From Barren to Blooming

From Barren to Blooming

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I woke up the other morning and heard the Lord speak “Though the land seems barren – Ask God to reveal what is beneath the surface.” I hadn’t even opened my eyes yet. I continually repeated these words in my mind, so I wouldn’t forget what He had said. I got up and wrote these words in my journal and allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of what He had said. On top of the words He had spoken to me, the Lord has continually presented Exodus 14:14 to me daily in different ways. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” I believe He wants us to pour into Him and His word in greater depths. We are to trust Him because things are never as they seem.

Don’t look at what you see physically, but look with spiritual eyes and dig deeper than what may be one the surface. Ask God to give you spiritual understanding of the circumstances and situations around you. Does your life look barren? Ask Him to reveal why? What is He working on beneath the surface? Things may look barren, desolate, dried up, and lifeless. Your situation on the surface may look dead and you may feel stagnant and stuck in your situation. But God! He is always working. You can go from barren to blooming in an instant.

“Though the land seems barren.” Take your situation to God and ask Him to speak to it. Allow Him to work in your heart or circumstances and be open to instruction. There is more to what we physically see or are going through in our lives. Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ask God to reveal what is beneath the surface. Dig! Dig deeper into your relationship with God. Dig deeper in His word. Dig deeper to expose the enemies lies and plans in your life. “Though the land seems barren.” It is NOT!

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole

He Is Showing Up

He Is Showing Up

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been on here! I just haven’t felt God leading me to post. Then I got COVID. Then I was hit with the stomach flu! In the midst of the chaos I’ve been trying to pour into to God and focus on what it is He wants me to do. But I often feel too distracted by the lack of order around me and start to wonder “why?”

Despite the chaos something really awesome happened last week and God really showed up for me. I’ve started praying in the mornings that God would just show up for me each day. This particular day I was praying and asking God to supernaturally show up for me and remind me of His love for me. Overall I had been feeling really down, but this lady came into my work and she had remembered our brief conversation from her previous visit. She remembered I was a Christian and being a Christian herself she brought in a sheet for me with scripture on it and a little message. It was talking about how when life isn’t the way we expect or want it we tend to blame God, but God uses the good and the bad to draw us closer to Him. It was the exact reminder that I needed and it brought me to tears. I thanked the woman and knew it was a “God thing.” I immediately knew it was Him supernaturally showing up for me. Just as I prayed and asked that morning.

I am so grateful to have these moments in the tough times to cling to. I forget sometimes going through it all how much I grow in my love for God as I endure the hard times. Our suffering truly does create a softer heart where Gods love can work and move. Without the tough times we’d never move forward. We would think we hold the power and control and forget our need for God.

It’s in these tough seasons, situations, and circumstances that I’ve learned to let go a little and allow God to show up. Because when I make room for Him He always makes a way. God always shows up in ways I don’t expect or can’t imagine. His ways are always perfect. When we focus too much on our will and our ways we miss out on the blessings all around us. What is God doing in your life right now? What is He trying to show you? Ask Him to show up and expect that He will.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole ❤

Rest in Me

Rest in Me

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today I was reminded of how precious we are to God. Despite feeling forgotten, lonely, or unloved in certain seasons He has never left us. He is waiting for us to look up and realize He is right there holding us. He is the only way. He knows every answer to all the questions we are inquiring of. He is saying “rest in me.”

As I look back on my life and relive all the abuse and trauma…I see Gods hand through it all. I’m amazed at all I’ve went through and how God has used it for my good and His glory. I’m in awe of God and His goodness. No matter what happened or how bad it was He was always there. In my darkest moments no matter how far I ran from Him, He was there. When I realized His love was all I needed, He was there. In the back and forth of living for this world and getting lost in it…He was there to pull me out and draw me close into His loving arms.

No matter how many times I got off track and lost my way He redirected me. I was never out of His sight. We are precious to Him. Deuteronomy 14:2 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the Earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.” If you seek Jesus and His will for your life He will always show up bigger than you can imagine. He will always give us clarity and direction. He won’t let you go astray. He leads us with peace. This should be our compass in knowing His way.

3 years ago I was living anxious, insecure, and afraid. I had my ups and downs with following the Lord as everyone does. I had been in a very unhealthy and toxic relationship at the time. Today actually marks 3 years to the day that we broke up. That break up was the most painful and traumatic thing I ever went through, but God was with me every step. It was not a relationship I should have been in and I constantly prayed asking God to help me leave it. At the time I wasn’t strong enough to leave, but God showed up and made a way. Even though the break up was painful I felt God’s presence with me the second it happened. A weight was lifted and my prayer was answered. Not only was my prayer answered, but my relationship with God was also restored. This relationship had me in a fight of tug and war with what God wanted for me and what the world wanted for me. I was tormented daily with the lies of the enemy. But once that relationship ended God began to open my eyes to the truth behind the lies and abuse. The last 3 years God has continued to pursue me. In my pain He held me. In my weakness He carried me. In my doubt He restored my mind. Through all the struggles Jesus was right there.

