Photography Friday: Bestie Getting Married!

"Sarah, you need to find out when Gordon is proposing so we can plan the engagement party."
"He hasn't told me anything yet."

Little did we know, about the same time we were having our discussion, Gordon was down on one knee asking Rachel to marry him.

And they didn't bother to tell us. Instead, they walked in my house like nothing had happened, and we started having a discussion about the SnackCrate we were about to consume. And then I noticed... her hand was sparklier than it had been before.

"Sarah," I whispered. "Look at Rachel's hand."

Screaming ensued from Sarah and me. Laughing ensued from Rachel and Gordon. Confusion crossed Casey's face because he didn't know why there was so much chaos going on all of a sudden.

After much congratulations we got on to Gordon for not telling us because we were missing out on a very important party opportunity! Good thing we're quick on our feet. We grabbed the SnackCrate of Polish snacks and took off to surprise Rachel's parents with the exciting news.

The next day we went to the spot where he proposed and took a few photos.

I'm so excited for Rachel and Gordon! Let the wedding planning begin!

The Thing God Didn't Give Me

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
‭‭2 Timothy ‭1:7‬

Fear is a very real thing. A thing I have dealt with before in a manner that was almost crippling. It got ahold of my every thought, it followed me with every step I took. I didn’t know what to do to overcome it, so I started quoting scripture in my head as often as I could. This verse was a favorite of mine and I found myself quoting it a lot. Eventually, that heavy fear that took over my life left me, but that didn’t mean that fear wasn’t something I never had to battle again.

I think sometimes my fear is more based on worry. Worry that I will mess up or make a bad decision. And I’ve dealt with that particular kind of fear a lot over the last few years. It was hindering me from making life-altering decisions because I was afraid I’d make the wrong choice. One morning I woke up and was having my Jesus time and this scripture popped into my head.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear.” It’s simple. It’s written there. But in that moment I realized:

Fear doesn’t come from God. And that day I set aside the fear and started making decisions about my future, because I knew that God held my future, and He did not give me a fear of my future.

But the verse goes on. It is such a comfort to know that God doesn’t give us fear—any fear we have is coming from some other source we must try and identify. But what DOES God give us?

Power.
Love.
A sound mind.

I love the way the amplified version says “a calm, well-balanced mind and self control.” Have you ever felt like your mind was muddled? Like there was no peace? Well that means that the enemy has stolen the thing that God gave you—peace of mind—and replaced it with his own “gift” of fear.

I love presents, but they aren’t all good. And the “gift” of fear from the devil is one that we need to throw away. Buh-bye fear. You aren’t welcome here anymore.

Instead, I’m accepting the gifts the Lord has given me. POWER to overcome the devil with God on my side. LOVE to push away the darkness and know I am found and cherished in His eyes, knowing He has a purpose for me. A SOUND MIND so I can live in peace and purpose.

Celebrate today with the beautiful gifts that God has for you, and rest assured in knowing that he holds both your present and your future, and you have no need to fear.