He is Still Working Miracles {My I'm Pregnant Announcement}

by Hannah Clements

Someone asked me the other day if I was still writing. Here I am resurfacing from the wildest, fastest and most overwhelming ride of my life: motherhood. When I was walking through my season on barrenness, words flowed out of me with little to no effort. Something about being in my feelings makes me want to write. Now I am in a season of complete blessings, and I've got nothing. I blame it on being distracted by my precious 8 year old and/or the fact that I only have 50% at most of a working brain. The other 50% or greater is working on growing a baby. In all honesty, I am completely overwhelmed - overwhelmed with His goodness and overwhelmed in the other possible ways.

Over the past 10 months of learning to parent, Psalm 66 has resounded in my head. So much so just seeing the number “66” on a sign or out and about gives me encouragement. It is my current song.

Because God is good, I was able to sing through infertility. But now I get to “shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.” Psalm 66 1-2 Dear friends, “come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea.” Psalm 66:6

I have so much to tell you about the awesome miracles He has performed in my little family's life. Nothing short of miracles here.

After over 4 years of trying to conceive: rounds of meds, 1 surgery, 5 unsuccessful IUIs, a bit of giving up and a dose of surrender - I am pregnant. A miracle.

But pregnancy didn't and could not happen until after, a few years of nudging my husband towards foster care, 30 hours of training, 257 pages of paper work, lots of prayers and an easy yes to an 8 year old little girl. A miracle.

A few weeks after we found out we were pregnant, we celebrated my daughter's 8th birthday (still holding the secret tight), I was cutting her cake and the Holy Spirit whispered - “this is what you waited for.” Without a doubt, we needed her. All the ways she came to be ours and who she is are miracles in themselves. I could write a book (once I regain brain consciousness, may be I will).

Shortly after she moved in, she quickly began praying for a “baby brother, baby sister, or baby twins.” We weren't really sure how God would answer that prayer - either through adoption or miraculous pregnancy, but we knew the prayer of a child is powerful. A couple months later and I am pregnant. Not because I “finally relaxed” or got my mom juices flowing, but simply and powerfully because God's timing had arrived and his miracle was performed. He heard her prayer.

There is more, but I still haven't processed it. Yet, I couldn't miss the opportunity to share with you of how God parted our "Red Sea". Dare I be like the Israelites and forget what God has done. For the Israelites, He parted the sea twice, performed miracle after miracle and they forgot to tell. Their devotion to God turned in to forgetfulness and idol worship. Dare I not tell you or generations yet to come. So here I am with limited brain capacity and all telling you “what awesome miracles God performs performs for his people.” He is still working miracles, folks. Believe it. I've lived it.

Don't miss your opportunity to share what God is doing in your life. Let's spread His miracles like wildfire.

Dear friend who is still waiting for your miracle,

I don't know why me and not you. I don't know why you are still waiting. But I pray one day the Holy Spirit will whisper to you “this is why you waited” and all will make sense. In the meantime, lean in. God is so good in the waiting and He alone satisfies. I am praying for you and hurting with you. He is near to the broken-hearted.

Joy Isn't Just for Christmas

by Hannah Clements

I have a confession: I love me some Jesus, but I’m not a fan of Christmas music. When The Collective Christmas music writing theme came up, I jokingly suggested that I would get my writing inspiration from Mariah Carey's “All I Want For Christmas is You”. It is one of my favorites on the short list of favorites. My daughter on the other hand loves Christmas music. The faster, louder, jinglier, and catchy the better in her opinion. While listening to music with her, Mariah Carey's song came on. “All I want for Christmas...Santa Claus can’t make me happy with a toy on Christmas day...all I want is you”...that must certainly be a Jesus song right?” my 8 year old daughter said. In her kid-wisdom and childlike faith, she knows that Jesus is the reason for the season. Gifts don’t bring us joy. What we should really want is Jesus. And she is right, Jesus is really all I want for Christmas (except maybe socks, underwear and would it be too much if I asked for a Roomba?). His presence unfailingly brings me comfort and joy. I couldn't ask for more.

Although Christmas songs aren’t my favorite, Hallelujah Christmas always gets me because it doesn't stop at the birth it sings of the cross and the cross for ever changed me. However this year, I just need to listen to the first line, and I am a mess.

