Fearfully Wonderfully Me

When You Feel Far From God

When I was a sophomore in high school, I got into a huge fight with my best childhood friend. We didn’t speak for a month, but one day, near the end of the school year, I broke down and sent her a text asking her to meet me by “the wall.”

I stood alone at our usual social spot, biting my nails and trying to think of something to say–maybe even to make her feel bad. However, I couldn’t even remember what our fight had really been about.

When I saw her walking toward me, something in my heart melted. This was my friend–my sister. I dropped my bag and went running to meet her, as she did me. We embraced then, crying and laughing as forgiveness overflowed between us.

When I think about this incredible moment and life lesson, I am reminded that this is what God is all about. Sometimes we have seasons in our lives when we feel far from God. Maybe we’ve screwed things up or went through a hard time emotionally. Whatever the cause, these seasons leave us feeling dead spiritually.

Maybe this is you right now, lovely reader. Maybe you feel distant from God, or maybe you’ve never known Him because you think there’s no way you could ever be loved or forgiven by Him. Don’t worry, you’re in good company. I’ve been there too, and so have many others.

In Luke 15:11-32, the Bible tells us the story of the lost son, which is used as a beautiful metaphor of a child who has wandered away from God.

After the son in this story ran off with his dad’s money and basically spent it all on partying, a realization dawned on his heart.

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. (Luke 15:14 NIV)

…and he began to be in need.

Are you in need, lovely reader? Have you done all that you can by your own strength, or sought after the approval of those around you? Are you still coming up empty inside?

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20-24 NIV)

…But while he was still a long way off…

When I saw my friend in the hall that day, I didn’t wait until she met me at the wall. Instead I took off running to meet her, love driving my feet toward her.

It may feel like you have a long way to go in order to be right with God, but that’s not the truth. Jesus paid it all for your sins on the cross (John 3:16) to get you back.

The only thing you need to do to have a relationship with Jesus is repent (apologize and turn away from your sins) and believe in His death and resurrection (Romans 10:9). If you take the first steps and open your heart, God will meet you with a feast of love and joy. It’s what He wants the most.

So what are you waiting for, lovely reader? Drop your baggage and start running toward Jesus. No matter how lost you feel right now, He will make sure you are found.

He will lead you home.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

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Mystery Blogger Award!

May 10, 2017 / fearfullywonderfullyme / 9 Comments

Hello lovely readers and followers! Today is a great day because I have been nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by the creative, funny, and wise blogger, Dainty M. I love getting these awards, as it shows just how strong the bonds are between writers in the blogging community. Though they may require effort, they are also a blast. So let’s get started!

This award was first initiated by the wonderful Okoto Enigma, and I think it’s a great way to meet other like-minded bloggers and make new friends.

Here are the rules of the award

Display the award logo on your blog.
List the Rules.
Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well.
Tell your readers three things about yourself.
Answer five questions from the nominee.
Nominate anywhere from ten to twenty bloggers.
Notify the bloggers by leaving a comment on their blog.
Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice, including one weird or funny question.
Share the link to your best post.

Three Things About Myself

I’m a daughter of God, and I strive to honor Him everyday.
I firmly believe that napping is a lifestyle.
I love hair and makeup. I’m not the best at it, but it’s a passion of mine.

Dainty M’s Questions

1. What’s your favourite season of the year?

I really love spring and fall. It’s neither too hot nor too cold, and the transition of the seasons is beautiful.

2. What’s the one thing you’d do if there was no stopping you?

I would get on an airplane and fly to the beach!

3. Soda or juice?

Soda–Diet Coke is my favorite source of caffeine.

4. What’s your idea of fun?

Eating, shopping, reading, writing, sitting outside, and talking with friends.

5. One piece of advice you would tell your younger self?

Your worth is in Jesus alone–not looks or performance. You don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love.

My Best Post

This is kind of a tricky question, but I think that this post is one of my recent favorites.

I Nominate

Questions for My Nominees

1. Would you rather skydive or bungee jump (if you had to choose)?

2. Name a pet peeve of yours.

3. What do you like to do to relax?

4. What is something you’ve learned over this past year?

5. What’s your favorite summertime treat?

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

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Pretty as a Peach

May 5, 2017 / fearfullywonderfullyme / 6 Comments

Happy Friday lovely readers and followers! I’ve been having a long, yet productive week, and I’m so glad that I get to relax a little this weekend. Makeup has become my latest obsession over these past few months. I always get nice makeup for Christmas (especially from my sister), including Laura Geller and Bare Minerals.

When I think about all of the makeup mistakes I’ve made as a teen, it really makes me laugh. I used to have “raccoon eyes” when I experimented with eyeliner, and I even wore black lipstick in middle school! #rebel. Do you have any embarrassing makeup stories? Let me know in the comments below.

Today’s collage is dedicated to the color palette of the year–peach! I think the reason Hollywood’s makeup artists are so obsessed with peach is because it looks flattering on everyone. It gives a soft glow, without ever being too bright or too dark. This makes it the ideal shade for blush or a highlighter.

