Grasp...

I want to grasp the will of God,
His good, acceptable, and perfect will.

Not just "fly" by in this life doing what I think, what others "think" I should do,
but be so in-tune with Him that I hear His voice leading me, guiding me.

Oh, the sweet joy of seeking Him.

Being transformed by the renewing of my mind.

Trusting in His unfailing love,

rejoicing in His salvation.

 

Singing to the Lord,

for He has been good to me.

 

I don't know how the story will end.

But what I do know is that He is here.

 

Leading me. Guiding me.

 

Into His...

Good, Acceptable, and Perfect will.

 

By His Grace,

Nicole Marie

Spilling words out onto the page.

No editing, no worrying if I have it just right or not.

Writing for five minutes with friends.
Kindred friends who are a sweet blessing. 

 

Letting the words flow across the screen, seeing the story that will unfold...

Sharing thoughts on the word Grasp, tonight.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Wide and full of Grace...

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV 

...That is the verse she gave me tonight...
A verse aptly spoken, wide and full of the grace of God.
Grace that covered and flowed over my heart and soul.

Wide with promise and hope of what is to come.
Even when I can't see it, nor know what it will be, it is wide with promise.

To forget what is behind me,
reach forward to what lies ahead,
press on towards the goal.

The goal of Christ Jesus.

But, I must step.
I must act.
I must make a choice.

He's there right beside me.
And, He's there beside you too.

...with arms open wide.

I will keep on the journey.
I will trust He is there, working behind the scenes even when I can't "see" Him.

 Wide with Grace.
Wide with Promise.
Wide with Hope.

By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie

Spilling words out onto the page.

No editing, no worrying if I have it just right or not.

Writing for five minutes with friends. 
Kindred friends who are a sweet blessing. 

 

Letting the words flow across the screen, seeing the story that will unfold...

Sharing thoughts on the word Wide, tonight.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Lesson from a watermelon...

There it sits...
green, football like, sitting on my front porch,
and I smile.

Just a few minutes before, that smile wasn't there but tears.
Tears that flow when stress hits, prayers go unanswered,
in the middle of trials and waiting on change.

She had a whim,
a thought,
and she acted on it.

Something so small,
an act so kind,
to change my focus...

To focus on the blessing of the moment.
To focus on the provision of the moment.
To focus on the truth that God has not forgotten me in this time.

A moment to take the focus off of all that has been weighing me down.
To open my eyes and see the small gifts HE would bring after that...

A card.
An email.
Friends reaching out.
An opportunity to create again.

When my thoughts go to the weight of the waiting and trials.
The reality that is now.

I just focus...

Focus on that green, football like watermelon,
now sitting on my counter.

And, I smile.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV

What small, little gifts has He left you lately?


By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie

Spilling words out onto the page.

No editing, no worrying if I have it just right or not.

Writing for five minutes with friends.

 

Letting the words flow across the screen, seeing the story that will unfold...

Sharing thoughts on the word Focus, tonight.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Change...

Spilling words out onto the page.

No editing, no worrying if I have it just right or not.

Writing for five minutes with friends.

And, go...

Change...

I am in the midst of change.
Smack-dab in the middle of the ocean, change.
The kind of change that requires "getting out of the boat."

I was here once before.
Frozen.
Scared.
Afraid to move.

But since that time,
God has placed circumstances,
people,
and learning into my life in such a way that...

Causes growth.

Growth to see that God is always with me.
He will never leave nor forsake.
That through this change,
He is there.

What's it going to take?

Getting out of the boat.
Walking with my eyes and heart focused on Christ.
Because,
you see...

I'm done with looking at the waves.
I'm done with sitting in the boat, looking out over the ocean...

It's time for a change and I'm stepping out.

Let's go God.
Things are happening, and they are good!

I know you got this.
I know you got me!

I can't wait to see what you have in store for me!

---Stop---

By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie

Letting the words flow across the screen, seeing the story that will unfold...

Sharing thoughts on the word Stretch, tonight.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Stretch...{Five Minute Friday}

I breathe deep, look into the reflection of my mothers eyes, as tears fall.

And I just know...

this moment is good.

BUT,

there is something more.

Something that I will have to wait for.

This place, this now, is going to stretch me.

Stretch me in ways I don't even know yet.

Stretch me in the hard...

Stretch me in the good...

Stretch me in the waiting and the living...

And I'm both scared and excited.

I stretch...

 ...for the dreams that lie in my heart.

...in this place that God has me.

...and still yearn for that something more.

Something that I know is there...

But as those tears fall,

going to have to wait for a little while longer.

