I have these leggings.  They’ve been worn so many times, to the point of tearing, and I really really do not want to replace them.  I really would love to wear them clear into shorts… But I’ve got to let them go.  I’ve got to eventually get a new pair of leggings.  

You may see where I’m going with this.  

Here is the scripture that the Lord brought me to this morning. 

Mark 2:21-22

²¹ ”No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²² And people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

Everyday there is a choice to make.  Do I sew a patch on my torn clothing, or fill my old wineskins with new wine, or no I grab a new garment, and fill a new wineskin with new wine?  

If you feel like this is a tongue twister, you’re kind of right… but listen closely.. 

I can’t keep wearing my torn leggings, repatching them, washing them, letting them tear once again, and allowing that cycle to continue.  Not only do the leggings get worn out, but I get worn out too. 

New clothes make not only your body feel kind of new, but I think it rinses the wears and tears of the old clothing off, and helps your spirit out.  

Everyday I need to make a choice to ask the Lord for new wine; for a new wineskin bag.  New clothing to wear, instead of my torn leggings.  New hope, new strength, new grace - a better understanding of His love, a recognition that I am lost without Him. I need my very soul to be filled up to the brim.  

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Gratitude continued… 

38. My Bible

39. Hope

40. Blogging as an outlet - I love to write

41. Local coffee shops who take my mess and welcome it

42. My local church who does the same

43. Worship in song

44. Small groups

45. foggy mornings in the Pacific NW

46. Spicy Chai Latte’s 

47. Doubling up on things to be thankful for

48. 8 hours of sleep last night

49. A Job with wonderful families to nanny for

50. The crunching sounds of Fall leaves on the cement

51. Writing 121

52. A challenge to grow deeper in the word

52. A group of middle aged women to my left having a knitting group :) 

53. Lelands song, Beautiful Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwoS_wIWz18&feature=list_other&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CRjkzzx8JW-sjA6UdvGpCU

54. Hopecity’s worship team and leadership

55. My moms morning phone call 

56. C’s sweet smiles after a week of being away

57. Steffanie leading by example - she is a great mom, and wife, and friend

58. Women Of Faith conference 

59. New books. 

60. My Dad and his teaching styles (lol) :)

61. A new day, and fresh beginning to the morning. 

Sometimes when I talk, things come out like word vomit… I know, I know… Kind of a gross description, but it gets the point across. I need to work on my speaking skills.  Until then, I write. And write, I do.  I’ve had a blog since I was 19.  I was snowed in, living at my grandmas, and thought - “what the heck”. And the rest is history. 500 posts later, I am still writing, and have even created my own domain name, thanks to my cool cat Eric :) You can view my old blog here: mytwentysomethinglove.blogspot.com (Whew! That’s alot to type!) I still post there periodically. ;) someday I’ll do the big transition! 

twentysomethingLove is all about expressing ones own love for Christ. The Love of this life.  The Love of my life. Here, I can type out my heart, and hope these words are being used to heal, touch, transform, shape, mold, and restore faith in people’s lives.  Here, I can be me.  I’m not a famous blogger with 100 followers, nor do I have super-sweet pictures, edited with the best software.  I have instagram, and a camera phone. That’s about all you’re getting from me for now! 

This blog keeps my thoughts from getting jumbled together, and it keeps my hand from getting writers cramps!  This blog helps my grammar, my spelling, and of course it helps with my heart too.  Writing is so therapeutic to me - healing happens here.  

This is where I take off.  

I’m about to write my story out for small group tomorrow night.  The grime and grace of my life.  The mystery and misery.  The rescuing of a very acrobatic God. He is awesome, and I love Him. 

This is my starting point. 

All’s Grace,

Samantha