tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44757613833509936702024-03-12T22:19:26.413-04:00Make the Stumble...Part of the DanceShelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-33428230107962527382013-07-22T10:29:00.000-04:002013-07-26T21:36:21.338-04:00Varicose Veins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's common<br />
To complain about our bodies<br />
Or be dissatisfied with how things appear<br />
and take our health for granted.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>I'm against it.</u></strong><br />
After dealing with an eating disorder,<br />
I probably take not talking about my body, or anyone else's to the extreme.<br />
I just don't think negative or even a positive evaluation of my body, or yours, does anyone any good.<br />
<strong>Life is so precious and so fragile,</strong><br />
it just doesn't seem worth the time and energy to obsess.<br />
My prayer is for me, my husband, my little girl, and for you to be<br />
<strong><em>Healthy</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
My awesome sister-in-law was at the pool recently<br />
and said something about the veins in her legs.<br />
<em> I got her permission to post this</em> ;)<br />
But she had some tough stuff with baby #2 and now the veins in her legs are pretty apparent.<br />
Then there's the torn ACL from soccer in high school, <br />
- but my favorite scar on her legs is another torn ACL<br />
<em>...from jumping in the Sky Zone with her two sons!</em> <br />
<strong>(Did I mention she's awesome?)</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERo-1S4WRz3R2OnyLrEvPddc0q_lAZoIgdBhwKdNC1S5fzTOTVaazKhyphenhyphen2dcxVRtsVMESGN616ESPQXPEDUwd9FO7qilOVoQwE6ZZG4zjeAaMA6KKAkWiLWCTbg2b6eCaGrivxHZ7QpOPV/s1600/Christmas+Kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERo-1S4WRz3R2OnyLrEvPddc0q_lAZoIgdBhwKdNC1S5fzTOTVaazKhyphenhyphen2dcxVRtsVMESGN616ESPQXPEDUwd9FO7qilOVoQwE6ZZG4zjeAaMA6KKAkWiLWCTbg2b6eCaGrivxHZ7QpOPV/s320/Christmas+Kids.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ali is on the left w/ my brother Jason & her two boys, my nephews, Cooper & Ian. My other brother Ryan & my other sis-in-law Natasha are on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This may come across as sugar coating things,<br />
but I'm going to claim those veins, scars and anything else she doesn't like about her legs as <strong><em>beautiful</em></strong>.<br />
They tell me <strong>she's a mom who isn't afraid to play hard with her boys</strong>.<br />
They tell others she's carried two babies and has worked hard every day since.<br />
They tell her that <em>she's lived life</em>.<br />
<br />
Her legs make me smile.<br />
They represent a different definition of beauty, one that I so desperately want to believe for my body, and you to believe for yours.<br />
That the stretches, scrapes, and yes, scars, were hard-earned and good reminders.<br />
Of the <strong><u>truth</u></strong> of who we are, what we've been healed from and the <em>life</em> that we live.<br />
<br />
I'd rather be like my sis-in-law with scars,<br />
than have perfect legs that don't know how to jump on a trampoline with her babies.<br />
<br />
~Shelby</div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-50477440872122969732013-06-23T20:51:00.001-04:002013-06-23T20:51:03.117-04:00My Child<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
She was singing and dancing in church today.<br />
Seriously - arms raised, feet kicking, and sound coming out of her mouth that I'm gonna call singing.<br />
My sweet Sarah Lynn Mercy likes to sing and dance in church.<br />
<br />
We were singing "<a href="http://youtu.be/zlA5IDnpGhc">Our God" by Chris Tomlin</a>.<br />
...greater<br />
...stronger<br />
...higher than other<br />
...healer<br />
...awesome<br />
<br />
While my sweet baby sang & danced it hit me<br />
- the thing my mom always used to tell me<br />
"<em>You'll understand God's love so much better when you become a parent, and have that unconditional love for your child."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
It's <strong><u>true.</u></strong><br />
Goodness I love her, my baby girl, my daughter.<br />
As I sang along with her about a strong, great God, I remembered this:<br />
<em>"I will be a Father to you,<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">and you will be my sons and daughters"</span></span></em><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">~ 1 Corinthians 6:18</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">Right now, there is little I can expect from Sarah. Even as she gets older, my desires for her are many. But mainly I want her to know and love Jesus...and right after that <strong>I sure hope she loves her momma!</strong> I really do want a relationship with this little lady. To know what she likes, cares about, someday to know her hopes, dreams, and yes, even her hurts.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zGW-ME8QWwMwHrzDgVgjpjHOi9KDsJhLezpPtqtqlcQA7mqerJz_DgppBgKCerun7qC-35Rk2CY6FnJDgU8zmOu_sTRpXttP29U7T_CTiS1gv59IAVlIgk29NThjGlrgmIEP_LjtDC5W/s1600/smiley-sarah-lynn-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zGW-ME8QWwMwHrzDgVgjpjHOi9KDsJhLezpPtqtqlcQA7mqerJz_DgppBgKCerun7qC-35Rk2CY6FnJDgU8zmOu_sTRpXttP29U7T_CTiS1gv59IAVlIgk29NThjGlrgmIEP_LjtDC5W/s320/smiley-sarah-lynn-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Sarah - 7 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">God calls me <em>His daughter</em>. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">So, He must feel that way about me.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18">On a Sunday morning, next to a dancing 8 month old, I was struck again by the way God desires a relationship with me, far more than all the other <em>stuff. </em></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Cor-6-18"><br />The <strong><u>truth</u></strong> is that His <u>love</u> for <em>me</em>, for <em>you</em>, for <em>us</em> is<br />
...greater<br />
...stronger<br />
...higher than any other<br />
<br />
And the reason He is a<br />
...<em>healer</em><br />
is so all that junk (my past, my present, and the mess ups I have coming tomorrow) doesn't stand in the way of our relationship with Him.<br />
<br />
That is what makes Him <br />
...<em><strong>awesome</strong>.</em></span><br />
~Shelby<br />
</span><br /></div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-3550952942581871692013-03-20T22:32:00.002-04:002013-03-20T22:34:14.430-04:00Just a Taste<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
People will say that being a parent helps you see things from God's perspective. That the love you have for your child is a small taste of the love God has for us. If that's the case, I am <i><u>broken</u></i> at how God can love me.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0fArWjeMpWc8ITGcXISXjUFQi2C1bU5t8bktt6uQR83Z20_xeEvLQL-uIvOf31Re5gQ6zg8NpDItk0IIGQFfJcqrrvAoCXo7MQF1JJSIqZOCU12C5OrSVPrBPKXNTrAgCqBqpiBdSmHi/s1600/IMG_1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0fArWjeMpWc8ITGcXISXjUFQi2C1bU5t8bktt6uQR83Z20_xeEvLQL-uIvOf31Re5gQ6zg8NpDItk0IIGQFfJcqrrvAoCXo7MQF1JJSIqZOCU12C5OrSVPrBPKXNTrAgCqBqpiBdSmHi/s320/IMG_1993.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Seriously, when I look at little Sarah Lynn Mercy I am <b><u>full</u></b>. She delights me, makes mornings the happiest thing since cheesecake, and entertains me endlessly. Her little fingers grab at my nose and I think I've won the lottery. This momma could go on and on about the ways my heart beats for this life.<br />
