Welcome to The Heart Blog! 
Praying you find some love, truth, and Heart encouragements!

Additional Resources over on HeartsFromGod.com
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I've worn many masks in my life, and I am not referring to the wrap around you ears kind, rather the one that covered my full face. A carefully place smile framed by perfectly placed hair and make up.

For years, I perfected the art of the "I'm fine" smiling mask. It was my shield, my armor against the world. I'd polish it daily, ensuring no cracks showed through. After all, I was the strong one, the reliable one, the one who had it all together. I was the Mom who was always joyfully present, The Encourager, Leader and Friend who didn't appear to have a need of her own and Volunteer, who seemingly checked all the boxes.

Leadership is a funny thing. We are just as courageous, bold, faithful, confident, as we are not. As we pour ourselves out as leaders in our homes, workplace, church, etc, the enemy can slowly tempt us into busying ourselves in the growing & going, we don't allow space for personal pouring in to. We so desperately need to be led & fed too. We can buy into the false belief that independence from needing others represents weighted faith value and leadership qualification, it doesn't. 

Independence without community is isolation. When the enemy isolates us, he sets traps around us that look like they are keeping us safe when in fact, the Word tells us exactly what he is up to in John 10:10...division.

I poured myself into others, thinking if I could just make everyone else happy, maybe I'd find happiness too. It surely is more blessed to give than receive. I did. I did receive such blessings in watching God move. I listened to their troubles, interceded, and gave the same advice, I myself, needed to hear... but I wasn't listening to me. I took it all to Jesus, which we should, but we also need our people. 

All the while, that smile never faltered. 
I was happy, ish. 
I was lonely, ish. 
I was empty, ish.

Masks, no matter how well-crafted, eventually crack when we grow so dehydrated on the inside. The older the glue underneath, the longer it takes txobreak it off BUT GOD...He is a Mighty Craftsman and Great Physician. 

God gathered my many pleas, and He brought me to a wilderness season of a 1:1 time with Him. Eventually, the mask came off, once shattered piece at a time. 

My mask was off. I was free. To my surprise, the world didn't end and neither did my leading, in fact, those shattered pieces became the building blocks for my now ministry.  As I shared my struggles, others shared theirs. The walls I'd built to protect myself became bridges connecting me to others who were secretly struggling with perfectionism, insecurity, and aching heartsBeauty from the ashes came forth.

I learned authenticity isn't weakness—it's courage in its purest form. I boast in my weakness so God gets all the glory! It's not always others who put leaders on pedestals, sometimes we put ourselves up there next to all our Checked Boxes. Yes, we are blessed, but will you be brave enough to also admit you're stressed? Will your smile whisper, Pray for me today, as I am also praying for you.

Leading Sis, I know you're strong. I know you have all the highlighted answers. I know you don't want to burden those you are facing, but I invite you, challenge you, encourage you, to take off the mask and show yourself. Better a real smile traced by tears than a fake one full of hallow hope.

Those entrusted to our circle of influence are looking to us to be sharpened and glean wisdom from in every season. Seeing you in every season is healing and helping, drawing all hearts to The Father. And for you, I see you, hiding behind your own mask and you don't need to. Your blessings and your struggles are valid. Your feelings matter. No one is "okay" all the time. We can be content and still crushed. 

Find those who God has set in your life to be YOUR Encourager, YOUR trusted Sister, YOUR Titus 2 older Sis. 

You need a "you" too. 

Ask, Seek and Find. We need our 4 Corner, Mat carrying, Arm Lifting friends on weary days.

Let others see what grace looks like when it smiles. Share your blessings, and your burdens. Allow yourself to be loved and supported, not for the person you pretend to be, but for who you truly are, just you live in this example for those entrusted to your leadership.

There's strength in vulnerability, healing in honesty, freedom in authenticity and redemption in confession. Your heart matters. Your health matters. It's time to let the mask fall and embrace the beautiful, complexity of sufficient grace and iron sharpening circles, inside and outside our influence.

