I just want you all to know that this blog isn’t a revelation or information about what I’m doing. Rather this is for you to discover the awe and beauty of these humans I get to call my sisters this year. These women..I freaking love them with all of my heartness. I know some people will read this and think wow that was cheesy. Others will say awe that’s cute. Mostly, it’s for my girlies to read and ooo and aww over—specifically because they are all words of affirmation when it comes to love languages. I want to not only build them up, and not only tell you all about how amazing my girls are, but I want you to start seeing people the way the Father does. If there is anything you can take from this blog other than seeing these women and thinking “wow she got lucky”, it would be to see just how much you can love someone. We don’t take nearly enough time to encourage, love on, lift up, and show off those who mean the world to us. Pre blog challenge: Take some time to reflect on how much the people around you mean to you…then think of them through the eyes of Abba Father and maybe even weep at their beauty…thank God for giving those special people to you and then GO TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM. BE WEIRD ABOUT IT. IT WILL MEAN MORE IN THE END. People need to know their worth.
Anywayyyyyyy, the following is my band of humans I get to take along with me this year. Here are just a few reasons as to why they’re great described in the best way I know how…by using MUSIC!!!
Shelby
- Love Anyway: Drew & Ellie Holcomb
This song is by one of my favorite musical couples out their. Basically, all of their music filled with wisdom to take for the rest of your life. This song reminds me of Shelby because this is wisdom she has learned and lived out the whole time I’ve known her. Despite whatever circumstance is thrown her way, Shelby sees people for who they are and learns how to love them all. She seeks out and finds “the one” the way Jesus does. She has a smile that lights up hearts with just one flash. She always has kind, encouraging words to add to any “not so ideal” situation. Though it can be a hard life to live with such a fragile heart that breaks for every person you meet, Shelby STILL chooses to love anyway. It’s beautiful watching the process. She allows the pain of loving and having to let go and leave, she is torn by the questions like “what more can I do”, she gives her all, but most importantly, at the end she allows God to be the one to put her back together. And she doesn’t shut off then or next time for any reason. She always attempts to keep peace and to promote truth in love. Shelby is like that sweet scoop of ice cream you always needed.
Whitney:
- Alright: Walk off the Earth
This one, though it describes how great Whitney is/is doing, is more a description of where she is and what she’s overcome. Whitney has a big calling on her life to speak and tell about the Lord. She also is going to be an amazing mom and wife. She’s been a teacher. She’s a born leader. No one would ever guess that she might not always feel amazing about herself. However, if you really look around, we all feel that way sometimes. I have seen soooo much growth in her over the year. From month one feeling unsure and possibly worried changing into month nine BOLDNESS and belief in the power and promises of God. She sees herself as the gem she is, she sees the promises of God and leans into them instead of into this world or into fear, she has a sweet heart, she’s a great listener, and she’s cute as a button! She’s mostly an overcomer. Her courage and confidence are contagious. And I think I see this song as something she can now speak over others. You’re alright, it’s over, you overcame, and now you’re burning bright in the best direction! She can say all this because that’s who she is. Inspirational. I love her faith and trust.
Kylie:
- Heavy: Birdtalker
This one is another special one to me. It speaks deeply to my soul, uses words I didn’t know I needed to hear, and speaks into becoming better and living loved. Kylie is the same. She gets deep into your heart and soul with her love. She feels things so empathetically in a way that makes you feel seen and heard like never before. She is an encourager. She speaks and prays words you didn’t know were needed. Mostly, she hungers and thirsts for more of God in a way that motivates you to do the same. She will walk right with you in your journey if you’ll let her. And her story is so sweet too if you’re willing to listen. She’s a loyal friend with so much beautiful depth. She will help carry your burdens until you find the strength to lay them down. Besides that, she is just an attractive soul: beautiful inside and out with an overwhelming sense of peace. Her joy is just like the foot tapping beat of this song. Strong, steady, and “so smart”;).
Sarah:
- Show Your Colors: Genevieve
If you haven’t gotten the gist already, I’m picking songs I love because these are people I love. I already see Sarah reading this and saying, “wait, how am this song?”…well after she goes “what even is this song”. She won’t understand at first how she could embody some of the traits because she doesn’t even KNOW how brightly she shines. She is constantly looking to improve herself, but I love taking a moment to pause and see just how far she has come already! This song is basically a blunt and motivational song saying “if you want to be something, be it; if you want to do something, do it” and this is exactly how Sarah leads us. I think mostly she can push us to be the best we are because of how awesome she is. She is BOLD YALL. She prays fervently, seeks the Father’s face in all situations, walks in radical faith and on top of that all is just a fierce woman. She is funny, smart, witty, kind, and beautiful. She has accomplished much but has so much more even to accomplish because of the huge calling on her life. Sarah sees a problem and just fixes it. If something gets in the way of her, she just creates a new way to accomplish. She’s truly motivational and when she can get out of her own way and, rather, see how phenomenal she is, she is unstoppable.
Courtney:
- Ready or Not: Drakeford
I picked this one for Court because she was at a “comfortable” point in her life. She had a job, a place to stay, a community, (all the things we all now wonder how to do after a year away) and yet she let it all go and surrendered it to follow the call of the Lord. She did this knowing it was risky—her life would never be the same. And then to get an even bigger calling from the Lord of missions on her life…ready or not here she goes! Courtney FLOORS me with her obedience and trust in God. This beautiful girl who had life set decided to turn her world upside down because she knows God is more worth it. She gets as silly as possible just to crack a smile, loves babies and animals with all her heart, and is all you want to be as a woman after Gods own heart. She is a pace setter….literally it’s really hard to keep up with her fast walk. But she also runs the race well. She makes you want to be more discerning, more wisdom filled, and to walk out your giftings well because Courtney is always on it. Besides that, her weirdness comforts me since we understand where the other is coming from. She’s on my wavelength. But she’s mostly tuned right in to God. Ready or not, she’s willing to follow Him wherever.
These are my people. These are my friends. These are the ones I surround myself with in hopes that the saying is true: “you will become like the 5 people you keep closest to you”. If I could grow up to be a conglomeration of these powerhouse ladies, I think I would be doing phenomenal. Each person is on fire for God. I love being able to bask in the light and warmth of their beautiful flames. Together as team torch, we really do burn it up. Now go listen to the songs, feel loved, get motivated, and be like one of these bright torches.