As you draw near to Him He will draw near to you. He knows your heart and when you are genuinely pursuing Him and what He has for you. Despite my past and the ups and downs I always pursued Jesus. I always desired His will and He always protected me. Even if I didn’t see it at the time I look back now amazed the be where I’m at today. Sometimes I think we need to go through the trials and darkness just so we can realize how much we need Jesus. John Bevere said “The one who is afraid of God stays at a distance. The one who fears God stays close.” I have lived through seasons as I’m sure we all have outside of God’s will. Yet, He lovingly teaches us through our decisions and we must deal with the consequences. I’m so grateful for all I’ve been through because without it I wouldn’t be who I am today. I know what it is like to live outside of Gods will and I don’t desire it one bit. It’s in His loving embrace that I am free. I feel safe to be me and I know everything is okay because my father is holding me.

No matter what your situation looks like right now just know that what He has for you is good because He is good! Draw close to God and He will draw near to you. Be encouraged that nothing is too big for Him. God will use everything for your good. It’s never too late for Him to show up, all you have to do is ask. Your past doesn’t matter to God, He cares about your heart. God can restore and redeem what the enemy has tried to take. He is is asking you to just rest in Him. Jesus will take care of everything weighing heavy on your heart. Give it to Him and rest trusting He will do all you need.

Ps…Remember Your are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole

“I am Here”

“I am Here”

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Driving to work the other morning I started thinking about trauma and situations in my life that have caused wounds. Still painful, I asked God to heal me. As I continued praying I told God how I just always feel so alone and began to cry. I poured out my heart of past hurt and the present pain I still carry of feeling over looked and never listened to or heard. But then I heard Him speak to me. He told me “I am here.”

In the midst of the heartbreak and tragedy God is there. He is right there. He rests beside us picking up the broken pieces to make us whole again. In that moment I realized as silly as it may seem that I’m not alone no matter how lonely I feel. And I know this but sometimes our situations can make everything around us go dark. We feel as though we are alone, so we forget to reach out to the one that is always there. Jesus is just waiting for us to reach out so He can heal. He can encourage. He can lead and guide us. The truth is Jesus is always with us and He will never leave or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave your or forsake you.”

Even though we go through painful seasons… sometimes with no explanation as to why. Jesus uses everything for our good. Often I look back and see God’s hand in my most difficult seasons. Sometimes it feels too much to bear. Then I hear the nudging “I am here.” And I think of what Jesus is waiting for. He wants us to go deeper in His love. He wants us to draw closer.

In the midst of chaos we can turn to “feel good” things that this world offers. The comfortable, familiar, or easy things that tempt us at our weakest. Or we can turn to Jesus. It’s in these moments He is wanting us to turn to Him. Jesus wants to heal our pain not for us to numb it or push it away. He wants us to rest in Him and know the joy that His love brings.

I’ve come to know that resting in His embrace is the sweetest place. Through the isolation and rejection He is preparing us and He uses everything. He is right here and waiting for us to turn to Him. Will you give Him everything? Your whole heart and all that is holding you right now? Surrender and trust in Jesus. Allow Him to draw you closer He is saying “I am here.”

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole

It’s a New Day

It’s a New Day

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Let go of yesterday. “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us.” Philippians 3: 13-14. Everything holding you back from experiencing the full relationship you can have with Jesus. Give Him every lie, distraction, and disappointment. What is weighing heavy on your heart? He is saying “Give is to me.”

God makes all things NEW! I felt Him telling me this morning “It’s a new day!” Don’t worry about the promises He gave you coming to pass. Don’t worry what the day will bring. He is saying it’s a new day! Just trust in Jesus. Rest in Him knowing that He is with you and He is for you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

Whatever your circumstances are – trust Jesus. Whatever you may be waiting on – keep trusting Jesus. Give it all to God. He knows your heart and He knows exactly what you need. When you rest in Jesus you have everything you could ever desire. His love for us is all consuming. His plans and promises are greater than we could imagine. His ways are so much better. Rest in His presence and you will realize you have all that you could ever need. Rest in Him knowing that He will show up and do what only He can do.

