Hi Friends!

Welcome back to Sunday Night Inspiration! If this is your first time joining us, I welcome you to join me each week for an evening read filled with encouragement and inspiration to get your week started off right!

 

I began this series a couple of months back after feeling led to do so and each week it is SO refreshing to get feedback from all of you that you've been encouraged and your cups have been filled up! My mission in this series is to empower you along the way to be the wife, husband, friend, sister, daughter, son, PERSON you have been called to be...one post at a time. My desire, and more importantly, God's desire is to see you walk right smack dab into your calling and purpose in life with arms wide open.

 

I've been thinking a lot lately. {You know, right? LOL} One of the things I've been meditating on is my life and how over again God has never failed. Never. Even when I thought He did...I am reminded, HE DID NOT. And He never will.

 

Are you guys catching a theme here in this series? I sure hope so!

 

Phillippians 1:6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. NLT

You see that? Paul writes to the believers in Philippi a note...an empowering, encouraging note. His first words are "I am certain...". And further into the passage there's the word "continue".

God's work in you and in your life is CERTAIN to CONTINUE. Let's look more closely at that word continue:

1. keep going: to last, or make something last, beyond the present or throughout a period of time
2. not stop: to keep up an activity or state already begun
3. start something again: to start doing something again after an interruption or pause

Originally I was only going to post one of these definitions but they are all just too good! 
Continue: keep going.
Continue: to last
Continue: beyond the present
Continue: not stop.

Come on guys! Ya gotta get excited with me, friends! He {our God} who began a GOOD work in all of us...is faithful to CONTINUE: NOT STOP, KEEP GOING, MAKE IT LAST until the VERY END. Until COMPLETION. Until the end of the end.

 

And for those of you who wonder if you've messed up that work He began...continue also means to start again. {see definition number 3}

 

His faithfulness...continues. His goodness...continues. His love...continues.

His mercy and grace...continue. IN YOU.

 

Don't give up. He's doing something great. Promise.

XO,

 

Hi Friends! Thanks for stopping by this week for Sunday Night Inspiration! If this is your first time, this series is a once a week post where I get a little more personal and attempt to inspire and encourage you to be the YOU God has called you to be while sharing more of my personal journey and life.

 

Last week I shared about a photography session that sparked the revival of a dream that I had long forgotten. In a sense, I was awakened in that moment. I realized, once again, that God was not finished with me. That my days and my life will not forever be consumed by diapers and homework, taxi driving and sports. That I was meant to dream and that those dreams and visions had been placed in my heart by God, for His purpose and glory.

 

I also mentioned that some girlfriends and I attended the Women of Faith Conference last weekend where we were all inspired to live just a little bit bigger and reach out a little bit further. It was such a refreshing time with friends but even more with our Creator.

 

We heard speakers like Christine Caine, Jen Hatmaker and others who are so full of so many great gifts. I was amazed to see how freely they flowed in those gifts. There was just such an ease that came along with what they shared and as I listened, I knew (as well as others attending, I am sure) that they were doing just what God had called them to do. At what point, I wonder, were they awakened? When was that aha! moment that God spoke to them that "This is where My power will flow freely in you. This is what I have given you to share with the world. Go. Run. Be free."

 

Isn't this the story of most of our lives? We search from the time we are born for purpose and meaning and as we are raised whether we have a healthy upbringing or not, we hope to find it in parents, mentors or friends. We search for it in music, activities, drugs, clothes...fill in the blank. Many of us find it in Jesus and some, still search...while He waits to awaken.

 

I mean, we know that He has created all things, He is the beginning {and the end} of all things. He came to bring life and meaning and purpose to all things.

 

His word tells us:

 

Genesis 1:1-2 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the waters.

 

He was there, at the beginning to bring purpose, to create, to bring life and to awaken the earth even to its calling and if you read on you find that it wasn't just about the earth, of course but it was and always has been about us.

 

This idea alone has been one of the overwhelming themes of my thought life over the past few months and the last couple of weeks, even more intensely. God has used people around me, His word, events to breathe life into a once dead dream.

 

This week I was reminded of the scripture from Ezekiel where God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley full of dry bones. I felt it necessary to share the entire scripture and not just an excerpt so you can get the full picture of what happened there in that valley with Ezekiel.