<br />
You can't imagine that God could love you and feel for you the way you feel for your child. I'm so messed up, full of mistakes and junk that should push God away.<br />
<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Truth: Despite all of that - God loves <i>me</i>.</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And then it makes sense. When I look at Sarah, <i>all I see is my love for her</i>. When God looks at us, <i>all</i> <i>He sees is Jesus' love</i> covering our shame.<br />
<br />
<b>"He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." </b>~ Zephaniah 3:17<br />
<br />
Tonight, I am thankful that God gave me a daughter so I could <b>taste more of His love</b>. May you know God's deep love for you tonight too, even if you don't have a precious peanut like I do to show you.<br />
<br />
~Shelby</div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-40211896759524911202013-02-19T21:21:00.000-05:002013-02-19T21:21:26.195-05:00It's Like Watching the Ocean<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The rise and fall.<br />
Blues and purples ripple across a the surface.<br />
Bubbles form and burst away with a soft gurgle.<br />
<br />
Crushing blue.<br />
It pierces your heart,<br />
And reminds you of how small you are.<br />
<br />
She's so tiny, fragile, moody even, this child God has placed in my care.<br />
Sarah Lynn Mercy...<br />
Her name is written on my heart, forever a daughter.<br />
<br />
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I've been to the beach countless times and it's one of my favorite places. The smells, the sounds and of course, the sight. A sunrise or sunset over the ocean is one of life's "must see" moments.<br />
<br />
Tonight I was reading about creation out of "<a href="https://thestory.mytrainsite.com/about-the-story">The Story</a>" version of the Bible. All that God made and said was "<i>good</i>." But then, He made something in <b>His Own Image: humans</b>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>I get it.</u></b><br />
<br />
There is a soul, emotions & heart behind those crushing blue eyes. The blues and purples along her forehead pump life, and the weight of this responsibility humbles me. <i><b>She has been made in the image of God</b></i>, and I get to watch her character, personality and God-given talents unfold before me.<br />
<br />
This is way better than watching a sun set over the ocean.<br />
<br />
~Shelby<br />
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-82821540596045405902013-01-13T15:03:00.001-05:002013-01-13T15:03:37.857-05:00Demanding Baby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Staring at Sarah again today, it hit me that I pretty much know every single thing about this girl. Spending every waking, (and for her sleeping!) moment together I've learned her facial expressions, how she likes to be held, talked to, and now what even makes her giggle. And, as I eat up another one of her adorable smiles I'm starting to realize how this is the foundation of a great <strong>relationship</strong>.<br />
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<br />
We are intimately acquainted, this little girl and me. (Doesn't get much more personal than changing diapers!) But <i>I want to be as intentional with other people in my life </i>as I have been with her. Babies cry if they want your attention. <strong>They literally demand to be heard</strong>. But my husband doesn't cry for my comfort when he's stressed. I miss out on the details of my best friends' lives when we go for weeks without talking. And, while God is a constant in my life, if I'm honest, I often don't earnestly seek him unless I have a deep need. <br />
<br />
Life and people are so important, and this type of deep relationship is so very special. It rewards you with smiles, hugs and the knowledge of <strong>truly "knowing" someone</strong>. It has reignited within me the desire to <em>listen better to my friends, </em>to know my <em>husband's heart</em> and to <i>pursue God</i> the way I pursue my daughter.<br />
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<br />
I'm learning the <u><b>truth</b></u> that even though we grow up and don't demand attention like we did when we were babies, we still crave it just as much. <i>I long to be loved and truly known.</i><br />
<br />
So I'm starting to see how I have a special job to deeply love and know those in my life. Not just Sarah Lynn, but God...Silas...my family...my sweet friends...and if I'd open my eyes, I know there are people right in front of me crying, just like babies, for love. I want to see them, adore them and show them <b>the unconditional love I have in Christ</b>.<br />
<br />
~ Shelby</div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-3144564413905474972012-11-30T08:10:00.004-05:002012-11-30T08:13:30.883-05:00Playing House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like many little girls, I grew up playing with baby dolls and pretending to be a mommy. From just about the time I was a baby, I've wanted a baby. And, since before I even imagined myself married, I envisioned being a mom. (Sorry Silas!)<br />
<br />
And now, it's <i><b>happened</b></i>.<br />
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I intimately know the ways she likes to be held, comforted, and what her cries mean. Even after waking up three times at night, I'm still excited for the morning, to cuddle with her and spend the day together. Fully and completely I am a momma, and Sarah Lynn Mercy is <i><b>my</b></i> baby. </div>
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Sometimes I will look at her smiling and cooing up at me in disbelief. It's hard to believe she is actually here, not just because I wanted her so badly, but because I've been dreaming of this for as long as I can remember. And today I realized that <b>I feel more fulfilled right now as a mother</b> than I really ever have doing anything else. Changing diapers, feeding her, snuggling, singing and talking to her feels so natural. All those years of pretend are finally paying off!</div>
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I think the <b><u>lie</u> </b>that could mess me up right now, is that this earthly fulfillment is somehow wrong. Like <i>shouldn't I find my greatest fulfillment in God alone</i>? But, I think <b>enjoying</b> Sarah and being her mom <i>is</i> spiritual. The <u style="font-weight: bold;">truth</u> is that teaching her, praying with her and trying to love her the way Jesus loves me is connecting me to God. And for now, that is <i>enough</i>. </div>
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Having a child simplifies things. So, today I simply accept the joy & fulfillment of being Sarah Lynn's mom. </div>