It’s a new day. Let go of the worry. Let go of the doubt. Let go of the lies of the enemy trying to keep you stuck. Give your heart to Jesus today. Spend time with Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He loves you and knows you – Trust His ways are better. He has the Best for you!

Ps… Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo


Taylor Nicole

Worth It All

Worth It All

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
“I will live on the altar. You are worth what you ask for. I will live on the altar. You are worth what you ask for. If you’re searching for a heart as your reward then I am yours. Everything, everything is yours. Not one piece of my heart left out. Everything. I want to be the oil. I want to be the sacrifice. I want to be a laid down lover all my life.”

These lyrics are more than just words. This song has been on repeat in my heart and my mind this last week. These words were a reminder to myself, showing me how badly I need Jesus. More than than that how badly I want Him. How deeply I love Him. Sometimes I get so caught up in what I want. I get distracted by who culture says I should be. I get distracted in the day to day. BUT I desperately need Jesus. These lyrics reminded me of this and how I am so deeply in love with Him. I don’t want anything else. Nothing without Him and nothing that is not from Him.

So the bigger question this poses…Am I living as a sacrifice? Or am I just living life the way I want? We get so caught up in all these other things and place idols in our hearts before God. It reminded me to surrender these things no matter how big or small. He is SO worth everything. He is so worth leaving everything you think you want behind. I’ve done things my way before … a lot! Through my own bad choices and mistakes Jesus never left me. It wasn’t easy! But He used those things for my good, and looking back I see He protected me from harsher consequences of my choices. Jesus is so so good. His ways are so much sweeter than we can imagine. His love is the purest thing we can know. His love is the love I want to be completely surrendered to.

Jesus is so worth EVERYTHING! And not because of anything He can do for me, but its because who I am when I am with Him. When you are surrendered to Him there is an overwhelming peace and love that embraces you. It’s in His presence and His love that I feel safe, free, known…everything this world is searching for. Everything is found wrapped up in Jesus’ arms. So today make that decision to live as a sacrifice for Him. He desires you. All of you. He wants the good…the bad… the ugly. He doesn’t care! He uses it all and turns it around for your good.

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole

I Will Make Room for You

I Will Make Room for You

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?”

Is there room in your heart for Jesus? In your day? Or does He end up last on your list? If we ask ourselves, really ask ourselves we often put our desires first. It’s our wants and desires we fixate on. Through the chaos of each day we seek to soothe our fleshy desires. But what if we stopped and actually talked to Jesus? What if we took the time to ask Him what He wants for our day? What do you think would happen?

Between the brushing of our teeth and heading out the door I believe we can make room. Jesus desires for us to rest at His feet. We can either spend our days like Mary or be like Martha. Mary took rest at Jesus’ feet, but Martha was so distracted by all she had to do she completely missed what was important – Jesus. Luke 10: 38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” We must make room for the Lord not only physically in our lives but emotionally. Martha opened up her home to Jesus, but she was completely unavailable. We must start creating an atmosphere that invites God in and we must also be available to Him. I have been continually singing out to the Lord telling Him “I will make room for you” it has been something on repeat for me. Through this it has become apparent to me that I need to de-clutter some distractions and baggage to make some extra room.

I start and end my days with God. I cherish my rides to and from work talking to him as well, but what about the part in between? God desires to be apart of our whole day. If we take a minute and look we’ll see the blaring messages all around from this world trying to distract us. Trying to take up our time and room. These things begin to sneakily make a room for themselves.

Slowly people, places, and habits like social media or whatever we may encounter everyday begin to slowly unpack in our minds and our hearts. They then eventually set up camp and build a room. We ask “How did this get here?!” But the more we give in to that Netflix show or scrolling IG for hours the easier it is to let these rooms get bigger and bigger. Then where does God have to go?

God has been pouring into me lately – “De-clutter.” I thought He meant just psychically, but now I am realizing He also meant mentally and emotionally as well. Make room! Yes, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Give your “stuff” to God and ask Him to help you. Ask Him to help you clean out all the clutter and distractions. Make room for what matters. Make room in your heart for the Lord. Allow God to remove the restraints keeping you bound. Make room for Him and He will help you clean house.

The once old messy self hanging onto things that don’t matter will be long gone. Jesus renews and restores. He will never ask you to let go of something without having something better in store for you. So make room. In the messy, chaotic, and stressful day allow Jesus to be your constant comfort each step you make.

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole

Arise and Shine

Arise and Shine

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Matthew 5: 13- 16 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the household.”

Shine! Shine! Glow! God has been speaking to me lately and telling me to step out and “SHINE!” And as followers of Jesus we should. We should glow and shine differently. This glow we are to have is to help draw others in. We are light in the dark “a city on a hill.” Be the light He has called you to be and encourage others. Be a witness of His love wherever you go. Step out and glow!

