Mustard seed

Mustard Seed

A poem by Brooklyne Elysse 

I'm the kind of girl who needs parables

I need a story with a message

Something to relate to

Give me a mustard seed

I'm the kind of girl who needs to see

The moving of mountains

My faith is weak

Give me a mustard seed 

I'm the kind of girl who needs grace 

The proof of God's hand moving

To believe in His miracles 

Give me a mustard seed

I'm the kind of girl who tries on her own

Before coming to my knees 

Take my fear, worry, anxiety 

Give me a mustard seed

I'm the kind of girl who needs Jesus

But tries too hard to be worthy

When all I need is to come, as I am

To have F A I T H as a mustard seed

Matthew 17:20,21 "So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you wills to this mountain, 'Move form here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Faith as a mustard seed. It is my hope that this is our prayer today. 

What is a way to grow our faith? Even a small amount of faith can do big things. Comment below! 

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse 

Choosing the Narrow Way

To me, choosing the "narrow way" means not confirming to the worlds standards and expectations. Living differently. Living God's purpose, not living for the worlds approval.

So many times, we get pressured in to what we think "should be" according to the worlds views, that we don't realize the importance of boldly standing up for the narrow way. Even if the path is unpopular.

Human nature puts a desire in individuals to feel accepted and to feel included. Being different is frowned upon. Having a different lifestyle is seen by mainstream as "weird." And it's hard to bear rejection. We wonder who's in our circle. Who can be counted on to see past the obvious differences we have with the world.

But here's the thing, as Christians, we are called to be different. (1 Peter 2:9) It's not an easy calling. But choosing the narrow way was never advertised as being easy. Narrow paths are rugged terrain. There will be trials and obstacles in the way. (James 1:1&2) But, we have this Hope. Jesus is our hope.

When Jesus was on the earth, He had a major following. But He was also rejected. He didn't have many close friends at all, and His disciples--who were in his closer circle--doubted in Him. But Jesus had a higher calling. And He didn't falter in His mission despite the many challenges He faced.

So what does it take to live differently, live bolder, in a world that makes it feel like traveling the narrow way is really swimming upstream? The current can be so strong against those who swim upstream. 

First off, we need Jesus. He is our example, because He has already traveled this difficult path. And He is always here to listen to us, helping us with His righteous right hand. 

Prayer is also so important. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) If we aren't connected, and really rooted in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we won't be able to stand against that current I was talking about. So staying connected is key. If you really want to know someone, you have to spend time with them. Same goes for spending time with Jesus. If we want to know Him more, then we need that one-on-one time spent in His presence.

After we are grounded in Jesus, all the other characteristics needed in order to travel the narrow way will fall into place. Once your mind is focused on Jesus, then the worlds shiny standards won't seem so popular in your own eyes. (2 Corinthians 4:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight.") We won't need the approval of our peers, because we have put our identity in Jesus Christ our Lord. We will desire to be bold for Him. We will make hard decisions in order to not be a "follower" of the world, but rather a follower of God.

This is my hope, that those reading this, and myself, will yearn each day to strengthen our relationship with God. To dive deep into scriptures and search for the Truth of His Word, not fixating on the lies of the world, but pointing our eyes towards the One true Light of the world. (John 14:6)

What are some Bible verses that bring you comfort when you feel like you are swimming upstream? Comment below!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse

Fear

Today I am having my wisdom teeth taken out. Those who know me could tell you how terrified I am but I try not to let on that I am. Why am I scared?

Today's post is going to be about three different kinds of fear and why we have fear as a emotion.

1. Fear of the Unknown
Almost 99% of the time when I feel fear, it is because I'm thinking about doing something or I'm already doing something that is UNKNOWN to me. As humans, we like the comfort of knowing. Knowing what and how things are going to go down. Knowing the plan. Knowing what we are use to in out daily habits. And when we a faced with not knowing, we tend to be more fearful. Which is natural, and you shouldn't feel shame about being scared of the unknown. We have all felt this way.

2. Fear of Failure 
Sometimes we don't give our best effort because we are afraid of failing if we did. Not a single person likes to fail. Yet, at some point in each of our lives, we do fall short. We don't get that A+ that we were hoping for. We don't stay on top of house work. We forget to reply to messages. We make a mess out of dinner. We sleep in and forfeit a workout. We fail at our goals. But don't you think the word "fail" is a tad bit harsh? Just because we mess up sometimes, that doesn't mean we are a failure. If you are fearful of not being able to meet expectations, don't let that fear make you stop the progress that you will eventually make, no matter how small it may be.

3. Fear for Safety
This kind of fear is when you or a loved one is in danger. Fear that results in caution. The play it safe mentality. It's the kind of fear that grips you when bad things happen. This kind of fear is usually felt with adrenaline or stress. Fear for safety takes a lot of self talk, and prayer in order to get through it. We all have felt this kind of fear as well.

All three of these different kinds of fear are valid emotions, but these emotions can get out of control if we allow it to. I believe fear is a emotion just like joy, kindness, worry, etc.

For example, if no person ever felt fear, the world would go crazy doing dare-devilish type things and having to pay for the consequences of their actions based without a sense of fear (Fear for Safety.)

All humans are faced with fear. It's how we deal with fear that can effect us in a negative way.

You see, fear is one of those things that can get in our heads and enable us to move on, move forward. And when fear gets ahold of us like that, it turns from a harmless emotion into a battle. A battle between truth and lie. Fact versus fear. In the face of fear we tend to think irrationally. We try to hid from the unknown, we sulk when we feel not enough, flighty when at risk. With all three cases of fear, we try to put it off, because fear is uncomfortable.

Today I face the Fear of the Unknown. I want to control the situation, not be in the hands of someone I barely know. But as I look back over past times when I have stepped outing the unknown, I can see countless other times when I have overcome this real fear. That's why it is important to see how far we have come in the past. Thinking about times when we have overcome the fear has a way of boosting our confidence.

I think a lot of times we try to wave it off as if our fear is not legitimate. As if we shouldn't be feeling this way. This is both false and somewhat true. Fear as a emotion is very real, it is definitely legitimate, and no one should tell you otherwise. But when this fear turns into a battle (A battle where the emotion gets too strong to decipher fact from fear) we can sometimes become irrational in our decision making. We can form our reaction to the fear we feel off of a lie we are telling ourselves. And this is unhealthy.

Example:
Using the Fear of Failure... When a school test comes back and you've done awful, you fear you won't graduate. Fear as Fact tells you: True, if you keep doing poorly, there will be consequences. But one bad grade will not stop you from trying your hardest on the next test. Irrational Fear tells you: That you're not smart. Your never going to make it. In both school and life. You have fallen short and will never succeed.

As you can see, the emotion of "fear" is still in both scenarios, but the outlook is different. One is of fact. Accepting the truth of the matter, and giving a effort to change your grades. The other is of a out-of-control emotion when the fear of fact becomes blown way out of proportion. And you tell yourself that your life is doomed.

The main point of this post is to say... We all have fear as a emotion. If we let it, our Faith in Jesus Christ will allow the fear to stay a emotion and not a emotion that turns into a reaction based off of lies we believe. But without Faith, fear can become overwhelming and squelching. It can give us lies to believe and false facts to make a bigger deal out of things than they are.

Because fear is a emotion, it is also a choice. You can choose how you handle your fear.

How do you handle fear? Did this post help you understand fear as a emotion or did I just confuse you? (You don't have to answer that! *winks*) 

Many Blessings,
Brooklyne Elysse

Such Great Faith Part 2

Last June, I posted a poem that told a story. Click HERE to read it. 

Today's poem is part 2 in this mini blog series. 

This poem is inspired Matthew 9:18-27 and Mark 5:22-43.

Such Great Faith 2 

Written by Brooklyne Elysse

The Son of God spoke 

Those around Him questioned 

But Jesus’s words could not be debated 

A ruler who’s faith saved his daughter 

A ruler who worshiped 

A ruler who had such great faith 

A woman who needed healing

A woman who was desperate  

A woman who had such great faith 

Ruler 

I opened the door to find the Man sitting 

With tax collectors and sinners 

The Man who was my last hope

For I had heard He could raise the dead 

I know deep down that He can bring 

My little daughter back to life 

I humbled myself before Him and begged earnestly 

Worshiping the Son of God 

Saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death.

Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed,

And she will live.”

So Jesus came, followed by many

I stopped my speedy walk when the Man halts 

The crowd heavily surrounded us in the suffocating heat 

“Who touched My clothes?” Jesus asked

I see a woman come trembling forward, fear stricken 

But He said, “Daughter your faith had made you well.

Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

I wondered if He would do the same for my own daughter 

But as the Man spoke, a messenger came to me

“Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further.”

I was devastated, but Jesus came to me and said,

“Do not be afraid; only believe.” 

And so I chose to have faith and believe 

I come to my house filled with mourners and wailing 

Jesus asked them why they were going on so

“The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 

I entered with them to where my daughter lay 

And watched as Jesus took her limp hand in His

“Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 

I was overcome with great amazement 

My daughter was alive! 

My heart leapt with joy 

As I watched my daughter become well again

Never would I forget this moment 

What kind of Man performed miracles such as this? 

Only the Son of God, the Healer, the Savior of the World. 

What is a miracle that Jesus performed in the Bible that stands out the most to you? What about a miracle that happened in your life? Comment below! 

h e a l i n g . . .

We are all broken.