The song starts with “I heard about this baby boy whose come to earth to bring us joy.” The joy of Jesus has a whole new meaning for my husband and I this year. We recently gave our newly adopted daughter the middle name of Joy. She is so proud to have this name. We are prayerful and convinced that her name will be part of her testimony and a reminder to how God changed her sorrow to joy. (Her original middle name meant “sorrow”.)  She is delighted whenever she reads or hears the word “joy” anywhere. “They just said my name,” she says smiling with dimples shining. She takes notes of any mention of the word. For example, our pastor said “joy” exactly 12 times in his sermon last Sunday. I know because she counted and celebrated with each mention. Her new name has made us all pay more attention to the word “joy”. I always knew it was a Christmas word - frequently posted on Christmas signs, decorations, cards and ornaments. However, until this year, I didn’t stop to think about why “joy” is a Christmas word.

In Luke 2:10, the angel of the Lord announces the birth of our Saviour to shepherds in the field. The angel says “"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Tiny summary - Jesus causes great joy. 

Joy really isn’t just a positive or pretty word to paste on our Christmas ornaments. It is a testament of Jesus’s presence in Bethlehem and in our lives. And it doesn't stop at Christmas. Joy should be posted and felt throughout the year because the joy of Jesus is present on our happiest holidays and our most mundane Mondays. 

We have tried to teach our daughter the meaning of the word “joy”. “Joy is different than happiness,” we say. New socks and underwear would bring me happiness, but the happiness will surely not last and neither will the socks as they are my dogs favorite thing to eat. As I type this the tire place has stolen my happiness and my patience, but it can't steal my joy. Joy is not circumstantial. It can’t be stolen or destroyed. In fact there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 10:35-39).

Fellow believers, may we be a people who not only seek the joy of God during the Christmas season but also throughout the entire year. May we carry God's joy with us to the tire place and into our mundane Mondays. May we remember that our bad circumstances are fleeting. But the joy of the Lord is eternal. 


Dear Lord,

Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the joy that comes with Your presence. Thank you for my long awaited daughter. May we take your joy in to the new year.

Let it be so.

*******


Dear Readers,

We sincerely hope you had a special Christmas season. We wish you a Happy New Year! Full of Jesus and joy.

Love,

The Collective

Psalm 119: Dust Off Your Bible {God's Word is Precious}

by Hannah Clements

I am secretly a lover of fun facts. Here are a few fun facts about the Word of God (from this neat website):

1.     Over 100 million copies of the Bible are sold each year. In fact, it is the best-selling book in history.

2.  The full Bible has been translated into 532 languages. It has been partially translated into 2,883 languages.

3.     The longest word in the Bible is “Mahershalalhashbaz" (Isaiah 8:3). (Try saying that out loud three times fast.)

4.     The top 3 highlighted books of all time on Kindle are 1) The Holy Bible by Crossway Bibles, 2) Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, and 3) The Hunger Games.

5.   The Bible is the most commonly stolen book in the world, most likely because it is so available in hotel rooms and places of worship.

Fun huh? Here are some scriptural facts to go along with these above.

1.     All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16

2.      For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

All that to say, the Bible is pretty precious, a precious tool. For many of us, it is easily accessible – as easy as a click of a button on our phones or a quick look on the bookshelf. In my house, we own at least 6 Bibles. Often times, our access to the scriptures is taken for granted. For just a second, stop to remember that the Bible is not readily accessible in many countries around the world. If fact, owning a Bible can result in prison-time, torture, and even death. Many people search and wait for years to own a portion of the Bible. This is not meant to guilt you or I in to reading, but to remind you of the precious gift you have access to.

Psalm 119 is a beautiful reminder of how precious scripture is. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is scripture about scripture. More fun facts: Psalm 119 is divided in to 22 sections. Each section starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 was written to be sung and memorized in its entirety (whoa!). Psalm 119 continually proclaims the reverence and sovereignty of the Word of God. IT IS VALUABLE TO US (Psalm 119:72).  At some point today, grab yourself a cup of coffee, tea or your drink of choice and settle in for the reading of Psalm 119.

