We Have a Love/Hate Relationship

So, if you follow me on Social Media, you will know that blogging & I have a love/hate relationship.

I love the results of growth, encouraging others toward hope, & giving God the glory.

I also love getting to share my heart & talk about what I am passionate about in hopes that it sparks hope, encouragement, & inspiration in the hearts of my readers.

BUT, the logistics of editing is… well… not my best friend. I tend to drag my feet for hours after I write out my post, not wanting to do the tedious part of actually making it look good & ready to post.

My Growth = Your Reward

So, I thought I would share some tips that I have learned along the way, in hopes that it will be a source of information, encouragement, & inspiration for you.

Even if you don’t plan to blog, some of the lessons I have learned can be applied to other areas of life, so don’t run away quite yet!

Let’s get the party started!

Tip 1: Pray through the Details

Just as in life, when blogging, it’s important to pray through the details.

Yes, it’s easy to say, ‘I will just pray in general over the blog (or life) in hopes that it turns out okay’… but it’s important to pray specifics.

“Lord, help my blog (life) to glorify you today. Help give me the words You want me to say so that it points people back to You, not me.”

“Lord, help give me the topic you want me to share or talk about… help me to feel peace when editing & please help clear my mind so I can do this post justice with the edits… help me to be gracious with myself over my mistakes… help me to be encouraging to others as I write today….”

Be specific! God is listening & waiting to offer help throughout your day & life. It is crazy how many VERBS in the Bible are proceeded by “God…”

We give ourselves & others so much credit (& pressure!) because the physical actions & audible words are what we see & hear… but God is the One doing the hard lifting!

A blog post I shared a couple months ago talks about this–“Unless the Lord Builds It, I Labor in Vain”. (Check it out, here!) It’s based on the short 5-verse chapter of Psalm 127, talking about God’s role in our efforts. Remember that perspective when you start to look outward or inward for your source! Look up & pray!

Tip 2: Keep It Simple

(*Extra Tip: You can pray & ask God to help you find more ways that you are overcomplicating if you find something becoming a strain! He can give you wisdom on ways to simplify that I haven’t even discovered yet!)

A. Need a selfie for a teaser post for your upcoming LIVE video, but you struggle to have your life together early enough to be dressed & ready to go in time to post it? (This might be a personal example, haha.) Then use a selfie you took earlier in the week & then just recreate that look when it’s time to film later on! Bam! Easy button pushed!

B. Struggle finding the right lighting for photos or videos? Order a clip-on Selfie Light that clips onto your cell phone. Bam! Instant good lighting, no matter the weather or lightbulb outage situation! (Who else puts off changing light bulbs until several are out to save time? I might do this… Haha.)

C. Struggle making graphics? Download Canva or similar FREE programs & use presets… then, just modify! Choose a couple fonts & a few colors that complement each other well & just switch them around & add a new photo for a fresh look each time. Easy peasy!

Tip 3: Brand Yourself

Back when I first started learning how to set up a website, I did a whole post on the importance & benefit of branding yourself, (even if you don’t own a business or blog!). (If you want to go more in-depth into branding, check that post out, here.)

To cut it short for this post, since I went in depth on the post mentioned above, branding oneself is not just for social media influencers & entrepreneurs. Absolutely EVERYONE can benefit from it!

How? Because the foundation of branding yourself is knowing what you stand for & presenting it in a way that others can relate to & understand you.

Who doesn’t want that?

Choosing colors & fonts that represent your personality well… Choosing how you want to be presented to others & learning how to communicate that is valuable!

Tip 4: Be Consistent

People want to know they can count on you!

This doesn’t mean you can’t allow yourself a sick day, mistake, or a chance to back off when life throws you a curveball—I didn’t do any LIVE videos when I went back to Virginia to visit family, although I did maintain my blog deadlines that I set for myself.

It’s okay to take breaks & to ask for graciousness to be extended to you, but consistency in most of life is key.

If you can’t follow through on a commitment, give people a head’s up as soon as possible.

Some people may ignore you (even unintentionally) at first, but if you present yourself as a consistent presence, it starts to get noticed more frequently & is taken more seriously. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time. Just keep showing up! You never know who is listening & benefiting from your efforts, even when they keep quiet about it.