Last year, my Nannie fell while she was out in the horse pastures. She landed on her right hand and broke two major bones in her wrist. One titanium plate and eight screws later, she spent many weeks recovering from her surgery, and going to physical therapy. After the first pain meds wore off, the healing process was extremely excruciating. And it was a long drawn-out recovery. Her broken bones did not heal overnight. It took months of carful dedication and focus to regain the movements of her right hand. She is right handed and during that healing time, my Nannie had to learn to use her left hand instead. 

We are all broken people. Both physically and mentally. We’re bruised and tattered, torn and shattered. We are sinners. The advisory laughs when we fall for the sin he has laid as traps for us. But God, He cares for us so much that He has made a way for us to conquer. God has already overcome satan. And with His help, so can we.

I think that sometimes we forget how Jesus is such a powerful Healer. Sometimes we assume that He only performed miracles and healings when He was physically on earth. 

God still heals and performed miracles today. There is power through prayer!

When you feel broken and defeated, let God heal you. It might not be instant healing like we read in the Bible stories. It might take weeks spent recovering. Maybe even continual support from family or friends. Healing our brokenness is going to be painful. It could take months or years to heal completely. It WILL take carful dedication and refocusing on God. 

God uses our healing time to teach us. Just like Nannie had to learn to do things with her non dominant hand, we will have to learn some new things too. Through that learning process, we will become stronger and more capable for future times when we need healing. Sometimes God uses past pain to shape us into the people we are today. We don’t know what is up ahead, maybe God is teaching you something now so that you can be better equipped for the future. 

Learning to be left handed through her recovery time was not easy for my grandma (Nannie). Simple tasks such as opening lids on jars or fixing her hair were 10x harder to do and took 10x longer to complete. I will guarantee that healing will be difficult and painful. But when we start to heal from either physical pain or from a storm in our life, it’s so important to know that God is right along side us doing the healing. 

And more than just wanting to be healed, we should be looking to the Healer. 

~Sure, these obstacles that we face feel like high Mountains, but our faith in God can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20)

~And our trials are as gigantic giants blocking our joy, still God defeats the giants. (1 Samual 17)

~Ok, so the storm is boisterous, but our God speaks and the waves obey His voice. God calms our storms. (Psalm 107:29)

God is greater than anything you might be facing today. Trust in Him, and let Him have control. Open your heart to healing. Ask God to heal you. Instead of turning to worldly things, turn to God for His love and support. Let the grace and forgiveness of God wash over you, and let it be the screws that hold your brokenness together! 

Psalm 107:29

“He calms the storm, So that it’s waves are still.”

How is God healing you? Is there anything you would like me to pray for you about? Have you ever heard the song I included in today's post? What has God been teaching you lately?

For You, Lord // A Poem

For You, Lord

Written by Brooklyne 

How far would I go for You, Lord?

How much would I suffer for You? 

How long will I be faithful to You? 

How much would I give for You? 

Would I travel 9,429 miles, for You? 

To be a light, the salt of the earth

To stop looking at me and start looking at You

Telling those I’m around about Your goodness and mercy

Will I take that leap of faith, for You? 

Way outside of my comfort zone 

For a chance to be Your hands and feet

To a place of my fear and unknown

Would I stop doubting and start having faith, for You? 

Then I could stop fearing the giants 

And start hearing your calm reassurance

Listening only to your promise that You will never leave me

Is it truly the Cry of My Heart to follow You?

When following You means being different

When following You means surrendering self

When following You means Your will, not mine

~*~

How far would I go for You, Lord? 

How far would I go it to bring one person closer to You?

How far will I take up my cross and follow you? 

How far will I be a soldier, for You?

Lord, please give me what it takes to travel 1,000,000,000,000+ miles, for You

Give me the strength for when I suffer for Your names sake

Give me courage when I step out of my comfort zone, following Your will 

Give me words, when I have none 

Lord, please give me what it takes to serve You 

Give me comfort when I’m hurting

Give me calmness and peace when I’m frazzled

Give me enough faith to trust in Your plan

Lord, take away my selfishness and worldly ambitions 

Take away my doubt in Your plan

Take away my worry that things will go wrong

Take away my fretting

Lord, take away sinful nature that always is searching to satisfy

Take away my bad habits that cripple me to do Your work

Take away fear of the unknown

Take away my stubborn micromanaging 

~*~ 

Lord, I know you will give me my every need

For look at the Lillies of the Field.

Help me to trust in your faithfulness.

Be my guide and my strength. 

So when I wonder how far I will go for You,

Remind me how far you went for me.

You left Your throne for me

You suffered for me

Lord, You came to this earth to die for me.

Because You love me

Because You care

Because You are faithful

Jesus, thank You for all You have gone through… for me. 

This poem is very raw and has special meaning to me. I wrote this because I was inspired by a friend when I saw how God was working in her life. 

