Life is but a Vapor

James 4:14
"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog- it's here a little while, then its gone."

As I read this verse it woke me up. Life is but a vapor. We aren't promised tomorrow, next month, or next year. So how are you living each day? Are you living it to the fullest? Making the most of every opportunity? Being excellent in your job? Pouring into others? Loving people? Helping people in need? Encouraging others? Helping people in struggles you've experienced? The questions could go on.

But its time for me to get real with you guys. Honesty helps with making changes. I'm guilty of not living each day to my best ability. I get lazy at times, I isolate at times, I put sleep over meeting with someone who needs me, my long hours working is an excuse, and the excuses go on.

As 2013 ends and we embark on 2014 I am encouraged to step out of myself and make life fully worth living and changing the world. Life is but a vapor is my mantra (motto) for this coming year. I'm challenged to go deeper and be more intentional in many areas of my life!

I know that I want to continue pursuing my passion at the Little Rock Abortion Clinic, pouring into others who struggle with addictions, being a light to others, finish college in May, work towards moving to Nashville. Lots of things I have my mind set towards.

What are somethings you want to change this next year considering we aren't promised tomorrow. Live each day to the fullest! Live the life God has called YOU specially to live. He has a great plan for you, just be obedient and choose His plan over your own!

I just wanted to share some pictures of my heart where I like to spend my Saturdays. This is me speaking life for the unborn at the abortion clinic! God will use you right where you are.

Just wanted to share a couple pictures of where I like to spend my Saturdays. This does not always happen on Saturdays but I do my best to be there.

LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR...........something to think about how you spend your time!

The Joy of Giving

Its just a few days until Christmas and we are all scrambling to buy last minute gifts and the perfect gift for that special friend, family member, or best friend. I know last night I was go from store to store trying to find gifts. It can be stressful at times.

Even though you are buying for others do you ever get stuck in thinking "what is everyone getting me"? I have!!! But this year has been different for me personally. I have probably spent too much on people. I am at a point in my life where I find joy in giving. And it doesn't matter if you spent 10 dollars or 300 dollars on gifts this year. Its the thought that counts.

Here are a few ideas you can find JOY in giving:
1) Write a handwritten note. YES, I did say handwritten. Weird I know.
2) Take a friend to coffee.
3) Buy dinner for that family member or friend.
4) Leave a larger tip than normal to that waiter/waitress. Yes, I've been a server and its a blessing when you are given more.
5) Take a moment to listen to that friend. Holidays are a struggle for more people than you realize.
6) Help the elderly person in Kroger, wal-mart.
7) Give a coat or warm clothes to the homeless person.
8) A simple hug and a smile is always a JOY.
9) Make that phone call to that friend or family member you haven't connected with in a long time.
10) Go through your closet and take stuff you don't wear anymore to a shelter where people could use it.

These are just a few easy ways you can give to others in this season. Once you take the "I want" and "I need" out of the equation you will find freedom in giving to others. I pray that you will step out of your comfort zone and do something out of the ordinary for others.

Staying free through the Holidays

A lot of you may be like myself who have struggle with an addiction, depression, anxiety, co-dependency, and other many other struggles. Have you found that the holidays are more challenging? I know that I have. You maybe triggered by going back to the places where your issue began, being around certain family members, being judged, the stress of the holidays may trigger it also. Many things trigger people to go back to old behaviors.

BUT...yes a big BUT. This year can be different from years past. You can began today December 16, 2013 to make a decision to make a plan of action. Write a list out of your triggers so you are aware of those. Pray and ask God to specifically reveal them to you. Then make a plan of action.

First we need to call on God. He is our ultimate helper and counselor. Find someone you trust and can call when that trigger happens. Make a plan with this person. Find encouragement in knowing that someone has your back and will help your through your struggles. Keep verses on hand to meditate on and will encourage you during the challenging times.

Have hope  knowing that this year you don't have to struggle through the holidays. There is HOPE in Jesus. He sent his son for YOU and for YOU this CHRISTmas season. Don't fret about what's ahead just make the plan and stick to it. God wants you to have freedom this holiday season and most of all he wants you to live in freedom always.

Keep your head up and don't beat yourself up for falling. Just get back up and keep fighting the good fight! Its worth the fight!

What is toxic in your life?

In the past week something has weighed very heavy on my heart. The word "toxic" comes to mind. Which means "something that has poison in it." A lot of things can be toxic in our lives: relationships, addictions, laziness, health, overly doing something, and many other things.

Today I want to hit on relationships. We all can sit here and think of at least one or two people that we could do away with in our lives. These are the people who put you down, discourage you, don't share in your passions, they aren't receptive to your advice, want to argue with you, live in fear of your rejection. These are a few things that have been brought to my own life.

Its hard to let people go and especially if you care for them but some are so toxic that they need to be out of your own personal life. It will only bring you more pain and anxiety to your daily life. Is this how God wants us to live? He truly wants us to have people in our lives where people encourage us and we encourage others.