Positive feedback & accolades feel great, but shouldn’t be depended on to keep going. Pray for perspective & the will to keep pushing forward to do what God has called you to, even when compliments are nonexistent.

Even if you don’t see results, God has a plan.

Tip 5: Be Kind to Others… & Yourself

It’s easy to be passionate, but don’t let your passion keep you from compassion.

When sharing your story, keep in mind that unless God Himself spoke it, it is your perspective. God sees the whole picture; we just see what we have personally learned or experienced.

Also, we have all had personal experiences that are quite different from others around us, so realize that others are looking at your story through the lens of their past.

Learn to be gracious in your own mistakes & the mistakes of others. No one is perfect & we’re not meant to be… & that’s okay!

Learn to lean into God through your weaknesses, instead of beating yourself up. Ask Him to strengthen you in those areas & to help bring growth.

And when we’re tempted to share the weaknesses or mistakes of others, give grace & stop & pray. Ask God to help you have a right perspective & to be gracious, even if we don’t feel like it. We can’t unsay something hurtful, & the ripple effect will most likely spread beyond our ability to repair. So always pray & ask God for help you through times of difficulty with others!

Tip 6: Be Authentic. Be YOU.

Aside from reminding you to pray that 1-God gets the glory & 2-that He guide you along the process… this is my #1 tip!

It’s easy to push the narrative you think people will want to hear from you or to post or share stuff you think people will like, but don’t lose yourself along the way.

God made you specifically you for a reason-silly quirks & all. Don’t try to be someone else FOR someone else.

Ask God to show you who He created you to be & ask His help to stay true to His design & plan for your life. His opinion is the one that matters most, because He knows where you were meant to fit & who you were meant to influence.

In trying to reach everyone, we lose most everyone because no one is quite sure who we actually are & we don’t seem to know either. This goes back to branding yourself & knowing who YOU is.

So, don’t worry about trying to impress people. Just share your story & ask God to help give you the words & ask Him to help you give Him the glory—That’s what truly counts!

The Quick Recap

I hope that even if you don’t blog, or if you are considering blogging, these tips are a big help to you! We all have a learning curve when trying something new, so it’s always great when we can pick up tips that we don’t have to struggle through learning ourselves, am I right?

As a recap: Pray through the details, Keep it simple, Brand yourself, Be consistent, Be kind to others & yourself, & Be authentic, be YOU!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week lovely, & always aim to shine HOPE, through leaning into God for wisdom, courage, peace, perspective, & strength! He’s got you!

Coming Next Week

I hope you enjoyed this month’s Special Feature post, shared every last Thursday of the month!

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more regularly scheduled encouragement, & to follow along on my journey through the major pivotal moments that helped shape my faith & helped me trust God more & more.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Grace Earrings

These earrings feature gold plated metal around local capiz shell.

Artisan Information:

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security,& unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchases, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs! This allows these women to realize their potential and pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Ducking underneath the low hanging vines, she stepped through the dark woods. Her senses were alert, taking in the sounds around her. Above her, the deep green leaves rustled in the wind. Around her were the sounds of the forest, the bustling of the scurrying critters, aware & nervous of her presence.

And behind her, she heard a branch crunched underfoot.

It wouldn’t be long now before she was caught, but she was determined to venture further into the mysterious darkness surrounding her.

Sunlight snuck through between branches, dancing on the dark stumps, soft moss, & green grass of the forest floor around her. The darkness seemed to dodge each sunbeam, but the light persisted, shining brightly through the shadows.

Another branch crunched behind her.

She edged forward, taking in the smells of the woods. The fresh air was intoxicating as she breathed deeply, relishing in the fresh scent of nature.

She reached out her arms as she strolled, allowing her fingertips to brush gently against the leaves & floral plants along her self-made path.

She could feel the soft earth beneath the thin soles of her sandals.

Everything seemed right to her, & yet, something was not quite right.

Something was off about this place. As much as she tried to embrace this dark forest of a home, she felt that she never belonged here–that she was never meant to be here.

Something always lurked in the shadows.

