when i do one of those self-evaluations - which i'm notoriously bad at; i come up with ten million things i need to change and work on (and then don't even know where to begin to start)... "chief of sinners" comes to mind - it reminds me all the more of the Cross and Christ's extended grace. thankfully, i'm also reminded of this promise found in Philippians:
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
i'm so very thankful for this promise. God is working in me to change, shape and conform me to His image. one thing i've noticed lately is that my discontentment issues are slowly being chipped away and i'm learning the beauty and peace that contentment brings.
ever since i moved away from my home in california i've missed it and would love to move back. i grew up there; all the memories of my dad are left there, and it's just plain home. after going home for a visit i'd always return dissatisfied and (almost) hateful towards where we live now (charleston, south carolina). i could find every reason not to like it. i wanted hills and mountains not low-country. i wanted a beach with cliffs not just a plain, flat beach. i wanted cool comfortable temperatures all year round, not humidity and heat indexes equalling 110 degrees every summer (okay, so maybe i still want that).
my old home in california. (can you see why it's hard not to miss it?!?)
after our last visit to california this past november, i was bracing for more discontentment. but instead, i found myself not comparing south carolina to california (remember, comparison kills contentment!). instead, i embraced the south for what it is and the beauty it offers... i found myself actually appreciating it and even thinking about how i'd miss it if we ever move. this is such evidence of the Lord's grace, working within me, chipping away the ugly to replace it with something better. and how could i ever be dissatisfied knowing that i'm right where God wants me, for this point in time for His pleasure and purposes. so yeah, you could say that i'm blooming where i'm planted. : ) i'm happy to end 2010 in this frame of mind.
look at my new home... it's different, but just as beautiful...
folly beach, sc
downtown charleston harbor
oh, and get this! i won a painting of our house from becky at farmgirl paints (i'm sort of obsessed with her, she already knows it, so there's no sense in hiding it). she is insanely talented, makes beautiful jewelry and paints too. (i know, it's hard not to be jealous... for goodness sakes, i just talked about contentment.) you really should visit her etsy. i am just beside myself and can't wait to see the painting she creates! it will be another reminder to me about blooming where i'm planted. : )
our home. (the christmas decor is still up... that's what tomorrow's for.)
i hope each of you has a sweet new year's celebration and may your 2011 be filled with blooming where you're planted.
31 {comments}:
Love this! So powerful! So glad you were able to see the beauty of where you live now. Cheers to the new year and all the blessings God has in store for you! Beautiful pictures and home, btw :)
<333
Oh, Carissa, this is so powerful. So often I get stuck wishing that my home was on rolling acres in the country, or that it was bigger, or you know. Then several years ago I was convicted that I was to be content right where I was. And more than that? That the Lord has plans for me in the house, the neighborhood where I am now.
I just needed to let go of my agenda and sink into His. And you know what? I have a beautiful, beautiful friend that lives right behind me. A life friend. Someone that I wouldn't have met if I had jumped to my agenda right away.
I'll keep praying for that contentment in your heart.
And I love your home. It is beautiful.
Rachel
What a great post. And your home is just beautiful!
Your home is beautiful! I have only visited Charleston once but I fell in love with the city. Never having been to California, however, I can tell by the pictures why you would miss it so much!
Amen! And that house will make a gorgeous painting!
What a lovely lovely post! I can imagine why you might miss California, but South Carolina looks just as amazing to me!! Your home (both state and actual home) look beautiful! Happy New Year! I hope 2011 is everything you dream of!
<3 Ashley
www.ahastylife.com
I love the south. I lived in NC briefly and often wish we weren't stuck in the armpit of AZ. I guess I needed to read this!!
God is Good...I'm sooo glad you found a little peace. Your NEW hometown is gorgeous...being a southern girl myself...haha
thanks for posting friend...i think we all love to hear transformations when we are in the middle of something too!
So sweet. You home is so cute. :) Happy new year.
Charleston Harbour is breathtaking! I do understand your love for the pacific coastline (i'm there in south-western bc, remember) and there really is no place like home...you are such a good writer and I think you really know yourself too...Hope you had a wonderful 1st Christmas with Sage and I'm sure Hunter had so much fun this year! hugs...xoxo
Your new "home" is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing this! It's exactly what I needed to hear as I head into 2011!
Happy New Year!
What a great reminder to be content where you are at! I needed to hear that:-) Love you and your blog!!!! You are so encouraging!
This was so good for me to read today, thank you. What a good and positive reminder. :) Also, your home is SO beautiful! Happy New Year!
When I moved down here to Charleston, I hated it too. I only moved 4 hours south from NC but it was still very different. Such a S.L.O.W. pace and all. I loved going home but hated coming back here. We have talked about moving somewhere now that our girls are grown up and I'm not sure I can live without the smell of the ocean. Go figure!
I love the quote: Bloom where you are planted. My old professor said it to me once and it's stuck with me ever since.
SO true about blooming where you are planted - love your home and new area... have a wonderful New Year!
Oh, Carissa what a sweet, sweet entry! It just shows how God can work in every area of our lives when we allow Him to and obviously you have allowed him to assist you in "blooming where you have been planted." What a beautiful testimony!
I'm so thrilled to have met you and what a joy to get to know you better with each post. Hugs to you!
What a wonderful reminder. Thanks for sharing your heart and personal testimony of faith. Bless you and your fam in this new year!
What a beautiful post. I have dealt with much discontentment over the last few months, as we had to sell the only home we've ever known and rent. It's taken some time, but I am finally ready to put my roots down how, for how ever long this season is. I am going to be purposeful to find the beauty in my current surroundings.
Oh girl you are so sweet! Thank you for the shout out. I hope you slept last night;) That made me laugh out loud btw!!
I just have to say that I really love reading your Blogs!! I feel like I get to know you a little better. I hope that we all can get together again real soon! Let everyone know that I said Hello and that I send my love!
Happy New Year to you sweet Carissa!!
Just had to tell you one more time how blessed I am by your friendship.
Rachel
What a beautiful home! I am in Folly Beach often. My boyfriends sister, Catherine, lives there and we visit often. He was in school at CofC, but is in Myrtle Beach living at "home" for the time being. I'm in Orlando.
What a small world! Happy New Year!
pickingwildflowersblog.blogspot.com
I pray that 2011 brings you many blessings!! Happy New Year, Friend! Much Love, Daphne
Happy New year to you too!! I will join you in saying that I miss my home as well...it's been a challenging year in that regard, but learning SO SO much through the experience! Have a beautiful beginning to your 2011!
Wow, you are blessed to have lived in such beautiful places!
And that is an amazing giveaway!
Be sure to enter my CSN stores giveaway:
http://lovelylittlenest.blogspot.com/2011/01/csn-giveaway-happy-new-year.html
Happy New Year!! :)
Happy New Year to you and your family! Your home is just beautiful. We'll be joining you as we bloom where we are planted this wonderful new year. God bless you guys!
Awesome! I can always count on you to give me encouragement. Your house is beautiful!
Although I only live a couple of driving hours away from where I call home - not an entire country length - I can totally relate to this post! Everything you said is exactly the way I feel. I'm still working on the contentment, but I am desperately trying!
What a wonderful post.
And.... if I had the chance to move - I'd pick the exact area you are in! It's one of my favorite places in the world. We vacation there every year and I've been trying to talk my husband into moving to SC for YEARS.
oh man i love phil 1:6
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