A way of living in a healthy friendship has been taught to me this way:
1) Have people who are more mature spiritually to invest in you. This has been very vital in my life. I have learned so much from a woman who has walked some hard roads with me. She has loved me the way God loves me.
2) Have a few friends on your own level of spiritual maturity. These friends you both encourage one another. You walk life together. Play sports, run, drink coffee together, text daily, hang out with on the weekends, go on trips together.
3) Have people you invest in. We have people we need to love on. But make sure this relationship DOES NOT become toxic. Because they can become this way. We need to make sure we do have a couple people we invest our time in. We become fulfilled this way. Also God wants us to have these people to pour into.

We aren't called to do life alone but we are for sure not called to live in miserable toxic relationships. So work on getting rid of those toxic people who bring you down and find the JOY in healthy relationships that the lord has called us to!

Whose fighting for you?

My life sometimes feels like a roller coaster. And I use my daily life in how I write my blogs. So as I begin this one, I want to ask you a question: Whose fighting for you? This has been a revelation that I've had just this week.

As some of you know I just recently went through an engagement break up in August. And I've dealt pretty well with the circumstances. I've had my ups and my downs with it. As we all do when something dramatic happens in your life. If you've been through a major break up in your life, you know how my emotions have been a roller coaster over the past 3 months. I know I made the right decision in breaking it off and have had much support!

As I've shared, its been ups and downs and the people closet to me know the details and know the emotions I went through. I will respect my ex and not share all the dirty details of our past relationship. But I do want to share the revelation that God gave me last week to bring much closure that I've needed and I believe this will help many of you dealing with any type of situation or trial.

I was in some prayer time and God spoke so clearly to me. So clear and evident that I didn't question it one bit. God spoke to me "He never fought for you. Not once." In the big picture this was protection for me not to go back. But God said "Whitney, I have been fighting for you since day one, even before you bowed your knee down to me." I was like WHOA WHOA!!! It brought me such a peace and new perspective that I have been needing.

Two verses that I have looked up since this revelation:

Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Deuteronomy 3:22
" Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you."

Doing a little research and looking up that God himself is daily fighting for us. He hasn't left us! So even the feelings of not being fought for in a relationship with my ex, I know that my God has fought for me! Friends no matter how you are feeling and how bad things are going in your life. Know the Lord is fighting the battle for you. He has never left your side, even if you feel like he has. I know I feel so hopeless at times and then I see God work in an amazing way in my life to remind me he is fighting for me!!! He is fighting for you! In your despair today you have not lost your battle, it is being fought for you right now.

I love that in my darkest days that we serve a God that is fighting for ME and YOU each day! How much hope does that give you? It excites me to fight my next battle. And we are ALL in one. Even when you don't feel others fighting for you and your let down by them. Know you serve a mighty God who will ALWAYS fight for you.

Be encouraged that you are being fought for daily. He is our protector.

The Way Society Views Self-Image

Guys I'm going to get gut level honest. I'm so sickened this evening as I write this blog post. There are few things I'm passionate about and Eating disorders is one of them. I post about my personal journey on here and I'm not ashamed of it either. I'm beyond open about this journey because its a beautiful journey!

You ask, why am I so sickened? Well I was on facebook this week and saw a blog post "5 reasons to date a girl with an eating disorder"

http://www.returnofkings.com/21313/5-reasons-to-date-a-girl-with-an-eating-disorder

If you'd like to check it out yourself do, but be prepared to be disturbed in how the world views people with EDs.

1)  "Her obsession over her body will improve her overall looks"
that was his number one on the top 5 of the list. We as women want to look nice and we try hard to achieve this goal. I know I'm guilty of it. But when I was deep into my addiction of my eating disorder I wanted to be in my room and always in sweats. I didn't have a single bit of confidence to be with people. So in reality it doesn't always improve "her" overall looks. And also he isn't looking at her heart. He is only looking at the outward apperience.  He sadly hasn't even taken the time to look beyond her looks, size, fashion. Because I know that girl is dying on the inside. Something had to have happened to the person to trigger the control of food. But this guy is not concerned about her mental health. There's always a "Why" behind the action. And it takes time to get to the reason why. But we as men and women have to take that moment to dig deeper and get to know that person whose hurting, build trust, and allow the Lord to use you in their healing and journey.

1 Samuel 16:7 MSG
 But God told Samuel, "looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and Women look at the face; God looks into the heart."

2) "She cost less money"
REALLY?? Hello world?? Why are we all so messed up? Yes I said it! We are MESSED up. But we are covered by the blood of Jesus. He says " she gets a side salad, small meal, or just eats off of his plate. If he truly is pursuing this woman for hopes of a future relationship he's going to be very disappointed when she begins to eat and wants to find healing and recovery. Her body, mental state, socially shift, and attitude will all change. What happens when she he takes her out on a date and the tab is an extra 20$ because she has chosen to eat? Does he dump her then? Does he leave her because of the extra 5 lbs she's gained?? Shouldn't this man (boy) not look at how much she cost but look at the beauty inside. She probably radiates MORE than he would ever know. People who struggle with eating disorders are: some of the most beautiful people, have the biggest heart, compassionate, caring, loving, best friends, mothers, sisters, daughters, mentors, encourager's. THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE!!!