In your reading you will find:

·       Following God’s Word leads to Joy (119:1&2)

·       Knowing God’s Word helps us to obey (119:11&61)

·       God’s Word gives wisdom (119:24&98)

·       God’s Word revives and encourages us at our lowest (119:25,28 &50)

·       Hope (119:43&114)

·       Through His Word you will find Freedom (119:45)

·       Comfort in all our troubles (119:50&52)

·       His Word remains true (119:91, 151 &160)

·       Sweetness (119:103)

·       Guidance and light (119:105&130, 133)

·       Treasure (119:111&162)

·       A hiding place (119:114)

·       Loving God’s Word leads to peace (119:165)

Psalm 119 is full of praise for the scriptures and prayers for understanding, and prayers that God would give eagerness to read the scriptures. I don’t know about you, but Psalm 119 makes me want to go dust off the ol’ Bible. (I am sure I am not the only one whose Bible has ever been a little dusty). Psalm 119 points to the reviving power of the scriptures. The writer of these psalms knows the power of God’s Word yet the writer still has to pray that God would give an eagerness to read, that God would help the writer obey the instructions, and that there would be understanding when reading the Word. Maybe you can relate. Has your Bible been a little dusty lately? Have you lost your eagerness to read and study? Have you ever felt like you don’t understand what you are reading? You are in good company. Don’t be ashamed of these things. Rather admit that you could use some help (can’t we all) and join the writer of these psalms in praying for an eagerness to read and understand.

Not only has reading the Word been on my heart, but so has the prompting to memorize scripture. I have John 3:16 on lock, but I could certainly spend a little more time committing some others to memory. The recall of scripture to our minds is such a powerful tool to use against worry, anxiety, and any negative thoughts. Memorized scripture also serves as powerful prayers over our circumstances or over our loved ones. I challenge us to spend more time in the Bible and more time memorizing scripture. Isaiah 55:11 says that His word always produces fruit. Our reading and memorization will be fruitful.

Dear Lord,

We praise you for your Word. It is a gift to us. You Word is true. It is sweet. And It brings hope, freedom, peace and joy. God give us a desire to read and follow your Word. Help us to understand it, to know it and to share it.

Amen.

To put these things in to practice, I wanted to share a few resources with you:

For going deeper in Psalm 119 – A church of several of my dear friends, Exodus Church in Belmont, NC, is going through Psalm 119. Tune in to hear sermons here -https://theexoduschurch.org/sermon-series/psalm-119-volume-one/

Also from Exodus Church – Psalm 119 in Music form! Click here for a FREE download - https://theexoduschurch.org/music/

(Beautiful) Resources for putting scripture to memory here – https://shop.wellwateredwomen.com/collections/journals/products/word-before-world-memory-journal

I recently picked up the “Open Your Bible” study by Rachel Myers and Amanda Bible Willams of She Reads Truth because I needed a little accountability and direction lately in opening my Bible. I am really liking it so far and think you will to. - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/open-your-bible-bible-study-book-P005757875

Finally, I crafted a set of 6 watercolor verse cards from Psalms. I want to give them away to one of you. Use them to memorize scripture, post them around your house, or mail one to a friend for encouragement. Enter to win by subscribing to Create In Us Collective! Over on the right enter your e-mail address under the Join Our Tribe section. (If you're on your phone scroll to the bottom and click "view in web browser"). Our winner will be announced on the blog next week!

Psalm 51: God Doesn't Want Our Sunday Best. {He Wants Our Broken Mess.}

Hey Friends, Hannah here to bring you week 7 of Summer in the Psalms. A little behind the scenes before we dive in to this week’s Psalm. When Andrea suggested we do Psalms throughout the summer, it was an immediate “yes!” from me. You see, last summer I read through the Psalms and it rocked my world! I love the Psalms because they are completely relatable – with every range of emotion present in the writings. One of many lessons learned while reading – bring your every emotion to God, every doubt, question, or celebration – bring it to Him! I am so excited that you are reading along with us. I do challenge you to read through Psalms in its entirety. I firmly believe you will never be the same because scripture is like that.


Ok let’s get going! This week we dive in to Psalms 51. To be completely honest, I somewhat was voluntold to do this one. It wasn’t my original plan, but I have enjoyed picking it apart. It is rich and deep. Psalm 51 is likely familiar to you. Familiar or not – stop right now, pull out your Bible or your phone, and read through its entirety.

