Dear Future Husband

The letter below is an open letter to my "future husband." It's to be used as an encouragement for single christian ladies of all ages that true love really does wait; & you don't have to search for it.

Dear Future Husband,

It's me, your future wife. Sometimes, I think about you and what our future will look like together. I'm really excited for it one day, and I can't wait to meet you. A Christian lady, who just so happens to be my momma, once told me when I was early on in my teenage years:

"Don't think so much about what your future husband will be like, and don't try to fix any broken boys. Your future husband won't need to be 'fixed.' He'll already be where Jesus needs him to be, to lead you and live life with you. Work on fixing you, preparing you, and running so fast with Jesus that one day when and if you do meet him you will be a good thing for him, not something that will hold him back from the Lord. Be you, work on you, and fall so in love with Jesus so that when you meet your future husband; you'll know who he is, because he'll look and act just like Jesus."

So that's what I'm doing. I'm working on me. Sometimes other single ladies feel lonely about being "single." But, I don't see myself that way. I don't see myself as lonely, or single, I see myself as married to Jesus- and as I honor him with my life, I'm honoring you. This is what I think the most important thing of marriage is-- that one day when we're married, we'll build the kingdom of God together.

So, as I await for you, my "knight in shining armor" to show up in my life- I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with the Lord. And the good news is, I don't have to go to singles nights. I don't have to flirt with a bunch of different men, I don't have to wear a lot of makeup and dress immodestly, or sign up for dating websites-- because none of that leads to or means true love. Instead, i'll clothe myself with strength and dignity. I'll work on my heart, and try my best to keep my spirit and personality pure. I'll let praise ever be on my lips, and I'll search after Jesus and all that HE has to offer. Then one day, when you come along side me, I'll know it's you. And you'll know it's me. With the only reason being when I look up, is because Jesus will whisper, "that's him..." We'll have the same desire for the Lord, the same heart for the lost, and we'll both know that God is sovereign and he is holding both of our futures in the palm of his hand.

And the best part- we'll live happily ever after, serve Jesus, and go to travel to the ends of the earth together.

-Madeline

Renewing your mind

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” 💛Ephesians 4:22-24 

A sweet girl messaged me the other day and asked along the lines of "how do you put away things of this world, when you want to live for Christ?" 

Ask Jesus to come and renew your mind. Put AWAY things of this world. Become and embrace being a NEW creature in Christ. Throw away old music, surround yourself with strong believers, pray, serve, and step into the calling that the Lord has given you. Fall in love with Jesus. Fall in love with his word. And know that HE loves YOU more than anything this world has to offer. Don't look back. Run the race of this life with him and be ready to punch the devil in the face when old things of your past come up. You'll be tempted, BUT you don't have to give into that temptation. You have the power and authority to say NO to SIN and YES to Jesus. Let the Lord do a work in your heart today, and embrace everything he has for you.

An Airplane Doesn't Change Things

The top picture, me at a village school in the middle of some jungle in Uganda. The bottom picture, me in Newport Beach, CA. 

Something I've learned over the last 10 months is this: getting on an airplane shouldn't change you. 

Yikes. Those are hard words for me to swallow myself. Sometimes I think about my time in Uganda, and I'm forever thankful for it. But something that still constantly shocks me is when I hear or see people say "I'm going to be a missionary" or "send me to a missionary training" or "I'm saving so one day I can go be a missionary." 

Friends. Yikes. Did you know that the word "missionary" isn't in the bible? Woah. Pause. 

But a the term, "follower of Christ is." Is it fun to travel the world and go into all the world as the bible says to do? Yes. Absolutely. We're commissioned to do so as Christ followers. But one thing that I've learned is that no matter where you are, serve and love with all you've got. Do everything as if unto the Lord. Serve, and love the hopeless no matter where you're at. And if you get to go on a plane one day to do it, than praise God. But don't identify yourself as a "missionary" when you're only in a foreign land. 

““The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.” I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”

Isaiah 61:1-11