Tag: summertime

Free to be Confident

- JaclynPalmer Leave a comment

Surrounded by trees. Overlooking a lake. Days on a beach. Nights around a fire. These are a few of my favorite things.

Yes, I wear makeup. Yes, I wear jewelry. Yes, I shave. Yes, my nails are painted.

Yes, I camp, and I love it. In the city or in the mountains, I am Jaclyn. It’s how I do.

How refreshing to learn who we are. Truly. That no matter what we are doing, we do it as who we are. No thought as to what is expected or what we “should be.”

Simply you. Pure, true, comfortable, confident.

Father, I love freedom. I love that freedom matters to you. That it is a concept designed by you. A gift deep within us that our souls desire. Freedom from the reign of another. Freedom from sin. Freedom from chains. Freedom from expectations. Freedom from past. Freedom from shame. Freedom from lies. Freedom from fear. Freedom from all things that weigh us down, that lead us away from you, that stumble before us as traps daring us to fall.

We have a confidence in You! That confidence allows us the strength to stand in freedom. Father, thank you for the gift of freedom.

Freedom is vulnerable sometimes. Or is this thought just mine?

I don’t think I’m alone in this. To stand in freedom is a bold proclamation on which we proudly stand. That’s vulnerable. Arms raised in exhalation free of hindrances. That’s confident. Oh, that we see freedom as a gift, and that we stand confidently in that freedom! May our confidence bring honor to God and to the ones who gave us the very freedom in which we stand.

Confidence in our Father’s love.

Confidence in our Savior’s resurrection.

Confidence in the Spirit’s leading.

Confidence in your nation’s heritage.

Confidence in your spouse.

Confidence in your parenting styles.

Confidence in your ability.

Confidence in your smile.

Confidence in your You.

You are free to be confident. In the city or the mountains. 😉 Be you.

Simple little time of prayer

- JaclynPalmer 2 Comments

Hi Lord,

I sit here with such a quiet soul. When I write my prayers to you they are typically centered on a matter of my heart, but if I were to pen my thoughts this very moment I fear others would be disappointed in my lack of depth or judgmental of the ease in which I speak to the King.

But God, as the audience of my heart and thoughts, and as the faithful Father of all my days, to hear or read my quieted-soul thoughts would only be natural, familiar and expected.

So,

Thank you for this weather. The sun feels too good on my skin. I hate that I can’t just drink it in all day. Help me to balance between tan and leather. Ugh. I just want to not be in the shade. But Perhaps I should sit in the shade for a moment. I don’t think the squirrels enjoy when it is warmer. My sweet little dog has nothing to occupy himself with. He’s watching, that’s for sure, but not a squirrel to be seen.

My “boys” are inside watching a movie. “Taking a break from the heat.” It’s only in the 80’s. Crazy kids. Lord, these boys! I do love these crazy kids. I thank you for their neighborhood friendship. I pray their connection will grow into a strong force. A force that will be a source of accountability, maturity and laughter.

This breeze is on the verge of goosebumping my legs. Perhaps it’s time to peek back into the sun. My goodness.

Lord, thank you for caring about our quiet-soul thoughts. Thank you for sitting with us in peace and calm. Lord, I pray boldness over my friends who struggle with simple conversation with you. Lord, make it obvious to them that your ears are bigger than their deepest prayers and (squirrel! See, it’s not too hot!) wide enough for their littlest smiles. You, Father, truly care.

And thank you for my dog. 🙂 That was funny…

Ladybug photo by @groverst

Reschedule

- JaclynPalmer 2 Comments

(6/10/19)

Lord, I’m all but giggling by myself on my couch in the quietness of my writing space looking out at the bright, blue sky while contemplating my new schedule.

Summer time schedule.

Yep, I giggle again! God, as much as I desire to curl up with all the fiction books and soak up all the Sunshine, I do pray you will go before me in productivity and advancement. To pray specifically in those matters in farther than my sun-kissed skin can allow, but You, Lord, always make a way for my brain to function and Your Spirit to lead.

So, Lord Jesus, I pray for all our summer time schedules.

I pray your Spirit will lead.

I pray our hearts will refresh.

I pray our brains will quiet.

I pray our days will slow.

I pray we will stop and think and whisper and silence our normalcies so we can breathe in your creation, your will, your way, your purpose and your REST.

Ah, Lord, summertime. How my heart skips a beat…

Fantastic photo by @groverst 🙂 … link to follow my brilliant friend on Instagram