Mended

"Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me:"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."

-Jeremiah 18:2-6

The other day, I bought a perfectly good pitcher at the store.

I went home, and smashed it against the concrete.

I have heard about smashing glass and how it is suppose to make you feel better. Well, it did. I sat there a few seconds taking it all in. and then I gathered the pieces, and made way to my room to put it back together. I got the hot glue gun, and started sifting through the pieces. I talked to God while I was working. as I was working, God showed me a lot. I begin to think of my past. Mistakes I made, thing's I have done. I realized the pitcher was my life, and every piece was part of a story that he had chosen to put together. I began to remember things I had forgotten. It took a while to finish, but it was time well spent.

Here you are Callie. You are mended. You are filled with My Spirit. and I am asking you to pour yourself out.

The idea of my life as a broken pitcher is beautiful to me. but, it is also hard to look at. I wished I had been different. I wished I had always followed him the way I should have. I was mad at the cracks, and breaks, time spent wasted, and the holes where it should be smooth. But God, my almighty father, was telling me,

My dearest Callie. How do you think the world has seen me? If it wasn't for the cracks, the breaks, I couldn't seep out the way I do. I chose the pitcher,. I chose you, just as you are.

I challenge you to do the same. find a vase, or pitcher, smash it, and then put it back together. Let Him tell you who you are, and let yourself be reminded of the grace that seals us all.

I know you have had seasons of life that are unmendable. I know I have. but despite the hurt and heartache, it is never too late for Him to sculpt you into something beautiful. Allow the Lord to remind you that you aren't a mistake.

Allow god to remind you of His great love for you. His precious vessel.

In Christ,

Callie

Listening to: No One Higher by Seth Condrey

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For The Better...

The impact of words goes far beyond just that moment.

They can last a lifetime. They can change, hurt, inspire, and encourage someone. 

Some words are forgotten. Some replay in our minds over and over and over again.

Looking back at my life, I wonder which words have been the most uplifting and the most discouraging. Who spoke those words, and did they have any idea of the effect they would have?

I can remember the first time that someone said that they didn't know how God could possible love a screw up like me. That sharp, stabbing feeling came like a sword to my heart. The first time someone ever told me I wasn't wanted, or that I couldn't be their friend... Painful words hurt and last a long time.

But true, encouraging words are also sources of power. They make the heart joyful. They brighten our day. Sometimes, they can change someone's entire world.

I remember the day that a close friend told me that I was beautiful in the eyes of Christ. The moment that someone I didn't even know said I encouraged them daily (when I was at my lowest point).

Then there are the words that come from quotes and songs that speak so deeply into the soul.

Words can inspire, encourage, hurt and destroy someone.

When did words make the biggest difference in life? At what moment did words encourage or empower you the most?

When did words tear you down or hurt you?

Feel free to share your stories here. It's awesome to hear how God uses others to encourage you, or unfortunately hurt you...

Lets strive to be people who encourage, not destroy. Build up, not tear down. Lets be a generation that uses words to uplift and inspire our community and world. People won't help but notice.


In Christ,
Callie


Listening to: Words By Hawk Nelson

Whatever You're Doing...

I have recently come across a new song. I can't explain my life anymore clearer than this song. it says it all. perfectly.

listen, reflect, listen again, and pass it on. its amazing.

it is called whatever your doing by sanctus real.

It's time for healing time to move on

It's time to fix what's been broken too long

Time to make right what has been wrong

It's time to find my way to where I belong

There's a wave that's crashing over me

And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone

Time to begin again

Reevaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow Your will?

Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills

So show me what it is You want from me

I give everything I surrender...To...

Time to face up

Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out

That I've wanted to say for so many years

Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but I believe

You're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but now I can see

This is something bigger than me

Larger than life something Heavenly

this is my heart.

4 things

God has taught me a lot the past few days.

1st. I cannot play the victim card. I am not a victim. I am victorious through Christ.

Let me explain....A few months ago I was asked about my life story. Everything. I shared, and did the unthinkable for me...I began to feel sorry for myself. I began to feel sorry for what I've been through.

I cannot feel sorry for myself. I cannot play the victim card, Because I AM NOT A VICTIM! God has made me victorious in his son. With Christ's help, I have conquered all the obstacles the devil has thrown my way. By playing the victim card, I am hiding all the wonderful things God did to bring me through it.

I will not be defined by my past. I am changed because of it. I would never choose to change what I have been through because it has shaped who I am today.

Romans 8:37- In All these things, I am MORE THAN VICTORIOUS through Christ who loves me.


2nd. God loves us like crazy!

Have you ever really, REALLY thought about that?

God sent his son. The only son he would ever have, and allowed him to die for 7 billion people who may or may not choose to understand and thank God for his sacrifice! He did it for each of us. Me. You. The lady down the street. The man in jail. The murder in africa. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! That"s AMAZING!


3. I am blessed.

I am blessed with people who pour into my life.
I am blessed with people who listen, and care about what new in my life.
I am blessed with a Job that I love, that influences others, and glorifies God.
I am blessed with a purpose on this earth.
I am blessed to be able to live out that purpose without fear of being persecuted and killed.
I. Am. Blessed.


4. I am full of emotions about this Zimbabwe Mission Trip.

I am excited, scared, bursting to go, yet feeling overwhelmed by it all.

I have been on missions trips before. I have been exotic places and seen the lost, hungry, homeless and poverty stricken.

But this is different. I can't explain it. Its nerve racking, exciting, inspiring, and scary all in 1.

I know God is going to do some great things in the lives of the people who live in zimbabwe and for our Team. Lord, Put a hedge of protection around us. Soften the hearts of the people who we will come in contact with. Prepare us. Prepare our hearts. Prepare our minds. Prepare our spirits.


In Christ,

Callie


Listening to: Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective