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Take Heart!

Linsey Driskill

img_2266One of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dreams was bringing people together – we have a chance to do the same. To LEAD A MOVEMENT to SEE THE GOOD in people, to CHOOSE LOVE over hate, to LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED.

Out of the mountain of despair, Martin Luther King Jr., brought change, unity, a stone of hope.With today’s “mountains of despair”, Jesus tells us to “Take Heart”. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Take heart…because Jesus has risen higher than any mountain of despair here. He offers a hope far greater – an eternal hope.

When Jesus walked this earth, he inspired hope. He called out the good in people. He saw potential. He ALWAYS saw potential.

Jesus was never stuck in the past. He wanted people to change, to follow him, to know him, regardless of who they were. He reached out to all people.

How can you call the good out in the people who cross your path? How can you call the good out in your friends? In your spouse? In your kids?

Let’s take steps toward that beautiful symphony of brotherhood Martin Luther King, Jr. talked about by leading a movement to see the good in people, to choose love over hate, to love like Jesus loved.

“With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

(The song, “We all Bleed the Same” by Mandisa is a great one that centers on the beauty of unity and coming together.)

 

Remember “Where’s Waldo”?

Linsey Driskill

img_2020Do you remember the ridiculous scenes surrounding him? When I searched for “Waldo” with B, B, & G, I realized I had never noticed them – like the boat pulling the snow skier in this pic. or the guy in the tree!

I was so consumed with finding Waldo that I completely missed the hilarity around it, until my kids pointed it out.

It’s easy to be overrun by our schedule, the errands, the decisions, the big things. But, I don’t want to be consumed by the “Waldos” of my day that I miss the simple joys, the small things, the moments that bring joy and laughter.

My kids constantly notice the small things and take their time with. Everything. It would do me well, us well, to slow down and see through our kids’ eyes.

If that means rising ten minutes earlier so we (I mean, I!) don’t rush out the door, let’s do it. If it means asking our kids “Would You Rather” questions for some giggles and slowing the minutes, go for it. If it means letting the dishes linger and reading a book together instead, dive into a book.

While everyone says how fast this life speeds by, we can slow it down by noticing and enjoying the small things.

[You can find 30 Would You Rather Questions by searching “Would You Rather” in the right sidebar.]

The Power in Parenting with Stories

Linsey Driskill

I learned about the power in parenting with stories after sharing one of my own imperfections with my daughter. Here’s my article about it:

The Power in Parenting with Stories

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Pursuing Your Dreams & THAT Question I will Always Remember

Linsey Driskill

While my article LifeWay published is geared toward young adults, whatever season you’re in, I believe it will inspire you to pursue your dreams right where you are. 💫 Happy New Year!!!

Pursuing Your Dreams & THAT Question I will Always Remember

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Pondering & Treasuring the Greatest Gift of Christmas

Linsey Driskill

The moments of Jesus being born and known were captured by Mary. As Luke tells us, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

IMG_1630God actually came here! He came as Jesus to show us what love looks like and to make a way to have relationship with him now and forever.

The King of this world, born in a small manger, where animals ate from – able to be born in a palace – yet choosing to be born in a feed box, clothing himself with humility. Came here, to be with us.

The prediction of Isaiah hundreds of years earlier came alive: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him ‘Immanuel’”, meaning “God with us”. (Isaiah 7:14)

When Jesus came, he showed us how to put others first; how to care for the poor; how to love the outcasts; how to grip hope; how to look at selfishness and pride and see emptiness, and how to embrace selflessness and humility to know life; how to notice the things of this world, but to long for more; how to see that through him, we are offered a glorious means to God.

Jesus made a way – he didn’t have to, but chose to. To be with you. To be with me. To be with us. Immanuel. God with us. 

I pray this Christmas, even if we don’t feel it, that we would choose faith. Choose to believe that God is with us. That he loves us. That he came to this world through Jesus to be with us.

Let’s lift our eyes to the stars, and remember the great Star that led the Wise Men to Jesus. The star of hope, that says all will be okay because a Savior has been born to us.

And as the pace of the days attempts to quicken, let’s slow it down as Mary did by pondering and treasuring the moments. When the perfect morning we planned unravels, when the day turns out just as we hoped, when our kids argue incessantly, and when our kids play seamlessly, let’s ponder and treasure the moments. All is well because a Savior has been born to us.

Let’s celebrate that through it all, God is with us. Immanuel. As the stars shine above, let’s ponder and treasure Jesus, the king of kings, born in a manger to lead the way, to offer salvation, to give us life now and forever.

All is well because a Savior has indeed been born to us. He is Christ the Lord!  

Merry Christmas, friends!

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