"Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever." - 2 Chronicles 20:21b

I remember the first time I saw these Tulip Magnolia trees in full bloom at my parent’s house. I’ve grown up visiting this house since I was born (my grandparents house before my parents) but for whatever reason, the first time I’ve ever visited when the tulip trees were in full bloom was February of 2019. I was in my late 30s. My ex husband (husband at the time) was in the middle of getting the help he needed which required 9 months out of town. I was just trying/failing to keep my head and my kids heads above water. I had recently finished a Lysa TerKeurst book (It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way), an excellent read, and a friend realized Lysa would be speaking in Mobile. She insisted we go, to the point she found a place for us to stay and got tickets. I'm so thankful for those friends the Lord places in our lives that don’t take no for an answer and say “We’re going!” We traveled to Mobile stopping at my parents to drop off kiddos. The beauty of the tulip trees met us as we pulled into the driveway. 

02/2019

That weekend in 2019 will forever be one etched in my memory. An altar stone as I call them. A place where we encounter the Lord in a real and unique way. He met me at my parents with incredible beauty affirming the decision to go in my heart. He knows and pursues our hearts (Psalm 139). The sense of awe and beauty followed to the beach. In the waves crashing into the rocks at sunset, He reminded me that He is my rock that won’t move (Ps 62:2). He was my solid foundation. At the conference TerKeurst’s message was from 2 Chronicles 20. “Jehosaphat resolved to inquire of the the Lord” when he didn't know what to do. In her message, she spoke of the choice we have to “inquire of the Lord”. He alone gives victory. It wasn’t until this last year while listening to another message, that I realized victory was given (after inquiring of the Lord) by sending the singers first. Can you imagine being equipped with weapons of warfare and you were simply asked to sing? Or being only equipped with the gift of singing and sent to the battlefield first!! They sang a song of thanksgiving to the Lord. They thanked Him for His faithful love (hesed) and THEY WON! (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

It’s been six years since that weekend in Mobile/Orange Beach, and six years since I’ve been to visit my parents during the season of blooming tulip trees. In preparing to visit, I found myself again trying to keep the plates all spinning and again navigating unexpected outcomes. There is definitely more strength this time around, but human words spoken, written, texted, that never come to fruition and unmet desires still stings. I knew somehow the Lord was waiting to meet me. I've learned He pursues and it’s incredible. I felt such a strong pull to go and spend time with family. I smiled when I realized the season, the timing of a visit, what it brought to mind, and the confirmation from my mom that the tulip trees were in full bloom. The boys and I loaded up the car along with an audible book by Dr. Henry Cloud “Necessary Endings”. Well they had phones, earbuds and games lol, I had Dr. Henry Cloud. Earlier that week the audible was Bob Goff and “Undistracted”. Combine that with an online Sunday message about relationships by Mark Pettus, along with the Bible itself and I received more "encouragement" than I asked for. The Lord and His timing, insert eye roll emoji lol. I was hit hard in a good way. 

Monet is one of my favorite artists. He is one of the founders of impressionism. Impressionism uses smaller brush strokes that look a mess close up but in taking a step back you can see the beauty of the entire scene. It creates a sense of movement. Monet spent 30 years painting lily pads in different light and seasons. His words - “For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.” - Claude Monet. His words speak such truth. The lilies he painted merely reflect an experience of the senses in painting them. Bringing the Lord into our surroundings changes the atmosphere and experiences we have. It's where we find "true value". He is alive and active (Heb 4:12). Over the weekend I took pictures of the tulip trees in different light. I also went back and looked through the images I’d taken years before. The beauty of stepping back and seeing Jesus in the whole span of these last 6 years in spite of some incredibly messy moments is a tremendous comfort. He has been by my side. Our relationship has grown so much. The full scene leaves me in awe as I see just how miraculously present He really is. He meets us in the "cleft of the rock" (Song of Sol 2:14, Ex 33:22). I also know He's not finished yet. 

