Fear Not

Recently Grant came into the bathroom while I was getting ready in the morning.  He had tears rolling down his cheeks and he said he'd had a bad dream.  I asked him what it was about and he said he was dreaming that two of his little friends from school were dying.  This broke my heart. At four he had let fear gobble him up.

I then began to think about those of you out there who feel like you're living a nightmare.  Fear has gobbled you up.  I imagine the pair you feel, the hurt, the doubt, the burdens.

It's like you're carrying around a heavy backpack weighted with every nightmare you feel life has thrown your way.  Tears roll from my cheeks as I think about.

But what if there was someone willing to carry your backpack for you? What if someone wanted to lift the weight off your shoulders and free you from your nightmare?

I believe there is.  Isaiah 41:10 says:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God wants to take that backpack off your shoulders; He has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power (2 Timothy 1:7). If you are carrying around this backpack, let it go.  Give it up. Let God carry it.  

I bet you're wondering how I ended things with Grant after his nightmare.  We talked about it, then prayed to ask God to take away his fear, and to keep his friends safe, see even four year olds have a backpack. God want's to carry theirs too.

My intention was to end the post here and show you my outfit for today, which I'm crazy about, by the way, but I feel like I need to be honest.

I've got a little weight in my own backpack.  I can tell myself and you all that I'm perfect and that I've got it all together....but that would be a lie.  I trust God, I know his truth, I believe he wants what's be for us, but I'm holding onto some past hurt.

It doesn't even make any sense, those that hurt me will never know the hurt- I'm not in a position to share it with them.  So, why am I carrying it around?  They don't know, they aren't aware, it's not effecting them. But, it is affecting me.  I need to give my backpack to God too.  

Mine might not be as heavy as yours, and I could continue to carry it, but it's holding me back.  I need to forgive those people without their acknowledgment or apology. I need to move on, and in doing that I can become a better version of myself and a better image of who God wants me to be.

I also want to thank all of you for your kind words on the new direction of this little blog. It means the world to me. : )

Denim Jacket: The Limited

Dress: J.Crew (via thredUP get $10 off your first purchase here) similar

Necklace: Sira and Mara c/o same

 Bracelets: chloe + isabel c/o same, same 

Booties: Jessica Simpson

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What I Wore to Work Link-up