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I believe all I need in life is God, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost, and nature.

| S.M |

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Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ,

I pray that you help me know my heart.

Amen.

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I am a believer in God our Lord and Savior. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I am a believer in the power of the Holy Ghost. This service gave me a blanket of comfort. It reminds me that I can be a believer in God but still not have it all together. That I can believe in God and still be: Sad, depressed, angry, confused, lost. That my life with God is not going to be perfect. That the walk with God is not going to be easy. That my life will still have painful moments. The difference is that when I had a life in which I wasn't invested in God, Jesus Christ, or Holy Ghost I didn't have wisdom, understanding, or strength to want to see another day. I didn't have hope. I relied on things that could change instead and let me down. I relied on the wrong people, the wrong situations, and the wrong way of life. Toxicity was something I was used to, so I would actively seek it and then question why life didn't get any better. I surrounded myself with people that didn't lift me up. I surrounded myself with people that only wanted me to go as far as they were. I was mentally, emotionally, spiritually weak and the only thing that kept me moving was the physical strength and will power to not stop. When I decided to make the change, to invest in God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Ghost to learn the truth behind the lies the world spreads and give it a real chance I learned that life, still, isn't going to be all butterflies and rainbows. I'm still going to go through the motions of all my emotions with the ups and downs life has to throw at me but I will be going through it with a Father that will love me unconditionally. That will support me, strengthen me, listen to me, forgive me, give me grace and give me mercy. I don't always need to be strong because God will accept me where I'm at in that moment. He accepts us at our best but unlike a lot of people He will accept us wholeheartedly at our worst. Jesus Christ didn't die for the perfect people of this earth. He died for the sinners, the imperfect, the people we would consider rejects. Jesus Christ didn't sit with the royals in their fancy castles but instead washed the feet of His disciples and ate dinner with the corrupt. Y'all think you'd get rejected for what this world and certain choices made you out to be but, in fact, you're the one He wants on His side. The unfortunate truth though, the devil will also fight to keep you on his side, and it won't be easy to turn away. The devil has had their clutches, knows how to keep you. Keeping you comfortable is its most sneaky attack but also keeping you yoked to an addiction.

Matthew 19:26 "With God all things are possible."

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To find b e a u t y in the smallest things. 💜

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This was a run little project I did. Amazon package, the bee I did a few weeks later. It's fun, time consuming, and great for focus (which I thought I was lacking in and wanted to practice). I made these as gifts and learned the beginning of a new hobby. Not perfect but what is?

- S.M

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How did time go by so fast? Six weeks to five years.

My handsome baby boy, Clay. 💙

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I had, honestly, lost hope.

I had a million seeds, I watched them grow.

I tried to be a good plant-mom and give them a bigger home; Most of them died.

Eventually, I just left them in their bucket.

I stopped caring, stopped tending, stopped talking to them yet I couldn't find it in my heart to tear them out - even though they looked dead.

I walked by them every day and did marvel at how this plant didn't fade but grew and grew.

It was kind of annoying - ugly, crispy, and basically just looked like weeds. Sore to the eye.

Yet, they kept fighting and waiting for the perfect time.

Over night, dozens of little blooms began to poke out. I was in disbelief.

I wish I could take credit and say I grew these but in reality, I had nothing to do with it.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost worked together to make this universe, this Earth. They made every creation.

They do not give up on us, they do not give up on their creation.

When I gave up, they did not.

God knew how happy these plants were making me as I watched them grow from little seedlings and saw how my heart broke and disappointment darkened me when I, accidentally, killed a majority of them.

I believe God wanted to give me a gift with these survivors, a message that He will never leave me in a sad place. God's timing is always perfect.

God Is Good.

S.M

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Oh God how you humble me.

When my pride and ego get too big, I am grateful for Your grace and m e r c y.

Amen.

| S.M |

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I've been so frustrated lately.

I can't tell if its real or f a k e.

Annoyance is the spark, rage is the fire.

I pray to God that the Holy Spirit tames me and kills them - the negative emotions.

I just... Can't stand them.

| S.M |

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Touch down on the cold black-top. Hold on for the sudden stop. Give me Your eyes so I can see. Breathe in the familiar shock of confusion and chaos. All those people goin' somewhere, why have I never cared? Give me Your eyes for just one second. Give me Your eyes so I can see. Everything that I keep missin'. Give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted. The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.

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Some of the most i n t i m a t e times I have with God are the moments in my car. I praise Him the most, loud and proud with a horrible voice. I'm sure my dog can back me up on that. Ha.

There are some songs, lyrics, and tunes that tug at the heart. That speaks the truth. That becomes my prayer along with my praise.

This one is a perfect example. I relate to it. I have a tendency to lack love for humanity - the irony being that the g o l d e n rule is to love your neighbor.

I think we can all agree that there are things in this world that blanket hope from humanity. A veil of rage and distrust blinds me - I question everyone and everything, I question every motive.

I'm a 'guilty until proven innocent' type of person. People are suspicious in my eyes - which is why this song makes me pray for your eyes, God, because if I can see through your eyes then I can love with your heart.

Pray to God to speak with you, through music, poetry, or the Bible itself. Listen to Him. Ask Him to open your heart to Him and those around you.

| S.M |