Darling Little Life

  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
    • Affiliates
  • Faith
  • Family
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
  • Home
  • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Hair + Makeup
  • Shop
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Amazon
Faith

When I stopped “forcing” prayer time

 

frustrated. defeated. embarrassed. ashamed.

If you asked me about my prayer life, and I decided to give you the real and raw answer, rather than the watered down one I think you want to hear, those might be the words I’d use.

And I know. In my heart of hearts, I know that those are not words to be defined by, most especially when I am defined by the grace of God.

I yearn to have a prayer time that is fruitful, active, life giving, full of joy.

So why is it such a difficult thing for me?

Continue reading

[zilla_likes] 
September 25, 2018, Leave a Comment
Faith

5 Steps to Refresh Your Heart With God’s Word

I spent this past weekend in Ft. Wayne,  Indiana with my sisters, mom, and Aunt, along with 5,000 other beautiful women of God. We gathered for the Priscilla Shirer Live conference (learn more about her ministry here). It was a powerful time of prayer, worship, and teaching… It was like a big Bible Study with women of all backgrounds. Sweet Olivia came along (baby’s first Bible Conference, yay!) and my sister and I got all sentimental over the thought of bringing our daughters when they grow up to conferences like we do with our Mom.

I sat outside in the hall with Olivia during one of the sessions since she was getting a little fussy. Despite the surroundings, it still managed to prick my heart.

It occurred to me as I was sitting on a dirty arena hallway floor, people chatting, sounds of toilets flushing from the bathroom nearby, my sweet girl cooing and talking to me, while i was trying to catch everything Priscilla shared: Sometimes the setting you’re in is less than glamorous.

But don’t let that serve as an excuse to posture your heart to be soft to the Holy Spirit’s working.

There will always be distractions. It takes purposeful intentionality to keep your mind present and open to receive God’s teaching.

Continue reading

[zilla_likes] 
August 28, 2018, Leave a Comment
Beauty Faith motherhood

Body Image, Imperfections, and the Gospel

I mentioned in an earlier post that I’d share a little bit of my journey with body image since becoming pregnant, and I’ve sort of been putting it off! I haven’t really talked much in depth on this topic before, maybe because it can be such a sensitive subject for many. I didn’t (and don’t) feel qualified or equipped to be able to shed any further insight into this. But if i’m going to be open with you, darling reader, this is a part of my faith walk right now and so I’ll share. Thank you in advance for your grace as I fumble through these thoughts…

If you haven’t noticed there have been a lot of changes to my body lately… pregnancy does that.

Is it beautiful and amazing and so powerful what the female body can do?

Oh my goodness, Yes.

Is that reassuring in the midst of the first trimester nausea and the awkward bloated looking belly? Or the first sign of a stretch mark in the second trimester? Or the swollen belly and feet (and everything else) that I get to look forward to in the third trimester?

In all vulnerability, not always…

I feel almost guilty admitting it. I should be OK with this, right?

And then I feel guilty for even caring about something as inconsequential as this. Am I just shallow and vain? Am I the only one struggling between wanting to be healthy for my baby and also having a hard time watching the numbers tip up on the scale?

And this is just the beginning. Before I know it, I’ll be in my postpartum body, Lord willing holding my sweet baby girl, and grappling with even more changes. And so I’m here, living in the tension of loving these changes but also struggling with them.

On the one hand, media is bombarding us with these unrealistic images of how are bodies should look. We all know that this fascination is unhealthy and damaging, but yet we keep going back to it.

On the other hand, media is putting out this empowered, “own your flaws”, “love yourself” message. This isn’t a negative thing.

However, this too can be a deceptively ineffective band-aid for finding joy and contentment in regards to body image.

The trouble with both of these extremes is that at the root of them, the is focus on self. When really, the only way to find true contentment and peace in this issue is to look past self and focus on Christ.

