Sanctified.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

This past week I’ve been learning how to unplug from life’s craziness and enter into genuine stillness… With God challenging me to truly remove myself from daily routines and enter into His calm presence.  The first thing He asked of me was to step away from the distraction of social media.  I immediately thought, “O God, I can’t do that because I need to keep everyone posted on what’s happening with Rays of Grace”.  And He followed up with, “Brittany, don’t you know I’m bigger than that?  I will provide you with people to help with that”.  So I deactivated Facebook and journeyed out to purchase a Polaroid camera.  I felt this deep desire to start seeing beauty in a way God needed me to see it.  To start capturing memories and moments that were sacred and not shared with the whole world.  So everyday since last Sunday, my eyes and heart have been opened to a fresh take on the same life I have been living for the last 23 years.

I’ve learned to talk less and write more.

I’ve learned that I’ve disappointed, let down, and hurt people.

I’ve learned to take ownership for my actions and apologize more.

I’ve learned how to face darkness and let in the light.

I’ve learned to write more letters and send less emails and texts.         

I’ve learned to turn off my music and write down more lyrics.

I’ve learned how to make my past my past.

(my old journals)

I’ve learned that I am not a savior, only a disciple of the One True King.

I’ve learned there’s a time for every purpose under heaven.

I’ve learned how to be quick to forgive and let go.

I’ve learned that it’s ok to have sucky days that just don’t go right.

I’ve learned that it’s freeing to stay in your pajamas all day, watching all your favorite movies and eating bags of Swedish Fish.

I’ve learned that it’s ok to let other people into my heart.

I’ve learned to listen to God more and complain to Him less.

I’ve learned how to slow down and cheer on others from the sideline.

I’ve learned that complete silence is a good thing.

I’ve learned to find peace by the bank of my favorite river.

I’ve learned to read more.

I’ve learned how to receive criticism with open hands.

I’ve learned that this life does not belong to me, but rather to God.

I’ve learned to crave the utter relief of no cell phone service or internet connection as I sit in the wilderness with the Lord.

I’ve learned how to shed layers of my heart that I never thought I would be able to let go of.

I’ve learned that sometimes the only thing that seems right in the world is going to Chik-fil-a with the best brother ever and ripping donuts in every parking lot we can find.

 I’ve learned how to be startled by the beauty of life every.single.day.

I’ve learned how to adventure more and keep track of time less.

I’ve learned how to visit more parks and swing on more swings under the darkness of night and a blanket of stars.

I’ve learned how to romp through more puddles of mud rather than keep my car clean.

I’ve learned to spend more mornings in this chair with a cup of tea.

I've learned that dirt roads provide more freedom than those that are paved.

I’ve learned how to live.

So as I’ve held onto less and let go of more, God has filled my cup with all of His goodness, mercy, and grace.  He has delivered me to a state of peace that I could only dream about in the past.  He has showed me that as soon as I put Him first, my troubles and doubts melt away.

As I’ve taken this week to pray BIG prayers for Rays of Grace, I have seen God show up in a BIG way.  He has sent me help in perfect timing.  He has sent me people that believe in Rays of Grace and are willing to do whatever it takes to help.  He has sent me friends to help with a documentary, fundraising, on the ground volunteering, design help, website help, social media help, and so much more.  As God continues to nurture and grow ROG, I begin to see His hand more and more.  He has scaled back the overwhelming reality of building a full-blown school and has brought more tangible goals into site. 

Our current project: New desks for 310 students

Goal Amount: $1,500

Costs: Wood for the desks, labor to build them, and delivery of the desks to the school.

Donate by check or credit card (every little bit counts!): http://www.raysofgrace.org/support

Our School!  

Thank you so much for taking the time to hang out with me for a bit of your Sunday.  I pray that you seek God with your whole heart, this day and everyday, so that you can understand His purpose in your life.  The process to being sanctified sometimes requires the painful removal of certain things in our lives.  I can’t promise that it will be an easy process… I’ve learned that it usually hurts a lot more than I would like it too.  But once we let go and let God flood each and every place in our hearts, grace and freedom begin to capture our souls :)

I want to leave you with my favorite quote of all time from one of my favorite movies EVER – Benjamin Button:

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” 

So good.  Go out and love and live because you are alive and you can :)

gracegracegrace&biglove,

britt :)