Inspired By Love

Hey Friends, 

I have been wanting to write to you for a while, and this morning I became overwhelmed with this message. It almost brings tears to my eyes. 

It's crazy, when God anoints something. Sometimes, a lot of times, I have something beautiful in mind, but I don't feel compelled to write about it, or it just doesn't happen, and then there are times when I feel incredibly compelled and I know that the Lord has a message for us. The words flow and the beauty shines. It has little to do with my eye for beauty or creative ideas. I feel so out of control - and  this overwhelms me, because I know that God is behind this. He is speaking to me and you and I am so happy to share. 

A few weeks ago, I prepared a bouquet for a beautiful woman who I admire and treasure.  There were flowers in my garden that I knew were her color and I waited for them to be in full bloom to put this bouquet together. 

Who Karen is, is a testimony in itself. I believe that each one of us are. That, in itself is a miracle. A friend of mine said this the other day...

Every person is a creative and divine expression of heaven. See yourself that way and see others that way- it’s a powerful way to live!
— Blaise

Karen came to pick up her bouquet on a day that her company was preciously welcomed at my kitchen table. There's something so simple and pure about her and yet deep and rich just like this burgundy bouquet. Her face was glowing when she walked in. She's quiet yet easy to get acquainted with. She's a good friend; a confidant and believer in people. We drank through a craft of black coffee and she told me simple things about her life. She had been affected by a song she stumbled upon while working and said that she played it over and over, until she was moved to tears. That happens to me too. 

I think that sometimes God communicates with us indirectly because we don't know how simple it is to commune with Him. I think that we often forget just how much the Lord loves us, and that we don't have to do anything to deserve or receive that. Or sometimes we just forget, how good His love is, and how much we need it.

>> Press play below and let this message minister to you as you read. 

 What I feel the Lord wants to tell you today is - HE LOVES YOU.

HE LOVES YOU.

 

COME RECIEVE IT. 

 

The Simple Gospel

I pray that you can do this today, and I am praying over you that the Spirit touches you while you read this. You are precious to God. He doesn't just want you to know this but to experience it. 

As you turn your attention to Me, feel the Light of My Presence shining upon you. Open your mind and heart to receive My heavenly smile of approval. Let My gold-tinged Love wash over you and soak into the depths of your being. As you are increasingly filled with My Being, you experience joyous union with Me: I in you, and you in Me. Your Joy-in-Me and My Joy-in-you become intertwined and inseparable. I suffuse your soul with Joy in My Presence; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
— Jesus Calling, October 23
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
— Psalm 16:11
I love you people with a love that will last forever.
— Jeremiah 31:3

(Hey, secret - I think that experiencing this love in the midst of whatever we are struggling with is really the secret to our best lives). 

love shyla

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Being An Unfinished Project : Sharing Life & A Fall Picnic with Tiffany

This Saturday morning, the start of October, went out with a bang with this Autumn inspired picnic and a perfectly imperfect day.

This is my friend Tiffany. She says hello. She's lovely. Isn't she. :) I want you to know her because she has a lot to offer the world. She sees it through a thankful heart and shares her rich perspective with anyone she encounters. She probably doesn't realize this, for she does it unconsciously and often without words. Who she is is a rich painting. You can realize so much just by seeing. I appreciate this woman because she is an unfinished project. She is honest and unapologetic, maybe not because she wants to be that way but because she doesn't know how to otherwise. Thank-you Jesus for making Tiffany this way. Can't we all relate to being a work in progress and admit that we really don't know what the heck is going on most of the time. :)

I was reminded this morning through beautiful conversation that God is at work amidst us and an we need not grasp it all to breathe a sigh of relief and take the beauty in. 

I'm not quite sure what I can share with you today, but I am going to paste this excerpt from the devotional, Jesus Calling for today. I think there are some beautiful things in here and pray that it encourages you. 

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. These are supernatural responses, and they can lift you above your circumstances. If you do what comes naturally in the face of difficulties, you may fall prey to negativism. Even a few complaints can set you on a path that is a downward spiral, by darkening your perspective and mind-set. With this attitude controlling you, complaints flow more and more readily from your mouth. Each one moves you steadily down the slippery spiral. The lower you go, the faster you slide; but it is still possible to apply brakes. Cry out to Me in My Name! Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. Thank Me for everything, though this seems unnatural—even irrational. Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground. When you are back on ground level, you can face your circumstances from a humble perspective. If you choose supernatural responses this time—trusting and thanking Me—you will experience My unfathomable Peace.
— Jesus Calling - October 3rd
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
— Psalm 13:5
...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— Ephesians 5:20

I pray that you can be honest and vulnerable to yourself today and be filled with relief that you are in the hand of the sovereign God of humanity. Taste the sweet things and smile. Life is beautiful. 

Things I am thankful for today: 

  • The goodness of God
  • God's plan is a greater reality than the self imposed expectations
  • Friendships and sharing life together
  • Autumn - the color, even the rain, and warmth of it all

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Leave a comment here if this blessed you. I'm so thankful for all of your support. I want to know how I can contribute to fulfilling needs; to encourage and inspire. I'd also love to hear your personal wisdom in this area if you care to share.

love shyla


A Little Message About Hope

Good morning sweet sweet friends, 

I have a bit of sunshine to share with you this morning....

Though it is officially the beginning of Autumn, I think the rest of the earth is still celebrating summer. A unique, in-between stage actually. September, I feel, is a special season all in itself, transitional to be exact. It is neither summer nor fall, it is in-between. I'm in a September in my life too. Transitional. 

I'm a believer in living in the present and part of that means celebrating each season as it is and not rushing into the next. In our lives it can be frustrating to be in a place of unknowns... will there be a change, will the winter ever end, will the flowers bloom? Let's face it - transition is such a hard place to be in! 

I can't tell you exactly what - But I know the Lord has a specific purpose for "in-between" seasons because He is the orchestrator of all things. There are tid bits of trust and dependance and childlike faith tied into this time and I think it can be a truly joyfulcarefree while. I have experienced beautiful excitement and fulfillment as I put my hope in the Lord.

I am sharing this very September bouquet with you to honor this time our lives... A Goldenrod Wildflower bouquet! 

Two Sunday's ago, I got the urge to cut a few stems and make something out of them. I decided to forage some wildflowers and theme my bouquet around them, namely the goldenrods. It was such a beautiful, quite afternoon, as Sunday's are. 

Field to Table | I start with the greens and then put in the pops of color trying to create the shapes and drama I'm looking for in the end result - However every bouquet is a fun surprise! 

As I was writing this post I discovered this wild thing about goldenrods....

Goldenrods scientific name “Solidago” means to make whole or heal.

Whoa! Is this a message for us about what the Lord's purpose can be in transition!? 

I pray over you a special covering of childlike trust in this season that you are in and that you would experience quite amazing joy that would point you to your Father. May healing happen. 

So much love from me to your beautiful heart & our Father above, 

Photo taken by my sweet Papa.

Photo taken by my sweet Papa.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
— Jeremiah 29:11
love shyla

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