STOP

By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie

Letting the words flow across the screen, seeing the story that will unfold...

Sharing thoughts on the word Stretch, tonight.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Beauty and connect...at the heart of every girl

Slowing my mind and allowing my soul to breathe in this wee early morning.

So early, my head earns for rest upon the soft, gray pillow now supporting my back.
Dreams only a thought in my mind.

Instead,

Words are spilling out onto the page.

No editing, no worrying if I have it just right or not.

And, go...

At the heart of every girl, no matter the age,

is the deep desire to feel, connect.

To know:

She is wanted.

She is loved.

She is beautiful.

Beautiful is what she wants to feel, drink deeply of.

The beauty that only comes from deep with in.

The beauty of being wanted.

The beauty of being loved for who she is, all of her.

All of her past, her present, and all of what the future holds.

Where is the connect?

For the beauty that seems so far away...

The beauty hidden...
the beauty masked in the pains of life, trials fought...

 For the beauty that comes from deep with in.

Deep within the heart...

Might it begin here,
found within the pages of a legacy.
Pages that breathe truth.

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty...

Psalm 45:11a NIV 

STOP

What are some of your favorite verses on beauty?

By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie 

Sharing my thoughts on the word connect, and realizing, tonight...

the words searched me out.

Joining Lisa-Jo  and friends here:

Sitting here in this...

Clearing my head, for five minutes of free writing

 without worrying about getting it right.

This week's prompt chosen by Lisa-Jo: Here

And, go...

Sitting here in this coffee shop and wondering, do I share the raw truths of my heart today?

Do I let them go, here in this space?

Hoping that someone may find Hope and Grace in them, through them.

So here I go...

If love never fails, why is it so hard?

How do couples, two people, get past the past hurts, fears, and percieved societal rules

to actually be free to love one another.

And if they aren't in that place yet.

How do they get free enough from their own selfish self to truly learn about and

grow with another to see if it's worth pursing?

How do you get past the hard? 

The own ideas each of you have brought to this place, 

to learn the true heart of the other?

What would happen if you didn't listen to,

forgot all of society rules,

expectations,

 and movie magic?

And instead came real, 

stayed real, 

and were honest.

Not quitting when it got tough or confusing but pushing through to the heart.
 

To dare to take a risk, a leap, to fly.

Sitting here in this coffee shop, a blessed friend, encourages me...

share those words,

wait for those words,

that is what God wants.

That is what you want.

...Wait for God's best she says...

STOP.

By His Grace and for His Glory,

Nicole Marie

Beyond the tattered...

Setting my timer, clearing my head, for five minutes of free writing

 without worrying about getting it right.

This week's prompt chosen by Lisa-Jo: Beyond

And, go...

Beyond the tattered, worn cover are markings of pens long since ran out.

Markings that give life to this well-beaten and worn Bible.

Markings that once guided the thoughts and prayers of family close.

But to me...they are more than markings.

more than words, 

more than lines on a page.

It goes beyond that.

They are a legacy.

Legacy of the faith of a grandpa I knew

and a grandma I will one day meet in heaven.

Legacy of faith gone before me

and faith I want to continue. 

A legacy I hope to one day pass down.

Beyond the tattered, worn cover are...

STOP.

By His Grace and Hope,

Nicole Marie

The Intersection of Opportunity

I am standing at the intersection of opportunity and I am frozen.

Is it fear? Yes, I'll be honest and swallow that one.

My heart is pounding out beats along this road and I am searching.

Prayers are going up,

I have what I need.

The rest is up to me.

I desire this opportunity, 

want it completely.

But, I don't know which road to take.

I am frozen in the blessing of opportunities and fear is threatening to steal it.

I know God is with me wherever I go, 

then why is this choice so hard?

There is much I want to do.

To see.

All are the right choice.

Which do I take beats loud my heart.

Fear can no longer be a companion on this road, 

no longer a back seat driver on this journey to opportunity.

No, it must go!

The lights I know will soon turn and flash green to go.

I know when it does,

HE will be there with me.

Can't HE just paint the answer in the sky?

No, not this time.

It must be a leap.

A leaf of faith.

So I find myself standing at the intersection of opportunity.

What intersections are you standing at right now?

Joining at The Gypsy Mama and friends for Five Minute Friday.
Writing for 5 minutes without edits.

By His Grace,

Cole

{Perspective} Five Minute Friday

Hello Friends!

It has been so long since I have stepped into this space that

 I am still figuring out this new Blogger. 

Many changes have happened, are happening, could be happening soon.

I want to share all with you, but some I need to keep near to my heart.

