A Letter to the Carpenter's Daughters (Who are so Gloriously Ruined):

Dear Warrior Girls,

Thanks a lot. Thanks for taking my cozy, easy, half-convicted life, and turning it upside down. Thank you for allowing God to work through your lives in a way that has switched me from reading decorating blogs (and dreaming of billowy curtains, and glorious white dishes), and choking me with grim reality blogs. I really appreciate the way you took my shopping trips (*SIGH*) and made them seem so darn petty. Today I came home with a little pink bag of my favorite undies, and now all I can think of is how many bellies that price tag would have filled. Yeah, thanks for that. I would also like to thank you for introducing me to your children. Children that could have remained a mystery...unknown... Now my heart has been touched in places that I didn't know existed. I sob over photos of these little ones, and the ones that peep through bars...waiting for their forever family. Yeah, thanks for that heartache. Now I cannot throw anything out without wondering how I EVER became so wasteful. I look at my stuff and wonder what my problem is. REALLY? Do I REALLY need another one of those? Great. Now I have more conviction...thanks. This is what I get for having a band of friends that care more than I knew was even possible. This is what I get for knowing a God that is SO BIG and AMAZING, that I have been smacked-down, face flat on the concrete. I have tripped on my own indifference. And you know what? I TRULY AM THANKFUL! I love you all so much. I wonder why God allows me to be in this group? I am SO stinking far behind where I should be! I don't pray enough, care enough, give enough, try hard enough. I am so selfish that is nauseates me. Why on earth would God show me such mercy? There is so much mercy in pain and correction. My Father is so good. Yes, this letter started sarcastic and silly, but here is the cold hard truth: I want to know more. I want to hurt more, feel more, give more, break more. I need all of you to hold me accountable. I am not even close to making the cut. Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy and grace! I am nothing without the blood of Jesus covering my every sin. I needed (NEED) the reality and support that He has brought through all of you. I am forever grateful...even though I really liked billowy curtains and PINK undies. ;)

Your Warrior Sister,
Layla

("Gloriously Ruined," is a quote from Kay Warren)

Below is a modern day Psalm by my friend, Sean Gutteridge (Oh! The encouragement this has brought to my heart!):

"Trouble surrounds me - too many to count. They pile up so high that not even I... can find a way out//But here I will stand - battered by storms, but here still I am; Here will I stand - I know that I am - one who loves your salvation - one needing redemption - one pleading with mercy - embracing Grace and casting out... misery so...don't forsake me 'til You've heard my heart shout: The Lord is great! Rise Up, Lord, and Save Me! Your Power can't be Mistaken, no...nothing can replace Him! Rise Up Lord in Greatness!"
[inspired from Psalm 40:11]

Psalm 40:11 "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me."

Until next time,

The Carpenter's Daughter