#messandmercymessandmercybloggodthewaterlifetrustfaith

Rain is a beautiful thing. Not the rainbow at the end, but the rain itself. My life has not been perfect, it still isn’t. My sin had crashed over me, wave after wave after wave and I was forced to make a choice- drown or find air. I needed to learn how to get through it. I will not throw a bunch of cliques on you during this study, “if it’s meant to be, it’ll be; God will not give you anything you can’t handle, it is what it is.” All of those things are true, but Satan. He makes every attempt to steal those truths and replace them with clouds of doubt and purposelessness. Pay attention. Is the cup half empty or half full? Imma just tell you, my cup was DRY- not a half nothing. The heat and fire of Satan had evaporated everything in my cup, and because I let him, he took the blessings buried in there too. We’re going to learn to find the unique moments that God gives you to collect and hold and draw strength from during difficult times, the lovely amongst satans lies. Are you ready? Romans 5. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perservenance, character, and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been give to us” Romans 5:3-5 The watered down truth of that… were going to suffer. We have to. I mean don’t we deserve it a little? I have. This pain teaches us to keep moving; not to quit when things are messy or just yuck or uncertain but preserverve. And why? “Why can’t I sit on the couch with a glass of wine and Ben and Jerrys because the world is mean and I’m hurt and I don’t understand so I’ll just shut everything out? Can’t I?” No babe, Because Wine and ice cream touches the belly, it doesn’t touch the soul. Push through it because it’s building your character. It’s teaching you to be who God intended you to be. Y’all, God shows me a new piece of me everyday, of what I am, what I’m supposed to be. I’ve been nursing for 6 years, sounds certain right? Not so much. God is building me to what HE intended for me, not what I picked for myself. Character building sucks. Or maybe mine was just so bad that He said nope, girl we got to scrape allll this off, you needs ta start fresh. So that’s what he did. He hand peeled the ugly off of me (picture one of those charcoal face masks for life). It hurt. It still does but hope.. all of these steps carries us to hope because HOPE DOES NOT PUT US TO SHAME. He doesnt mask us up then peel us down to say “shew when’s the last time you washed up your life girl this is GROSS” He peels us down to basic to work. Don’t look at what falls off of you, it’s not for shame. That skin feels so soft when the nasty is peeled off.. and what’s better? Now that you are bare and fresh and exposed Gods love is poured out. His blood is poured all over us, into our hearts, into our souls. You see? You have to peel. It has to hurt. But the blood heals. Pain is not purposeless, it’s freeing. That cross… that painful death was not purposeless, it was for freedom. It has been given to us. “And the God of all Grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” 1st Peter 5:10-11 As we prepare to dig into week one of this study, meditate on these two pieces of scripture. Overlap them. Suffer, only for a little while, but get through it, because he’s going to build your character and restore you. Not to shame you but to make you strong and firm and steadfast; to give you hope because it has been given to us and in Him the power is forever. Y’all, I know life is heavy. It comes in wave after crashing wave and you find it hard to breathe sometimes, much less swim- but God sees. Swim. He sees; He knows, and He’s healing. Push through it. Don’t be afraid of the waves, even the sea obeys Him. And when He feels like you’re ready, He’ll make them stop. So swim, swim until He does. Love y’all, Katie

So I’ve been thinking about this conversation I had this week with a sweet soul from across the country.. she asked me “How I did it? How did you get back to feeling worthy?” She wanted me to fill her soul and she ended up filling mine, funny how God works like that, but after this conversation in two days I probably talked to another ten girls about the same things. I am no life expert and certainly not a biblical one. All I have is my Jesus story and what He is teaching me now, and if it helps then sure- I’ll pour it on you. Step one. Identify what it is you’re struggling with. What is on your plate? Section this plate off; divide it into groups. Now- know this: the enemy has been watching you. He knows about your labeled plate and if you’ve already tried to give portions of that plate to Jesus? He knows that too. Satan is and will always use your insecurities to fight you, or even better- make you fight you. Step two. You need to air this stuff out with God, but you also have to air it out with you. Why did Jesus die on that cross? TO FORGIVE. Honey, the forgiveness you’re struggling with isn’t forgiveness from Jesus, its forgiveness from you! Once you’ve been broken, you can’t part with those pieces. Sweep them under the rug and step over them. You can’t make anything broken whole again without every piece, without every chip. And to put glue on those pieces you have to accept them. Good people do bad things; it’s been this way since the beginning. God expects us to feel conviction but He knows were not perfect- the problem is sometimes we don’t. Accept your mistakes, they are a part of your person. I truly believe God has placed me in this particular position with people because I’ve made so many mistakes. SO MANY. But y’all, I’m not scared to talk about them anymore. I needed those ugly pieces, I still do. Step three. Realize that forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation. Just because you forgive you and God forgives you doesn’t mean everyone else will. Matthew (and multiple other places: psalms, proverbs, James) tells you to make all attempts to reconcile. It does not say hey, say sorry and that’s just the magic word to make the world rain glitter. Hurt doesn’t work like that. It’s going to take time for you to forgive you, consider that when you’re seeking forgiveness from others- and when they don’t… (this is a hard one) let it go anyway. Step four. This is where it’s time to take the car to the shop. You know what’s wrong. You’ve accepted it. You attempted to troubleshoot it yourself. Now it’s time to drop it off at the shop; let the professional work His magic. And know when you leave it that Satan doesn’t like no “fixed” anything. He will come for you harder. He will attack you (and your problem) heavier. Be prepared for this. Every wrong has consequences. I’ve had my share, you’ll have yours but don’t fight with words and weapons. Fight with grace. Recognize that feelings of guilt, emptiness, loneliness, anger, bitterness, resentment, and shame are NOT feelings of God but of SATAN- and when fought with feelings of love and mercy and goodness and grace- darkness will lose Every. Single. Time. He is so good, y’all. Even when life feels like it’s not.. He is. Stay on the right side of your consequences. Even in the storm the blessings will start to rain; you just have to find them in the clouds. Identify, accept, realize, then lay it down. God will use your pieces to build you new, but while He works on the problem- you work on you. Love y’all, Katie If you want to know more about my walk, if you’re lost and need some help.. I’ve been there. Let’s get personal. I’m here to help you. I’m here to listen. Let’s walk through this temporary and let’s walk towards eternal. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 #messandmercymessandmercyministriesfindinggraceredemtption