Now that you have read (I am trusting you on this), a little back ground for you. Psalm 51 was written by David after coming to terms with his sin. 2 Samuel 11&12:1-24 is what is happening prior and during his writing of this Psalm. 2 Samuel is action packed and full of drama. So much so that 2 Samuel 11 starts with an affair and ends with murder. A quick run-down – David is chilling on the roof, spots Bathsheba, calls for her, has sex with her and she gets pregnant. Bathsheba is married to Uriah who is off fighting in the war. David tries to cover his tracks and “right his wrongs” by calling for Uriah to come home and encourages him to “go to his wife” (if you know what I am saying!). Uriah being the loyal soldier he is, won’t do it. Even after David takes a step forward and gets Uriah drunk he still won’t go home. So, what else is David to do but arrange the death of Uriah by putting him on the frontline. (Quick lesson here: we can’t right our own wrongs.)

According to commentary, David sits in his sin without repenting for a good amount of time. Several months pass – maybe even a year, and David has not confessed and repented of his sins to God. So, the Lord sent Nathan to speak truth and to help point David back to his first love – thus we get Psalm 51 – David’s repentance and reconciliation to God.

There is so much here for us – promises of reconciliation, unfailing love, great compassion and overwhelming grace. But for my sanity, I want to focus on three points.

1.      We can be clean.

We are all sinners in this world (Romans 3:23). The only exception is Jesus Christ. None of us better than the other, all dirty on our own accord. But the good news, the Gospel, is that we are forgiven from our sin. True repentance, confessing and turning from our sin, results in unfailing love and compassion from the Good Father.  God meets our sin with overwhelming grace. So much so that we don’t have to wear our scarlet letter or carry the guilt of our sin like a heavy load of dirty clothes. Not only does he forgive us but Hebrews 8:12 says “For I will forgive their wickedness and I will never again remember their sins.” If you have never confessed your sin and taken this step in becoming a believer in Jesus or you like David have been hiding in shadow of your sin for a season, follow David’s lead in Psalm 51:7 and pray “Purify me from my sins and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Dear friend, confess your sins and then walk as someone covered in righteousness of Jesus Christ not as someone cast down in shame.

2.      Be the Nathan to your David.

As believers, we are called to repentance, but we are also called point others to Jesus with our words and our actions. Sometimes that means we bring to light the sin in the lives of our people. However, before we do that, we need to get ourselves together. Matthew 7:3-7 says “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of the log in your own eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrites! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Go get yo’ self together by repenting first (see point #1). Then at the Lord’s direction and only at the Lord’s direction, speak truth to your friend. Don’t be afraid to step on their toes, but most of all remind them of the grace and forgiveness that is given in place of their sin. After Nathan and David’s conversation, David was immediately convicted and turned from his sin. It is important to note that it took some time before David repented prior to this conversation. Being the Nathan to our David, doesn’t mean that our friends will automatically come back to God. Sometimes it means that we have a conversation and/or pray and believe God’s promises for them, waiting for their reconciliation. Don’t give up hope.

On a personal note, I hate confrontation. Being a Nathan stresses me out. There have been times in my life that I felt the Lord calling me to be a Nathan and I didn’t listen. I was fearful of burning a bridge and loosing a friend so I didn’t. Guess what, I lost the friend anyways. Moral of the story, be obedient no matter what the price, friends.

3.      God doesn’t want our Sunday best. He wants our broken mess.

We will wrap up here with my favorite point of the post. I have come to terms that I am a lot messy and broken both literally (I type this with a broken foot) and figuratively. But I find so much hope in Psalm 51:17. It says “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” God doesn’t want us to clean up first before we come to Him. Get this, He already knows our biggest and darkest secrets, our most shameful moments, and our messy past. We don’t have to hide from Him. He wants us to come just as we are. The sacrifice he wants from us is our actual mess. God wants you and your sin, you and your anger, you and your broken heart, you and all your ugly. You don’t have to dress up to come to the throne. Bring it all. You won’t be rejected. In fact, not only will you be welcomed but your brokenness will be traded for beauty because of Jesus.

