You go girl.

God sees you. And God loves you. No matter what.

If you don’t read any further, that’s the gist of what I want you to hear today.

At my church, they have this saying that Prairie Lakes is a no matter church. They repeat this statement every Sunday, sometimes multiple times: “No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, God loves you and you can look for God here.” The same is true here in the Handcrafted Blessings community.

I’ve been wrestling with a decision recently and it’s been weighing on me. Have you ever felt like that? You aren’t sure which way to go, where to turn or what option is God’s will for your life. Maybe you fear making the wrong decision and screwing everything up. And the weight of that decision can bear down heavily upon you. Paralyzing you from making any decision at all. The gray sky and gloomy weather today may have you feeling like Eeyore.

I get it.

Me too.

It can feel like our tears fall as steadily as the rain. A season of unknowns, discomfort and overwhelm can lead to feeling alone. Unseen. Adrift. And without intentional choices, this can take us down a path of doubts, questions and insecurities. Wondering if God still sees us. Still loves us.

Earlier today, I sat listening to the rain and sipping my Starbucks. Hoping, praying for clarity and answers. But I headed home disappointed that insight or wisdom didn’t flash through my brain like the lightning pierced the sky. And God’s voice didn’t boom in my ears like the thunder that periodically made me jump. Although let’s admit that we would do a lot more than jump if God’s voice suddenly boomed in our ears. 🙂

I stopped to get my mail and was surprised to see a bright pink box with my name on it. The return address showed my aunt from Utah had been thinking of me. I smiled and chuckled when the first thing I saw was a poop emoji air freshener. It’ll be perfect for my car! (Side note: is it weird that I get happy when someone sees poop and thinks of me?! That might need to be a topic of discussion with my therapist.)

I reached through the packing materials to find hand soap and cute little cactus napkins.

But it was the blue box that caught my eye. Maybe because it was shaped like a mug box and as an avid coffee drinker, I do love my mugs. Or maybe it was the words “you go, girl” that drew me in.

Either way, I opened it to find a mug that reads “you go girl – inspiring others through the arts”. All around those gold sparkly letters are the names of strong, smart women throughout history that have effected change and made an impact.

The card with the mug reads: “In 1848, a group of outspoken, super smart women gathered for the first ever women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Over two days, they discussed, well demanded, the betterment of women’s lives. They didn’t realize then that they were igniting an activist blaze that would burn for over a century! Historians point to Seneca Falls’ Declaration of Sentiments (which demanded equal social status and legal rights for women) as the kickoff of the women’s rights movement worldwide. From Seneca Falls to a presidential nomination, women have made enormous contributions to the world, making it a better, fairer, all-around more awesome place. If there’s one thing to say about the accomplishments of women, it’s this: girlfriends, we’ve come far.”

My eyes welled up in tears as I whispered “thank you, God.”

This “just because” care package from my aunt felt like a gift from God to say “You go girl. Just take a step of faith, it doesn’t need to be a leap. Do the next right thing. I am the light for your path, a lamp for your feet. Trust Me. I’ve got this.”

I may not have received that answers to my quandaries but I got something better: encouragement. And it was exactly what I needed today. My aunt doesn’t know what I’m wrestling with. She didn’t realize that this package would arrive at just the right moment. But it did. And that’s why I say, “thank you, God”. Because He reminded me that He sees me. And He loves me.

At the end of my Facebook live videos, I quote 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which reads, “encourage one another and build each other up”. Friend, I want you to be encouraged today. You are seen and you are loved. It’s why I write these words. This is me, putting my arm around your shoulder and walking with you down the road. On the journey. Because maybe you need to be reminded. Maybe you need to hear “you go girl”. As you fold the laundry. Or play with your kids. Or prepare for another week at the office. Whatever your next step may be, God sees you. And God loves you. No matter what.

You go girl.