Give Thanks to the Lord!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! I hope everyone has had a restful day filled with food, family, and friends! This year I am thankful for the most amazing friends in the world, both old and new. I'm also so blessed to have found an amazing new church that has wonderful worship, teaching, and fellowship. Most importantly, I'm thankful for everything God has done in my life in the past year! To read more about the journey I've been on in the past year please check out my post from earlier this week. As a follow-up, I want to share some verses that have been especially meaningful to me as God has healed me and drawn me closer to Him:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." -Psalm 40:1-3

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." -Ephesians 3:20

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." -Philippians 4:8

"We live by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." -Job 1:21

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." -James 4:7-8a

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'" -Romans 4:18

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." -Proverbs 31:25

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14

These are just a handful of verses that have encouraged me or described how God has worked in my life over the past year! I have so much to be thankful for! God calls us to be thankful every day and not just one day out of the year, and to give thanks in ALL circumstances, not just when things are going our way. I strive to have a heart of thanksgiving, and because I'm human I don't always succeed, but His grace is sufficient!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -Psalm 118:1

Have a blessed night and stay safe if y'all venture out in Black Friday shopping!
-Liz
xoxo

One Year Later...

Today is significant because it marks the one year anniversary of one of the worst days of my life. The evening of November 25, 2012 I received a phone call with some unexpected and unwelcome news. I managed to maintain my composure on the phone, but after I hung up I bawled like a baby. I was completely devastated and heartbroken. I was also completely blindsided, because based on how my life had been unfolding in the weeks prior, there was no foreshadowing that things would turn out the way they did. In fact, I thought that chapter would end completely differently than my new reality. I was overwhelmed with sadness, but also with anger. I didn't understand why God would suddenly take from me what I thought was amazing, right, perfect, and the most natural thing in the world. I was angry that He would bring such a wonderful blessing into my life, only to snatch it away as quickly as it came. I thought that what I had just lost was the best possible thing there ever could be, and didn't see how God could possibly have something better in store. As a result, my heart grew hard and bitter and I spent months wallowing in self-pity and anger. I resented others whose circumstances were what I thought mine would be before I received that fateful phone call. I resented God for allowing my circumstances to be the way they were instead of the way I thought and hoped they would be based on the events of November 2012 before the unwelcome plot twist. Out of my deep hurt and anger, I even said some hateful things to one of my friends (who had nothing to do with heartbreaking situation) and as a result feared that I had lost a dear friendship for good. The first few months of 2013 were an extremely dark time for me. Finally, in early spring of this year I realized I had had enough. I couldn't change my circumstances but I could change my attitude. With the help and encouragement of a dear friend and spiritual mentor I chose to trust God and believe the truth that He has a perfect plan for my life. I chose to cling to His promise that He is faithful and sovereign and trustworthy. I was able to have this change in heart not on account of my own strength and ability, but because of God's amazing power and the precious blood His son shed on the cross so that I could be His for eternity, even though I am completely undeserving of such amazing grace.
Over the past months, once I threw away my pride and submitted myself to God's will, He has done an amazing work of spiritual and emotional healing in me that I can't even attempt to express in words. And He has fully restored the precious friendship I feared I had lost. Though I will never fully understand God's ways this side of heaven, I have begun to see the unwelcome news that phone call brought one year ago from God's perspective. I would've never said this one year ago, but I am thankful that things turned out the way they did. While God has yet to reveal His "something better" regarding the fulfillment of a hope and dream that I thought would be completed last November, He has shown me "something better" in so many other areas of my life. Because of the heartbreak of last November, I have grown closer to God and He has revealed Himself to me like never before. I have gotten involved with an amazing church and small group and made so many wonderful new friends I couldn't imagine life without. I would've never gotten to know and love these wonderful people if my life had turned out the way I wanted and anticipated last November. I have learned that God truly knows what is best for me and I am so glad He had other plans!
Last November 25 after my devastating phone call I talked with my dear friend and spiritual mentor. She told me that I wasn't just going to be okay, I was going to be more than okay. I highly doubted it at the time, but she was so right! She loves to talk about building a "history with God" through tough times. This morning I was texting with my her about how I couldn't believe it had been a year already and how she was right that I would be more than okay. Her exact wise words back to me were as follows:
"That is what I mean when I say we have to have a history with God. You chose to trust him and he saw you through and now you know you can trust Him the next time you are in a predicament. He is always trustworthy and is at work in his children!"
This blog doesn't do justice to how God has worked in my life as a result of the trial I endured one year ago. Perhaps later this week I will share some verses that have meant a lot to me over the past year and reflect what God has done in my life. But for now I want to end with saying that this Thanksgiving I am most thankful for the hearbreak of last Thanksgiving. Great Is Thy Faithfulness!
-Liz
xoxo

Looking Ahead

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis

This C.S. Lewis quote was on the front of the bulletin at church a couple weeks ago and I just had to share it with y'all! I had heard it before, and it is one of my favorites. These words encourage and give hope in so many circumstances. Ultimately, for those who know and follow Jesus, Heaven is the "better thing ahead" that we have to look forward to. This earth is not our home, and even if we live 90 years our time in this world is just a blink of an eye in comparison to our eternal life in Heaven with the Lord. Also, even the most amazing things on this earth pale in comparison to the glorious riches we will  inherit in Heaven. And that is just amazing!