Dear Lord,


Thank you for mercy, grace and forgiveness. Help us to turn from our sin, point others to Jesus and to bring every part of our broken lives to you. You are the God of restoration and healing. We believe in you for that today.

Amen.

For continued worship -

You Are Not Alone: The Struggle of Infertility.

by Hannah Clements

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week! Did you know that 1 out of 8 couples struggle with infertility? Here’s what I wanted to make you aware of – no matter what “week” or “obstacle” you identify with – You are not alone.

Infertility can be a very private and personal journey and can feel very lonely unless we connect with others who are going through the same journey or who have been there, done that, and have seen the other side. This is why I choose to be open with my journey: for the sake of community and to bring glory to His name even in the desert. We were not meant to do life alone.

For my other 1 in 8s or waiters of any kind, here are 8 things that have helped me through the roller coaster that is infertility. Not waiting for a baby, but waiting for something else? I believe these 8 things might also apply to you.

1. Believing I will be a mom one way or another either through birth or adoption. Believing = hope. Although God’s time sure has been different than my own, I know I will one day be a mom. Dare to Hope.

2. Do the next right thing. Honestly, I wanted to have this all planned out. If this doesn’t work, we will do this, then this, then that etc. However, thinking too far in the future becomes quite overwhelming. I do not know the future. My husband reminds me to stay focused on the now vs thinking too hard in to the future. Although sometimes this point of view is frustrating because I would rather have a clear plan, it helps me to submit my future to the Sovereign God who goes before me. Just do the next right thing today and give the rest over.

3. Connect with other people who have been there done that!!! This by far is one of the most helpful things. That is it. Don’t know anyone? Connect with me or join a social media group of other people going through the same thing. This journey doesn’t have to be lonely.

4. Celebrate others pregnancies and babies. God created these lives. Don’t you forget that life is a miracle. Do not allow yourself to harbor jealousy, bitterness, or self-pity – that is what the devil wants you to do. Do not allow him to win this battle that the Lord has already fought and won for you. Go to the showers, rub the bellies, like the pregnancy announcements, and kiss the babies. Celebrate even when life does not seem fair. After all, we wouldn’t and shouldn’t wish infertility on anyone.

5. Do all of the celebrating and loving of your people, and then cry all the way home if you need to. Give yourself permission to cry, but do some constant self reflection. There is a fine line between sadness/disappointment and self-pity. Find yourself in a hole of self-pity, jealously, or anger? (see below)

6. Talk to God about it.  Don’t stop talking to God and believing He is Good. He is. Praise Him in the pit.

7. Give grace – to yourself (there comes a point where there is not really anything you can do but submit. Give yourself the grace to do so) AND give grace to well meaning individuals – you know… the ones who suggest all the things like standing on your head, eating pineapple, and taking cold medicine. If those things worked ya’ll, I would have been pregnant years ago, but I am not. Ya’ll, these people mean well. They are trying to help you. Give them grace and bless their hearts. Then be as open as you wish about your journey with them. Spread a little awareness.

8. Do some reading. I hear once you become a mom you don’t have time for things like reading. So enjoy this “free” time. Here are some book suggestions to get you started:

Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans by Wendy Pope – so good. Weaves in the story of David, scripture, and modern day waiting periods. Wish this book would have come around sooner.

When God Doesn’t Make Sense by James Dobson – a good reminder to keep faith no matter the circumstance.

Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I always wanted by Shannan Martin – A book about how God changed Shannan’s dream life around to one that is better. Plus Shannan adopted little ones and a big one, and they are just the cutest.

and the book of Isaiah – She Reads Truth has a study of the book of Isaiah.

If you'd like to connect with Hannah she can be reached at hannah.j.clements@gmail.com.

My "I'm Not Pregnant" Announcement

by Hannah Clements

For about three years infertility has been the shadow that keeps me company. Sometimes it is overwhelming and dark and other times I hardly notice it. However, milestones serve as reminders. For example, the one year anniversary of surgery that was sure to do the trick, the closing of another year with empty hands, and even age milestones of other precious babies.

You see for me, I really thought 2017 would be the year - the year for my pregnancy. 2016 sure wasn’t, so surely it would be 2017, right? It wasn’t. At least 12 times, I formulated a plan to announce a long awaited pregnancy in my head. Telling no one because I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. I will show up at the airport when my husband arrives home from his trip(s), newly pregnant, and holding a sign awaiting the arrival of the “daddy to be”. Well, those planes have landed.