2 Chronicles 20 has become one of my favorite Bible passages. It's a battle cry. It can definitely be your battle cry too. We are engaged in a war for our hearts (John 10:10). Give thanks to Him. His love does endure forever. He is love (1 John 4:16). Know that it is such a faithful and beautiful love (Zeph 3:17). Hanging onto that love is life giving. Seeking to love Him in return also gives life (Mark 12:30-31). A new perspective during this season however is the power of the singers in battle. The singers…an appointed task and a gift given to be used for His glory (2 Chron 20:21) . What gift has He placed inside of you? Do you minimize it? Do you prioritize it? Do you seek ways to use it or brush it aside? If He gave it to you, I can tell you it’s beautiful and He wants you to use it (Romans 12). As I looked through old photographs I’d taken from that weekend in 2019 the Lord reminded me of His presence. He reminded me of the ability He’s given me to praise Him and see Him in nature. He has given a unique gift to capture His beauty with my camera. All of us in Christ are given gifts to be used for His honor and glory. Moses assigned men who were gifted by God to design the tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-35). King David assigned men with the specific task of ministering before the ark. That was their job. To sing. To give praise. To worship (1 Chron 16). Corinthians speaks of one body many parts (1 Cor 12:12-30). In reminding me of what He’s placed inside of me, He also brought to mind the opportunities He’d given this last year to seek Him and look for Him in nature but my focus had shifted. The delicate balance between desires, inviting God into those, and bringing honor to Him. I would often find myself torn. Being “torn” can be a form of conviction. I wished I had paid THAT conviction more attention in those moments, but I'm thankful for what He’s revealed in the process. There is so much freedom when we walk with Him, TRUSTING HIM, instead of letting desire lead (Gal 5:1). His invitation is always there. Step into that. Sometimes the choice isn’t between right and wrong but between good and best. Keeping the focus on Him, His timing, and His design helps with the best. His best is what He offers. The Israelite journey in the wilderness is a reminder to step into the river (Joshua 3&4). Read the story. Numbers 32, Joshua 1:10-18, Joshua 13, Joshua 22:1-9. Two and a half tribes settled for good. The others pushed forward into the best land the Lord had promised. Not a single promise of the Lord failed for those who continued in obedience (Joshua 23). 

I wanted pictures of the blooms and the stars that weekend. Because of the weather I knew very early in the morning the last morning we were there would be the only chance of stars and blooms. Honestly however, I decided it wasn’t worth it. I wanted my sleep haha. It would be freezing, the moon would be bright, and I already had plenty of photos. Before going to bed I prayed “ok Lord if you want me up that early you are going to have to wake me up. I plan to rest…” 430am on a holiday morning, I hear loud banging. It took me a minute, but I realized a garbage truck had driven down the little dirt road my parents live on to empty the trash. With one more loud bang of the trash can against the truck, the truck placed the empty can back down (also a bang) and drove away (also noisy). “ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW LORD”. In my stubbornness I argued in my head, "I don't want to get out of bed, can't you speak here??" but I did set my alarm for 30 minutes later, knowing it would still be dark at 5a. The conviction got to me and I got up before the alarm. It was as if He whispered, "I’ve gotten rid of the garbage, now step outside and spend some time with me." I smiled and shook my head at the humorous but not so humorous analogy as I processed it. I got up and spent some time taking photos and talking to God. Sunrise through the blooms was beautiful. I’m so thankful He woke me up. I'm so thankful for His persistence to show love in spite of my resistance and attitude at times. So much flooded my mind. He actually does literally take the garbage from us. His reminder left me speechless and in amazement at His goodness. Continue to give the garbage the enemy tries to fill your heart and mind with to Jesus. Let Jesus take it. Wake up (Eph 5:14-21). Arise (Isaiah 60:1-2). Spend time with Him. Keep your focus on Him. Keep in step with His Spirit (Gal 5:25). Continue to honor Him with the gifts He’s given. Continue to “give thanks to the Lord. His love endures forever” (2 Chron 20:21). We fight from a place of victory. The battle is already won. He is love. A favorite song played on the radio as I was processing my thoughts, some of them already on paper. Heart of God by Zach Williams. Take time to listen and be encouraged! (There’s also an old bronco in the video!)

"Whoever told you, you ain't worth the fight

the cross tells a story that'll change your mind

'Cause there's only love in the heart of God

No room for shame in His open arms

There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are

And there's only love in the heart of God." - Zach Williams

Photo Dump from 02/2025

Photo Dump from 02/2019

This last one...The constant reminder we exist in the middle of a war for our hearts. I had totally forgotten I also found this little venomous creature in 02/2019