deanna-west-29

[deanna-west-29]

“It’s better to have nobody than to have someone who is half there, or doesn’t want to be there.”

— Angelina Jolie

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I think next thursday is gonna be the best day of my entire life tbh

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10•5•14

Tonight I heard a beautiful story about how my friends parents fell in love. I look up to and am inspired by this couple so much for so many reasons. One reason being that they both absolutely love Jesus with everything that they have. Their kids (who are my friends) are all incredible, they love and follow Jesus and they’re just an incredible family altogether.

Tonight I spoke with their mom and I told her about what I’m struggling with–how I’ve been having trouble trusting that God has someone for me. Being frustrated with myself because all I want to do is trust God has not helped either. As I poured out my heart to her, she encouraged me, but also she told me something I’d never forget. She said, “There’s this saying that says, ‘Run so fast after Jesus that you can just look to the side and God will show you a man who is also running along side with you. That is the one He will have for you. You’ll know.’”

Grateful for people like Mrs. Becky.

[deanna-west-29]

It’s easy to let the “God projects” get in the way, but we’ll miss it. We’ll miss Him. He is the reason we live the way we do and do the things we do. He is all that matters. This reminded me to keep Him at the center of everything. Everything.

[deanna-west-29]

The Artisan Soul

“Though we may create many beautiful works of art, the most important work of art to which we will ever give ourselves are the lives we live. No matter what else we produce in life– whether we are painters or filmmakers or dancers or poets, even if we create something that might someday be kept in the gallery or museum somewhere in the world for generations of people to come and marvel at the wonder of our work–you never create anything more power or significant that our lives.”

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“How it must break His heart when we walk around so desperate for the kind of love He waits to give us each and everyday.”

Lysa TerKeurst (via wildflowers-and-grace)

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It takes time to live. Like any work of art, life needs to be thought about.

Albert Camus, A Happy Death (via wnq-writers)

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[deanna-west-29]

When your hope begins to fade, you can push back the darkness with the light of God’s promises. He is the strength of your heart.

John Piper (via alistairradley)

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Instead of saying “I don’t have time” try saying “it’s not a priority,” and see how that feels. Often, that’s a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don’t want to. But other things are harder. Try it: “I’m not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it’s not a priority.” “I don’t go to the doctor because my health is not a priority.” If these phrases don’t sit well, that’s the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don’t like how we’re spending an hour, we can choose differently.

Wall Street Journal (via makeandgather)

[deanna-west-29]

People aren’t always what you want them to be. Sometimes they disappoint you or let you down, but you have to give them a chance first. You can’t just meet someone and expect them to be everything you’re looking for and then be angry when they’re not every hope and aspiration you projected onto them. It’s foolish to believe that someone will be what you imagine them to be. And sometimes, when you give them a chance, they turn out to be better than you imagined. Different, but better.

Chloe Rattray (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

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Love is ever expanding. Love always grows, not just deeper, but wider. Love always loves people more and always loves more people. Love calls us to community; love calls us to humanity; love calls us to each other.

Erwin McManus, Soul Cravings (via contrariansoul)

[deanna-west-29]

You don’t have to believe in God for God to believe in you.

Erwin McManus (via graceandgracey)