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~ Shelby</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rxqQa5buyzOtkrXDrmJhKwAUIuKwO5wJQjdq8ODXcbnFZ1zn093AwoV2yVzGQzhMIBTd5lWV66BKBOZxoUI3RfFCf_NrcYkqH8-0qKTQxic4QFb95I5NEOVDJc1I78u1EXzzvHwpLJDl/s1600/IMG_8884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rxqQa5buyzOtkrXDrmJhKwAUIuKwO5wJQjdq8ODXcbnFZ1zn093AwoV2yVzGQzhMIBTd5lWV66BKBOZxoUI3RfFCf_NrcYkqH8-0qKTQxic4QFb95I5NEOVDJc1I78u1EXzzvHwpLJDl/s320/IMG_8884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-30064385634976436002012-11-08T11:41:00.002-05:002012-11-30T08:11:07.617-05:00Two Weeks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've had our baby girl to hold, cuddle and love on for <b>two weeks</b> now. People want to know how you feel after you have your first child, and if I could write a song, a poem or choreograph a dance to show you, it still wouldn't be enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJ_YPXCO8T6ERNIquBsZFlPBWdNeyBMbKCFtGv4JrrxYKC7qW9JtToAun3Xf1JeFq796EsuDtiDO28mIERjdPaSsOcpLCqDfNqONp38dC-ezpvl7k0Pv_rIGiz2buRH2CJ053ZPRlSST/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMJ_YPXCO8T6ERNIquBsZFlPBWdNeyBMbKCFtGv4JrrxYKC7qW9JtToAun3Xf1JeFq796EsuDtiDO28mIERjdPaSsOcpLCqDfNqONp38dC-ezpvl7k0Pv_rIGiz2buRH2CJ053ZPRlSST/s320/IMG_0888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Still, this new wave of love threatens to overwhelm me with both happy thoughts and huge fears.<br />
<br />
<i>"What if we lost her?"</i><br />
<br />
That question has swirled in and out of my mind these last two weeks as I watch her sleep, kiss her face and start to learn about this new soul. It could cripple me, that fear. And truly, the reality is, we could lose her at any moment. It takes my breath away to remember that the <i>Sarah</i> she was named after...died at only 15. What if that happens to <b><i><u>my</u></i></b> Sarah?<br />
<br />
And then, the peace that passes all understanding reminds me of this <b><u>truth</u></b>...<br />
<br />
<i>"You have had 14 days with a child you thought you might not ever have."</i><br />
<br />
In God's great mercy He gave us this <b>Princess of Mercy - Sarah Lynn Mercy</b>. I have had more days with her today, than I ever dreamed possible. My heart is so full of gratitude to God for giving her to us, if only for these days.<br />
<br />
I'm learning that this attitude of a heart that is genuinely grateful will live in <b>peace</b>. If I can wake and be thankful for this moment, this day with our girl, I can savor it, and I can remove the fear of tomorrow, because I'm living for today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDpOoO20z31QixeOwkU-OJgIIpEf8CbsG3-Bt5ePFgvdb2P8BpgmnEQbhEC88aQCMKOOBkcOSkjxatUESQgVsl9WntQpSx22A4SJv0vitHemOtnVMoxtWIPzN4zEEPzMEJpzn9q3wZTvA/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDpOoO20z31QixeOwkU-OJgIIpEf8CbsG3-Bt5ePFgvdb2P8BpgmnEQbhEC88aQCMKOOBkcOSkjxatUESQgVsl9WntQpSx22A4SJv0vitHemOtnVMoxtWIPzN4zEEPzMEJpzn9q3wZTvA/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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No, it's not easy, I can't say the fear doesn't overwhelm me at times, but I want to live this way, to believe the <u><b>truth</b></u> that being grateful really can free me from this fear, and can allow me to entrust Sarah to God.</div>
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So in this moment, as I watch her sleep I say a <b>prayer of thankfulness to God</b> for this day, and the past 14 He has given us. What a gift.<br />
<br />
~ Shelby</div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-5964149736814725092012-10-21T20:44:00.000-04:002012-11-30T08:11:43.656-05:00The Other Shoe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's this lie that has decided to worm it's way into my head, probably into yours too.<br />
<br />
"Just wait - things are too good right now. It won't last.<br />
Don't get too happy, because you'll lose everything sooner or later.<br />
Better prepare yourself now for the heartache that is bound to come."<br />
<br />
Wow, talk about a joy killer! That's exactly what it is too.<br />
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy"<br />
~John 10:10<br />
<br />
It's so odd how I can know in my mind that this hesitation, this fear that the other shoe is bound to drop at some point is a lie. But, I let it have a hold. I have chosen to let it tie me down. When really, I'd like to skip through the streets yelling, "I'm gonna have a baby girl, she's gonna be beautiful and my handsome husband and I are gonna be parents!!!!!!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9kiCIhI7zCF1yw0fiHHY6OvGcai9LnP8gvJIxB_PMP9HZlRsE_b7nVe-ZdPAkF1ynHTAcHQVNLHMFDwC_aUitTRJkPz0C4DxAyfcmuv8GVqv-wLrZZBBM-4b-Vk9UMctskdX5GNJtSHq/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9kiCIhI7zCF1yw0fiHHY6OvGcai9LnP8gvJIxB_PMP9HZlRsE_b7nVe-ZdPAkF1ynHTAcHQVNLHMFDwC_aUitTRJkPz0C4DxAyfcmuv8GVqv-wLrZZBBM-4b-Vk9UMctskdX5GNJtSHq/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't want to feel guilty about being happy, or excited, but this lie tells me to stay timid and meek. That if I get too excited I might lose it all. It's funny how I think that by keeping my joy at bay I could somehow stave off pain or loss.<br />
<br />
No, the <b><u>truth</u></b> is<br />
"Jesus came so that you would have life, and have it to the full."<br />
~John 10:10<br />
<br />
That means today, tomorrow and Wednesday when I meet this new little life, I can drink it in fully. Living completely alive and in the moment I can weep for joy, grin from ear to ear, post annoying pictures on facebook and tell the world about this precious gift we've been given.<br />
<br />
So goodbye fear and anxiety, I'm not having you. I choose LIFE.<br />
And even if the other shoe drops, I have a truth to sustain me:<br />
"The people I love are safer in God's hands than in my own."<br />
~Shelby<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4mkZaZy0IdqP39d-oZfO5TjJMc51O6I4UFJtR_bWXKpsSXDgkobPck-Q7EJVmRYXqFuquYbvzDo_iEn_SP-6lQYTxh4cBECNEpwAVh1bE23cZPiPhfx-J8RcX5_JQX32CVnlEsP0KMKg/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4mkZaZy0IdqP39d-oZfO5TjJMc51O6I4UFJtR_bWXKpsSXDgkobPck-Q7EJVmRYXqFuquYbvzDo_iEn_SP-6lQYTxh4cBECNEpwAVh1bE23cZPiPhfx-J8RcX5_JQX32CVnlEsP0KMKg/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for baby...</td></tr>
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-56901704149981455792012-09-22T09:46:00.000-04:002012-11-30T08:11:57.199-05:00Makes Me Cry Every Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Call it pregnancy, being a woman...or perhaps becoming a momma. Whatever it is, there are songs right now that bring me to tears, no wait - <b>weeping</b>. Yes, I break down and weep when I hear these. And I caught myself turning the song off the other day, because I thought<br />
<br />
<i>"This is ridiculous, no more crying!" </i><br />
<br />
But, if I have learned anything, it's that emotions are there for a reason. So these tears, <b>they have a purpose</b>, they express something deep within, and sometimes just the simple act of letting them fall is all I need to do to communicate:<br />
~ deep, intense gratitude to God for bringing me & Silas this far<br />
~ joy at the life growing inside<br />
~ calm and peace knowing I am safe<br />
~ thankfulness that I have been freed from lies<br />
~ an overwhelming sense of responsibility as a wife, and new mother<br />
~ desire to love my family with all of me<br />
