treasure's hidden in darkness

Happy friday!

Thanks to my great friend, Todd Wyrick, I got the scriptures that Chuck talked to us about this weekend at planning team. I am really excited to share them with you guys....

Is 45:3

"I will give you treasures hidden in darkness-Secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name."

I love love this scripture. I love it because I think so often "Christianity" is sold to people as "if you say this prayer, everything will get better and life will be great". Which is not the case. The truth is, when we walk with Christ, we don't walk through an easier life-in fact-sometimes it's harder. But when we are with Christ, we are never alone and He always blesses us in our brokenness, or as this scripture says, in darkness. As I think over my struggle with both food and my larger and harder struggle with anxiety, I can so see Gods blessings hidden in the darkness. For example, I see how when I literally thought I was a crazy person and was curled up on the floor in our living room bawling at 3am because I couldn't stop my panic attack, and my brand new husband came in and laid behind me, wrapped his arms around me and just rubbed my back and helped me breathe through it....that is a treasure hidden in darkness. When I walked with a dear friends through her own anxiety battle of panic attacks and isolation-that is a treasure hidden in darkness. When I know how it feels to be the biggest girl in the room, but can't stop eating-yet know there is grace and forgiveness and peace in Christ-that is a treasure hidden in darkness. I think that really is the beauty of walking with Jesus. It's not that we walk always in the light where everything is perfect- but that in Christ, there is always a treasure hidden in the darkness.

If you are walking in a dark time right now. I want to encourage you that there is a treasure in the darkness. You may not see it for a long time. But it is there. We can trust that in Christ everything is in His control and ultimately for His glory. I love that the second part of this scripture is that he does this so that we may know him...the one who calls us by name. How He loves us so...

what is your treasure today?

A quick update on me:

1. I am feeling SO MUCH better! Thank God for medicine. I am working today and have lots of energy to keep up with my little ladies-who are 17 months today! Happy 17 months to caitlin and izzy!

2. Andrew and I decided to participate this year in the Capitol 10k here in austin! I had set my sights on the Austin half marathon, but didn't finish my training and actually just burnt out on running in general. But, I think a 10k is much more reasonable for me. I am excited to start that training. In july I got the app for my phone called "Couch to 5k". It basically gets you ready to run a 5k in 10 weeks. It was great. So I just bought an app by the same company called "Ease into 10k". I'm excited to start that this weekend! Its a 3 day a week running program, so I will also continue to shred with Jillian. The race is March 27th if anyone wants to join me! Here is a link to all the info!

http://www.statesman.com/cap10k/

3. I got a pair of Jeggings. I know-that is insane. But i have to say, they have kind of changed my life. I got them at Gap and they really look like skinny jeans, but just stretchy. I will post pics at some point. I also have to say, I don't look terrible in them...just sayin.

Love you guys! Happy weekend! I weigh in Sunday, so I'll let everyone know how I did! But I feel skinny. Its probably my awesome jeggings...