Peach eye shadow has also become a new trend. The key to mastering this summer look without falling into red-eye territory is by blending your peach eyeshadow with other bronze and gold shades (see top left palette).

Let’s not forget about lips! Peach lip-gloss or lipstick is an easy way to rock a bolder lip. It’s less intimidating than red, but more mature than pink.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

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(Please Note: I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned in this post. I just really like them.)

Out of Focus

May 3, 2017 / fearfullywonderfullyme / 7 Comments

I didn’t realize I was having a panic attack until I couldn’t breathe. I felt my throat constrict as I tried desperately to remember how to control my inhales and exhales. The only thing that seemed to bring me back was saying the name of Jesus.

Anxiety is not something that is easily understood. I think that a lot of times, Christians simplify it by saying that anxiety is just a sign of a lack of faith. Even I was starting to wonder if my belief was strong enough.

However, my world-shaking experience that day was not just from a lack of faith. I finally realized that, at the root of my anxiety, I had somehow lost focus on God. I knew that I could trust Him, but He wasn’t at the forefront of my mind and heart in the way that Jesus should always be.

Sound familiar? It’s actually something the Apostle Peter experienced.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:29-30 NKJV)

Although most of us look at Peter’s rebuke for having a lack of faith, we often forget where this unbelief and fear actually originated. Peter lost his focus. Instead of looking toward Jesus as he took his steps on top of the violent waves, he got distracted by the storm around him.

I am a Peter sometimes. I step off of the boat and into some of the great things that God has called me to be a part of, and I forget to fix my eyes on Him.

I am so busy trying to be the “good girl” and please those around me, and do anything that I can to help and make up for my weaknesses. My intentions are good, maybe even noble, but they’re also deceptively self-destructive.

Now that I’ve made the decision to step back from a couple of things, I’ve found a small void that can now be filled by the presence of Jesus. I can let Him in even more.

Work is good. School is good. Ministry is good. But what happens when jobs, positions, and people become idols in our lives? What happens when they fall apart or are ripped away from us?

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-43 NKJV)

We can easily fall into the Martha trap of doing and serving (which is fine when done right). But when things stop going our way or become too much, we realize that what we really need is to focus on God and rest in His presence like Mary.

Falling apart or feeling anxious when life gets stressful does not make you a “bad Christian.” It makes you human. At least you’re stepping off of the boat.

Lovely reader, you don’t have to live this way permanently. Little by little, start fixing your eyes on Jesus. Put your time, thoughts, and energy on His unrelenting love.

Right now, I’m still learning to do this, but that’s okay. God is still walking with me, cheering me on. He is for me, and He is for you too (Romans 8:31)! Even in my moment of dire panic, He never left my side.

For now I’ll keep pressing in and reaching out to Jesus, trusting that my fears will keep fading, until they are no more.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

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Strength in Weakness + Block Heels

April 28, 2017 / fearfullywonderfullyme / 3 Comments

Happy Friday lovely readers and followers! While this is still a fashion post, I also have something that the Lord has put on my heart to share with you. Some of you may have noticed that there was no Wednesday post, and I apologize for that.

My blood pressure has been going pretty low this week, and sometimes I struggle to stay awake. I know that God is faithful and will heal me in His time. I am believing in great things for myself, despite this temporary weakness.

Weakness. Our pride often gets in the way when we try to admit our weaknesses, doesn’t it? I think this can sometimes be worse for Christians. We want to have it “all together” and make sure we have great faith. As a result, sometimes we neglect our weaknesses to the point of delusion.

I don’t think that’s what God wants for us though. On the contrary, Paul found that in his weakness, Christ could be glorified the most.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV)

Although I am fortunate compared to a lot of people, God has gotten me through some difficult circumstances. I find that when I get to that point where I am humbled and at the end of my own strength, that’s when God can really take over. That’s when the breakthroughs and miracles happen.

My question for you, lovely reader, is will you let Jesus be the strength of your life–even if it means having to humble yourself in weakness?

As you meditate on this question, I want to bring us back to the realm of fashion (one of my favorite places to explore). Do you remember block heels? If you’ve ever been a to a yard sale or thrift store in the last few years, you’ve probably seen these 90’s era heels lying around waiting to be purchased.

Well, the 90’s are making a comeback (yay!), and so are these versatile shoes. Of course, the updated version is more trendy. Open-toe shoes, bright colors, and lace-up details are a great way to rock the block *cue the cheesiness.* Block heels are also easier to wear because the wider heel offers more support.

Wear block heels with a light sundress for a breezy, island vibe. The girly feel of a sundress goes perfectly with the solid structure of a block heel.

Thanks for reading! I hope this post helps to deepen your walk with Jesus, as well as give you outfit inspiration.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

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Fearfully Wonderfully Me

Growing in God and Inspiring Young Women Through Faith and Fashion

When You Feel Far From God

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