He is Everything.

Today was the most perfect day. It really truly was. It was filled with just about all of my favorite things~ laughter, music, friends, children, and peppermint ice cream :) I'm just so thankful!!

I had a completely different post in the works for today, but I am thrilled to say that God is just taking my words a completely different direction tonight! And I'm so okay with that =]

I have decided that some of the most sweet, deep moments in my life happen in THE most unexpected places.

I really love that about God.

It could be a sign on the side of the road, a TV show, a pair of shoes, or just tucking the children into bed and I see the Gospel.

Not the words on paper, but the living, breathing Gospel.

It's so easy to read a page, highlight a few words, and move on... without letting it permeate into your heart.

But to see it in the flesh? To see the Gospel in a day to day interaction? Completely different.

I came before Jesus a year and a half ago and asked Him to show me Himself in the little things, to make Himself real in what seemed to be the mundane and forgotten. My life was changed. I don't say that often, as that phrase carries so much weight. But it was! My life will never, ever be the same. I know it might sound silly, and perhaps a little over the top. I get that =] But I love seeing God in the children's conversations or my cousin's wedding dress.

I see because I asked to see. I love that Jesus honored that simple request from the place I cried out of such desperate longing and need for His grace. I could never even attempt to spin all the lessons I've learned into beautiful word-webs for you... simply because some of them aren't meant to be shared. They're just intimate exchanges between my Father and I. Some are just His beautiful way of reminding me He's here. That's He's moving. That He's working.

But today, I'll share one =]

I spent a good part of the day today with my dear friend Caitlin. One of the things I love most about being in her company is the LAUGHTER. I know that's such a cliche thing to say, but it's just true. It is not uncommon for me to burst out laughing in her presence. She's just funny. About a year and a half ago now, we sat down and exchanged "life stories." Life stories are exactly what they imply... the story of our lives. From sweet kindergarten crushes to facing battles and overcoming fears.

The bottom line is today I caught a glimpse of where I was not so long ago. I remember sitting, debating whether or not to really tell my friend the whole story. I'm talking the shameful, scary, hurtful parts. The parts of my heart that I didn't really want anyone to be a part of. I remember sitting and hearing the faintest whisper of the Spirit- "Just tell her."

So I did. Everything =] and I felt freed up. Thus began the loooonnnng, but sweet road of our friendship, healing, and immense growth.

Jesus is everything. None of the rest of this- my story, my amazing friend, my perfect day...none of it matters if I don't remember that. It doesn't matter that I spent the day just overwhelmed with thankfulness and excitement. It doesn't matter that I've faced some fears. Nothing matters if I don't rest in this. Trust this. Know this. He is everything. Jesus is everything.

I know I didn't say that particularly articulately, but I feel incredible peace tonight. Just like I felt that night when I shared my story. In it's totality.

I looked ridiculous that night. I was having a seriously mediocre hair day. I had decided to throw it in a ponytail but hadn't had a chance to look in the mirror (yikes), and was nervous and disheveled about the night ahead. I mean, really.

But those three words~ He is everything. They echoed loud and clear in my heart that night, just as they do now as I type.

The life I have lived is not about me. Sure, I share pieces of my story every once in a while. And I love to read journals from a year ago, then read my journal from yesterday... and see how drastically different they are.

The Lord allowed me to go through some scary, awful things that many people go through... and I was safe in the arms of God the whole time. I loved Him. Because of circumstances I didn't create or ask for, He chose to use me.

That humbles me greatly. I used to cry after I spoke to a friend about where I've been... and who I am now. Because I felt like I messed up.

Now I cry because I know that my Father loves me in spite of it... and it's too much.

It's underserved grace at work, and I get to clock in every day, waiting to see what the journey will hold today.

When I came home from Sacramento, I drove to see some of my favorite kids. I will never forget the smiles on their faces: priceless. Truly priceless. I hugged them and hugged them and told them how much I loved them and how grateful I was to be back in their lives. The oldest asked me what I did while I was in Sacramento. I said, "Well, what do you think I did?" He said, "Well, you probably hung out with some kids, sung to some people about Jesus, and wrote about Him for your friends to read."

Spot on, my friend. Spot on. Later that night I asked him to read to me out of my favorite children's Bible, and he started. He randomly picked a page, and I sat quietly and listened while he read.

It was about the tower of Babel, and he was laughing as he read. It seemed to be written in a different, funny kind of way. But then he got to the end. Everyone in the room just quieted, because it says this:

"You see. God knew, however high they reached, however hard they tried, people could never get back to heaven by themselves. People didn't need a staircase; they needed a Rescuer. Because the way to Heaven wasn't a staircase; it was a person. People could never reach up to Heaven, so Heaven would have to come down to them. And, one day, it would. "

I felt my breathing slow that night, and I let my eyes close for a second. Conviction in my heart: Are you busy building staircases, Alyssa? Or is Jesus everything to you? Because your answer matters.

Sweet boy looked me dead in the eye that night- "Lyssa, didn't they know?"
"Know what, love?"
"That if they kept going, He would just go higher?"

I shook my head no. But I smiled.

These thoughts crossed my mind again today as I sat across from Caitlin is my favorite Mexican place downtown. Because I will continue to walk up every "staircase" I am invited to walk up in order to share the story of God's faithfulness and redemption in my life. I will never consider it anything less than a privilege.

And when dusk turns to dark, I will bend my knees to the One who allowed me to build. Not a monument to myself, but a meager pile of stones that shout God's glory.

May He always be glorified through me. Through you.

And may He always, always be made higher.

Tonight, I am thankful for the little things. For reminders and impeccable peace.

Jesus,
Bless those who read here. Near or far, bless them with your peaceful presence and show them Your love in the little things. Thank you for depth and intimacy, even in the most unexpected moments. Give me a discerning mind for what You have called me to build, and allow me to feel the kind of joy that comes only from building something that shouts YOUR name, that points to YOUR heart. Keep me on my knees in prayer, and make me humble in Spirit as I seek You. Inspire me to search Your Word and soak in the truth. Let me be diligent in loving You. For your glory, God.


You are Loved,
Lyss