Faithful – Guest Post by Jen Buckner

Hello, new friends! It’s Jen here, and I had the awesome privilege of meeting Jennifer a couple of weeks ago at She Speaks. While we were there, we enjoyed many moments, and Jennifer shared her heart about the amazing ways that God has answered her prayers. When I think of her, I consider the faithfulness of God in response to her genuine faith, and I’m thrilled for this journey she is on. I want to first say what a blessing she is (can I get an AMEN?!) and then to take a moment to encourage your faith today while she is away.

One day, Jesus’ followers were distraught at their inability to cast out a demon and a little bit jealous because He was able to. Indignant, they asked, “What’s up with that?!”

“Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”  [Matt. 17:20 MSG]

A week ago, I was distraught because I had so many dreams and hopes swirling in my head and even more pressing was the odor {soon to be} swirling in my home because I hadn’t washed the dishes…or picked up the toys…or taken out the trashcans filled with dirty diapers…for several days.

And I looked around and saw other women {like you, whom I don’t even know in real life} and thought, “How can she keep up with it all? And I can’t!”

Jesus answers, “Faith.”

After not tackling those things, I headed out for a much-needed girls’ night to escape the gloom {not to mention, the smell!} of my home, leaving my hubby with our two babies for the evening. As I walked back into the house that night, I was devastated by what I found.

I looked around and saw nothing but carpet, then the toys in their place. I continued into the kitchen, finding no crumbs or dish-piles or trash bags nearly overflowing. My eye catches the floor of the laundry room, a miracle that I can see it. And my heart stops. He didn’t.

The washer is open and empty. I fling open the dryer door to find it also empty. I walk through the house and find the clothes that sat dirty when I left hanging and folded in their drawers. I sit and cry bitter and ugly tears toward the man who meant only to help, the one who deserved a hug in place of my hatred. Why can’t I do it all?

Jesus answers, “Faith.”

I began a new week after ending the last with a horrid looming sense of failure. How can I even pick myself up and try again?

Jesus answers, “Faith.”

So, on the Monday that I started and the Friday that you read this, whatever the state of your home, your marriage, your children, or your heart, I want you to know that you aren’t alone when you feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or like a failure.

And when you want to know how to dodge these traps, remember Jesus’ answer. If you had just poppy seed-sized faith, “There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

This week, I am leaning on Him for the freedom to enjoy the days without holding on too tightly and choking the life out of them. And He’s faithful.

This week, I am running to Him first {before the sink or the vacuum or the dust rag or the blog even} as He calls, waiting for Him to speak. And He’s faithful.

This week, I am relying on His strength for the endurance to keep the dishes in my sink washed before I crawl under the covers each night. And He’s faithful.

This week, I am praying that He will help me remember that it’s not bad to need help. It’s perfectly normal and human of me to not be perfect all the time {or ever!} And He’s faithful.

But I only see it when I look for it. And when I look for it, He’s right. There’s nothing I can’t tackle when I see His faithfulness in response to my faith!

Be encouraged, sweet friend! {By the way, it’s so nice to meet you!}

Love you dearly, Jen

***A BIG Thank You to Jen for sharing her heart today! You can read more encouragement from Jen over at her blog. Just visit www.jenbuckner.com