~ oh, and all those other emotions that are lingering beneath the surface right before you become a mom: terror, excitement, fear, anxiety, happiness, impatience and much more!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="236" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XD0cvWImVjA" width="420"></iframe>
(Click <a href="http://www.meredithandrews.com/video/not-moment-after-all-live-15581">here</a> if video of "Not for a Moment" does not display)<br />
<br />
That's why I love music & dance, it expresses things I can't. And I'm pretty sure this, or the song below will be the next dance I choreograph...once this little basketball isn't hanging on to the front of me!<br />
<br />
I hope you take the short time to listen to these songs, and if tears come, let them. Allow the emotions they bring to wash over you - to express the unsaid words of your heart.<br />
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-63200325125300139802012-09-03T16:40:00.000-04:002012-09-03T16:41:36.536-04:00A Broken Record<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are some lessons in life that seem to keep repeating, at least for me anyway. Over and over again, God reminds me not to forget what He's done...and yet live in the present. Forget what is behind, the past failures and mistakes - He's forgotten and forgiven, and so must I.<br />
<br />
"<b>See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you</b>."<br />
<i>Isaiah 42:9</i><br />
<br />
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There are so many former things in my life, and probably in yours, that threaten to weigh us down:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- betrayal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- addiction</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- lies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- insecurities</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- failures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- broken promises</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPDGzRzC2JK-6u29BVkBtIA0CbhCt9AhHZ8JTpSAve_fTKpP_PHIPDo1bxuhcUtXe3ledKllAOgMNiKn46K-ZoxNELlWj_M7P89h3y5ngPx1xeK-M3AZSxM8H_r7duxa5ed7Y6oytD4H6/s1600/IMG_8155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPDGzRzC2JK-6u29BVkBtIA0CbhCt9AhHZ8JTpSAve_fTKpP_PHIPDo1bxuhcUtXe3ledKllAOgMNiKn46K-ZoxNELlWj_M7P89h3y5ngPx1xeK-M3AZSxM8H_r7duxa5ed7Y6oytD4H6/s320/IMG_8155.jpg" width="213" /></a>But, God reminds me, He reminds YOU, again and again that those things are over, and <b>new things are coming</b>. Even before they happen we can have HOPE because we have been promised that they will take place. There is <i>good</i> to come, and we know the end of the story. Maybe not this present story, but the big one, the one that matters.<br />
<br />
I know that God wins, that good will overcome. It gives me peace when I think about raising this baby girl, Sarah Lynn Mercy. That even though she will experience pain in life, I can speak this truth into her life...God wins, love does overcome and we will have rest.<br />
<br />
I pray you receive God's peace, and His promise that new things are coming, even before they "spring into being" God has already announced them!<br />
<br />
~ Shelby</div>
Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-36199654444134995312012-07-24T08:17:00.000-04:002012-11-30T08:12:07.073-05:00Sarah Lynn Mercy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What's in a name?<br />
<br />
"Shelby" for example means "A place of shelter where the willows grow"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3mUWC4vwz140zy9BLWfY6ygn-WtoJb_ye1a10H_jAOnNAUcP9YmWdwFTpdWCAVRvyjnftdRAplQTuG-zwHM7EF-gcCrNvq8HtovZXUb7BuGGF65lYMnGPVvt_rfRrAyJkHSXGMcBryiX/s1600/Weeping_Willow_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3mUWC4vwz140zy9BLWfY6ygn-WtoJb_ye1a10H_jAOnNAUcP9YmWdwFTpdWCAVRvyjnftdRAplQTuG-zwHM7EF-gcCrNvq8HtovZXUb7BuGGF65lYMnGPVvt_rfRrAyJkHSXGMcBryiX/s400/Weeping_Willow_medium.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit <a href="http://daniellecalkins.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=2">here</a></td></tr>
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I've always wanted to be a place of shelter for people - to live up to the name given me. And while that's not why my parents gave me that name, I believe in the power of a name. We claim names in life all the time...<br />
<div>
~ Perfectionist</div>
<div>
~ Nurse</div>
<div>
~ Boss<br />
~ People-pleaser</div>
<div>
~ Teacher<br />
~ mom</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We define and name ourselves based upon what we do, and rarely because of who we are. God has to remind me daily of the names He's given me...</div>
<div>
~ Daughter</div>
<div>
~ Chosen One</div>
<div>
~ Forgiven</div>
<div>
~ Loved</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like those names, they're names to live up to. And so, with baby girl on the way, Silas and I wanted to give her a name full of meaning and truth.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>Sarah</b></u> - named after her Aunt Sarah who passed away when she was only 15. Silas held his sister in such high esteem. I can see it in his eyes when he talks about her. The way she loved him, the way she showed Jesus to him and to others. I am honored that we can name our baby girl after a young woman who impacted this baby girl's daddy in such a big and wonderful way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b>Lynn</b></u> - her momma's middle name, and her Grandma Tharp's middle name. It's special to pass on a legacy of a woman that I so respect - my mom. I pray this young lady has my mom's strength, sense of right, and conviction of heart.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Mercy</b></u> - I wanted to give her a new name, one that would be her own. Honestly, I believe God gave her this name. Immediately after finding out we were pregnant, I was overcome with this word. I heard it in my head over and over again - <i>Mercy, mercy, merciful mercy. </i>God blessed Silas and I with this gift of a child out of His great Mercy. I had cried and begged and prayed for a child and here she was, just given to me. We had tried on our own, and it doesn't just happen when you want it to. God, in His timing, gave her to us. And, after everything that I put this body through - my own mistakes that could have prevented a child, to health concerns that said I might not ever carry a baby, to other past mistakes that could have robbed us of this gift. God's mercy looked at us and said yes, YES, I will bless you with this gift of LIFE!<br />
<br />
I hope someday she'll understand fully what that means, and that with God's help she will grow into all that's in her name.<br />
<br />
Because beyond the stories and the namesakes, Sarah Lynn Mercy means "Princess of Mercy".<br />
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-4104771896586226022012-07-09T08:56:00.000-04:002012-11-30T08:12:25.200-05:00Gaining Weight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fear.<br />
Shame.<br />
Gaining Weight.<br />
<br />
Here I am, five months pregnant and excited, ready to put on those pounds for the life that kicks and flips inside of me. But, as much as I hate to admit this, it wasn't easy at first.<br />
<br />
