Joy in Vulnerability.

There was a pre-planned post for today, but instead I'm sharing my current non-proof read post that is filling my thoughts at 10 am. 

First I just want to say thank you. thank you for all the incredibly thoughtful emails, text messages, facebook messages, and comments on yesterdays post. Most of which I have not responded to, please forgive me for this. This is one of those hard times that words are hard to share, but just simply saying that you care truly means so much. We feel your prayers. 

Monday was such a good day for me.  The best I've had in a while... got up at 7, ran errands,worked on projects, and last night went to Java after Jammies. For a month I've been excited about last night so I refused to let myself stay at home in bed. We are going through Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman. This book is unreal. Wonderful. Beautiful. Packed full of hard truth. It is impossible to read this book without growing in the Lord. 

{If you are truly allowing the Lord to move in your life.}

I love these women on Monday nights who come, open their hearts, lives, and are vulnerable enough to share imperfections in the hopes of growing together in Christ. The Lord showed up last night over pastries, coffee, and a table full of women who are wearing masks. If you are not part of a group of women (in real life) who you can grow with I really encourage you to step out of your comfort zone to find one. If you live near me, praying you decide to join us at Panera in two weeks.

To be honest, it was by the grace & strength of the Lord that I was able to have joy, peace, and comfort while discussing Grace for the Good Girl inside Panera. I'm so grateful for that strength because I needed that freedom from sorrow to grow with others.

After a wonderful two hours of community with these women we started heading home. Two of the women escaped the parking lot before witnessing yours truly lose it. A sweet friend asked me what my plans were for lunch on Tuesday, my response was tears. to cry. lose it. confess that it was the 1st time in over a week I put make up on. Wore something cute. Then, for the next 35 minutes two of the sweetest ladies just let me talk. Share my sadness that suddenly filled my heart again. In their own ways they both encouraged me to be sad. To know it's normal. To be reminded that its okay. I needed that. 

Driving home was so peaceful. Listening to one of my favorite songs by Rita Springer. Getting lost in thoughts and thanking Jesus for his faithfulness to show up at our little Bible study. One of the constant themes in my prayer time is, Look for Joy. God continues to remind me to look for joy even when it takes everything within me to skip the sorrow. I'm so thankful for the two men in my life. I am blessed. They truly bring so much joy. 

My favorite verse in the word has been singing in my ears all morning, 

"Oh, give me back my joy again, You have broken me, Now let me Rejoice!"

 Psalm 51:8 

How can you be vulnerable to grow today? 

What joy are you finding today? 

~Brit