Meet my role model and dear friend, Leigh. Although I've only truly known her for a year and a half, she's become one of the first people I go to for godly wisdom and advice. She's that honest, faithful friend that tells you like it is; Leigh doesn't sugarcoat or people please. But she's also that friend who will pray beautiful prayers over you and point you right to truth. I just love her.
Leigh has some really neat life experience and she's faithfully served God as a seminary student, a missionary in North Africa, and now as a missionary in Southeast Roanoke. I'm thrilled for you to spend some time with her this morning because I just know that you'll walk away encouraged.
LEIGH CARTER
What is the first thing you did this morning?
I made a cup of coffee :) Typically, I roll out of bed, start the coffee pot, then I brush my teeth and wash the sleep out of my eyes. By the time I do that and make my bed, the coffee is ready... so, I grab my Bible and enjoy a cup of coffee along with some Jesus.
What is something you've been loving lately?
Lately, I've been loving the SNOW. Truly - I love the beauty of the white blanket covering the earth. It's a great reminder of being washed white as snow by the blood of Jesus - and not just covered with righteousness but WASHED CLEAN by it. Hallelujah.
PLUS with snow I love that I'm stuck at home, unable to get into the busyness of life. What do I do on snow days? Yesterday I baked muffins, painted furniture, wrote cards, organized merchandise for The Meadow Lily, read Real Simple magazine, and watched How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. So really, I just catch up on the things I would do if I didn't have a full time desk job! Today's agenda: catch up on emails, paint more furniture, shovel as a workout, paint my nails, and watch the Olympics.
What is something you struggle with and what are you learning as a result?
What do I struggle with? Geez... which thing do I pick? I struggle with taking the Gospel for granted and instead working for my salvation. This is a continual struggle for me as a first-born, task-oriented, (slight) perfectionist. Jesus, help me.
We are studying Philippians as a church and through the study God has reminded me that I often behave as one of the self-righteous Jews Paul speaks to in Philippians 3. They do all the "right" things and don't do any of the "wrong" things and have the outward appearance of being perfect.
I marvel at Paul's attitude. He counted EVERYTHING as trash compared to the worth of knowing Jesus. He understands and explains that Jesus' work of death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is the only thing that will truly be right about any sinful human. It's nothing that I do or don't do... it's only Jesus. What a relief not to work for God's love!
I am currently meditating on the truth of Philippians 3 and just asking God to change me. Oh Lord, change me. Strip my heart of pride, jealousy, fear, and surface love and replace those things with humility, genuine love for others, boldness, and a deep appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Life can get stressful. What are some things you do to simplify?
Pray. Honestly, I just ask God to take away the things I don't need, to take care of the details that I can't, and to help me complete the tasks He has put before me. Also, I've been trying to leave at least 3 weekday evenings open with no regularly scheduled events so I that I can hang out with friends, have people over, and serve others freely.
And just for fun, what is something that made you smile this week?
My 36th birthday was Monday, and I got lots of love from friends and family. I am loved and aI am thankful for the wonderful people God has put into my life. On this day I also opened my first online store on Etsy: The Meadow Lily. I'm looking forward to a wonderful new year of life!