I told myself I would <i>not</i> be one of those women who hated her pregnant body. In fact, I've always thought pregnant women are the most beautiful form of a woman. Life growing inside, what could be better?<br />
<br />
But then, I started to gain weight, and what's worse I felt nauseous at every turn. So instead of the blissful glow everyone talks about, I felt sick. I didn't want food, and that terrified me. It reminded me too much of the time I had spent starving myself. And the fear, that nagging fear of being fat, ugly or unwanted pestered me. I lost four pounds in the first trimester. While often normal, it scared me considering my past.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Truth</u></b>: Your body, your baby needs nourishment.<br />
<u><b>Truth</b></u>: It's ok to eat when you're hungry, especially now. Listen to your body and respond with healthy choices.<br />
<i>Lie</i>: You'll never be desirable again.<br />
<i>Lie</i>: You don't really need to eat more, you can just stay the same weight throughout this pregnancy.<br />
<br />
Ha, those lies are ridiculous. I can see how the enemy and this world are working to destroy my precious little girl before she is even born. And the nerve, he's using the old lies in <i>MY PAST</i> to accomplish our dual destruction.<br />
<br />
But I write this today as a reminder and as a declaration of victory. Enough of that! Bring on the food! I love this new little life, and whatever I need to gain, however that may impact my body, it is all worth it.<br />
<br />
For this child, and for me. Life is still worth fighting for, especially now.<br />
~Shelby<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YSpzfQb-erpm_6WRg3ckIYGPuANTX15IqsspWCy7D-usG8msf0VlzbJbNsdpaGItAMvFu_R7iSo1pcZNiOu6peMXKTpj1Ka4QMolUonfwpv_sCnJtURbKeiIjILhKZ_JhTOZ-WDi2n0l/s1600/baby+girl+20+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YSpzfQb-erpm_6WRg3ckIYGPuANTX15IqsspWCy7D-usG8msf0VlzbJbNsdpaGItAMvFu_R7iSo1pcZNiOu6peMXKTpj1Ka4QMolUonfwpv_sCnJtURbKeiIjILhKZ_JhTOZ-WDi2n0l/s320/baby+girl+20+weeks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby girl at 20 weeks, and yes sucking her thumb!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Truth:</u> I have loved you with an everlasting love...I will build you up again. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~Jeremiah 31:3 & 4</span></td></tr>
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Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-64265625033104537742012-04-12T08:38:00.001-04:002012-04-12T08:39:41.705-04:00Sharing your Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There's nothing better than a good story. I love reading, watching, or telling one, but being a part of one can be hard. Every good story includes tragedy or heartbreak, it what makes the ultimate victory so wonderful. While I love seeing a powerful story unfold, when I'm in the middle of the heartbreak, my story doesn't feel so wonderful.<br />
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Recently, Grace College, where I went to school for two years, told my story. I can read it now and think, "Wow, that is beautiful". The way God healed me, saved me and showed me His grace. But, it didn't feel beautiful at the time.<br />
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So, if you're in the middle of your story and things are a little rough, I pray this gives you hope.<br />
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<div><object style="height: 507px; width: 420px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&viewMode=singlePage&pageNumber=13&backgroundColor=%23222222&documentId=120405124651-93fc9a5488414d6f855b2b4051d2bebb" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:507px" flashvars="mode=mini&viewMode=singlePage&pageNumber=13&backgroundColor=%23222222&documentId=120405124651-93fc9a5488414d6f855b2b4051d2bebb" /></object><br />
<div style="text-align: left; width: 420px;"><a href="http://issuu.com/gracecollege/docs/289_spring2012_web_medium/13?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=289" target="_blank">More 289</a><br />
<br />
If graphic does not work, you can click <a href="http://issuu.com/gracecollege/docs/289_spring2012_web_medium/13?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222">here</a> to read the article.<br />
~ Shelby<br />
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</div></div></div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-61851592595415315742012-03-31T10:29:00.000-04:002012-03-31T10:29:48.160-04:00I've Got This<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJJ9ZNPndhMU7VbS0nDfxdgBqditpyHAaSnMLcN5LzcxN2kkgOxf2jJfEbMWHTEmArIpMjhrqCbeDJ__WnoXvNpdlfd6tye_RvEY8Bo9ju-_Xpb5wgzavrI5kMYkDlJBooykVteJQNwUZ/s1600/lie-alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJJ9ZNPndhMU7VbS0nDfxdgBqditpyHAaSnMLcN5LzcxN2kkgOxf2jJfEbMWHTEmArIpMjhrqCbeDJ__WnoXvNpdlfd6tye_RvEY8Bo9ju-_Xpb5wgzavrI5kMYkDlJBooykVteJQNwUZ/s400/lie-alone.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my first trip to Russia, one of the young ladies told me she didn't understand this one thing about Americans. <i>Why does everyone grow up and move away, from their friends, family and everything they know?</i> She was an adult woman at the time, but still lived with her parents, and didn't have any imminent plans to move out. If fact, for Russians, they often live several generations to a home. And by home, I mean less than a 900 square foot apartment. Grandparents, parents and newlyweds all crammed into three rooms. Partly because of economy, and mostly because of culture. Families stay together, they rely on each other and support one another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not here. Graduate...go away to college. Get a job...move out. Get married...move away. I did all three of those, and yet I know now that I am far from "self-sufficient." There are times when I have looked at my husband and said "<i>You have to be strong for me, I can't carry this burden</i>." Or jumped in my car and rushed to my mom's in tears as she wrapped her arms around me and held me like the little girl I used to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCQpD00VWlurDX4ryNep-P3bzuBEkZ6G2Q4ndz4VQAhNVs1QYe_OCFzG2NC5cZzC_muFSKV24fDDid0CH15kfi0SAfni6flRx3NK5oNXnIeN_Lnfut9tAC6XoCmFAPBGVB9x8aW9vRwqa/s1600/truth-alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCQpD00VWlurDX4ryNep-P3bzuBEkZ6G2Q4ndz4VQAhNVs1QYe_OCFzG2NC5cZzC_muFSKV24fDDid0CH15kfi0SAfni6flRx3NK5oNXnIeN_Lnfut9tAC6XoCmFAPBGVB9x8aW9vRwqa/s640/truth-alone.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I need the support of others. But, like an empty boot without someone to wear it, I am completely useless apart from Jesus. There are times when life gets so dark, the world crashes in and breathing becomes difficult. When we can barely open our eyes to greet the day. I have to know, believe and trust that there is a Spirit stronger than our failures and pains. