Hey friends! I love getting to pop on here each month and share a little bit of what I feel like the Lord has been speaking to me. Also, we had some fall photos done a couple weeks back by the sweetest photographer from Houston, TX who just so happened to be in the Upstate SC area and reached out to see if Wes and I would “model” for a little fall photo session – which of course we said yes! So throughout this post, I have included a few of these precious little family photos of us with our sweet little pup, Red – photos that we will cherish and remember forever – in addition to photos of some other fun little memories these past few weeks (like apple picking in the NC Mountains and a long weekend spent down in Charleston)!
Anyhoo, throughout the past couple of weeks, the themes of trust and belief have basically been on repeat – in so many different ways and for so many different reasons. And just the other morning, when I was talking with a dear friend and wise faith figure in my life, she said to me the following words that I knew (right when she said them) were directly from the Lord:
“You may not know it yet, but God brings us all into existence to fulfill his will and purpose in the earth. Your assignment is to trust and believe!! Your Heavenly Father has you in the palm of his hand, He is a MIGHTY GOD, and more than able to do anything but fail!”
The part of what she said about my “assignment being to trust and believe” really hit home for me and gave me such a clear vision of what the Lord desires most from us – simply to trust Him, believe Him, and REST in Him. It really is that simple. You see, we are the sheep and He is the shepherd, and our main calling during this short life is to follow after Him and let Him use us for His purposes and glory here on earth. And in order to do so, we must trust, believe, and rest in Him and Him alone.
I’m in one of those seasons where I am so excited for what God has in store ahead, but also learning the beauty and grace that comes with trusting Him in the “right now” and making the most of every little opportunity to grow closer to Him here in the present moment.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Proverbs 31:25 – “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
You see, God is the best friend we could ever ask for...because He knows our secrets and the very depths of our hearts wayyy better than anyone on this earth ever could. And as much as I love journaling and blogging some of my thoughts up here on this little creative blog, there is so much more that remains solely between Jesus and me…and that’s the way it should be. He knows what I am thinking and/or feeling before I even do, andddd he always knows what’s coming next. And that is so very comforting to me.
Psalm 139: 1-6 - “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
Psalm 139:17-18 - “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand, — when I awake, I am still with you.”
Jesus is trustworthy, friends. And He cares so very deeply for us all. And if I’ve learned anything in my walk with the Lord over the past few years, it’s that HIS plans are always better than mine, and that HE can always be trusted.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
When I gave my life to the Lord, this was actually the first verse I memorized - and actually, I even painted a little canvas with it to hang in my college apartment (upon transferring schools) as a daily reminder that God’s plan could be trusted, and that I could trust Him with all of my heart. Now that I think about it, maybe that little “seed” of creative lettering art is what led to what is now “Emily Mabry Creative” today!
I don’t know about you, but in every season I walk through, this verse has always been one that I have clung to (and my mom has often had to remind me of at times too). It is such a powerful reminder of how God is in control and simply wants us to trust in HIM!
Friends, God has a beautiful plan for your life and one that you could never dream or imagine (and for those of you who know my story at all, my life journey has definitely been a testament to that).
Trust and believe in HIM...not what this world or what the enemy has to say...because as you learn to listen, obey, and walk step-by-step with Him, He truly does and WILL make your path straight.
And in my New Morning Mercies Devotional (by Paul David Tripp – which I highly highly recommend) the other morning, it talked about how true encouragement is to be found in grace, as depicted by these beautiful words:
Luke 12:32 - “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The author precedes this verse with the most encouraging words that I wanted to share with y’all too:
“With these words, everything changes. These words tell you that it’s not you against a world gone bad. Yes, you are a citizen of this world and you are touched by its brokenness, but as you are, you must remind yourself that you are the citizen of another kingdom. Your King rules over everything that would discourage and disappoint you, and he rules for your good and his glory. What is out of your control is under his rule. What you don’t understand is under his careful administration. But there is more. While everything around you seems impermanent, this kingdom will have no end. Long after the kingdoms of this world have been destroyed, you will reign with your King in his kingdom forever and ever and ever.”
You see, it is so comforting to be reminded of who really is sovereign and in control of it all, and who is the one we are truly serving in all that we do - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can trust and believe Him friends (even in the midst of all of our fears), for it is his good pleasure to welcome us into His kingdom and kingdom work - and to be right by our side every step of the way!
Praying that these words speak truth and encouragement over your souls this morning, too! And remember the words that my dear friend in the faith spoke over me the other day…our assignment as believers in this world is to trust and believe. It really is that simple. And to always always rest in Him.
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