I will break the news on a birthday of any given family member and have them unwrap a frame with the words “grandparents or aunt to be”. Those birthdays all came and went.

I will let my husband know we are finally expecting on Father’s Day. What a fun surprise that will be. Another Father’s day passes. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Instead, I celebrated (and can I be completely honest? - wept for myself) births of friends’ babies and pregnancy announcements, and I even stood in the birthing room cheering on a young mama as she gave birth to her baby boy - a position I will forever be honored to have stood. 2017 was in fact the year of pregnancies - just not mine.

Anyone else there? I know I am not the only one closing out 2017 and starting 2018 empty handed. Perhaps you, like me, have seen 12 negative pregnancy tests - getting your hopes up only to have them let down again. Or maybe your ring finger is empty. You really hoped you would meet Mr. Right this year, but you didn’t. You are waiting on healing that hasn’t come despite your prayers and pleads (God hears all those and sees you, by the way. Despite the fact that your circumstances haven’t changed “yet”, please know that your prayers are not in vain.) Maybe you are waiting on a raise, promotion, a job or a loved one to come back home. I know the feeling of your heartbreak. I hurt for and with you.

While you wait, the celebrations of others cause a little sting.Their social media post goes something like - “We are pregnant! God is so good” or “I got the job I wanted! God is so good” or “Save the date - We are getting married. God is so good.”

Each time, the enemy tries to tell me “You still aren’t pregnant. God must not be good and He is certainly not good to you.” You see, the devil wants us to believe lies such as this. When circumstances aren’t good, healing doesn’t come, or prayers aren’t answered in the way we want, the enemy swoops in and whispers things in hopes of taking our focus off of God and putting our focus on ourselves and our circumstances.

Here’s my response to the enemy and here’s my social media announcement. “I am not pregnant yet. God is so good”. You see, God’s goodness is not determined by my circumstances. He is good. He can’t be anything less. God has promised to be close to the broken-hearted. That promise has certainly been fulfilled for me. He is Emmanuel, God with us. God has been so good to be with me through every disappointment and heartbreak.

Believer friends, can we make it a point to announce His Goodness even in the darkest of circumstances? May we not just wait for the celebrations and answered prayers to declare His glory to the world. Friends, the world needs to know that in the very midst of darkness and grief HE IS GOOD.

Join me in declaring His goodness. “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His light brought life to everyone. The Light shines in the darkness and darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:4&5


Good Father,
You are good. You are with me. I will praise you in all circumstances. I declare you glory and your goodness. You are worthy of praise.
Amen

Dare to Hope

By Hannah Clements

The book of Lamentations has recently drawn me in. Even its name has caught my eye. To lament means to mourn, grieve, and sob. I picture laying on your face in the dust kind of mourning.

Lamentations was written during a time of great mourning. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed and in pieces. Sobs were heard through the night. The roads were mourning. Friends became enemies. Hearts were broken, and souls were in despair. (Lamentations 1)

It caught my eye because I have reason to believe that many can relate to Lamentations in our present day. Our city and circles are mourning. Some of our homes, lives, and relationships lay in ruins. People are mourning loss, betrayal, and disappointment. We are lamenting for reasons known by others and reasons hidden privately within our own walls.

Truthfully, Lamentations is hard to read. Not only were the people in great mourning, but they were violently starving. The picture isn’t pretty. Some of our pictures aren’t pretty either.

Lamentations 3:19 says, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss."

Friends, much like the author of Lamentations, I bet you will never forget your season of despair – like that time your husband left you, the time you lost your job, the time you couldn’t get pregnant, the time you grieved the loss of your friend, or the time you faced a ugly diagnosis. You won’t forget that. You will grieve that, and you have permission to mourn.

BUT, get this next part, friends….God’s Word is good. If you look closely, right in the middle of the grief and despair you will find a little nugget of hope amongst the rubble. Lamentations picks up here in verse 20, “Yet I still dare to hope...”

Did you catch that? Dare to hope in the middle of your mourning.