Remember, in a world of filters, your ability to show up with genuine smile of grace, surrender and trust, is the most beautiful thing!

If you are stepping into Leadership for the first time, I'd love to connect with you and be a Big Sis for you. 
If you're a Leader looking for a Sister Friend, I'd love to connect with you too!

Smile Sis! 
He holds everything together!! Col 1:17, even YOU!!!
Michele




If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
 in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele

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I am so glad (and honored) you are here! I have been blogging since 2009 as a way to journal out my thoughts as I pray God would use these story shares as practical heart encouragements for YOU TOO! We all need to recall and share those Living Stone moments.
Feel free to look around and make yourself at home! 

If you're looking for Journals & Books, check these out over on HeartsFromGod.com too!!

If you are looking for an Online Sister Community 
?Are you an Introvert Rising?!? If you are looking for a Community of HEART Centered, Jesus Lovin' Sisters ready to rise up over their insecurities and seek after the Heart of God?!?  Meet us here! 

I share encouragement over on the Facebooks on my personal profile as well as the Encouragement Page Livin’ Where Faith Is on too.

I have two free resources for you: 
1.) If you'd like some help sharing YOUR story or testimony, here's a link to grab the fill in the blank PDF I created to help you get started sharing YOUR heart with others! There's a video that goes with it over in the But God Sister Squad Community on Facebook.

2.) www.CreatingSpaceforGrace.com is PDF I share the things I have done (and do) the help guard my peace on the daily!!! I get asked about this all the time, this is my practical resource guide!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,

Michele"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV


Pssst...by Law, I have to share there are affiliate links in here where I earn money from your purchase when you make a purchase! it's affiliate marketing and I love not having to sell stuff! And you know me, I am not gonna sell anything, but I will share everything! I love it! 

A Little About My Heart

 
Born and raised in the church, a Christ Follower, Kingdom Encourager, Wife, Mama, and an Overcomer! GLORY TO GOD!!

I lived most of my life fearful, anxious, and insecure.. I found myself always hiding but serving, striving for perfection in my less-thanness, as a way to earn my worth to self, God and others, sacrificing in the name of serving, hospitality and humility...putting others needs before my own from a place of hiding in my lack, and trying to earn value rather than serving in the space of grace, confident faith and overflowing love. 

Never attaining, only to lead a life of more insecurity, overwhelm, anxiety, and panic, screaming to break free from this bondage, to be that actual strong, courageous Christian Woman everyone else seemed to be, but me. 

BUT GOD.

In 2009, Where Faith Is was born as a blog, learning my voice behind the safety of a keyboard, building courage to speak my truth behind the screen...and here all these years later, Little by little, God is expanding my heart boundaries as He reveals more of His to me. I am so excited to share so freely! 

I especially love being an encourager to other encouragers in the faith who know they are called to encourage yet they themselves struggle with their value and ability. Isn't that how the enemy works? He tries to disqualify us in the same area we are called to shine! What an irony!  

I believe if more people let go of fear and insecurity, surrendered to grace and BELIEVED their value, their spark for life will return to a roaring fire that lights up wet wood! 

When women choose to walk courageous and strong in body, mind and spirit...they step out of the boat and walk on water as Peter did, part the waters like Moses and set more people FREE in His name through their Divine purpose to the Glory of GOD! We are each a Light House of Strength on the shorelines of Grace . 

Friend, you may not believe it, but you are meant for more than eat/sleep/work/repeat. You are also equipped with good works to serve and bless the Kingdom Body, and the world with His Love, through YOU! You've got to surrender your fear and let Him lead you.

You are more able than you think you are and most likely, the thing you feel is the weakest part of you is the strongest thing about you!

If you are an introvert too and want to be a part of our newly launching online community, we are here for you!! Let's Connect! It's an honor to encourage the Encouragers.

I am H.I.S. (Heart In Surrender & Service).

Hugs & Blessings, 
Michele

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

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