and true fulfillment. 








Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. PSALM 62:8

But for You, O LORD, do I wait; it is You, O LORD my God, Who will answer. PSALM 38:15

"Lord, Wherever You're Leading Me"

Ever feel like you have your future all planned out? Then, just like that, your plans crumble, and you're face-to-face with uncertainty? I'm sure we've all had those moments. 
The other night, God (once again) used my very most favorite band, Casting Crowns, to bless me . . . and this time with an old, old song that I've listened to many times before: "The Very Next Thing." Here's the line that jumped out at me, sending me scrambling for paper and a pen:

Lord, wherever You're leading me, that's where I want to be.

I wrote it out, added a favorite verse (Psalm 143:8), and hung it up on my wall to serve as a constant reminder.

He leads, I follow.

And in His presence there is fullness of joy. <3

Musing #104 - "What If I Gave Everything?" ~ Part 1

I sit down in my chair and reach for the speaker that sits on my desk. "You want some music?" I ask my one-year-old sister, who answers, "All 'ight!" I smile and press down on the button. A moment later, and the bluetooth speaker comes to life. I connect it with my device and click the Pandora icon. It isn't long before the music begins to slip through, starting with one of my favorites, "You Are Good" by Nichole Nordeman, and evenutally turning to a song by Casting Crowns that (believe it or not) I've never heard before called "What If I Gave Everything?" Interested, I perk my ears, and my sister begins to nod her head to the beat.
The words immediately catch me:

All my life I longed to be a hero
My sword raised high, running to the battle
I was gonna take giants down
Be a man you would write about
Deep in my chest, is the heart of a warrior

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back, from You
I hear You call me out into deeper waters
But I settled on a shallow end
So why am I still standing here

I was so afraid, what it might cost to follow You
I'd walk by faith if I could, get these feet to move
But I don't wanna live that way
I don't wanna look back someday
On a life that never stepped across the line

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back, from You
You've given me a faith, that can move a mountain
But I'm still playing in the sand

Building little kingdoms that will never stand
I hear You call me up, into deeper waters
But I settled on a shallow end (shallow end)
I'm so tired of standing here
What if I gave everything to You

What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now, I'm stepping out onto deeper waters
What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now, I'm stepping out onto deeper waters
I wanna see some mountains move

Ready to give everything
Say goodbye to standing here.

The song draws to a close, and, in response to the final verse, my sister crows, "G'bye!" I smile, still contemplating the words and how they apply to my life.
God used this song to show me two things, one of which I'll be sharing in this post. The second tidbit will be coming later (so be sure and keep an eye out for "What If I Gave Everything?" ~ Part 2).
As followers of Jesus, we're called to share the good news and spread the Gospel everywhere. As followers of Jesus, we're supposed to be brave and speak up for what's right. But as weak humans and vile sinners, we draw back, finding our seats on the "shallow end" of the ocean God is pulling us to, choosing instead to play in the "sand" - what's familiar, comfy, easy. 
We're holding back, holding on tight to the things that don't matter.
God never promised that being a Christian and telling others about Him would be easy, but He did promise that He would be with us through it all. 
And yet, when He nudges us to reach out to unbelievers, we plant our feet. We close our lips, clamp down on our calling. 
It's time to stop holding back. It's time to jump right into that deep water - time to share our faith, see mountains move. 
Are you ready to give everything? Say "goodbye" to standing here, and plummet forward?
Go ahead - He's got you.