"Because of this – The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies begin fresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him.’"(Lam. 3:19-24)

No matter what is going on around us, may we be bold enough to hope and choose to start each day remembering that His mercies are new each morning; His faithful love never ends.

There you have it: a dare to hope right in the middle of despair when it seems like there is no hope to be found. “Lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.” (Lam. 3:29)

DARE TO HOPE, for He is faithful.

 Jesus,

Your children are mourning for reasons you know and are not surprised by. You are near to the broken-hearted. Oh Lord, may we find hope in each new day for you are faithful and good. You work all things out for our good.

Amen.

A Psalm, A Prayer, Praise, and Priorities

by Hannah Clements

Happy New Year, Friends! I don't know about you, but each new year causes me to pause and reflect. Did I spend my time well in the year past? What were my highs and what were my lows?

When I reflect on how I spent my time and my list of priorities last year, an image pops in to my head that I can't seem to shake. Mid 2017, I am sure I was busy trying to accomplish my long list of important things, and I walked by my typical reading and meeting with Jesus spot (the dining room table). What I saw stopped my in my tracks. I can still see it clear as day - Bible open with my cell phone placed right on top. I didn't remember laying my phone there or what I was doing, but that very image stopped me and pierced my heart as if God were asking me "What have you been putting on top of my Word?" "What have you been putting on top of our time together?" 

To answer those questions - Lately, I would say definitely my never ending list of things that must be done. Anyone else constantly repeating all that needs to happen before sun down? The anxiety of completing it all creeps up, and I don't even have kids yet, y'all. 

Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." In 2018, I choose more being still and less busy. I choose more of Jesus. In 2018, I choose more time reading the Word and less time reading Facebook. I choose more time in prayer and less time in worry. I choose more time giving praise and less time complaining. 

Do you too need to get your priorities straight? 

If so, join me by making time for Bible reading (not an item on your to do list but a choice that is sweet and life giving). Psalm 19:10 says the Laws of the Lord are more desirable than gold, and sweeter than honey. His Word is good! 

Join me in prayer. Psalm 17:6 says we can pray because "I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." 

Join me in praise - no matter what circumstances 2018 brings, know this - "As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with victory." Psalm 48:10. He is worthy of praise. He is good and he is working all things out for our good. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for a new year! Thank you for new life in you. Lord, I give 2018 to you. May 2018 be full of things that bring you glory. You are good and worthy of praise.

Amen. 

The Healer and Lifter of Heavy Loads

By Hannah Clements

Everyday, I brush shoulders with nearly 600 bookbags. Each bookbag a physical representation of the burdens my students carry - some burdens light, some heavy, and some much too heavy to bear.

As a school counselor, it is truly an honor to have students unload their “bookbags” in my office - sometimes very slowly and other times dumping it all out at once. At times little pieces of their burdens become my own and I can feel it weigh heavy on my back and in my chest. The need begins to feel overwhelming. I can’t fix broken homes, broken hearts or broken mindsets - some of which don’t even know they need fixin’. So I find myself heavy with others' burdens that become my own and asking, “what do I do with these?”, and the Lord replies, “Take them to the cross. Leave them at the feet of Jesus.” 

Luke 5:17-25 comes to mind. You’ll remember this story - Four men took it upon themselves to carry a paralyzed man to The Healer and Lifter of heavy loads. What a load I am sure it must have been to carry this physical burden. Their faith made them determined to get to Jesus - desperate for his healing power. The crowds surrounding Jesus made Him difficult to reach so they lifted the heavy weight and lowered the man’s body down through the roof and placed him “right in front of Jesus.”

We are called to do the same today - to carry each other’s burdens and to lay them right in front of Jesus. Whose burdens are you carrying today? Do you carry the burdens of a friend, a student, or even a stranger who simply passed by? Do you carry your own burden and feel worn down by the weight of this world? Join me in laying each burden down right in front of Jesus. Jesus himself invited you there - “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

Dear Lord,

You know the burdens of my heart. I bring them to you and lay them at your feet. You hear us, see us, and can be trusted. Thank you for taking my cares. Thank you for caring for us. You are good. 

Amen

......

Friends, at Create In Us Collective it is our desire to not only encourage you through writing but to also pray for you. If you have a burden weighing heavy on your heart, we would love to take it to Jesus with you. Feel free to leave a comment stating how we can pray for you. I ask that you join me in praying for the “bookbags” that enter my office. They are desperate for peace and healing. 

