Abide in the healing
Let go of the hindrances, the burdens holding you down.
Be fully present within the space you are currently in.
Abide there, soak in the aroma of the atmosphere.
Breathe it in deep, for healing may spring forth.
Allow the sun to rest there, illuminating you thus more, filling with joy and overflow of the heart.
Let it all go and experience the fullness of grace and presence.
Complete presence, renewal, peace. The overflow of the heart.
We do not know the happenings of the future, nor shall we ever,
It is beyond our capacity,
And yet, we can know, as we abide, complete peace.
We can rest in knowing that although we have hurts and struggles,
Pain sometimes more than we can bear,
Yet we can still trust that it has not been overlooked.
It is in good hands, in the hands of our Father.
And may we rest, as He knows the future, that it is for our ultimate good.
And may we rest in knowing that joy can exist too, amongst the pain.
It does not have to be one or another,
They can exist together, in beautiful collision of each other.
So may we come, abide with the one who knows us best,
And then abide with those whom we have community with.
Abide, around the table, in rich community, and rich healing.
For healing happens from within to begin,
And with friends to continue the healing.
Today, I simply wish that we each find out space to abide, then heal in the spaces we each need.
Abide within the healing.
Blossoming Community
I first met Elena several months ago through a creative group that I am a part of. I quickly realized that we were going to become great friends. Something about the way she carried herself, her overwhelming joy that just lit up the room from the moment she entered. I knew she was someone special right away, and as I have gotten to know her more and more over the last several months, it has only further solidified all of my initial thoughts.
But one of the things I most appreciate about Elena and am so grateful for is the way that she fosters community, fosters people being around a table together, spending intentional time with each other. This day in age when our schedules are over crowded, and our heart and relationship space even more so, what a beautiful gift to cater people back to being with each other, with tasty food in front of them.
Elena is a food and travel blogger. And from what I have tried out so far from her recipes, her stuff is so so good my friends! But the beautiful thing I love about Elena is her heart behind it all. She truly fosters joy at every turn. And she is a living example that joy and hardship can beautifully collide. Everyone's life has hardships and struggles, but Elena chooses joy over bitterness, community over reclusion. She chooses life and light over death and darkness, and I think we could each use more of these choices in our lives!
To find out more about Elena and her beautiful food blog, check her out here:
Things are Better Together
And one thing I have learned within my own life and journey is that things are better together. Here is a little letter to Elena and Ben, about the cutest couple I have ever met!
Elena and Ben:
Oh my goodness you two! Elena, I knew you were filled with joy, but when I met you Ben, I knew that you two were just perfect for each other. Ben, you are so full of jokes, laughs and smiles all around. The compassion, grace and kindness you show towards Elena is unmatched. Always speaking highly of her and encouraging her on in all that she does. Your words are seasoned with grace and love, a beautiful endearment for Elena. And Elena, full of true kindness, and I will say it again, joy. It flows out of you my friend. It pours from your heart, and comes out through action. And you too are so quick to speak highly of others, especially of Ben. You run first into his arms and enjoy the love that he brings. You each fill each others cups with compliments and grace, stepping hand in hand together to each new adventure ahead. And what a beautiful journey it has already been, hard in spaces, but beautiful all the more. So, may the years ahead be just as beautiful my friends. There will be valleys for sure, but may the mountains rise higher, and the inner joy fill the valley days. May you be able to rejoice in each other, and rest completely in the grace that is there for you each day.
Rest and Abide
This week, and this entire holiday season, I hope and pray you are able to rest and abide, to slow down, get still and allowing healing to take place where it needs, and give yourself grace to not do all the things this year. I hope you are able to spend time in wonderful community with your people and soak that in. Rest and abide my friends. Rest and abide. Presents do not fill the soul, but presence with our Holy God does. May we seek presence over presents this season.
~Laura
And don't forget to check out Elena's Beautiful company Savor Paradise!