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Peace.

The response of every beauty pageant. The hope of every generation. The promise that came from a baby born in Bethlehem.

Harmony…freedom from fear…no war.

We understand peace and yet we don’t. We understand what it is like when we experience harmony among family and friends, but we don’t understand harmony of every tribe, tongue, and culture without judgement or condemnation or hate. We understand freedom from fear of certain circumstances like growing out of the fear of the dark or of spiders–or not–but we don’t understand freedom from all fears including death and loss and insecurities. We understand what it means to not be at war but we don’t understand what it means to be free from war within ourselves.

The peace of Christmas is a peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). The peace of Christmas is the closest we can ever come to truly understanding those aspects of peace that are so foreign. We hope, we pray, and we long to understand.

Peace came to earth in the form of a baby, born to a teenage, single mom, wrapped in burial cloths, and laid in a feed trough.

As a mom of two little girls, I don’t instinctively see peace at the sight of a baby. I see sleepless nights and exhausting days. I see the struggle to understand those things that are supposed to be so natural and yet never really are. I see the fear that comes at every waking moment, knowing that something terrible could happen to your child–your baby.

But I can equally reflect on the sight of my babies, especially as newborns in those first couple of hours. The gentle breaths as they quietly snore. The way that their eyelashes lay on their cheeks in perfection. The look of utter innocence, trusting that they can sleep soundly because they just know that they will be cared for. There is no fear–there is peace. That beautiful picture of unadulterated peace.

While the initial picture of peace through a baby seems like an intense juxtaposition, there is that beautiful moment between the tiredness and strain of new motherhood where your heart swells in such intense love and peace in that moment that it all becomes clear.

The peace of Christmas is a promise of the hope that is to come for all the world. But until that day it is the peace that can come from a personal relationship with Jesus. That peace which surpasses all understanding.

As we close out this advent season I pray that you will find peace. I pray that peace will fill your hearts and your homes. I pray that you will relish both the hope of perfect peace in the future and the promise of peace available through Jesus today.

This song is an old German hymn that talks about joy in direct relation to praise, especially in celebrating the promise of our King and Savior.

Joy is a word that is easily thrown around, especially within Christian circles.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10)

“Count it all joy my brothers…” (James 1:2)

We say that we are joyful when I think a lot of times what we are is happy. Joy and happiness are not the same and can (and do) exist outside of one another. Happiness is an emotion, contingent on your circumstances. Joy on the other hand, is contingent on nothing outside of God–that’s how it can be a fruit of the Spirit (whereas happiness is not). It’s easily confused considering the dictionary even defines joy as a feeling of happiness (noun). Though, the verb form is defined as rejoice.

We can rejoice when we are happy, but we can also rejoice when we are brokenhearted. We rejoice when our life is filled with blessings and we rejoice when our life is no where what we want it to be.

Joy goes beyond just a feeling. It plugs into the depth of who God is and what He gives each and every one of us. Joy redirects our feelings from ourselves toward God. It sees past the temporal and looks into the all that is in the eternal. That eternal with God that will be filled with pure, unadulterated joy.

Clearly, week three of advent is about the joy that came through the birth of Jesus and the joy we have to look forward to in eternity if spent with God.

Where can you refocus your joy this week? As we get closer to Christmas, I am finding myself more bogged down with the “to-do” list and trying to remember what I may be forgetting. Instead, take a few moments to relish in the “wonders of His love” this season. Take the time to remember that joy goes so much deeper than just a feeling. Joy is eternal and wonderful and gives us reason to rejoice, no matter our circumstances.

The focus of the second week of advent is traditionally faith. Faith in the coming of a King, a Savior to the world. Faith in the promises that were fulfilled prior to the birth of Jesus, including the birth of the messenger who would lead the way for Jesus’ ministry (his cousin, John the Baptist).

For me, that faith resides in the promise that what I believe is so much more than a feeling. The faith that this belief changes lives each and every day. A faith that doesn’t need tangible evidence for me to accept it as truth.

When I’m anxious or stressed, it’s challenging to “feel” like having joy and sharing the love of God. When I find myself overwhelmed by nothing (and everything), it’s challenging to “feel” the presence of God around me. Because I feel tired and exhausted. I feel drained. What I don’t feel is faith.

Faith is so much more than a feeling. It is a lifestyle. It’s how I approach my daily life despite how I feel. It’s taking myself out of the number one position and allowing God to direct me throughout my day–often through experiences I would have missed on my own merit.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain in what we do not see.” Just as the first week of advent is focused on hope (that hope in the coming of a Savior), week two’s focus on faith is grounded in that hope.