A friend from Church told me about Risen Motherhood podcasts. I’ve only had the chance to listen to a few, but so far I love them! One of the first ones I listened to was “How humility Nourishes a Weary Mom’s Soul” with Hannah Anderson, author of Humble Roots.

They briefly touched on body image and it completely refreshed my heart with this new perspective on things. Hannah Anderson explains it so well that I wanted to share a few excerpts:

“We have to go back to this definition of humility, as recognizing and honoring the difference between God as God, and our identity as created, limited creatures who are dependent on Him. If we have that frame, and we move to talk about our bodies, it’s amazing to realize that one of the very things that defines the difference between us and a transcendent God, is our physical bodies…

The first thing that humility teaches us about our body is that, it has been given to us to remind us of our limits. It is a walking, 24/7 reminder that we are not God…

 

But Christ, when he entered human flesh, He also elevated and honored it, so there is no shame in our bodies. We feel the shame because we feel the limitations, and we press against those limitations. We look at our body, we feel them decaying and we feel them breaking down, and we are, quite frankly, embarrassed by them. We are ashamed of them in ways that God is not ashamed of them. Jesus Christ was not ashamed to carry human flesh.

when He was raised from the dead, He was not ashamed to have marred flesh. He was not ashamed to carry the marks of love and sacrifice in His body.”

This instantly made me think of when Jesus Christ, in the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, was crucified and then victoriously rose from the dead three days later and came back to reveal himself to his disciples. He literally made himself known by his scars. Look at these scars. This is who I am. This is what I did for you.

John 20: 19-28 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,… Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord… Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”’

And so we, in motherhood, on a similar yet smaller scale, are able to use our bodies, with the scars and imperfections, as a picture of our love and our sacrifice.

The beauty of the gospel changes everything. It’s this love that reminds us that as believers, our bodies are a temple, a Holy dwelling place. It motivates us to make healthy positive choices and to move and exercise out of gratitude and grace for ourselves.

So the next time I scroll through those amazing post partum body images on Instagram and am tempted to feel so deflated and defeated, I will keep in mind that I am dependent on God, the creator and sustainer of life and my identity is found in Him alone.

And before I re-pin that positive body image quote on Pinterest about simply loving myself, I will evaluate if this is coming from a place of humility before God and true grace for myself.

“Again, this goes back to who are we listening to about our bodies. Jesus Christ is saying, “Your body is valuable and honoring and it’s been given to you to remind you of your limits, but also to make you dependent.

It has been given to you to serve in sacrifice, and it’s going to carry marks.”

Less of focusing on, looking towards, and depending on self.

More of focusing on, looking towards, and depending on Christ.

And that is the key to joy in these frail bodies we carry through this earth.

[zilla_likes] 
January 11, 2018, Leave a Comment
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • Next Page »

meet Emily

Christ follower. Wife. Mother. Sharing a bit of Faith, fashion, family, and everything in between.

