Amid the flurry of dresses and decorations in preparing for our wedding just one week away, I just wanted to write a letter to encourage you in this season you are in – whatever life looks like right now for you…
Dear wise girl,
I know life is busy right now for you, whatever you are facing.. hang in there – you’ve got this!
I think back to where I was just 2 short years ago… I had walked away from God, I was in a wrong relationship and had reached the end of myself. Within the space of 2 weeks, I had lost my Nanna, had broken off the relationship, then lost my job and my flat! My whole world turned upside-down yet I knew in the midst of it that my Daddy in Heaven was in control!
I then had an unforgettable encounter with Jesus in worship at Bethel church, Redding California and decided to commit my life to saying “yes” again to him.
From that moment, I turned away from my past and future was rewritten! I fell in love with my first love, Jesus again, and have kept falling ever since.
See I used to think that if I did 10 things right and didn’t think a wrong thought in a week, only then would God be happy and accept me. Oh, how wrong I was! He is so just waiting to whisper in our ears “I love you” and “I delight in you”. [Psalm 37:4]
See when my “YES” for loving him became loud and all that concerned me, my “no” to other things became so much easier. [Matthew 5:37] I traded my heels for healing; boozy holidays for quiet and intimate moments with him, party friends for friends who truly cared and wanted to see me grow in Christ.
Wise girl, I know you know how to make wise choices about what kind of future you see yourself living.
When you say “yes” to Jesus, you will be AMAZED at how you will find friendships along the way of those who are journeying through similar things as you. God will bring people alongside you that will reaffirm who you are in Him, edify you and share their hearts with you, who will build you up and strengthen you in the faith. [Proverbs 27: 17]
I want to encourage you today, wise girl, to say “Yes” to what counts.
Don’t let your life fade into the background. Whatever dream or desire you have lost sight of, don’t you dare give up hope! Jesus has not forgotten, he sees you and he knows your heart’s deepest desires – however wild they seem right now.
I used to think I didn’t deserve a Christian husband, not with how many times I’d blown it in the past with wrong relationships. But I had to let God redefine my thinking, stand on his truth that “Behold, I am making ALL things new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Verity Hesketh Photography
Dare to believe he has the absolute best in-store for you!
Fast-forward two years, and I’m about to say “Yes” to the absolute man of my dreams and best friend, my John. I will stand before him and say “Yes” in my promise to him, as we both commit to loving one another, no matter our shortcomings.
But we both also had to say a lot of “No”s to get here. We had to say no to the wrong relationships, no to temptation, no to believing the lie that maybe we were just meant to be single for the rest of our lives and we weren’t good enough to be someone’s life partner!
Now here we are, preparing ourselves to commit to one another for the rest of our lives. And all throughout this last year, the scripture we have stood upon is “The Joy of the Lord is my strength” – Nehemiah 8:10
Do you know that his joy is more than enough to sustain you? Throughout our ups and downs, John and I never ever let the enemy rob our joy. And now we’re both laughing because we are so so glad we said “Yes” to Jesus. We could not have orchestrated this in our own strength. I am so glad I trusted him with all my heart!
Say yes to him, just as he said yes to you.. [John 15] I can’t assure you it’ll be easy, but I can promise you that you won’t regret it for one minute. He will restore all the years the locust has stolen from you [Joel 2:25], and he will lead you to green pastures, [Psalm 23:2] and he will make you soar on wings with eagles [Isaiah 40:31], and he will give you joy on the inside like you’ve never known! [John 15:11]
Just one last thought for you… if you feel ashamed about something and keep slipping up and running away from Jesus, rather than to him, remember our precious Saviour on the cross. Even in his dying, he brought eternal life to the man who hung beside him. And Jesus replied,
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43
All it took was for the criminal to say “Yes Lord, I need you. Please remember me in your Kingdom”.
Thank you for your mercy, Jesus. That even in our shame and sin, you took it upon yourself to forgive us and buy our freedom with your blood. We are so thankful!
Verity Hesketh Photography
I pray right now, for every wise girl reading this that no matter what situation they are facing, that you will be able to show them the way forward with clarity. Thank you for the opportunity to trust you with our lives. Thank you for your wisdom in this season to say “yes” to all that you are, and all that you have for us, Amen.
Love Always,
Sophie x
5 comments
This is a beautiful post, Sophie. So full of grace and love from the Lord through you. This post deeply speaks to me, too, and I will be pondering on those great verses. Can’t wait to hear more of your amazing Jesus journey and now with John by your side in the story too. God truly does make all things beautiful in his time (Eccles 3:11) when we seek him first. X
Sophie it always touches my heart to see transformation in people’s lives. A transformed life touched by Jesus. He takes our mess and changes it into our message. All for His glory. I have been there and have been so ashamed of my mistakes. Little by little He has set me free to be who He created me to be. A lot of struggling and rebellion along the path, but Praise God that the work He began in me, He is completing, just as He says He would do if we surrender to Him. I had to fully accept Jesus forgiving me on the cross. I had to accept His love for me and leave my filthy rags at the cross. He is still working in my life as I grasp more and more of His love for me. My head knowledge is travelling to my heart, praise God. I am so happy to have found Destiny Church. I really feel God has placed me there for more healing and to really know who I am in Christ. Thank you for your story. Your mum Margaret is awesome. Like mother like daughter. God bless you on your wedding day. One day I would like to share my story with you too. Xxxxx
Sophie I couldn’t be prouder of you than I am right now. You are a truly amazing daughter and I count it a privilege to be your mum. When you walk down the aisle on Thursday, Heaven itself will be rejoicing! For you and John are a match made in Heaven by The Lord. Every step you take as you walk up the aisle is a step closer to the incredible destiny Jesus has for you. Dad and I are cheering you both on and it is an honour to be your parents because we have been witnesses of God’s healing and His hand upon your life from the very beginning. Alleluia!
This post brought me to tears. What a beautiful reminder I am so grateful xx
Wooow Love it God bless u more and more !!