Miracles Are Not Fragile.

For a long time now, I've been trying to root out the temptation to "save up the good stuff."

As a 7-year-old, I hoarded every sticker. When we moved out of my childhood home, I found them all in a box. And I cried. Why didn't I use them in joy as a little girl? What was I waiting for?

As a lover of clothing, I am tempted to let dresses and beautiful things sit in the back of my closet – collecting dust – just waiting for a day to be worn.

One of my fondest memories of early COVID is my mother setting the table every night with our fanciest dishes — complete with centerpieces, accessories, and beauty. In those lockdown days, we treated life as it truly is — a delicacy. Because if we wait for everything to be "special enough" — we'll find ourselves waiting forever.

These things — the stickers, the clothing, the dishes — I protect so carefully — as if they are fragile, scarce, or limited. Like with the wrong touch, I could extinguish their magic.

Lately, I've been seeing how I do a similar thing with my desires or prayers. I've noticed how I carry around my little intentions and biggest hopes like a lit candle I'm afraid the wind will hit.

They feel so weak – like they aren't safe in my day-to-day. I'm afraid I might accidentally blow out all the hope they carry with one wrong move.

A few weeks ago, I felt the Holy Spirit snap me out of it with this phrase I took down in my notes app — "Miracles are often subtle. But they are not fragile. You cannot break My work."

Miracles are not fragile. We can't mess it up. Abundance is abundant, and abundance is for today.

This phrase has been vibrating around my spirit for the past month. I am still searching for language to explain the depth of it, but I hope this truth keeps taking root in me.

We can fall back in trust – the good will just keep coming. His mercy, love, compassion, and grace do not run out.

Lord, let us use it all up. Let us know we aren't in control. Life is a delicacy but not too delicate – for none of this is our doing; we're simply following your lead.

This weekend:

Sink your teeth in.

Say the thing out loud.

Throw caution to the wind.

Keep getting your hopes up.

You are free because you are not in control. Abundance is abundance, and abundance is for you.

John 10:10!

So much love! I missed you guys --

Caroline