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1 Samuel 17- David and Goliath Essentially what happens here is this big tough guy (seriously huge, they estimate just his “armor” weighed 200lbs) comes in and says let’s fight. If I win, your people serve my people, if I lose, my people will serve your people… but I’m fixing to take you down so send a guy down and let us just get this over with… and Israel was intimidated… they were scared… and nothing had even happened yet? You see, it’s always useful to demoralize your opponent, and send fear or uncertainty in their hearts first. Just fear alone may keep you from getting started, right? Just with harsh words we could win the defeat of the opposite party. No- we don’t battle against flesh and blood enemies like Goliath, but we all have spiritual “Giants” to battle. The devil has a heavy interest in making you feel inadequate or afraid before the real battle ever starts. He feeds off of our insecurities, y’all. He wants you finished before you start. What you do not let Jesus fill up, Satan will try and take over. His blood was free. Fill up. Fill every single crack and hole in your life. I don’t care how small you feel; I don’t care how big your giant; I don’t care how big your battle- there is always, always victory in Christ. Win… He died for you to win. “All of those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give deliver the enemy into your hands” 1 Samuel 17:47

Don’t get caught up in the things you aren’t today. It is never a question of who we are but WHO IS GOD? He is the I AM. Jesus invites us to fill in the blanks to meet our needs right where we are. When you are in a dark place, I AM the light. When you feel defenseless, I AM your shield- your refuge. When you feel weak and tired, I AM your strength. When you feel like you’ve lost your way, I AM ahead of you- making your way. You see? HE IS… is everything we need just for today, and whatever we don’t have tomorrow? He is that too. Today I’m not going to focus on all of the things I’m not, and instead, be thankful for who my “I AM” is and how He loves me. He made me on purpose, and you? You were on purpose too. “God said, “I AM WHO I AM, this is what you are to say to Israel, ‘I AM’ sent you.” Exodus 3:14 Love y’all, Katie #messandmercythegreatiamgodis

Take the helmet of salvation. Google’s definition of salvation is the saving of the soul from sin and its consequences… My definition? Saving me from myself..even though I do not deserve it. We’ve been getting dressed this whole time, and one of the most vital pieces of our outfit is saved for the end. Your head. The “I’m fats, I’m not enough, she’s prettier, I’ve done too many not-so-good things, the I can’ts”- Honey, that’s your head talking. Your head and your heart both have to align themselves with the truth of His word in order to be completely effective against the enemy- which is not whatever you thought it was at the beginning of this study, remember? It’s Satan using that “whatever.” Nothing outside of the truth of His word matters. Feel His word in your heart then make your mind tell your feet to walk in it. Salvation is an inward transformation. It doesn’t change what’s outside around you, but rather the inside which makes the outside look so much different. Your enemy, whatever “it” is, remains the same; it’s you that is different. “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21 notice it says IS ABLE… but will you plant the word and let it grow? You can plant the seed of salvation… but Jesus cannot grow with world, ladies. What is getting your attention? What’s your priority? If you give Jesus a little bit, and others alot… but you’re watering it all- weeds grow faster than flowers, y’all. Take away old seeds little by little or the things of this world will quickly over-grow your small seed of Jesus and His word will be choked out, leaving you open for vulnerability. The other things in our lives have to become less so He can become more. Ask yourself on the regular… What exactly am I watering? “A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks what his heart is full of” Luke 6:45 #MessandmercySalvationJesusSavesArmorofgod

Hey ladies! For those of you that took a vote, looking for lovely won. This will be our next study that starts 4/24! I’ve gotten the book and read through it and even though you don’t have to have the book to participate, I highly suggest it! I bought mine here, just click. It’ll take you right to it

Hey girls! I’ve ordered three books to get ahead of what’s next to study! I’m posting three options! Y’all please leave feedback on what YOU need more. This is all about growing our hearts TOGETHER. I want to meet you right where you are, whatever season, and help each of you (and me) grow there! I’ve done some research and I think any of these three would be an awesome new study! Read the summaries and let me know what y’all think! 1.

