Well folks….this is Team Howell. It is indeed a very old picture, but one of my favorites. And, well….we need an updated family photo. I am the lady in the middle of all the fun. I like to call myself a magician. The Lord and I make magic happen for my world, the little team of 5 He’s entrusted to me. More on all them later. In fact, you might even hear from them at some point, especially my oldest. She has lots to say. And if you are a teenager, you will want to hear her voice more than mine anyways. But first, about me. I am a sinner. I am average. I laugh at inappropriate times, especially when I am nervous or you fall down. I move faster than my brain can keep up which leaves me a mess most days. You will hear stories of that crazy, no doubt. I am full of doubt. I am ridden with fear. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of what you think. Fear of not looking perfectly put together. Fear of looking and sounding dumb. Fear of you not understanding anything I write here. But most of all I fear not pleasing God. I fear of NOT hearing “well done good and faithful servant” one day. I fear you not hearing it too. And honestly, that is why I am here in this space, so we both don’t play small. The list of imperfections above are actually good news, I am a person in desperate need of grace and a savior. And His grace is sufficient. His grace is sufficient to give me faith as small as a mustard seed. And that, my friends, is all that it takes to have a glorious life, and watch God move mountains. And it is my favorite thing to do – watch and even participate in Him moving mountains in my role as a wife, mother of three beautiful children (Lilly -15, Caleb, -13, Ana-6), daughter, sister, your friend, business woman, health coach, prayer warrior, traveler, and a servant in ministry. One day I will see Him move mountains in this new role as an author and motivator too. If He puts something in our hearts, it is there for the taking. I write for therapy, really never for public consumption. I have never ever thought of myself as a writer, beyond the technical in my previous life as an engineer. More on that life later. But, I have indeed done this therapy for years. Journaling is my jam. It helps me reflect, practice gratitude, sort through truths, sort through lies, and gives me space to breathe. So this is a scary place for me, doing what I have never thought of myself to be. But often God calls us out to scary places. There’s life there. We end. He begins. You will most definitely find grammatical mistakes and times I put my foot in my mouth vomiting too much realness. But in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. His power and glory begin where we end. And that is a place where I am a junkie, an addict, addicted to His grace. I pray you become addicted to His grace by visiting here too. Oh, how I pray…. I hope to share a little secret with you here – to see your mountain move, to see His grace, His power, His glory….
“My child, if you’re really going to do this thing, you’re going to have to give Me unhindered access to your entire heart, mind, soul, and body. Wholeness will come when you’ve given yourself to Me wholly and let Me fill every empty place on your life. Now you’ve learned what Satan can do. Are you ready to learn how to stand and fight?” ~ Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word
No truer words have changed my life and continue to do so.
It takes guts to have faith. Faith that His promises are true for our life. And, I’d almost dare to say this (at least for me in this season) it takes more guts to do the work.
Faith + Works = Abundant Life
You want to live more free? More whole? Less stressed? Less overwhelmed? Healthier? Feel like you are thriving not surviving? This is it.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
GUTS: personal courage and determination; toughness of character. Courage. Stepping up. Stepping out. Believing. Acting. Doing hard things. Doing scary things. Doing things that to most might look silly or irrational. But, most of all, doing HIS things. My prayer here is to encourage you to indeed have GUTS through stories, thoughts, and God’s TRUTH, His Word. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure. Thank you for meeting me here in this space. Grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile. My prayer is you feel the presence of a God who loves you so much and the empowerment that comes from Him alone.
Love you with all my guts and in all His grace….
Your Best Life Takes Guts 