What is your favorite place to be? The very place that you can be your most self. Real and authentic. The place where you can unwind, be silly, feel and know that you are loved. Can you think of that place? Do you have that kind of place? Well, in the meantime while you are thinking about it, I would like to share with you mine. I have not one but two favorite places to be, to dwell and to savor in.
First, is being around the people I love and the people I know that love me. My Mom, my brother, my family, my cat and my sisters in Christ. I feel the energy of real and authentic love. A love that God created Family should be. The stories we share, the hills we climb, the valleys we pray together in, the life we do together. The tears we cry whether in sorrow or joy. The coffee or Boba we share just catching up with each other. It is beautiful. God never wanted us to do life alone. I’m super honored and blessed to have these people in my life and I pray that if you don’t have a family like this God will bring you the right people into your life. Now, I will share my other favorite place with you. Which if I am being honest is most likely my top favorite.
Second, is my room. Recently, I have begun a new look to my room. I am spring cleaning or shall I say summer cleaning. Old stuff out and the new in. Organizing. Oh, my goodness I love to organize! Getting rid of clutter and things that just do not belong I just love it! Color schemes are white, ivory, cinnamon brown with a touch of green indoor plants. Fake ones of course because of my cat. Love her. Her name is Destiny Love by the way. Can’t forget the touch of candlelight. A romantic at heart is this girl right here. So, why is my favorite place to be? No, it is not sleep lol, but I do love my sleep. It’s where I spent the most time with Jesus. Where I can talk to Him and not be ashamed of my thoughts and my fears. Where I can be the most vulnerable. It’s with Jesus where I learn and grow. It’s with Jesus where when I sleep, He talks to me in dreams and visions of what’s going with me, around me, with other people so I can help them. He shows me the beautiful plans He has for my life. It’s where I deepen my walk with God. He shows me who I am in Him. Like the artificial plants in my room, I am like a “vine flourishing within my home” (Psalm 128:3). Yet I am alive and thriving! I write. I journal. I blog. I do what the Lord has called me to do. This is where Ashley can “rest and lay down in His pasture”. It’s where I bloom.
Prayer is a beautiful yet dangerous tool that God has given everyone of His children. My room is the sanctuary where I do the most praying. On my knees. I go to war not only myself and the adversities that come against me but for others as well. Declaring God’s promises over my life and they show up. He shows up. He fights my battles. No matter how big. My Pastor says, “It’s not about perfection with God but it’s about close proximity.” That’s how we build and that’s how we grow. That’s relationship. It’s being transparent with our Creator and knowing each other. That’s the difference between religion and breathing. While I get this kind of closeness with Papa (that’s what I call Him). My heart wants to share that with people. I know it’s not my heart but Jesus’s heart as well most of all. In the beginning of this blog, I asked you if you have a favorite place to be. Maybe you do. Maybe you don’t. I don’t’ know where your walk with Jesus is. I would like to suggest a place to you. The Bible says, “Those who run to the Lord will be kept safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Rather than an actual room there’s always a “room”, a place and space in Gods heart for you. God doesn’t lie. He can’t. It’s literally impossible for Him to lie. That room has your name on it. You just have to walk in it. There you will be kept safe. To get personal with your Savior. I know that I am kept safe in Him. I hope this column was an inspiration to you and your favorite place. Until next time let your favorite place be you Sanctuary. God Delights in you!
Love
Ashley
Scripture Verses
Psalm 23
Psalm31
Psalm 91
Matthew 6:6
Numbers 6:24-26
Isaiah 62:4
