2013

Howdy y'all! Happy New Year! I started out thinking that this post would be about some highlights of the past year, but I think I'll take a less conventional approach...

A lot can happen in a year. I can say that with the utmost certainty, but even though there has been many changes in 2013--some good and some bad--I am sure that they all happened in order to grow my heart.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
{James 1:2-4}

A year can bring a lot of change, but its up to you to decide if you will let the change effect you. People say all the time that everything happens for a reason, and that is true, but I'll be the first to admit that sometimes its really hard to actually believe that.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I get mad and tell God that a situation cannot have a silver lining, but of course it's kind of silly. I can't tell God anything! He knows what he's doing; he has a mysterious plan that no one knows, and I think that's what makes people mad. We want instant gratification; we want to know what is happening, when something is happening, and why.

As mad as I get sometimes I know that everything DOES happen for a reason. The twists and turns in my life only make me cling tighter to God and the people he has placed in my life.

My challenge for you is to be strong this new year. Take every challenge head on, and know that God is going to be there every step of the way.

I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
{Isaiah 46:4}

His...

I am beyond blessed to have such amazing women of God who continually pour their heart and love for God into my life. They have shown me what it truly means to live for God. Their wisdom and strength and passion for speaking into youth girls amazes me.

Now I'm sure you're thinking "great story, Daylie! We love hearing about your life, but how does this apply to me?"

Well here's how: no matter how young you are, you are incredibly strong women of God. You are His daughters, His princesses, the apples of His eye. You have strength beyond measure because you are one of HIS! Those women that I was describing up there...they aren't all adults! Some of those amazingly gifted women of Christ are my age!

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs without fear of the future.
{Proverbs 31:25}

It seems that this is the mantra of every Christian woman. And sure, its quoted a lot, but its truth is profound! Because you are His child, His prized possession, you are powerful beyond measure. Your power is one of love, grace, knowledge, and truth. You are the superwoman of God's kingdom.

Is this sinking in yet?? I hope so! I will shout it from the rooftops that "YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT!" if that's what it takes to get you to hear me out!

I know sometimes we don't feel magnificent...we feel small, inadequate, unworthy, unappreciated, unloved, lonely, or just plain sad. Just because you feel this way doesn't mean that is who you are! The Devil will whisper in your ear that you're unloved because he sees that you are; you are loved beyond measure! But he doesn't want that...he wants those feelings of doubt and insecurity to creep up and consume you!

Is this getting deep? Should I slow down? Ok...got it! Let me end this on a high note. You are precious. You are loved. You are enough. You are worthy. You are appreciated. You are powerful. You are the child of the most high God. And is that doesn't make you feel like you can conquer anything...I don't know what can.