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We need to be reminded of this <b>truth</b> often. It takes the pressure off to perform and pretend. We can trust the One that was there all along, waiting to breath life into our dead bones and remind us we're not alone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~ Shelby</div></div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-59191842720084189482012-03-13T08:52:00.000-04:002012-03-13T08:52:45.175-04:00Who You Are<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There's a lot of talk about "finding yourself". Figuring out "who you are". I'm not sure I believe in that. I think it's more about realizing the <b>truth</b> that was there all along. <i>And to believe it</i>. To <i>know</i> the person you were always created to be, can be hard, even when it's staring you in the face. When faced with the lie that I am not enough, I'm a failure or am worthless, these beautiful <b>truths</b> give me strength...</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But <b>you are God's chosen</b> and special people...God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. <i>1 Peter 2:9</i></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now you have been set free from sin, and <b>you are God's slaves</b>. This will make you holy and will lead you to eternal life. <i>Romans 6:22</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT0rg4TWSZw0lDkxVzSNiLIVgq233cloik4JkzdnH8i7Y3ifyTKAVQPFY205zDj7zSRanNUOngHERfiySr917pFHlFqnoQJkUfWprrgf-Jz3662WLyfnATB2PYNAS8myKkReqXJGl7Jpe/s1600/STL+Dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT0rg4TWSZw0lDkxVzSNiLIVgq233cloik4JkzdnH8i7Y3ifyTKAVQPFY205zDj7zSRanNUOngHERfiySr917pFHlFqnoQJkUfWprrgf-Jz3662WLyfnATB2PYNAS8myKkReqXJGl7Jpe/s320/STL+Dance.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For the LORD your God <b>is living among you</b>. He is a mighty savior. He will take <b>delight in you</b> with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will <b>rejoice over you</b> with joyful songs. <i>Zephaniah 3:17</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">...only God's Spirit can change <b>you into a child of God</b>. <i>John 3:6</i></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>...</i><b>you are God's temple</b> and his Spirit lives in you. <i>1 Corinthians 3:16</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My personal favorite, a <b>truth I need: </b></span>You surely know that <b>your body is a temple</b> where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. <u>God paid a great price for you.</u><i> 1 Corinthians 6:19-20</i><br />
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Truly, I would not be alive today if God had not opened my eyes to these <b>truths</b>, and had I not believed them I fear I'd still be stuck with an eating disorder, or worse. These are so much more than Bible verses, they are <b>life!</b><br />
~Shelby<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-52197357516743663512012-03-11T09:58:00.000-04:002012-03-11T09:58:57.846-04:00The Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In a nutshell, this video introduces you to me. It's not all about what went wrong, but what God did out of the darkness.<br />
<br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/38121788" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/38121788">Episode 84: Recovered with Shelby Lynn</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2572293">mitchkrusetv</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-12935344008838404842012-03-07T22:39:00.000-05:002012-03-07T22:39:18.054-05:00A Dancer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The most mesmerizing thing about a dancer is the combination of grace and strength; beauty and calm draped over determination and control. Handling the pull of gravity, the pressure to fall and yet, remain steadfast is hard enough, but to make it look effortless is true skill.<br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Looking back on tough stuff, I want to know I handled the mess with grace. Rather than shaking my fist at God, I ran to Him and allowed Him to hold me. It's in those moments of weakness, God became strong in me.<br />
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</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiViUExXJEF8_KrHvTTzAsu8LS6ZKFm2JQX7T__agXPHpo3glpiYWHr47txvo3NwgVLohx5V9yD1d_UzqPWnnnd-azDCRXLCd1PN7lBhCvkeHCQCxXxAGY0Z7iOBLHd0Ly4hmw01FAn-L/s1600/STL+Dance+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiViUExXJEF8_KrHvTTzAsu8LS6ZKFm2JQX7T__agXPHpo3glpiYWHr47txvo3NwgVLohx5V9yD1d_UzqPWnnnd-azDCRXLCd1PN7lBhCvkeHCQCxXxAGY0Z7iOBLHd0Ly4hmw01FAn-L/s320/STL+Dance+2.jpg" width="309" /></a></div></div><div>We look at people who seem to have it all together and wonder at their secret. Are they faking it, perhaps? Or, like a skilled dancer, have they found the ability to live in the tension between vulnerability & determination. Under pressure they run to the only one who is strong enough to uphold them during the storm. It's <b>His strength</b> we see, and their ability to lean on the grace allows <i>them to be graceful too</i>. I pray someday that <i style="font-weight: bold;">His </i>grace and strength, have become my defining markers.<br />
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~ Shelby</div></div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-89076414770940533092012-03-02T16:57:00.000-05:002012-03-02T16:57:11.641-05:00You Failed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">That's about the worst thing someone could say to me. Not "you're ugly" or "you're stupid", the worst is failure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9mZ05pAmn_Lj4nDiyt3CZJ7sj8ZmsNYhWlDdMFMwsiZrhreT0ri4f9CRTKZ-yT8SMuPzGvr4aptrYEKPUr5qktFabzyR5qiULWBVMsMiX-nP1259r-FWF2TOKFcNVzMD1x5T2GjS8lF7/s1600/lie-others.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9mZ05pAmn_Lj4nDiyt3CZJ7sj8ZmsNYhWlDdMFMwsiZrhreT0ri4f9CRTKZ-yT8SMuPzGvr4aptrYEKPUr5qktFabzyR5qiULWBVMsMiX-nP1259r-FWF2TOKFcNVzMD1x5T2GjS8lF7/s640/lie-others.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I operate out of this lie, the results are ugly! Defensiveness, because I can't afford to be wrong. Blaming others, because then it's their problem, not mine. Depression because when I fail, I don't deserve to be trusted, or worse I don't deserve love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDexql7eeN7VCK0uBxdfSKGnE2PYTz0ka0wj9Kuu9JeVlsjTb6wDCI55H6PabRwVhUZLlH7fYj8_8T43zAeQWMwMdH5IKiJEtDDcIPvDGcfHFS4LZJm-PX905Kv80U3GS1oum-tzHFgLp/s1600/truth-+others.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDexql7eeN7VCK0uBxdfSKGnE2PYTz0ka0wj9Kuu9JeVlsjTb6wDCI55H6PabRwVhUZLlH7fYj8_8T43zAeQWMwMdH5IKiJEtDDcIPvDGcfHFS4LZJm-PX905Kv80U3GS1oum-tzHFgLp/s640/truth-+others.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Failure becomes a life killer, because we forget that God loved us in our failure.</div><br />
<b><i>I fail, and it's ok. You fail and you're loved.</i></b><br />
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</i></b><br />
Failure is something I still avoid like the plague, but when I tell myself the <b>truth</b>, that God's love doesn't change for me whether I hit a home run or flop - I can rest.<br />
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The hardest thing to do after we fail is to get back up. But God's love gives me courage. The <b>truth</b> is, we are ok when we fail. We're loved and we'll be ok tomorrow, when we fail again.<br />