I can’t give you Jesus’ facebook account for you to stealthily stalk Him before you decide to accept Him at His word. I can’t take you out to lunch to arrange a mutual meeting. He is with us through the Holy Spirit and He is not a physical being that can be proven by sight or physical touch. He is like the wind. You can not see the wind, but you see the affects of the wind and that is proof of it’s validity. Likewise, Holy Spirit works in and through us everyday that “people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20). He makes Himself known, but we still must exhibit faith. We must cling to the faith that tells us that because we know and have accepted Jesus as our Savior, acknowledging the work that was done on the cross for all of our sake, we are redeemed and sanctified. We will spend eternity glorifying the one who made a way for us. Who created that way for us, knowing all that we would do against Him. He is so faithful to us and He simply asks us to be faithful to Him.

So if you are like me and feeling all of the stress of the season as opposed to the wonder, have faith. Have faith that the one we are celebrating is worthy of all of our praise. Have faith that there is so much more than “feeling it.” Have faith that in those times when you aren’t “feeling it,” He is always faithful.

Samara posing after helping to decorate our tree last night. (11/29/14)

I opened my computer with the thought of writing about the Christmas stress that so quickly descends upon us. I know our budget has already felt the restraints tighten and we aren’t even to December yet. But as I started my laptop up (as a distraction to the suitcases that still need to be sorted through and unpacked from a couple weeks ago), Samara came in asking me to play with her.

This question isn’t extraordinary or rare. In fact, it’s pretty common around our house. My girls love to play and they love to have Kyle and I play right alongside them. Samara, who will be four next week, seeks out the quality time (she is so much like her daddy).

Too often I find myself with the same response I had this morning—not right now, but I will later.

Later to a four-year-old is as good as a straight-up no.

Already slightly guilt ridden, I lost it as I heard her go up to Kyle and say, “Mommy doesn’t want to play with me.” I was helpless to stop the tears. It felt as though a small piece of my heart tore at the sound of her disappointed voice.

They are only little once. Everyone has told me this, and I’ve never doubted how quickly it would go by. I did, however, underestimate the responsibility that comes with stopping to play with my girls.

In a season that never slows down. Where more has to be better, I have to wonder how my priorities may shift during a holiday season. On the tail of overcooking and overeating, I have a birthday party to plan for a daughter who won’t tell me who her friends are so I have no idea who to invite, and then we slide right into the plethora of holiday get-togethers. It is an ever teetering balance of friends and family, gifts versus no gifts, another large meal on an already tight budget…and the daily needs of two little girls who are growing up before my very eyes.

The reality is that the chores and decorating can wait. My daughter cannot. I never want her to feels as though she isn’t my priority or that I don’t have time for her. I never want her to stop asking me to play or to spend time with her. Of course, she’ll need to learn that there are times when mommy and daddy need to get things done (and she’ll have her own chores to do)…but for today, it can wait. For today, my role as mommy take precedence over everything else. If for no other reason than to enjoy these precious, fleeting moments while I still have them.

This also happens to be the first week of the Christmas advent season. This week has a focus on hope. That hope which comes only from Jesus is to fill our hearts and our homes this season (and all through the year of course). It is this same hope that assures me that I’m doing okay as a mom. It’s this same hope that reassures me that just as God loves us, He has given me an opportunity to love my children and show them the love I have received so freely.

During this Christmas season, I pray that you find hope in those moments that initially feel like failures. I pray that the hope of Jesus fills your heart and frees you from the guilt. Hope is more than just a wish, it’s a word rooted in trust. Hope is knowing that there is something more and believing it with all your heart, soul, and mind. That hope when placed in Jesus is life changing and I pray that you are able to rest in that hope.

I am not going to express an opinion favoring one side or the other. Honestly, I can’t because I was not privy to the same knowledge as the jury so all I have to base my opinion on is speculation and emotion, neither of which are of any real benefit.

The reality is that I thought very hard about what I could possibly add to this very heated discussion. I recognize that I am a white girl who has never dealt with the harsh realities of being racially profiled in a negative light by a police officer. I have been negatively profiled by people I’ve worked with and customers I’ve dealt with, but I won’t assume to know something that I clearly do not understand. While I have friends of many different races, some of whom are as close as family, and I married someone of a different race, I also recognize that being “color blind” is good in theory but not always practical.