It’s funny because throughout my life I’ve had many people tell me that I sparkle and shine. As I was driving to work yesterday I was talking to God about this. He told me that I sparkle everywhere I go to make an impact for Him. We are to make a difference and change the atmosphere! He told me “You are my precious jewel, and what do jewels do? They sparkle and shine! They have properties that are different than a stone so they stand out.” I thought this was the coolest thing! I had never before made that correlation until God told me yesterday. He often calls me His precious jewel and I often hear how I sparkle, yet I never tied the two together.

God has been speaking and He wants us to Shine! He wants you to be the light for those lost in the dark. Remember who you are and whose you are. Walk out in the authority He has given you. Be the light for those blinded by the darkness. He has called you. Can you hear Him? Will you answer? I don’t know about you, but I choose to be a jewel amongst the rocks! Set apart from the rest – You are called! Arise and Shine! This is His call. Take the leap of faith and each day say yes to God.

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole ❤

You Are Seen

You Are Seen

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Psalm 12:6 “The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.”

God wants you to know you that you are not forgotten. You ARE seen. He has not forgotten His promises to you. If He has said it then He will do it! I know sometimes things aren’t happening the way we think they should in the physical, and then we allow discouragement and doubt to set in. But God is doing it! Whatever He has promised is already on its way! He has been giving me confirmation lately through the physical as well as encouraging me to just hang on a little bit longer.

Sometimes, at least for myself you can feel as though your circumstances, location, or whatever it may be is limiting. But it’s not for God! He has you placed and positioned exactly where He needs and wants you to be. If you are following Him He will never lead you astray. God will always direct you on the right path leading to His promises. As we wait it can be easy to feel as though we have been forgotten. Sometimes I feel hidden, but God has been showing me that I am seen.

Occasionally we go through seasons where God may keep us hidden for a reason. Not out of withholding good, but actually protecting us from the bad. Like a prized treasure God keeps you tucked away, and in His perfect timing you will be revealed and all will see. God is saying to you now “You will be seen.” Don’t worry about the time line because He has everything all worked out.

Whatever He has promised you the time is Now. It is here and coming to pass! Do not let the lies of the enemy deceive. Though you may feel forgotten you have been strategically covered and hidden in His wings. This protection has kept us safe from things we do not see, but NOW God is unveiling. Step out in faith and take Gods hand. He will always lead the way and direct your path. It is time to Arise and walk out! Clothe yourself in your royal dress robes. Pick up your crown and step out.

Remember You are Fearfully Made

xoxo Taylor Nicole ❤

It is Time to Bloom

It is Time to Bloom

by Taylor Nicole ♥ 2 Comments
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Bloom where your planted. But what happens when you look around and you’re the last one? You’ve watched others around you get what you’ve so desperately prayed for. God is saying just hang on. There is beauty for your ashes. Even if it takes you a little longer to bloom. Even if you may be the last one. He has not forgotten you.

I have felt God impress to me to just “trust.” Even in the wait or should I say especially in the wait…TRUST. The last several months have been hard. Like me, you may not want to be in the season that you’re in. Maybe you thought God would change your situation by now? Well I get it! But as I walked into my yard the other day I saw this single magnolia bloom left. I was enthralled with its beauty. It stood out even more to me because it was the last one left. In that moment God encouraged me that I was like that last bloom left.

Despite being “late” in its blooming it was all the more beautiful. I took notice and it was easily found. No longer was it hidden amongst the rest. When the time has come God will position you to be found. When you bloom everything around you will present you on display. No delays. No distractions. God will open the doors. Floodgates will open up and an outpouring will flow forth. All the other flowers had blown away, yet this one endured. It reminded me of my circumstances and how we tend to try to rush things. I may feel like things may be delayed, but God is saying “NO!” They are right on time. All things are made perfect in HIS timing. Emphasis on His timing and not mine.

This beautiful bloom reminded me that in Gods perfect time everything prayed for will come to pass. You will bloom when the time has come. Not too early. Not too late. Everything will fall into place. Gods timing is always perfect. Be encouraged that though things may not be happening as quickly as you’d like they are still happening!

Bloom where you’re planted and expect to see God move in BIG ways. Don’t let the outside forces around you dictate if it’s your time or not. Don’t let the enemy whisper lies that you’re too late or God has forgotten you. Seek God in all you do and He will make a way for you to Bloom. Trust that every promise He has placed on your heart will come to pass.

Remember You are Fearfully Made ❤

xoxo Taylor Nicole