She was getting closer now, she could feel it. The air seemed fresher & the beauty surrounding her seemed to grow richer the closer she came.

Very soon now, she would arrive at her determined destination. She would finally be free of the darkness that followed her every step.

Another crunch behind her.

“You can’t run forever,” a deep voice spoke up from the dark.

“I can’t stay here forever either,” she whispered in return, unsure of whether she was even heard.

Undeterred, she continued to step forward, bold in her determination to finally break into the light.

She had grown so accustomed to the dark woods. As foreboding & dim as it was, it was all she ever knew.

Every rock & stump & creek & shadow were all familiar to her. It was her home.

But she also knew that it was a lie. It was something she settled for, not wanting to risk believing the tales of the bright place beyond her dark home.

Why give up everything she has ever known for a tale of something that could be merely a myth? Because somehow this “myth” seemed to beckon to her, calling her by name, lovingly inviting her to see for herself.

She couldn’t see it, but she could feel it. It was more real than anything she had ever physically seen or felt in her dark woods.

But her doubts kept her back for so long, asking her why she would risk trusting in something that she could not see for herself?

Despite her trepidation, she had realized that her thirst for something more than this dark forest beckoned her beyond her ability to deter or ignore it.

She wanted to believe there was more. She wanted to believe that there was something greater than this darkness she had come to accept.

 “It’s not worth it. You won’t be free anymore. Come back with me.” The deep voice stirred up doubts in her heart. She hesitated, halted in the midst of the forest life around her.

“I can’t,” she determined. “I can’t be content to stay trapped here. Something is missing & I want to know what it is. I want more.”

“You will regret it. There are rules. Here, you are free. Come back with me….” As she glanced back, a hand reached from the shadows & eyes gleamed in the darkness.

Something menacing crept through the calm look in those gleaming eyes.

“I… I won’t. Those rules others spoke of… they seem to be right somehow. And I am not free here. It is darkness. It is suffocating. Something is missing. I must know what it is.” She stammered, but as she spoke, courage seemed to bubble up within her, emboldening her to keep forward.

“I have to know the truth,” she determined, turning away from the voice.

A mingling of fear mixed with her newfound courage. Those gleaming eyes she had once accepted now left her feeling unsettled. Something about them sent chills up her spine. She wanted to get away from them.

Stepping more quickly, she decided that nothing would hold her back anymore. She wanted to see the light shine freely. She wanted to feel safe & secure. She wanted freedom from the darkness that encapsulated her life.

She didn’t know if she was somehow too late. She didn’t know if she would be counted worthy to leave the darkness & enter into the light, but she had to at least try.

This place she had come to love & accept seemed but a shadow of what called to her heart. She had to know & see it for herself.

The calm, deep voice seemed to morph in the shadows, an underlying threat seeming to cut into the words, “Come back now. You won’t like it there. It’s better here. Don’t hope for more. What more could you want than doing whatever it is you wish? This is the place you need to be. Stay here!”

Chills danced nervously on her skin as she pushed forward. She no longer had the nerve to look behind her. The voice had always seemed to placate her into never seeking out something better. But now, it seemed to threaten her, demanding that she not break free.

She broke into a run & then she stopped in her tracks when she saw it… Light breaking through the trees & a gentle looking man, made all of light, with arms outstretched & a wide, warm smile welcoming her approach.

All at once, something inside of her changed. She felt securely loved & cherished & protected & cared for & brave & strong & free & FORGIVEN.

Looking into His eyes broke chains that had been clinging to her-chains she had denied were even there. Fear & regret & shame seemed to melt into the ground beneath her with every step closer.

She no longer doubted.

The voice behind her sounded desperate now. “No! Stay here! It’s better here! You can do whatever you want! There are no rules! Don’t go there! I WANT CONTROL OF YOU!”

She broke into a sprint, straight toward this man she had never met & yet felt like someone she had known all her life.

He saw through her, every crack & every mistake. She could feel it. He KNEW her, even her worst!

And yet… warmth. Love… Grace.

As she reached Him, she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her dirtied cheeks, too overwhelmed by emotion to meet His eyes.