However, this quote also provides comfort to situations throughout our lives on this side of eternity. During our time on Earth, seasons come and go, and people walk in and out of our lives. God gives and He takes away. Sometimes He closes doors and we don't understand why. He takes away things we thought were the best thing for us and we just don't see how there can be anything better for us than what we lost. And we kick and scream and moan in protest, and even doubt God's goodness and sovereignty. God is ALWAYS good though, even when we can't see it or feel it. He "works all things for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28) and "no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11). God knows us better than we know ourselves, and thus knows what's best for us. And His timing is flawless. He also cares deeply about the desires of our hearts. As a good friend of mine once said, "God never closes a door without opening a window." It's okay and healthy to experience grief and mourn the loss of closed doors. But instead of dwelling on that, look ahead to the future and get excited about the better things God has in store for you in His perfect way and time! 

-L

xoxo

Trust and Thankfulness

Over the past several weeks I have come across some great quotes and verses in my devotionals about trust and thankfulness. I wanted to share a few of them here. And if you don't own them already, go grab a copy of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and Streams In The Desert by L.B. Cowman. They are AMAZING!!!

"I want to be central in your entire being. When your focus is firmly on Me, My Peace displaces fears and worries...Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold."
-Jesus Calling

"Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness." -Jesus Calling
(I LOVE this one!!!)

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." -Isaiah 26:3
(One of my favorite verses!)

"Seek my Face with a teachable spirit. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed." -Jesus Calling

"It's all that 'supposing' that's making you so miserable. You'd better give that up and simply trust the Lord." -Hannah Whitall Smith (from Streams In The Desert)

"Nothing pleases the Lord as much as praise. There is no greater evidence of faith than the virtue of genuine thanksgiving...Are you thanking him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Are you thanking Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Are you boldly praising Him even for the trials in your life, which are actually blessings in disguise? And have you learned to praise Him in advance for answers yet to come?" -Streams In The Desert

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." -Colossians 2:6-7

"Thank Me for your problems. As soon as your mind gets snagged on a difficulty, bring it to Me with thanksgiving...The very act of thanking Me releases your mind from its negative focus." -Jesus Calling

"I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly." -Jesus Calling

I hope y'all are as encouraged by these quotes and verses as I am! I feel that they really capture what God has been teaching me lately- He has really been at work in my heart and life!
-L
xoxo

Unanswered Prayers

I read another AMAZING devotional in Streams In The Desert over the weekend. I just have to share some quotes from it that completely blew me away. The focus of this particular day's devotional is the discipline of faith that comes through waiting on the Lord and continuing to believe His promises and goodness even when our prayers go unanswered. Here are the quotes that really stuck out to me:

"When you have made your request to God, and the answer still has not come, what are you to do? Keep on believing His Word! Never be swayed from it by what you see or feel. Then as you stand firm, your power and experience is being developed, strengthened, and deepened." 

"God will often purposely delay in giving you His answer, and in fact the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer as is the fulfillment when it comes."

The devotional also mentions that some of the greatest characters of the Bible were trained in the discipline of faith in order to prepare them for the great plans God had for them. This message and these quotes are so applicable no matter what phase of life you find yourself in. When we desire something and pray for something and yet God appears to remain silent, it is easy to let our frustrations send us down into a pit of despair. Instead, choose to believe God's promises instead of your fickle feelings. I promise it will make such a difference in your life and bring an awesome sense of peace. Remember that even though God may seem silent, He cares so much about your prayers and is working moment by moment to build your character, strengthen your faith, and prepare you for what's ahead! He always gives us what's best for us, even though it may not be what we want at the moment.

"No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." -Psalm 84:11

-L
xoxo

Walk By Faith

During my devotional time recently, I have come across some great verses and quotes that encourage me to live by faith rather than sight.

First up is this AMAZING quote from my Streams In The Desert devotional:

"Let your sight bring you reports as discouraging as possible, but pay no attention to them. Our heavenly Father lives, and even the delays of answers to our prayers are part of His goodness."

-Arthur Tappan Pierson

And a couple great verses, both from 2 Corinthians:

"We live by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

This verse is short, sweet, and to the point, but oh so powerful!

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:18

My Jesus Calling devotional presented a great application of this verse by describing our circumstances as "what is seen" and the presence of Jesus as "what is unseen." This was such a wonderful reminder to me that my focus should be Jesus and His constant presence in my life, no matter what my circumstances may be. The Lord has really been showing me this A LOT lately in my life and it has been such a blessing! 

Hope y'all find these quotes/verses as encouraging as I do. Take heart and have faith: your vision is limited to what is right in front of you but God sees your whole entire life and is preparing you moment by moment for what lies ahead. He knows what is best for you and His timing is perfect. It is easier said than done, but clinging to this truth and choosing to view your life and circumstances from His unseen perspective rather than your limited seen perspective brings such joy and peace!