 

Ezekiel 37

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ² He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. ³ He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

 

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

 

⁴ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath^[a] enter you, and you will come to life. ⁶ I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

 

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

 

⁹ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

 

¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

So this, week I am here to encourage you. To bring you hope. To help you see again with your FAITH EYES and not your human eyes. To let you know and to remind you that just because something looks dead, doesn't mean that God cannot, will not, and does not desire to breathe life, once again, into it. To awaken it...to awaken YOU to fulfill your calling and purpose in life.

 

 



XO,

The blinking cursor. It's been there waiting for me to start...here.
This is a post I've been wanting to write for a few weeks now but just haven't been able to put finger to keyboard to properly transfer these thoughts into words.

But tonight, we went to church and all of a sudden, it was complete. It all finally made sense to me.

For months and maybe even more than a year now I've wrestled with where to go with my business. What should Restoration House Interiors look like. What should it represent? To whom should it speak? And when I say "wrestle"...I mean WRESTLE.

 

This thought has, at times, literally consumed me as I continue to forge ahead and do all I have to do to make this business what I want it to be. Wait...what? Did I just say that?

 

If you've read my ABOUT ME section or hung around here for any amount of time you've gotten a taste of where my heart lies in relation to Restoration House. I've debated about breaking off and beginning a separate blog for inspiration but every time I try something {I like to call it the Holy Spirit, God, Jesus}inside says "no". I am not saying that this will never happen but now is not the time.

 

Over the next few months I hope to convey this emotion and conviction to you and welcome you to a new blog...a place where you can be inspired not just for your home {even thought there will be a lot of that} but a place where you SOUL can be filled and where you can find REST. And I won't separate the two. When you get Restoration House...you get me. All of me. The quirky, the fun and funky, the thoughtful, creative, energetic, goofy, Jesus loving...ME.

 

So what was this "it" revelation I had tonight?  Well, our Pastor spoke to us tonight about the Sabbath and what God intended it to be and how Jesus IS the Sabbath. He IS rest. He is the completed, finished work of God in our lives and I  {and you too} can REST knowing that:

I AM ACCEPTED.  {So I don't have to WORK to please Him. He loves me.}
I AM FORGIVEN.  {So I don't have to walk in worry or shame.}
I AM CALLED.       {So I am released to do some pretty amazing things in this life.}
I AM LOVED.         {SO I love. I create and give because so much has been given}
I AM FREE.             {To be who God has called me to be.}
I AM HIS.                 {So I can rest.}

I can rest here. Right here...and allow God to work through my gifts and talents and share all of His goodness with all of you whether it be through a Sunday night post or a Tuesday afternoon write-up about paint color on my walls or a DIY project. I no longer have to wrestle with what this place should look like because I can rest in knowing that my identity is not in Restoration House or anything I do but found in Him and what He has done.

 

I am SO excited to continue to walk this all out and share this journey of creativity and spiritual growth with all of you...my friends. You truly are...accepted by Him and pretty darn amazing.

 



 

Looking forward to the journey,



 

 

 

Happy Sunday, folks! {Or, Monday} Praying your day so far has been utterly amazing and you're settling in to jump into the week ahead of you.

I've had some issues this week with my laptop and haven't been able to write much. Now, thanks to the hubs, everything is back to normal here on my computer and I can share some Sunday Inspiration with all of you!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I have had a fun week of finding a few sweet items to help pull together this rental redo I've been working on for a few weeks now. I shared a little bit about it here a couple of weeks back.

I don't know why but it always takes me FOREVER to find just the right piece when it comes to my home. Why is that? I seem to put so much pressure on myself to make things just right and perfect. {Oh goodness, there's that word again.}

I just want things to be perfect. {Nothing wrong with that, right?} Even in our rental. Even though it's temporary. It's ours. At least for now...

 

And what's with me wanting to do all of this so quickly? I have projects up to my ears from furniture refinishes for friends to simple DIY to-do lists around the house and let's not even begin to talk about all the things I wanna do with and for my kids. It's enough to drive anyone to insanity.

 

You know...it's really in those times that I feel the most overwhelmed. The most like I need to blog every hour 'cause I have to keep up with this and that. The most like I have to make connections and network for my business. The most like if I don't then things will fall apart...that I am reminded of WHOSE I am and WHO is in control.

 

If I am completely honest {and I will be} when I am feeling overwhelmed {and I KINDA have been}, bound and stressed...I think to myself, "Darn it! There I go again...taking the reigns, not allowing God to do what He does best."