There are so many beautiful things about the differences in race. It breaks my heart that we can’t see past the negatives of each other. Name calling, like thug and racist, do nothing to help the situation and if anything only perpetuate either side’s negative opinion.

Until we can reach a point of empathy for both sides, we are missing the point. This should not be a time to belittle one another or to point fingers. I can’t assume to know the heart and intent of either man involved, or of the jury members, or of any of the people who responded peacefully or not. But I can seek to love like Jesus. He told us to love our neighbors, to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us…

If I victimize one and criminalize the other, I am not fulfilling the commandments given by God. Only in love can we see any forgiveness and ultimately reach resolution. Yes, I am over simplifying a painful situation for all who have become involved, but all I can do is to continue to show love toward each person I meet, no matter how similar or different they are from me. Yes, there is still racial prejudices in many parts of our country (toward all races) and that means there is still a lot of work to be done to reach a point of true equality. But again, all I can do is to continue to show love toward each person I interact with.

I hope you all will strive to do the same.

It pains me that I feel the need to add this, but please be aware that while I welcome opposing views, I maintain the right to chose whether or not to publish your comment. If it is in anyway hateful, know that it will not be published. If it is racist (from either side), it will not be published. I am not looking to start more arguments, rather the opposite. I pray that this post will serve to encourage others to remain prayerful, peaceful, and go out of their way to show love in a time of pain and confusion and distrust.

Today I flew by myself for the first time in I don’t even know how long. Just me, managing only one bag, getting to take as much time as I’d like, wherever I’d like.

Even though it was an early flight, I found myself genuinely joyful as I checked in my bag. That was my first opportunity for interaction.

The woman weighing my suitcase (which initially read at 45 pounds despite a 40 pound limit) responded well as I offered to pull out a couple things while joking about my strategic method of packing and guesstimating the weight by trying to do an arm curl with the bag. Thankfully, it was in fact light enough (37 pounds- woo hoo!), it only needing to be shifted on the scale. She thanked me for my manner of handling the check in and said she wished more people would have my approach toward her. (I imagine that could be a challenging job. Anything associated with travel pretty much guarantees stressed out customers.)
I continued this approach with each person I encountered, from the TSA agent, to the clearly late passenger desperately trying to rush through the security scan (I let him go in front of be. Hopefully he made his flight). I got a coffee (my first white chocolate mocha of the season) and bagel (asiago…super delicious) and headed to wait at my gate. Thankfully I checked the board because my gate had changed.

As I looked for a seat at my new gate, I felt a nudging to do something I don’t typically do– engage someone in conversation. I found a single seat, directly next to someone (as opposed to the typical one seat spacing that most everyone complies by), and began a conversation.

Was it life-changing? Not that I’m aware of, but it did spur me on to continue this approach as I sat on the plane. The couple next to me was catching a connecting flight north to spend the holiday with family. The family across from me was full of firsts: the wife’s and son’s first time flying (he was excited, she was freaked out, both did great), as well as heading to Disney world for the first time to celebrate the son’s 5th birthday. The woman behind me was traveling with a precious little girl who ended up sleeping most of the flight (to the mother’s reprieve).

All of this was out of the ordinary for me, but I found that it wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, it compounded the joy that I felt in my heart. I didn’t have any deep spiritual conversations or lead anyone to accept Jesus as their savior, but the brief interactions held great merit and importance nonetheless. You see, part of getting past the start and living in God’s will for your life is to live actively in the fruits of the spirit (Galatians. 5:22-23). That includes joy. It can be as simple as being friendly and kind to the people around you. It means looking up from your phone and engaging people.

As this becomes a habit, the joy and kindness behind to multiply. Being a follower of Jesus means loving people and I’m beginning to realize that while I may be kind to people and polite during interactions, I’m not being intentional about how I’m interacting with them.

I want to challenge you to have a conversation (even if extremely brief) with a stranger. Ask them some questions, be engaged, put your phone down for a few minutes. I think you may find yourself delightfully surprised at the refreshment it provides for your soul.

Not what gives you the greatest thrill. Or even what makes you the happiest.

What awakens you in the very depth of your soul that no matter how difficult you just have to do it?

We are so inundated with information overload, I find it a challenge just to quiet myself enough to even think about this question, let alone find its answer. Cell phones, while convenient, have taken over conversation and normal human interactions. Computers have taken the place of quiet libraries brimming with knowledge and possibility in each beautifully musty book you take of the shelf. Televisions light up our living rooms each evening in the place of laughter and games and genuine conversation.