So in a way, this poem is dedicated to her. <3

 This poem talks about following and obeying God's guidance even when we don't necessarily feel ready or don't feel good enough for the calling. But I think we have to realize that we don't have to be ready in order for God to work in our lives and in others. He want's us to come to Him now. Even when we don't feel ready. Even when we don't feel good enough, because God is enough. And it's when we feel like we can't make much of a different when God really shows you that indeed, you can.

Maybe God is calling you to witness to someone right now. So I'm encouraging you to take that step of faith and give it to God. Send that text. Smile to that person who always looks lonely. Talk to that friend. Write that Bible verse on a sticky note. Play that musical instrument. Be that light for Him. Because no matter how small the light, a bright light can be seen from thousands of miles.

The opportunities are endless when we let God write our story! So let Him. 

Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and 

glorify your Father in heaven."

Because this poem was deep, was it hard to understand? (Sorry if it was, sometimes you just have to write what's on your heart even if it doesn't make much sense...) How are ways that we can shine His light to those around us? 

What has God been teaching you this week? 

Share your thoughts in the comments! <3 

And Know

And Know 

Written by Brooklyne 

Be still 

And know

That I am God

Have faith

And know

That I am faithful

Find Joy

And know

That I am merciful 

Praise Me

And know 

That I am exalted

Seek Me

And know

That I will be found

Honor Me

And know

That I will guide you

In the plans I have for you

Believe in Me

And know

That you are saved

Trust in Me 

And know

That you are Mine

Hope in Me

And know 

That you are safe

In my arms 

Lean on Me 

And know 

That I am your Rock

Cast your burdens on Me

And know 

That I am strong

In your weakness 

Be still

And know

That I am God! 

Sometimes we have to take a step back from our situations and Know. We have to Know that we are in capable hands, because God cares for His children.
We have to Know that He is stronger even when we are weak and frail.
We choose to Know because where is the hope in doubting?

Have you ever felt like it is super hard to be still and Know? 
How are ways that we can stop doubting and start Knowing? 
Comment below! 

That Moment When Life is Like a Roller Coaster

That moment when you wait in line, not sure of what the roller coaster is going to be like. 

That moment when you fasten your seat belt. 

That moment when you say a prayer. 

That moment when it starts off.

That moment when you start your slow climb to the top of a steep incline.

That moment when your almost to the top. 

That moment when you want off the ride… right now!

That moment when the roller coaster goes from strait up to strait down. 

That moment when your hanging on for dear life. 

That moment when you can't breath. 

That moment when you scream.

That moment when you raise your arms up.

That moment when the rides over in a second.

That moment when you laugh.

That moment when you go and ride it again.

Roller coasters go up and down, right and left, upside down and right side up. They might seem unpredictable, but really, they are mapped out and planned to go wherever it’s tracks take them. When riding a roller coaster, you might be having the time of your life, you might be scared for your life, or both. 

I think roller coasters are fun, but don’t ask me to go on one that goes upside down. Nope, no thanks, I would rather live a nice and long life.

Some rides make me dizzy, others, I want to ride over and over again. Some rides I am terrified while on them, but when its over, I’ll think that it was super fun! 

I guess what I’m trying to say is, just like the roller coaster goes up and down, right and left, upside down and right side up, so does our emotions when we are on them. 

Isn't this so much like life is? 

That moment you are waiting, not sure of what’s ahead.

That moment you are getting ready.

That moment you are saying a prayer.

That moment you are starting a new season in life.

That moment you are moving slow, but you know that it won’t always be this way.

That moment when you feel like you are on the top of the world.

That moment when you regret a decision.

That moment when life plummets strait down at record speed.

That moment when you are hanging on for dear life.

That moment when it hurts so bad.

That moment when you scream.

That moment when you finally are joyful.

That moment when you are out of the woods.

That moment when you laugh.

That moment when it starts all over again.

Although your life might feel unpredictable and scary at times, always remember that God laid out your life's tracks. He built it and mapped it out just for you, and His ways are always better than what any man-made plan can even begin to compare too.

Enjoy where you are on this crazy roller coaster ride they call life. Because one day you’re going to look back on all that you have been through, all the times that flew by so fast. Times that were fun and times that were terrifying. When that season in life is over, you might even miss it, wishing it back.

Life is like a roller coaster. Take the chance, pray always, and cherish ALL of the ride, both highs and lows. Trust Him with the outcomes of each situation.

Stay rooted to the “tracks” that God has made for you, and thank Him for the carefully laid plan that He has for you, because when we are following God’s plan for us, there is no limit that is too high or too hard for us. 

Do you like roller coasters?

Can you see how roller coaster rides and life are so much alike? 

How can we enjoy this ride, even if it's hard? How can I pray for you? 
Let's talk!