She was too unworthy. She wasn’t enough. She didn’t deserve this kindness.

And yet…

“My darling one, do not be afraid. You have been forgiven. My grace has covered you. You are free now.” His voice was sincere, gentle & kind. “Come to me, my daughter. I love you as you are. Welcome home.”

Her face tilted upwards, hesitant & humbled. Her eyes were red & & her cheeks tear-stained.

But something wonderful donned on her in that moment when her eyes met His.

She felt light. She felt… free.

She slowly, carefully rose to her feet, not taking her eyes from the gentle eyes that stared back.

Questions danced in her eyes, wondering if this could all be real… If she could really feel this secure & loved & forgiven & FREE… If she could really be accepted by Someone as kind & gracious & wonderful as He.

With knowing eyes, He nodded in affirmation, understanding her hesitation, & a genuine smile spread across His face, His arms still open wide.

“Welcome home, darling one,” He said as He spread His arms even wider, beckoning her into His welcoming embrace.

This time, she didn’t even pause before closing the distance into the best hug she had ever known… one that seemed to erase in an instant every heartache she had carried throughout her entire lifetime.

She was FINALLY home & she never wanted to go back to the darkness that was once her life.

*****************

After that day, she quickly realized that life still had its complications & she still made mistakes on a regular basis. But something was different now. It was as if she was being changed from the inside out. The more she got to know the Man who welcomed her into light, the more her heart seemed to grow in wisdom, strength, & peace.

She could feel His strength working through her. His courage replaced her fears when faced with difficult circumstances as she learned to trust Him through each storm.

She now could ask Him for wisdom in any situation, no longer relying on the limitations of her own understanding.

And she knew grace as a way of life. His grace seemed to flow through EVERYTHING.

She no longer lived each day trying to survive the dark world she once called home.

He lit her path. He guided her steps. He cared for her & loved her & cherished her soul.

His grace flowed through it all, allowing her freedom she had never known before.

And never came a day where she regretted leaving the darkness of the forest she had once called home because now she knew the stories were true.

The Bright Place was not actually a destination to arrive at, but a Someone to love her unconditionally… A Someone who gave of His own life to cover her wrongs… A Someone who conquered death & sits on the right hand of God’s throne. A Someone more wonderful & powerful & gracious than any she had ever known.

A Someone named Jesus.

And now, instead of living in the darkness… She lived in GRACE.

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Holly Necklace

Co-Founder of Trades of Hope, Holly’s, passion is to empower women to be all God created them to be & to live out their potential. Whether she is visiting the brothels of Asia or in hometown USA, her desire is to see women live out their calling with pride & dignity. This piece is a reflection of the pride & skills a woman rescued from the brothels has when given the opportunity. A delicate piece, this golden/pink druzy necklace sparkles in the light.

Artisan Information:

In Asia, poverty leads many women to be sexually exploited in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have so few options. But through your purchase, women are being rescued from these brothels & rehabilitated. Holistic care is given to these women, including a shelter, job training, healthcare, counseling, & educational grants for themselves & their children. You can help these women experience restoration for their future!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Asia!

(*Also Pictured: Lagoon Studs, empowering women out of poverty in India!)

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

The King Who Deserves My All

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like, if I let Someone else have the reins.

If I stop tirelessly trying to have all control, & let Someone else rule my life.

I know that it’s foolish to believe I know better.

I know that it’s vanity to try to do better… Than the Sovereign One who reigns.

But still I find myself fighting to win out control & come out above even Him.

It’s silly really because I know He loves me so

And that His vast wisdom & power far surpasses my own…

He is limitless, infinite, & never lacking at all.

He is Creator, Redeemer, & Almighty God.

And who am I but a flea? A creation created by He.

And yet still, though my fight wages even today, knowing full well He deserves the throne…

He died for me. He loves me. And He patiently guides me when I offer my will to His way.

I don’t deserve the kind of love that my gracious Savior gives,

And yet He lavishes so, on my broken, weary, & rebellious soul…

Letting His love be the call that calls me to drop all control.

And fall safely & securely into the arms of my God. Resting in His full control.

I don’t obey because I have to, for He gives me the choice.