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~ Shelby</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-83591040491184648482012-02-29T08:13:00.000-05:002012-02-29T08:13:38.599-05:00Choose Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everything within me fights this. Our entire world is made up of efforts to deny it. But after years of therapy, an eating disorder and some other falls and searing pains along the way, everything in my life, and likely yours, proves this true: life is hard. And that is an understatement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend who lost her father too soon, my husband whose sister died at 15, young girls sold into sex, people who I love were abused, and the list goes on. Life is so incredibly tragic that <b>truth</b> seems a trite response...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPgWKnj4G2eRYl0q-dSz3QMGWapNyDV5BpxzSQnzNRmy0MJ5LEa3j1OP7T478iYq6NfkIaRJmM3FnBHU8jGutlKB7Xm57sq2j2p3KMM-MVnQ0bHwtf9yrJ74KoBaM0PaN7qSIYGkGQhOZ/s1600/lie-fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWEEtLfmHOH-tgwby48xMeXXaqvNSmfHQFWYLvJzm5OW1O20Zg7EiSipm2wxj6c_zru96FzduOBMvADMJ7Zx41PAx-MC4nmZMZzs2YSq4MyN4WM7Ua75xff6xhIhokZ58K6_b-c8XPZPo/s1600/truth-fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWEEtLfmHOH-tgwby48xMeXXaqvNSmfHQFWYLvJzm5OW1O20Zg7EiSipm2wxj6c_zru96FzduOBMvADMJ7Zx41PAx-MC4nmZMZzs2YSq4MyN4WM7Ua75xff6xhIhokZ58K6_b-c8XPZPo/s640/truth-fear.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are safe, secure as this little child, when we cling to God, who is big enough to give us life out of all this mess. <b><u>Hope</u></b> out of the darkness, comfort in grief & <b>truth</b> rather than lies. This lie, I <i>choose </i>to see it for what it is...fear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPgWKnj4G2eRYl0q-dSz3QMGWapNyDV5BpxzSQnzNRmy0MJ5LEa3j1OP7T478iYq6NfkIaRJmM3FnBHU8jGutlKB7Xm57sq2j2p3KMM-MVnQ0bHwtf9yrJ74KoBaM0PaN7qSIYGkGQhOZ/s1600/lie-fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPgWKnj4G2eRYl0q-dSz3QMGWapNyDV5BpxzSQnzNRmy0MJ5LEa3j1OP7T478iYq6NfkIaRJmM3FnBHU8jGutlKB7Xm57sq2j2p3KMM-MVnQ0bHwtf9yrJ74KoBaM0PaN7qSIYGkGQhOZ/s320/lie-fear.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Fear that someone I love will die.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">That my heart will be ripped out and trampled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Fear that dreams remain unfulfilled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">But <b>Truth</b> allows us to choose life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">A life worth living.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">~Shelby</div></div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-3255669134567058552012-02-26T14:17:00.000-05:002012-02-26T14:17:01.242-05:00Farther Along<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is <b>not perfect</b>.<br />
A little wobbly on my feet.<br />
Legs a little bent.<br />
Jumps are really hops.<br />
Yet, I'm <i>farther along</i> in understanding dance than I have ever been.<br />
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When choreographing, just like any other art, you <i>live</i> with it, <i>breathe</i> it, sleep it and <i>carry</i> it around with you for a long time. It becomes a part of you that can drive you crazy, or give you strength. This song and this dance represent and mean so much to me, on so many levels, that go way beyond dance; a few imperfections mean less than they used to.<br />
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I'm starting to realize how art parallels life. And we can take heart when things don't go as planned. We'll understand that it was the <i>living</i>, <i>breathing</i> and <i>sweat</i> of the process that gives us joy and glimpses of real <b>truth</b>, beyond what the end result had ever promised.<br />
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</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/37467984?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/37467984">Farther Along</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/shelbylynn">Shelby Lynn</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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~Shelby</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-13635350752072267572012-02-23T22:16:00.000-05:002012-02-23T22:16:19.808-05:00Only Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are things that I cannot express, that I wish I could make you understand. But I'm unable to put comprehension into your mind of something that is so profound it makes me weep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some days, I literally have to <i>dance </i>around in my living room because of this truth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"...heaven filled me with more than enough..." is a line from a song I recently choreographed a dance to (hoping to post here soon!). It describes perfectly my reaction to this <u><b>truth</b></u>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y1jroD8Obj1nUM-I43VtMqvwuiqEwrjZizQ8A3MmRPm-7ioAg8CsAMUIu8fhPcI-8VOfC1Pezi5_B_tuqb4I4782QE4cYdSHjDxZChjhmAA1BJztIfLAOr_ANZsGjGz7uZe_olHjTrAU/s1600/Grace+is+Sufficient01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y1jroD8Obj1nUM-I43VtMqvwuiqEwrjZizQ8A3MmRPm-7ioAg8CsAMUIu8fhPcI-8VOfC1Pezi5_B_tuqb4I4782QE4cYdSHjDxZChjhmAA1BJztIfLAOr_ANZsGjGz7uZe_olHjTrAU/s640/Grace+is+Sufficient01.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><i>Thank you.</i><br />
<i>Thank you.</i><br />
<i>Thank you.</i><br />
<br />
I am <b>more</b> than weak most of the time. My feet limit me, my insecurities box me in, and our vulnerabilities separate us. God sees the lies you're believing, whatever is swimming in your head right now and messing you up. And He sees...<br />
<b><i>His </i>grace</b><br />
<b><i>His </i></b><b>sufficiency</b><br />
<b><i>His </i></b><b>power</b><br />
<b><i>His </i></b><b>perfection</b><br />
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<i><b>Thank you Jesus</b></i><br />
<i><b>~</b> </i>Shelby</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-32742576721094783362012-02-21T18:53:00.000-05:002012-02-21T18:53:43.679-05:00You're "On"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PeirvfRCxm1v2XeETL32mWOv3DeeqzopKH_MBsAUtFE0Gjz9aB-6q4GYWf99kt49VtkX0f2vHV9G54WOUkbWrVYHGyyJq0ZadkQjcgGXKj0BDkZF3Ut3M4gbKCqz-ns_rTEnunhgqhHO/s1600/lie-advice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PeirvfRCxm1v2XeETL32mWOv3DeeqzopKH_MBsAUtFE0Gjz9aB-6q4GYWf99kt49VtkX0f2vHV9G54WOUkbWrVYHGyyJq0ZadkQjcgGXKj0BDkZF3Ut3M4gbKCqz-ns_rTEnunhgqhHO/s640/lie-advice.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>Oh man do I think I'm smart. Somedays I sit up in my chair at work, my back straight, and I just know the words coming out of my mouth are brilliant. Ha! It's even worse when life is tough. Because I know the Creator of the Universe, I feel this pressure to have secret insight into how He works. Unfortunately I rarely understand His plans, so I end up frustrated, or feeling like I've failed.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But really, I know nothing, and that's what scares me. The closer I get to Jesus, the more I am struck at how His plans are greater, bigger, and often more confusing than mine. I can plan, prepare and study myself until I <i>know</i> it all, but I don't know <b>HIM</b>. He...Jesus...God...is the one that I need to <i>know</i> if there's hope of me saying anything insightful or compassionate or <b><u>true</u></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-1FXRT6KfWaCOc3Q7W55zasejs0LIGT2eIW6iRb-arJfmiBIWZ968lCG6Dl4X4Rf6XflCTj3HRW3Hb7GtFxGxkv4zkdb_txd2oSMXHhPCHmT1TGJE3gV2OS9FEf5EwL6H1bpS7tLCu2_/s1600/truth-advice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-1FXRT6KfWaCOc3Q7W55zasejs0LIGT2eIW6iRb-arJfmiBIWZ968lCG6Dl4X4Rf6XflCTj3HRW3Hb7GtFxGxkv4zkdb_txd2oSMXHhPCHmT1TGJE3gV2OS9FEf5EwL6H1bpS7tLCu2_/s640/truth-advice.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that's <u>truth</u>.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Shelby</div><br />