When the World Doesn't Fill Me

by Hannah Clements

Y'all, “words of affirmation” is my love language. Like for real, give me all the accolades. I will eat them up with a spoon. My 29th birthday just rolled around, and my one wish from my husband was “tell me twenty-nine things you love about me” (eyes batting, waiting with anticipation) and immediately my love tank is full. 

Right now, if I am being honest, I haven't felt very affirmed lately. My love tank is running on “E”. 

I secretly want to be the best, but a co-worker of mine seems to get more accolades than me. In the middle of a positive yet major life transition, my husband is stressed. Therefore, there is very little time for “sweet nothings” to be whispered in my ear.  My volleyball team lost every game of the season. Every. Single. Game. I will note that although my athletic ability is low, my desire to win is high. #humbling 

God isn't surprised by this season, the one where affirmations are few. I don't feel like I am winning, being successful or, at times, even noticed. Perhaps, He has waited anxiously for this season because He knew that when the world doesn't fill me I will come running to His word for affirmation.  

Here are some truths straight from the Creator of the Universe given to affirm me and to affirm you. 

I am delighted in. - Zephaniah 3:17

I am redeemed. - Psalm 49:15

I am heard. - Psalm 116:1&2

I am known. - Psalm 139:2

I am seen. - Psalm 139:3

I am never alone. - Psalm 139:7

I am wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:14

I am free. - Romans 6:22 

I am gifted. - 1 Corinthians 12:7

I am Christ’s Ambassador. - 2 Corinthians 5:20

I am God’s masterpiece. - Ephesians 2:10 

I am chosen and God’s special possession. - 1 Peter 2:9 

Friends, we can claim these truths over ourselves simply because of His goodness. Not because of anything that we have done but because of what has been done and given to us.  We can stand confidently in the seasons full of accolades and the seasons that go unseen.  

Oh Lord, 

Thank you that my identity can be found in you. You see me and know me, and you still delight in me. Thank you for your word and for the truths and encouragement you provide. You are good!

Amen.

Praise from the Pit

Friends, I am thrilled to introduce this week's guest blogger, my dear friend Hannah Clements. Hannah is beautiful inside and out and speaks words of encouragement from a heart that is much like His. Take a few moments today and listen to this timely message for the holidays. xo, Jennifer

This Thanksgiving I gave thanks on the mountain top. Praise Jesus! 2015 was the best year full of adventures with the ones I love. While sipping coffee and praising Him on the mountain top Thanksgiving morning, I hear Him gently whisper, "But would you praise me in the pit?” 

"Yes Lord, I will praise you in the pit,” I responded, a little hurt that He would need to ask me. Peter must have felt the same when Jesus asked him not once, but 3 times, "Do you love me?"  

Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:16-17 ESV

You see, the pit is where faith is refined. Where Jesus becomes enough. James said in Chapter 1 "to consider it pure joy when you face trials.” Consider it joy when you are in the pit. James says trials produce "steadfast" faith. Steadfast means unwavering and firm. Lord, I want to be steadfast. But my heart cries, "God protect me from the pit, protect my family, friends and all things dear. No pits for me, please. ...But if it be so l will praise you.” 

I think of my sweet friend whose Thanksgiving this year may feel more like the pit, whose 2015 was filled with more heart break than adventure. Lord, you see her. You see her praising you in the pit. How you must delight in her unwavering faith and praise in all circumstances. 

If you, like my friend, find yourself in the pit this holiday season, rest assured that God, El Roi - the God who sees - sees YOU. He sees your heartache and hears your faint whispers of praise AND He delights in you. Whispers of Praise in the pit must be worth more to Him than shouts of Praise on the mountain top. One thing I know is He is good in seasons of mountain tops and in seasons of valleys low. For He alone is worthy of your praise. Praise Him where you are today. 

Oh Lord, help me to praise you in the pit. Help me to praise you in all circumstances. Lord, you give and you take away. Bind my wandering heart to thee, Lord, for I will need your help to praise you in the pit. Lord, the cry of my heart is to love you, to tend your sheep, and to praise you in the pit.

Amen.