Winnefred Writes

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The pastor at my church unpacked this verse yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me that God sends the words our hearts need most exactly when we need it–whether we want to admit it or not.

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are commands for us regardless of circumstance. In good times, in bad times, in healthy times, in sick times, in stressful times, in peaceful times–we are to rejoice, pray, and give thanks…All with a grateful heart. Oh how I need to remember, especially in these days of balancing immense joy with great unknown. College seniors–you know exactly what I mean.

In this week of Thanksgiving, I am especially reminded of all the gifts and blessings that abound in my life. Take a minute, friend and remember too. Even in the little things, I find true joy and thankfulness. We need to remind each other to take a step back and remember. It’s so easy to forget when we’re in the middle of day to day routine.

I was challenged at church yesterday to give thanks–a posture of true gratitude–without grumbling in the process. How easy is it to grumble about traffic, the weather, too much to do, or people driving us crazy?! Stress is real, and it’s really easy to brush it aside with complaints and let it build. We’re human, which means we are prone to wander and prone to grumble. Amen? But there’s good news! In gratitude regardless of circumstance we receive the gift of grace, which spurs peace in our hearts. And God gives grace abundantly, even when we fall short. Will you remember to respond with gratitude instead of grumbling with me? I think we all need a little more grace and a lot less complaining. I can testify! And it won’t always work out perfectly, but it makes me take a step back first and remember.

Life as a business owner is especially at risk for comparison and striving and setting unrealistically high expectations. Grumbling is a treacherous consequence when things don’t go as expected. But you know what? God knows what I need more than I can begin to understand. He knows what you need, too. Dwelling in a posture of thankfulness instead of grumbling instills peace and fullness of the Spirit.

Let’s remember the gift He gives us daily – mercy that is NEW every morning!

My church’s worship band released an album and one of the songs speaks so directly to these verses. The song is called Rejoice by Redeemer Community Church. Give it a listen!

I will rejoice, Oh I will rejoice. I will give thanks to you my God. No matter the day, no matter what comes my way. I will rejoice, and I will give thanks to you….

Let’s remember the gifts we have been given together–rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

xx,

Ashley

The Word of the Lord came to me: I chose you before I formed you; I set you apart before you were born… But I protested, “Oh no, Lord! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth. Then the Lord said to me: Do not say ‘I am only a youth’ for you will go to everyone I sent you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you. This is is the Lord’s declaration. Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have filled your mouth with my words. See, I have appointed you today…to build & plant.

Chosen. Set apart. Called. Reached. Known. Filled. Appointed. Cultivated.

Hey college gal – this Winnefred Writes is for you. It’s crazy to be walking into my last year of college, and lemme tell ya – it’s flying by! There have been exciting opportunities, immense joy, mysterious sickness, and fear of the unknown all wrapped up in one semester. In the midst of it all, God is ever faithful.

I came across the verse above in Jeremiah recently in the midst of a busy week with lots of weights on my mind. (Can you relate?) Somehow God knows the words we need to hear and whispers them with hope and peace. I wanted to share with you – no matter what stage of college you’re in today.

In this passage, God is calling Jeremiah to action, but Jeremiah’s instinct response is to RUN – as we see with other Biblical figures from Jonah to Gideon and many in between. This verse reminds me to draw close to God even when I can’t see the full picture. Here are some of the things He has been teaching me during these college days.

1. God chose you and set you apart before you were born – Take that in for a minute. He saw you before you took your first breath. Gives me goosebumps every time!
2. You are created with calling and purpose – both in living a life for the Lord and in how you each uniquely live it out. How can you live it out? Through your work! God works through you, too.
3. Every day is a gift. Take care of yourself. It sounds like common sense but seriously listen to your body–if you are feeling sick don’t ignore it…I can testify. Move a lot, sleep a lot, and make sure you’re eating your bananas.
4. Meet others where they are. Bob Goff says to treat people like you’re meeting Jesus. I like that. It goes beyond the golden rule–it changes the way we meet others and do friendship.
5. Stand up. Stand up for your friends and stand up for yourself. Don’t let people bring you down and definitely don’t let them say who you are. God does that.
6. Look up. My goodness girl – I need to hear this truth daily. Comparison is the thief of joy. I jam out in my car to Lauren Daigle’s song, Look up Child. We all need a little more looking up and a lot less looking around, amen?
7. Seek grace over perfection; patience over instant answers. Someone told me that patience is a sacred pace. It takes all the grace and surrendering perfection, but the process is equally as beautiful as the outcome.

I was learning more about this passage from Jeremiah and found a quote from Eugene Peterson –

My identity does not begin when I begin to understand myself. There is something previous to what I think about myself, and it is what God thinks of me. That means that everything I think and feel is by nature a response, and the one to whom I respond is God. I never speak the first word. I never make the first move. Jeremiah’s life didn’t start with Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s salvation didn’t start with Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s truth didn’t start with Jeremiah. He entered the world in which the essential parts of his existence were already ancient history. So do we.

I would love to encourage yall to listen to Lauren Daigle’s new album, Look Up Child. Listen to the songs “You Say,” “Look up Child,” and “Rescue.” Then I hope you’ll see. Most every song speaks to these verses from Jeremiah – it speaks so much truth into where we are right now! It’s my car jam on repeat.

You are loved. You are worthy. You have purpose. Now go get ’em girl!

Two of my most feared words as a business owner are lost packages. 

If you’re like me and thrive off of tracking packages online as they are mailed, then these words are definitely not something you’d want to hear. I find so much excitement in watching my package’s journey from point A to my doorstep. 

It reminds me how much goes into the smallest things just to reach me–then I’m reminded of God’s love and pursuit in the shape of a cardboard box. 

I’m always sending and receiving mail. It’s routine and familiar and usually easy–that is, until something goes wrong.

I had been eagerly waiting for our newest shipment of Austin Tall Tote bags (just in time for Market Noel and the Christmas season!). Then I noticed my tracking number was not routed to my door, but to an entirely different state. Phone calls, online chats, e-mails, and still nothing could stop those packages from going to the completely wrong address. 

Hold the phone! I was business gal freaking out for the love of tote bags. I thought they were gone with no way to return.

Finally, a kind soul from the shipping company connected me to the person who accidentally received my packages. I took a leap and gave her a call. Hold the phone again! She indeed had received them. The most beautiful part is she is a business owner, too! Out of kindness, she mailed them back to me. 

These moments that spanned over a matter of weeks remind me that nothing is lost from God’s sight. Not me, not you, not even lost packages. God calls us by name and we are His own, forever, eternally, found in Him. Instead of relying on a tracking number somewhere in the world placed on your life, fix your eyes on Jesus. He alone says who we are, knows who we are, and he meets us there. Even when we feel lost, He gives us peace beyond all understanding and a path to follow. 

Sometimes, He sends people in our path to help show us the way when we can’t see where to go next. 

Because of these lost packages, I am filled with hope that nothing and no one has to be lost forever.

(P.S. Austin Tall Tote RESTOCK coming soon!)

Listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1