 

It is then that I am again reminded that my life and all that I do is under His guard, His watch...His control. And that is just the way it should be. I mean, He does kinda see it all. He has KINDA made some pretty glorious plans for my life. He does KINDA love me...I am HIS. Which means I have peace because He IS peace.  I have joy because He IS joy. I have a good life because He IS life. And so many more promises including this one...

 

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalm 37:23

 

Yep, that's you...the godly. And yep, that's Him...delighted in and excited about each and every detail of your life.

 

So, if you've been a little like me lately...just a little on edge trying to get. it. all. done...take delight in knowing that He is directing your way and wants you to bring each and every detail of your life to Him. You can REST in knowing that you're not burdening Him with it all.

 

Exhaling deeply with you,        



I know it's really late on this Sunday so for this week we'll call this the "Sunday Night-Monday Morning Inspiration". We've had a full weekend of sports and time with friends. Lots of laughing, wrestling, talking, praying, dreaming...and thinking.

Today while I was out for a bit I had the opportunity to bless some really special friends of ours with an anniversary gift. I wasn't stumped one bit when I thought about what to get them for their anniversary. As a matter of fact, the choices were abundant but I settled on a sweet quote throw pillow for their bedroom and some gourmet dark chocolate salted caramels for the two of them to share. While there was no slim picking, I was pretty particular about the items I purchased. I wanted them to be just right. It was, after all, their 14th anniversary.

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my love languages is "gifts".
{Admittedly, it's probably number one, eh hm.} And while receiving them is fun, no doubt, giving them for me is just as amazing. I love it!

Today, as the lady at the shop packaged everything up for me I felt the excitement growing as I thought about the look on our friends' faces when they opened up the gift we'd purchased for them. I couldn't take it...the excitement continued to build and the time that passed from the time of purchase to the glorious opening was approximately...five. long. hours.

 

There is, of course, a reason that I share the details of my day and the thrill I get each and every time I have the opportunity to give to someone I know or a stranger a gift.

 

Today, as I drove home from the mall I and thought about WHY I was SO excited to give and why in the world enjoy it so much.
I was then reminded of the amazing Gift Giver Himself...Jesus.
The ultimate exchange...thje ultimate sacrifice.

 

He {Jesus}has given us a great gift. As a matter of fact, it's the greatest of all. Life.

 

Real. True. Pure. Full. Blessed. Abundant...LIFE.  

 

And why do we give? Because He did and He does. Why do I get so excited about giving? Well, because He does. Don't believe me?

He gave...

After supper He took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and His people-an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. -Luke 22:20

And He loves doing it...even more than me...or you.
If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?” -Luke 11:13
 

He thought about you then, thinks about you and me now and planned our great destinies...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, {Yup, He was thinking of you even then} that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons... -Ephesians 1:3-5

 

Not only does He think about us, love us, cheer for us, comfort us...He is purposeful and thoughtful in His giving of gifts and He has given us GREAT PURPOSE to, through Him, live an empowered life with open hands and hearts that are willing to give just because He did.

 

 

 

Let the adventure begin,

What are you passionate about? What drives you? Brings you to life?

For me, there's nothing like a good design magazine and a warm mug of coffee or tea to begin or end the day. Or, walking into a 3,000 square foot warehouse full or fabric and finishing details to take that design project over the top.

But, for the past few months I've been thinking. A lot.

"Kennesha, what REALLY drives you?" "What REALLY gives you that passion for color, symmetry, design and pattern?" "WHO has given you that keen eye for design, the refinishing of furniture and adding just the right detail in just the right spot?"

Truth is. I've forgotten.

And there is nothing like the Holy Spirit to gently remind you, love you, woo you into a place where you are once again reminded...

To ask yourself...

What are you passionately pursuing?

In a culture that tells us to "follow your dreams", "do what your heart feels", "listen to that inner voice" I feel ever so compelled in this season to focus not on what others are doing with their businesses or life but rather to place my attention on pursuing those dreams and desires that God placed on MY heart.

Don't misinterpret. I am NOT saying that pursuing these things are bad. Of course I'm not. I, of all people, love the industry and all the things design, DIY, refurb.

What I am simply saying is that, for me, it cannot be the focus of my life. And in some ways, if I am honest, it has been.

