"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7
This verse.... Is this woman.
She has been tested, she is still being tested, but she is conquering and bringing glory to our Father.
But here is the most beautiful part of her journey. She doesn't just allow God to lead, she earnestly seeks and desires his leading. She openly cries out to God to deliver her and lead her on a path where she can bring others closer to God. She desires to be used to further his kingdom. She opened her heart to the Lord in one of her darkest moments and said. "Okay Lord. Use me. Lead me. Guide me in this fight."
Melissa Borner... You are courageous.
Several years ago, Melissa's husband lost his job and it was hard. She was also battling infertility. Then in the midst of all of that God rocked their world and she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This is about the time that I'd curl up in a ball on the couch with a blanket smothering me in a pool of tears...
But Melissa courageously stood, took a deep breath, nodded and said okay God. Lead me and use me. And he certainly did.
She blogged about her journey and inspired everyone with her faith and trust in the Lord. She continued to lead a small group of girls in the church youth group and developed a true faith in God. She stepped up in the midst of battling cancer and took over women's ministry seeking to deepen and revive. She continued to live and lead her family with grace and love. This girl fought and she fought hard. She was not going to be taken down. She decided on that day that she would step out in faith... in courage...and grab hold of God, lean on him, and to impact those around her on this journey.
Her journey was hard, it had its ups and downs, it set backs, moments she wondered why me, but in these moments God was refining and purifying her faith. A faith that brought praise, glory and honor to his name. A faith that lead her through the hard fight and into place of remission. A place where her body is cancer free! A place where she now stands and reflects on how God was at work within her and how he continues to be.
Many have a fight. A battle. Many are called out to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid or discouraged. But my prayer is that the many who battle can hold on to the promise, the truth as Melissa did. The truth that there is a power far greater on our side and he will lead us through. God is good and he is sovereign. He alone is our hope. Let him guide you.
Thank you Melissa for inspiring so many to be courageous and to hold onto the Lord. Thank you for being an example to so many on how to seek the Lord and hold onto his promise, and when we do, he will do great things within us. Your genuine faith is being praised in the Heavens right now.
I loved following you around with the ever so talented Sarah Marie Photography and capturing your courageous moments in leading the beautiful group of women at Five Oaks Church. You are rooted and you are loved and I feel so honored that you rocked out our Courageous tee during the "photoshoot." Thank you for being you and the perfect creation he made you to be.
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I always wanted more for my shirts. I wanted them to inspire, to encourage, to bring God's word to life. So much hope can be found in this Book, yet so often we don't take the time to open it up and seek him. My hope with these scripture tanks and tees is to inspire the one who wears and the ones who see. Your fashion, your dress says who you are. Be a person of grace. Be one who lives courageously. Be the person who does more than just speaks truth... show truth. Be the stranger, the friend that is humble, gentle, patient. Be the good.
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