But removing those distraction and allowing God to speak quietly to you– to the very core of who you are– may allow for an opportunity for Him to stir something inside of you that you never knew existed, or at least had long forgotten.

What makes me feel alive is encouraging others to discover their true identities in Jesus. I love to speak to others and share my heart to engage them in new ways, awakening them to the possibility that they are royalty as sons and daughters of the King of the universe. I love to draw upon the insurmountable potential that lies inside each and every one of us, just waiting for a reason to light up and take off. To encourage people to escape from lives of apathy and mediocrity because we are created for so much more.

How about you? What makes you feel alive?

1. Join my mailing list! There is a link on the sidebar. Super easy, right? (and you’ll get special emails that will alert you to giveaways, let you know about some of my favorite things, and any speaking engagements before anyone else! Awesome right?) —->
2. If you’re not already, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
3. Finally, let your friends know! Get them on the bandwagon–the more the merrier! Share posts, statuses, and tweets. Get them excited. And then tell them to do the same thing! :-)

Okay, so here is a sneak peek at the back of Getting Past the Start…(and if you follow my Instagram, you can see my sneak peek of the cover!) ;-)

“Do you ever feel so overwhelmed by the idea that God has a purpose for your life that you become immobilized by fear?

Do you wonder, How badly can I mess this life thing up and still fulfill this purpose?

God has a plan for our life. This simple phrase meant to encourage so often scares us into idleness. We don’t know what to do, so instead we do nothing and fear what will happen if we fail. In Getting Past the Start, Becca encourages you to be bold in your faith and run the race that God has placed before you with confidence. Through topics like the gifts of the Spirit and the will of God, you will find that you are more prepared to handle this life than you previously believed.

It’s time to get over the fear of messing up and trust that God has readily equipped you to fulfill your purpose. Starting today, we will move past the start and on toward the glorious finish that awaits.”

As a political science major, the military has always been of great interest to me. For a number of years, I seriously contemplated joining; though why I never did I’m not entirely sure. But what I am sure about is that I am so incredibly grateful for the service that each service man and woman provides—for me and for my freedoms.

My heart breaks when I hear high school students talk with such disdain for the American government classes. They dread the American history classes and when asked some of the basics, it seems as though they haven’t retained any of the information that may or may not have taught.

Studies have shown that many new millennials are confused about what they do or do not believe. They want the help of the government but don’t want the government to control their assets. They want taxes raised for those with a higher income—until they realize that the divide is less than what they believed and they too will be paying more. It makes it difficult to know what you want to support when you haven’t been taught what our government was originally intended to be. Sadly this relates to how people respond to the military.

Everyone wants to cut military spending but don’t realize how little our service men and women actually make. They assume what they do not know and expect to maintain their freedoms without the use of the military. (I’m not even referring to physical battles as much as the necessary need for a strong military that is well trained, well equipped, and well cared for—both during their service and after they retire).

But I don’t want this to be a rant post. I want this to be a letter of thanks. So let’s instead focus on that.

To each man and woman who is serving currently and to all who have ever served in the United States military:

Thank you. It is because of your sacrifices and service that I have the right to speak my opinion, to work for myself, to raise my children without fear, and to practice my faith how I deem necessary.

To each man, woman, and child who is family to a service man or woman (present or past):

Thank you. I know that you are often times over-looked but I have seen the struggle and sacrifice that you go through as well. With each deployment, with each move, with each adjustment…It is because of your love and support, your family is able to serve.

On this Veteran’s Day, I implore each of you to take a moment and find a way to thank your present and past military. No matter what your beliefs are, they are serving you and deserve your honor and deepest respect.

A special thank you to the veterans in my own family: my grandfather (USAF), my brother-in-law (ARMY), and my cousins (NAVY and USAF). I am honored to call you family and I am so grateful for your service.

God bless our military men and women.

I promised myself that I would disconnect this weekend. No Facebook updates, no posting pictures on Instagram, no witty tweets on Twitter. Even email is off limits. So far, so good–except this post. Whoops :-) I can’t help myself. I’m taking my free time this weekend to write and I just want to pose a couple questions to each of you for a bit of thought and reflection. Just two things to ask God, I promise. You ready? Okay, here we go:

1. Show me who you are.
2. Show me who I am.

That’s it. (I’m kind of laughing at that sentence just because the depth of those two points is rocking my world right now.)

But in all seriousness, take some time in prayer. Approach the throne of grace and ask God to reveal Himself to you. It has the potential to change everything.