Tulsa
Have you ever heard the story of the ten lepers? One day, on Jesus' way to Samaria, He ran across ten lepers. The men knelt at Jesus' feet and asked to be healed. Jesus told them to go find the priests and on their way, the men were miraculously healed. When the men found out that they had been healed, ONE of the men went back to thank Jesus for the miracle. Jesus proceeded to ask the man, "What happened to the nine other men that were with you"? Then Jesus told the man, "You may get up and go. Your faith has made you well."
This story depicts how I felt on my trip back to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Lord used my time in that city for preparation and grooming so that I could one day be sent back out to touch other people. I felt like the Lord was giving me a chance to see where I had come from and give thanks for the seed that was sown during that season. I remember countless nights of praying and seeking the Lord for my purpose. I held fast to the promises of God and grasped understanding and knowledge that I had never thought to grasp before. I'm not saying that my season there was perfect, but I grew tremendously. Even when times were really hard, it just made me hold on tighter to His word. I fell in love with God in Tulsa.
Sweater: Urban Outfitters/ Top: Topshop/ Pants: American Eagle/ Shoes: Target
He grabbed a hold of my heart and I will never forget it. Do you know that feeling when you're in a new relationship and every time you see that person you get butterflies? During those first couple of months of talking, you remember every detail of every day with that person from the first time they held your hand to the first moment you both said "I love you". That place of intimacy for me and God is Tulsa! Whenever I go back I can't help but thank God for his faithfulness. What's your Tulsa? Do you remember the place that you and God first fell in love? If you do have a place like that with God don't forget to thank Him for those moments. When you start to reminisce on those wonderful times with Jesus you can't help but be full of joy and thankfulness! It doesn't have to be a specific place, maybe it's a book that gave you a new revelation of God's love, or maybe it's a souvenir that reminds you of how good God has been to you. Whatever it is, I encourage you to take a couple of minutes to reflect on the goodness of God and remember where He's brought you from and where He is taking you to! Be encouraged and stay thankful!!
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly, I will show the salvation of God.”
With Love,
Photography by Monica Burgess
On a Side Note...
This song has been my cry to the Lord for the past month. I don't ever want to make a habit of going out in front of God and doing things in my own strength. This song reminds me to let God lead! I don't want to move without Him. Be encouraged :)