This is what I know:
If I put Him first in my life. Always. He will direct my steps according to His purpose for my life {Matthew 6:33}

If I TRUST Him with my life. He will handle the rest. {Proverbs 3:5-6}

Meanwhile, He is all the while working in my favor to perform GOOD works for His glory. Can't beat that.

So what do I do while I wait for those dreams and desires to manifest? I passionately pursue the things of Christ. I passionately pursue His presence...for without it, I can do nothing.

With it, I am empowered and inspired to make a difference in this world whether it be through a simple blog post, a brush stroke of paint onto a piece of forgotten furniture, or just sit back, relax and soak in His presence.

xoxoxoxo,

I have this THING about losing THINGS. I don't know where it comes from, really. Well, I guess I kind of do but we'll talk more about that later.

For now, let's talk about today.

While I was preparing to get dinner ready for my family, I realized I'd misplaced my phone. As you know, like most of us, cell phones these days are pretty near and dear to us. They store, well...our lives.

Also, as many of us experience from time to time, I felt as though my heart would nearly pound right out of my chest as I thought about the possibility of never finding it. Now, honestly, in reality...is it really the end of the world if I never find it again? No.

But, my mind tends to race and take over in times like these...similar to a train wreck in the mind.

Today actually seemed to be filled with "moments of loss", as I've so affectionately named them. They are those times when you experience temporary insanity as a result of some random misplaced item or belonging.

This morning when I logged on to my computer to take care of some things online, I realized that I couldn't log into an account that I have had for years. I have never needed to access this account with my password since I always login from the same computer and asked it to save my info. Well, I cleared out all of the cookies, browsing history, etc. on my laptop a few weeks back and for the first time, I needed to log in.

I literally almost had an anxiety attack after one failed attempt followed another. The account was linked to an old email address that I no longer have access to which meant that I couldn't even have the username or password reset. At that point, I'd lost it on the inside.

I finally realized that my frustration, anxiety, worry was all founded and based on something completely opposite of the truth. A lie.

I don't know if you ever deal with this, but for this post {and well, I guess like most of my others}...I'm keeping it real.

I know it may seem a bit crazy, but sometimes the most simple of situations turn into dramatic meltdowns for me-internally. I've learned to do that as an adult. No one can see my meltdowns. That keeps me safe. That keeps me REAL.

As I talked myself down, I began to hear the Holy Spirit ask me, "Is losing really such a bad thing?" "What happens when you lose?"

Then...it came. The Word.

He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39

Now, I know that this scripture isn't talking about losing passwords to online accounts or misplaced phones. I do believe, however, that God can and will use our everyday situations and life to bring about healing and change, even if it's through a lost password, keys, cell phone...you name it.

I realized this totally pushed a core fear button for me. It really came down to the fact that when I lose, I sense a LOSS of control. This, unfortunately, is yet another lie. Truth is, I'm not really in control anyhow. I mean, sure...I decide when I put my shoes on, take them off, brush my teeth, drive my car...but I gave up control of my life years ago. On purpose. To Him. And that's just the way I like it.

I want Him...Jesus, all up in MY STUFF. ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS. Controlling things...and losing my life along the way to gain the ultimate destiny, purpose, and future He has planned for me and for my family.

So, what's the lie that got trampled by truth today? That "losing it" is a bad thing...you see, when you lose for Him...you really win.

Be a loser.

 

Getting lost and truly winning,

<sup>Believe it or not, I began writing this post over a month and a half ago... a few weeks after the New Year.

Funny, 'cause writing for the blog more consistently was actually one of my resolutions.

Looks like I already missed the mark there.

Honestly, I really am okay with that and I believe God has a sense of humor. Apparently NOW is the right time for THIS post. Enjoy.</sup>

*******

 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

 

-Revelation 21:5

 

 

This time of year brings many new ways of thinking, living, and just plain ol' BEING for most of us. We feel revived and refreshed and ready to essentially take on the world in many areas of our lives. This time of year can also drum up all sorts of emotions.

 

We find new time to go to the gym. We change our diets. We make time for old friends.

 

I really find it quite interesting how just the idea of a new beginning, the first month of twelve, can foster desires in all of us to make things new.

As I was standing in the kitchen, washing dishes and looking out the window {picture it...I get some pretty deep revelations at that sink}, I began to think about the year to come.

Did I have any lofty goals? Anything I wanted to achieve personally, spiritually? Any new relationships or old ones that I wanted to dedicate time to? What about my kids? My husband? They could always use more time with me and more of my heart.