Social

follow @ Instagram

  • Let all that you do be done in love 1
    2 days ago by darlinglittlelife “Let all that you do, be done in love.” 1 Cor. 16:14. . Baby girl is sick so we’re staying home from Church. I don’t like to have a sick baby but I don’t mind the extra cuddles! . . http://liketk.it/2zYnS  #liketkit   @liketoknow .it  #LTKbaby   #LTKunder50   #LTKunder100  You can shop my looks in the shop my instagram link in profile or by following me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app
  • Where do you prefer to workout at the gym or
    4 days ago by darlinglittlelife Where do you prefer to workout- at the gym or at home- and why? . I love my gym- I get so distracted by other things when i workout at home! I never really post fitness stuff on here because there are so many more knowledgeable and amazing fitness accounts out there, BUT, i was thrilled to share some of my fitness journey on  @girlfriendsfitclub  ‘s blog this week that i just had to share with you! . You can see the post on my blog as well where I’ve also linked these (on sale) workout leggings along with some
  • We love because he first loved us 1 John 419
    5 days ago by darlinglittlelife “We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19. . Happy Valentine’s Day, darling friends! Thanks  @miriamdeyoung2301  for the sweetest Valentine’s shirt from  @elorainspired  . Olivia loves it! . We’re having a big family dinner tonight for Valentine’s! What are your plans?
  • though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as
    6 days ago by darlinglittlelife “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18 . Sister in Christ- take a moment to remember the sin you were dead in. That wretched, depraved, hopeless, undeserving place. then let the gospel truth wash over your heart anew and just sit in it with me for a sec... . He covered my sin in perfect, complete sacrifice on the cross. And death couldn’t even hold Him... though your sins are like scarlet—he makes you as pure and bright and white as snow. And just like that, I’m wrecked. . Hallelujah, What a
  • Reposting this photo from a while back because that little
    1 week ago by darlinglittlelife Reposting this photo from a while back because that little smiley photo bomber just melts my heart! And because this darling sweater is perfect for Valentine’s day— there’s still time to order it and get it by Thursday since it’s a prime find! it comes in 4 other colors too! . I so appreciate your kind words and support since I’ve started with the  @liketoknow .it family! You are so gracious and I hope you know how thankful i am for you. Just a quick note, I get a very small commission if you purchase an item through my link, but
  • Be kind to one another tender hearted forgiving one another
    1 week ago by darlinglittlelife Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 . we’re still digging through Ephesians at church and it’s been so so good! . Did you catch my new blog post + my instagram story on how i apply magnetic lashes yesterday? . Blog post is linked in profile, instagram story is saved under highlights, and you can shop my magnetic lashes (and lip color) on  @liketoknow .it http://liketk.it/2zQxq  #liketkit   #LTKbeauty   #LTKunder100   #LTKunder50  You can instantly shop my looks by following me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app or in the “shop my instagram”
  • NEW BLOG POST I tried magnetic lashes to see if
    1 week ago by darlinglittlelife NEW BLOG POST- I tried magnetic lashes to see if it was worth all the excitement. Head over to the blog (link in profile) for a captain’s log of my experience with them and what my final recommendation is! . What’s your lash style- natural, mascara, falsies with glue, magnetics, or lash extensions? Comment below! . some of my favorite eye makeup products are linked in this photo! http://liketk.it/2zOxM  #liketkit   @liketoknow .it  #LTKbeauty   #LTKunder50   #LTKunder100  Shop your screenshot of this pic with the LIKEtoKNOW.it app or click the “shop my instagram” link in profile!
  • Motherhood can be such a thankless and never ending job
    2 weeks ago by darlinglittlelife Motherhood can be such a thankless and never ending job at times... But mama, keep on loving. Keep on pressing in. Even when it's hard and exhausting. . You are seen. You are valued. You are more than enough. . “‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1
  • The law of the Lord is perfect refreshing the soulThe
    2 weeks ago by darlinglittlelife “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul...The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” Psalm 19: 7-9. . Psalm 19 was my first big chunk of scripture that I memorized- i def need to go back and review it though! What’s a favorite verse/passage that you’ve memorized? . These are blue light blocking glasses- perfect for those who work in front of a screen, and they’re such a good deal!  #LTKstyletip   #LTKunder50 
  • So much of the pleasure we find in life comes
    2 weeks ago by darlinglittlelife “So much of the pleasure we find in life comes in the context of healthy relationships. Marriage is absolutely brilliant. And yet, as beautiful as marriage can be, by design it is a mere shadow of something much greater.” —Francis Chan, You and Me Forever. . “‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Eph 5:31-32

Shop My Favorites

Recent Posts

The non-sporty girls guide to the gym
Emilymae713, February 15, 2019
Magnetic Lashes Review: are they worth it?
Emilymae713, February 9, 2019
9 Month Nursery Photo Shoot
Emilymae713, January 31, 2019

Subscribe

Archives

The Only Moment theme  |