</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-34168861961375296942012-02-15T21:13:00.000-05:002012-02-15T21:13:44.685-05:00Thankful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When my heart hurts it helps to remember the good...<br />
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A husband who's been in my life 10 years, and who I've shared a name with for nearly 5.<br />
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The <b><u>truth</u></b> that I run to, it's the love letter from my Savior Jesus<br />
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Heat, it's keeps my toes from being purple<br />
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Tears, they remind me I'm feeling instead of shutting myself off from pain<br />
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A friend who lets me tell her all the good and bad of my life...and her husband who put a spare tire on my car, cause I had a flat.<br />
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The sweet man who got out of his car, at a stoplight, in the rain...to tell me I had a flat<br />
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Music to match my emotions and remind me that God is big enough<br />
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Peppermint Mocha Brownies<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzacAHVRRJg8sPBFXjLCpkydD5Vze1voa9uuJDlEr66KmRFcxdgveF1czKAW7O-7yC6MV6qNeTwgMdiNAIKFt_gkeuhs_fgKD0Z5hLKgipAlwlbPDgx8ILbxWpL3LgmPRfV7jfMCSpPv7/s1600/fa19904e55f711e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzacAHVRRJg8sPBFXjLCpkydD5Vze1voa9uuJDlEr66KmRFcxdgveF1czKAW7O-7yC6MV6qNeTwgMdiNAIKFt_gkeuhs_fgKD0Z5hLKgipAlwlbPDgx8ILbxWpL3LgmPRfV7jfMCSpPv7/s320/fa19904e55f711e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
~ Shelby</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-50423329330485156732012-02-14T19:28:00.000-05:002012-02-14T19:28:52.209-05:00Body<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7c79MUaJxcBhSe-BmttlgttbR7gS6Mm9ZzLyCQ-Zz1-vmu-Qn3DULWwa7A0i8WTOfCREwt7lbmnnxksRE-18LDStQaAVhtwwq2kDTTA5B7aE7fHLqooWBS1h-b1YD0A1BWMCBp5IlZUz/s1600/lie-body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7c79MUaJxcBhSe-BmttlgttbR7gS6Mm9ZzLyCQ-Zz1-vmu-Qn3DULWwa7A0i8WTOfCREwt7lbmnnxksRE-18LDStQaAVhtwwq2kDTTA5B7aE7fHLqooWBS1h-b1YD0A1BWMCBp5IlZUz/s320/lie-body.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoQ2Am0HgLLDVEo_gdIS16vGM3GsN6VpUNH5_2u5PITvjb_zxmFyY87B_0MOFI3Iv_FNnFw5lEtqiyQJoElCOvjW3gUlr4_HtJiM_KTbJgWJEav3UVMM0LZp8gvvDBti45_K5HgTzAhmi/s1600/truth-body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoQ2Am0HgLLDVEo_gdIS16vGM3GsN6VpUNH5_2u5PITvjb_zxmFyY87B_0MOFI3Iv_FNnFw5lEtqiyQJoElCOvjW3gUlr4_HtJiM_KTbJgWJEav3UVMM0LZp8gvvDBti45_K5HgTzAhmi/s320/truth-body.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>I love seeing these two images next to each other. On the left a waif of a woman, a cartoon, yes, but the standard of an "ideal" woman in America. On the right, laugh lines and wrinkles from living, and the years that go with life. The <i>pressure to conform</i> on one side, and riding barefoot on your bicycle on the other. Empty and predictable versus <b>colorful</b> and spontaneous.<br />
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It's easy to conform to life's expectations, but the more we open ourselves to others, life gets a little brighter. <i>People & relationships </i>add dynamics that are beyond our control. The people I love have brought deep, searing pain to my life. And they have given me happiness so great that it makes my heart ache.<br />
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The <b><u>truth</u></b> is that I want to grow old, wrinkly (perhaps even pudgy) from laughter...tears...and <i>living life</i>. No botox for me. I want people to see this face someday and know that it was lived wholeheartedly. (I already have gray hair, so wrinkles are next anyway, right?)<br />
~Shelby</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475761383350993670.post-13425943505091310112012-02-12T15:32:00.000-05:002012-02-12T15:32:42.487-05:00A Lie that's True<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">In a way, this lie is true...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYZT_DUQ9vaoCFyeUE7LNaqTk25HuQptd_h3dquUvMSBoX1zTln8HuuJf_jRGUN-N9p6JxKZ6yZTYmT_BsFR4NopjDBXIRgRmxG1IrTZRPv4toPlX7MrD2fCTSDioVhU53SEvcZu2c9nv/s1600/Lie-worthless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYZT_DUQ9vaoCFyeUE7LNaqTk25HuQptd_h3dquUvMSBoX1zTln8HuuJf_jRGUN-N9p6JxKZ6yZTYmT_BsFR4NopjDBXIRgRmxG1IrTZRPv4toPlX7MrD2fCTSDioVhU53SEvcZu2c9nv/s400/Lie-worthless.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are all those things, and yet because of Jesus, we don't have to live in any of the them. But I so often get stuck there. It's sad to realize that internally this is reality, while externally I put on a pretty good show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've hidden from this lie the most. I lived it out in the past, to the point that I punished myself into starvation. Healed and whole from that, I am still held back today from the lie that says I am crap. And the thing that makes me mad is that this lie keeps me from the things I want the most. From being a good wife or living out the dreams God has for me. This lie is so damaging, so insipid, that seeing it here both confronts me and breaks my heart.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TRUTH</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Chonwiddq-HKU-zYV1J1QtQoqff95_SCS6jZkZSHZoE0xY4qo8YtOrBbwbAXUM5j_RXcS4Y1tA07pMomEf4Q-yYGDfhqI9j8ZzpkkU-OTor4w3XJm2iI_ht8zjxZ_fpBg8WwZusZwHp/s1600/truth-worth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Chonwiddq-HKU-zYV1J1QtQoqff95_SCS6jZkZSHZoE0xY4qo8YtOrBbwbAXUM5j_RXcS4Y1tA07pMomEf4Q-yYGDfhqI9j8ZzpkkU-OTor4w3XJm2iI_ht8zjxZ_fpBg8WwZusZwHp/s640/truth-worth.jpg" width="443" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But this <b>truth</b>, this is why I must <i>dance</i>! I want to walk in that freedom, and I long for you to join me. That we who have tasted God's love, which has set us free from the pain of past regret, and the worthlessness we found there, will drink in a new life. If we, if I, could live like we believe this - each morning with a fresh start - we could be the person we've always set out to become. <i>And the person, God has always known that we are, that He created us to be.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Shelby</div><br />
</div>Shelby Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06249724300259704305noreply@blogger.com0