The longer I thought, the more I came up with nothing that seemed to compare to my overwhelming need to spend more time in His Word, with Him and just be about Kingdom business altogether. I realize that not only is that important for THIS year but for the rest of my life.

I just couldn't get away from that thought and frankly, I don't want to.

Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Now, I know, I know...we're moms, career women, crafters, DIYers, fitness enthusiasts, fill in the blank...and I know that we can  and need to make time to schedule those things that feed our soul.

But, for me and likely many of you out there,  it's really all about perspective.

Each and every moment, even in those soul filling times, is a moment to let God make all things new my life. In your life...

So, how are you doing so far? Have you met your mark or missed it?

May I offer you a bit of reprieve? A bit of encouragement to settle your soul?

If you haven't met your goals, checked that last thing off of your fitness list, or painted that piece of furniture that's been sitting in your garage for 6 months (eh hmm)...guess what?

It is NOT in your strength that you do anything but it is HE who works IN you and through you to accomplish His glory-filled purpose in YOUR life. It's an amazing symphony of harmonious motion when you allow Him to be who He is meant to be in your life.

I am reminded...

[Not in your own strength] for it is GOd who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Amplified Bible)

 

-Philippians 2:13

My prayer for you today is that you sit back, feel His love, experience His presence, let His wind blow and...


...take. a. breather.

#aaaaahhhhh

 Learning how to breathe right along with you,



*I'd set this post to run on Thursday morning but my auto scheduling somehow didn't post so, instead, I am sharing today. Enjoy!*

I am certain that God uses our kids to grow us into who He has created us to be. Last week was no different for me when I was out shopping with our 4 year old. 

We've always taught our kids to hold our hands in the parking lot and when younger, it's second nature for them. We normally don't have to ask them, it's like a knee jerk reaction whenever we prepare to walk into a parking lot whether coming from or going to our own car. 

As we began to walk toward our car, Logan, my four year old, grabbed my hand. As we got closer to the car, he squeezed my hand tightly, look up at me and said, "Mommy, could you hold my hand a little tighter, please?" 

Honestly, I wasn't sure why he would ask me to hold  his hand tighter than I already was. Was it that he was afraid that if I let go too soon that he would be in danger? Or, did he simply just love me so much that he wanted me to hold on just a little longer? 

I finally asked why he needed me to hold on to his hands tighter. He began to explain, "Sometimes I want to let go and run in the parking lot. I need you to hold my hand tighter so I don't let go." 

Whoa. Now, that was a profound statement from my son. 

Later on that evening I began to ponder what that really meant. Now, naturally, I know that our kids need and seek healthy boundaries in their lives. They need to know that they are safe, loved and secure in order to grow into the amazing world changers God has created them to be. I totally get that. 

I couldn't, however, stop comparing what happened earlier that day to my very own relationship with my Creator. 

Like my son, sometimes I just need God to hold my hand a little tighter. I just need to feel Him. Just need to be reminded that He's there and that He's looking out for me. 

Now, don't get me wrong...I mean, I KNOW God is always there. Always looking out for my best. But, sometimes I just need to be reminded. 

Sometimes when life feels a bit overwhelming. 

When I cannot make a decision.

When I don't want to do something He has called me to do just because I am afraid. 

When all seems chaotic, crazy and I'm just a little...frazzled.

I'll think about that walk across the parking lot with Logan...

And I'll ask God to hold my hand just a little tighter. 

xoxo,

Image via Pinterest

I actually wanted to write this post on Monday but have struggled with my health this week and finally have the time and feel as if the fog has lifted a bit for us. 

On Monday, I had to check my attitude. I remember almost dreading this week and the horribly full schedule we had in store. And then, I remembered that I hadn't consulted with God about my day or my week as He began to gently remind me, as He so lovingly does, that He is the BEGINNING and the END. I quickly related that soft reminder to the fact that not only is God the BEGINNING and the END of everything, but the beginning and the end of my week. 

What a revelation for me (and hopefully some of you) to rest in that. To know that God is just as much in my Mondays as He is my Fridays. That He is the beginning of my week as well as the end. So whether it's Monday or Friday, I will choose joy and be thankful for each and everyday and also choose not to follow the cultural standard of the "dreaded Monday". 

So, thank God it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And thank God I can rest each of those days knowing He's all up in my business working things out for me, going to bat for me, cheering for me and loving me. 

XOXO,