“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” 1 Corinthians 7:17 It’s short, y’all. Just read it?? God has flipped my world upside down since my divorce last year. I never was friends with Jesus until then because I didn’t think I needed to be. I honestly didn’t even know what a relationship with Him was (I’ve come to realize) outside of a Facebook scripture and a five minute devotional everyday. That wasn’t REALLY helping me? I could handle things all on my own… and I (thought) did. I pushed through some very nasty stuff in my short (not so short) years and that one battle conquered me to the point that I needed something more. I couldn’t. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t even know what “it” was. I didn’t have the words but My heart knew it was defeated and I needed Him and He knew too. He stepped in and took over. I still can’t find words to tell you the impact that day has had on me. It’s hard, it’s commitment, it’s time- but I choose Him every single day. I try my very best, I fail Him so bad y’all. Daily. But He knows I’m trying. I know I’m not perfect, y’all know that too. But every day He takes a piece of the old me and replaces it with another new piece. A prettier piece. Now what He is building? I have no idea, but I know it all has a purpose. Every intricate detail of every individual piece of hurt and darkness and pain has an explicit purpose in our lives. Find the light in the cracks of broken. Live in it. -sharing with a friend and thought maybe someone else needed it too. Hugs! Katie #Messandmercymessandmercywordshehealsbrokenessbrokentrustfaith

So this morning, me and the kids were getting ready and my curling iron was on. I told Haisten “don’t touch that baby, that will hurt you”. “Hurt me, Mama?” Like he didn’t quite understand. You could tell he so really bad wanted to touch it just to see for himself. Maybe he didn’t believe me? I don’t know, but I do know this: sometimes we make choices that hurt us. Sometimes we’ve been warned and sometimes not so much, but the hurt is still the same. I remember my Gracie telling me after my first pretty big mistake as an almost adult, “lessons learned are lessons lived.” I’ve carried that with me through all of my messes. Some hurts you just can’t ever comprehend until you’ve done it yourself. I don’t suggest it, but sure touch it anyway. Ouch, right? So the point… sometimes hurt is just unavoidable.. but what about that hurt that isn’t? What about that deliberate, intentional hurt? Earlier in the week… someone called me a bad mother. And amongst nine million other things I have going on, I chose to hold on to that piece of negativity all week. You want some truth? I’m not a bad mom, but I probably don’t belong in the Harvard league of moms either. Yesterday I got up without brushing my hair, put a hat on, and took my baby to school- sweet Gracie stayed home with me. While her brother was at school, I didn’t sit at a table and practice shapes or colors with my two year old, we ate left overs for lunch and fast food for dinner and I was off all day. I didn’t do laundry yesterday either so I’m probably a bad wife, too. But I did tell my babies I love them over and over; I did chase them all over the house with monster hands, over and over. I pushed them in the swings; I tickled their noses with mine. I made sure they had baths and their teeth were brushed even though I can’t promise you I brushed my own- gross, right? My hair never got brushed either, hat all day. Unashamed, about the hair at least. Mamas, it happens. I’m not a bad Mama, I just may do it different than you somedays. Unnecessary hurt. Intentional hurt. Be kind people. Choose good. Do good. If you want good days… you have to BE good days. My heart hurts for anyone that finds satisfaction in evils of the tongue; it truly is the most powerful muscle. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can crush a spirit. #Messandmercybadmamagodbekinddogoodbegood

“And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15 Peace shoes? Peace sounds more like a tshirt slogan than a pair of shoes right? First… without google.. what does the word peace mean to you? If you’re taking notes, write it down. I wrote a free place of tranquility and safety despite anything surrounding me. If any of you have read up on places on this website, THIS is where my new walk with God started. Peace. Let me save you some heartache. Maybe things are so bad right now at home or work or just in you period that you think no change of shoes can do anything to counteract the chaos. Yes. When those shoes are God’s shoes, footprints will show up everywhere you step. I had it wrong. I got it wrong yesterday. STILL have bad days, now I just share them with someone different. Peace isn’t like a tshirt. It is more like shoes. I “put on” my peace every day. I can do this. I can be the bigger person. I’ll pray about it. Even though I put it on, the devil was still snatching baby pieces of my soul every single day. Little by little I was losing color to my tshirt of peace, like he was just pouring bleach over it, leaving ugly stains just everywhere… and it worked… because it was just a shirt. YOU HAVE TO WALK IN PEACE. It really is shoes. Step one- realize that whoever or whatever “has got you” right now… it’s just Satan pouring that bleach. Realize… you can only control you. And peace does not exist outside of the walls of Christ. Not one thing, not one relationship or lack of has improved since my life has changed. IT DOESNT MATTER, I promise if those people decided to “act right” it’d only be temporary. He is constant. Unchanging. Unfailing. Here yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is what you put on. That is what you walk in. Get upset, but remember that peace. Bleach doesn’t hurt something that’s already white.