I've been taking mobile pictures and thought of sharing with you a collage of daily life these past few months, but what my heart is truly desiring are words.

Words of life.

Words that bring hope.

 Words that give you a glimpse of our Heavenly Father.

So, for today, We are going to join The Gypsy Mama and others for last week's Five Minute Friday prompt. Writing without edits for 5 minutes.

This week's word...

Perspective

---

His love never fails and He never leaves me.

I try to make sense of it, 

wanting to know how this moment, this gift given will turn out. 

But this...

I cannot.

So, I give thanks for today.

This moment.

This gift.

I can only take risks, step out in faith, hope.

Knowing, trusting, in whatever HIS plan may be.

For this moment.

For this time.

 I desire to be filled with HIM, HIM above.

Take it day-by-day I'm told.

Enjoy each day for what it is.

It has been long since I have let this heart of mine go to this place.

This place of goodness in the gift.

When I can't see what is to come,

in my heart,

I remember the perspective that is...

His Love never fails and He never leaves me.

By His Grace,

Cole

Ache...{Five Minute Friday}

Limping up the front porch I look back.

I look back at this crazy, wild journey of blessings and heartache.

And it takes all my strength to lift the tight, sore muscles of my legs up one more step.

Retraining my body for God’s glory not the approval of others.

Leaning into His grace and strength that can only carry a body miles on end

through the Kansas winds that push back.

The growth of sleeping muscles coming back to life colliding head-on

with dreams deferred.

Not my strength.

Not my will.

But His in me.

His Word will not return empty.

His Word is as alive as the breathes you take right now…

His Word…

I can do all things through Christ Jesus He who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

By His Grace,

Cole

It's been a few weeks of no rest but so blessed.

A busy season of State Assessments, meetings, Sub-state basketball, and teaching the kiddos God has entrusted to me. 

I've missed you...

How have you been?

We're joining: The Gypsy Mama and Beki's: Finger Print Friday today.

Delight...His Love Story to Me

Reds, oranges, and yellows splash across the big, blue sky painting it majestic.

Barren earth with secrets planted deep within reach up to taste the warmth.

Stories of the bounty not yet told.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

Soft, vibrant petals catch my eye. Draw me near, take me in.

Petals that remind me of hopes and dreams, love, and care.

The sweet aroma fills my lungs.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

A journey that was unexpected and a new one beginning.

Not knowing the destination, but letting Him be my guide.

The dance of Hope weaving it’s way in and through it all.

I wonder, I awe at this beauty. Delight in what He has given. His love story to me.

His love story. Oh, how He delights in you and me. 

What gifts has God given you that you take delight in? 

By His Grace,

Cole

Joining The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday 

and 

Beki for Fingerprint Friday

Trust... {Joining The Gypsy Mama}

I have to admit...

be honest, be real.

I sat on this post awhile.

Actually, until today before I choose to write it.

Afraid of what might come out.

Of what might be revealed.

I'm joining The Gypsy Mama and others today for Five Minute Friday.

Writing without edits, without looking back, for five minutes.

Letting the words grace the page.

Ready?

Here Goes...

---

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col. 3:17

This I must trust in. Not just words on a page, a prayer tucked in my heart.

But really trust to live out,

to believe.

To trust God in this Journey that is ever-changing.

To trust God with the hopes and dreams deep in my heart.

Hopes, dreams that have not yet come.

Hopes, dreams that dance in my heart and soul to be a wife and mom;

to encourage through writing, sharing God's Hope and Grace with all women, with you. 

I must trust that He is before all things, going before me,

preparing the way I cannot yet see.

But hope to see...

I must trust that as I take steps of faith.

He is there.

Whether I turn to the right or left...

He is there with me.

Saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

This life, this journey, my journey, your journey, are steps of trust, of faith.

As it is says, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

I must trust.

---STOP---

 What hopes and dreams are you trusting for?

By His Grace 

{in this Journey},

Cole

That We Might See...

It's in the looking back that I see...

Vivid Hands of my Savior holding me tight.

Hands that protect.

Hands that guide.

Hands that provide.

His Hands that never let me go and remind me over and over...

There is always Trust.

There is always Hope.
 

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

 for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

 great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

He was with me on that Journey and has been ever since.

Vivid Hands that promise He will never leave nor forsake.

Vivid Hands nailed to the cross that we might see...

In looking back, what might you see through His Hands?

By His Grace,

Cole

Joining The Gypsy Mama and others for Five Minute Friday where:

"On Fridays around these parts we stop, drop, and write.

For fun, for love of the sound of words, for play, for delight, for joy and celebration at the art of communication.

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not." ---The Gypsy Mama