Blessings!

-L

xoxo

Merry Christmas Y'all!

We are down to less than two hours until Christmas Day! I hope y'all have had a blessed time celebrating with family and friends thus far. The music, movies, food, parties, and gifts are wonderful, but may we not forget the true meaning of the season: Jesus Christ. His humble birth in a stable so that He could inhabit a broken world and die a brutal humiliating death to atone for my sins is a far greater gift than any amount of Lilly Pulitzer or Tory Burch that could appear under my tree tomorrow. Here are a few reflections to remind us of the miracle of that glorious first Christmas over 2,000 years ago:

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:2,6 (NIV)

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." -John 1:14 (NIV)

"As you celebrate the wonder of My birth in Bethlehem, celebrate also your rebirth into eternal life. This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world." -Jesus Calling

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices." -O Holy Night

"But the the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

-Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

I hope y'all have a blessed and joyful Christmas day tomorrow!

-L

xoxo

Friday Favorites!

Hey y'all! I'm back this week with another Friday Favorites post!

Shorts:

J.Crew madras shorts. I was super excited to snag these recently at the J.Crew outlet for 50% off! The 5-inch inseam is perfect and these are great for summer!

Lip Gloss:

Girl Scout Cookie flavored Lip Smackers. After seeing these featured in a recent issue of People Style Watch I knew I had to get my hands on some. I finally found them at Target this week. I got a three-pack with Samoas, Thin Mints, and Trefoil flavors. 

White Jeans:

Joe's Jeans High-waisted Skinny Visionnaire. After searching several weeks for the perfect pair of white jeans I finally found these at a Joe's Jeans outlet store. The exact style I got at the outlet isn't available online but you can find a very similar high-waisted white skinny jean by Joe's here.

Perfume:

Lilly Pulitzer "Beachy." Lilly Pulitzer quit manufacturing perfume over a year ago. However, you can still find it at TJ Maxx and on eBay, Amazon, and the Re-Lilly Facebook page. I was super excited to find a bottle in the "Beachy" scent at TJ Maxx a couple weeks ago and it smells amazing! Plus it comes in a really pretty bottle! Image via Amazon.

Dessert:

Dairy Queen Confetti Cake Blizzard. I had one of these last weekend and it was amazing! It's literally cake and ice cream combined into one delicious concoction! Image via Google.

Quote:

I found this on Pinterest recently. Love it!

Friday Favorites

Got this idea from For All Things Lovely, a fashion blog I've recently started following. I'm pretty sure I've seen other blogs do it as well, and I like it so it will be a regularly featured column on Colorful and Classy :) So here goes Edition 1:

Scarf:

Lilly Pulitzer Murfee Scarf in Green Bean Amani Children's Foundation. I adore Lilly scarves and this might be my favorite that I own. This print is absolutely precious-I love the bright colors and and the adorable lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, and rhinos in the print. The silk/cashmere blend is lightweight enough that it can still be worn in the Spring before it gets too incredibly hot outside. But best of all this scarf was designed to benefit the Amani Children's Foundation, which I mentioned in my Shop For A Cause post several months ago. At first this scarf was only available at Palm Avenue Via shop locations but it is now available here on the Lilly website.

Shift Dress:

Lilly Pulitzer Jacqueline Dress Embroidered in Sea Breeze Blue. This is from the Spring 2011 collection. As much as I love my Lilly prints I love the classic look of this solid blue dress with white embroidery. The lining is a tangerine color and shows through the cut-outs in the embroidery which adds a nice touch. Whether a solid or print Lilly is all about the little details! This is a great dress for showers, parties, weddings, and luncheons.

Shorts:

J.Crew khaki chino short 5" inseam. These are a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe. I recommend getting them at the outlet-same shorts for a lower price. Currently available at the J.Crew Factory website if you don't live near an outlet. 

Cocktail Dress:

Lilly Pulitzer Bowen Dress in Black After-Party Embroidery. From the Fall 2011 collection. The gold detail on the skirt is even prettier in person. I have worn it to a rehearsal dinner and an engagement party so far.

Bargain Buy:

Old Navy printed tank. Got this on sale a few months ago. Super cute and works great under a cardigan for work and alone with shorts or skinny jeans for outside of the office. 

Jeans:

Citizens of Humanity Avedon Skinny Jeans in Satellite wash. I featured these in an earlier post but had to mention them again because they are my favorite pair of jeans. The Citizens of Humanity Facebook page recently pictured Miley Cyrus wearing these exact jeans-not sure if I should be flattered or not...regardless of your opinion of Miley Cyrus she does have good taste in jeans because these are so classy and comfortable! (Image via Piperlime).

Quote:

Recently found this on Pinterest. Original source here.

Dessert:

Self-serve frozen yogurt with toppings.

I hope that y'all have an absolutely lovely weekend!!! It's supposed to be gorgeous! Glad Spring weather is back!