3) "she's fragile and vulnerable"
As he states since girls with eating disorders are so insecure that they are better to be around than the obnoxious girls who " have it all together". Okay even those girls are insecure, you just may not see it as much as you do with a girl whose struggling with an eating disorder. He likes that she always wants to please him. This comes with the territory of a woman in general and most people dealing with an eating disorder wants to make everyone happy. Its truth. But this is not what we have to define her as. See the sweet, tender, helpful, tasteful woman behind the masks of an eating disorder. People need to stop taking advantage of these sweet spirited women and take a moment and look on the inside of who God created them to be. God loves each and everyone of us.

4) " Probably has money of her own."
I"m literally laughing out loud! It's a rich and white girl issue. I'm sorry but this is so far from the truth. I have seen most races, ethnicity's, cultures who deal with severe eating disorders. So don't be surprised when an African American girl shows up and shares her struggle. It comes in ALL, shapes, sizes, and forms. Its in other countries where there is not as much money and not much education. People struggle whether they are living in poverty or living well above poverty. And what does it matter which level we're in anyways? Aren't we ALL called to live in unity as one? So it doesn't matter how much money you have. Money most likely didn't cause their eating disorder. Money situation did not begin my battle of an eating disorder. Abuse, hurt, anxiety, and acceptance all began my own battle.

5) " She's better in bed" I'm not going here with this topic.

I was pretty irate when I saw this post. So I needed to have a little rant. I am very passionate about fighting for people who struggle with eating disorders. I know how hard it can be, I've been there. We need support from others!  When people belittle a disease that takes so many lives just hurts me. I lost a dear friend just nearly 2 months ago to a life long battle of an eating disorder. This disease took over her mind and body. So I pray that we will stop enlightening it and tell it for what it really is! WE can save lives with the help and strength from the Lord!

If you are in the midst of a hard battle please contact me. I'd love to walk this out with you. God has done miracle after miracle in my life and the healing I've had from my eating disorder. Don't get me wrong, I still have days where its hard but you just have to fight those days! Keep your head up! Stay strong and keep SWIMMING!

Leaving a Legacy

O Lord, If you heal me,

I will be truly healed;

If you save me,

I will be truly saved.

My praises are for you ALONE!

My sweet friend has gone to be with the Lord a little over a week ago. I had many emotions and thoughts to hearing this news. But the one thing God continued to show me in my prayer time was: "Whitney live out the Legacy she always wanted for women and that is to bring freedom to others."

Background:
Christen and I met October 13, 2010 in Lincoln, California at Mercy Ministries. The first thing I remember of her was her angelic eyes and sweet spirit. She had just gotten to Mercy also so we both had a lot of the same emotions going on. We also had some of the same struggles. Christen LOVED God and others. We spent six months together. Day in and day out together doing life together. We had MANY laughs and MANY tears together. Even on Christen's rough days she could put a smile on your face or make you laugh. Her focus was always on others! Some favorite memories together were: going to the mall on Fridays, walking to the gym together, sitting in the exercise room sharing secrets, praying together, encouraging each other, snack times (because we were on mandatory snacks), backyard walks, and much more.

I was able to stay in touch with Christen over the past two and a half years. She had many ups and downs over the years but always kept her focus on God and being healed. Christen never lost hope on beating her battle of anorexia and bulimia, she worked HARD. Harder than most people. Her heart was to be a dietitian and help women overcome eating disorders. She had a heart of gold. If you had the opportunity to spend just a short time with Christen, you would know how much of a sweet encourager she was. She wanted everyone to be okay and to overcome. I loved the many times we had those deep heart to hearts about how she would one day help other people conquer the battle of an eating disorder. Sadly, this dream did not come to pass in her life here on earth. But here's the encouragement for my friends and acquaintances who are reading this blog. She is now healed and in heaven and no longer struggling. And if you are a survivor of an eating disorder or struggling today we can be encouraged by Christen's fight because she fought the good fight.

As God gave me the words "live out the Legacy she always wanted for women and that was to bring freedom to others" my whole perspective changed about where I was in life. It gave me a new drive to help others with eating disorders, addictions, and overcoming other issues. I want to fight harder for others because of my sweet friend Christen. Christen would only want others to overcome and be happy with themselves. So lets rise up and be that legacy for her. Allow the Lord to give you the strength for each day. She wants you to live a life of abundance.

I had the opportunity this past week actually exactly one week after Christen passed to speak at Mercy Ministries. I had many emotions going to the place that saved my life and brought healing to me but the feeling of  emptiness of Christen no longer being here because the enemy kept her in bondage. So yes I shared my testimony but more importantly I spoke the truth of how the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy and to be alert of that but to hang onto the promise that I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full (in abundance). I wanted them to be encouraged to continue the fight after they leave Mercy. I know Christen would want me to encourage anyone who has any type of struggle to fight until the end. And that the only hope comes from Jesus.

KEEP FIGHTING FRIENDS!!!