I don’t follow from guilt, for His grace set me free, through Christ’s willing payment on that wretched old tree.

I don’t bow because of force, for His gentle hand guides me.

He is patient & kind & loving & perfect.

He is gentle & strong & sovereign & wise.

He gives grace undeserving for His love covers all.

I walk humbly & slowly, & sometimes broken & stumbling…

To be wrapped in His warm loving arms.

For despite my wasteful life, He has arms open wide,

A banquet & celebration waiting for me,

If only I turn & come home.

To my all-powerful, loving, Savior who willingly died for me

And calls me to lay my crown at His feet

And let Him knowingly, wisely, & perfectly guide me

Into the potential woman He made me to be

He beckons for kindness, for love, & graciousness

For patience & self-control.

And above it all, a life bowed to Him,

The King Who deserves my all.

Coming Next Week

Check back on Monday morning EST for more regularly scheduled encouragement!

I hope you enjoyed this month’s Special Feature (every last Thursday of the month), in the form of this poem.

This poem came from my heart & encourages even me at the loving heart of our Lord God. I hope this poem encouraged you to fall into His arms & to begin or continue this wonderful journey of understanding more fully His deep love for you. It’s a beautiful adventure!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Sea Glass Necklace

Artisans recreate the look and feel of sea glass by upcycling glass bottles from local hotels & restaurants that would otherwise be discarded, & tumble it with water & sand from the Red Sea until it is smooth & resembles the beautiful pieces found in nature. Sizes & colors may vary.

Artisan Information:

Many Jordanian women have their lives controlled by their closest male relative. They balance many customs at home, creating a lack of independence. Some of these women are divorced, widowed, or married to a man who may already have many wives. But amid struggles, these women we work with arrive to a family-like workplace. They can be heard singing, laughing, & seen drinking tea while creating our unique jewelry made from upcycled glass bottles. The glass is tumbled with water & sand from the Red Sea. Your purchase empowers them with boldness & financial independence for the first time!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Jordan!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely! 

April Special Feature

For this month’s Special Feature post, (offered every last Thursday of the month), I would like to share an answer to a question & a poem for reflection. I hope they point you to Jesus Christ as the source of your hope & love & peace & joy & strength & grace, offered freely through faith in Him.

Only He can fully satisfy that longing in your soul that can’t seem to be quenched. Love you, Lovely!

He Really Is

Is God’s grace really enough?
One Word: Yes.

Your Great Love (How Greatly Jesus Loves Us)

It makes no sense…
Your great love for me.

How can it be…
That a sinner like me
Can be counted worthy
Of a love like Yours?

Not of my own merit
Not of my own goodness
Not of my own efforts
Nothing can earn Your love.

You offer it freely
No strings attached
You loved me before birth
And You will love me forevermore

You found me in the darkness,
Lost, scared, & alone,
But You cleared out the fog
And Your love lit up my life.

When all hope felt lost,
When I had all but given up,
You wrapped me in Your love
And Your love filled up my soul

Each day, a new chance,
Every prayer of faith…
Every breath of praise…
To know Your great love for me.

You saw my past
You knew my sin
And yet Your grace still saved me
Through Your endless love for me

Guilt & shame I deserved
Hell called me to death
But You paid my debt
And Your love, it reconciled

And that same love,
You offer freely to all
That same great love
That You show with Your grace

A prayer away…
You wait to wash our sin away
A simple prayer of faith in You
For infinite grace wrapped up in Your great love for us

Your love for us…
It makes no sense.
But Lord, how grateful I am
For Your great love.

I will sing it from the rooftops.
I will share it with all I know.
The great love You have for me,
You have for all the world around.

Big or small, short or tall,
Every color shade imaginable…
Wealthy or poor, rebellious or kind,
You love us all just the same.

*Grace is waiting for you
Will you accept it in faith?
Jesus is waiting with grace
To show you His great love for you, too!*

-Michelle Hyde

Coming Next Week

Join me on Monday morning EST for some regularly scheduled encouragement!

Love you!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Fearless Earrings

Our artisans in Nepal took brass & oxidized it to create this beautiful black hue, forming these gold and black statement earrings.

Artisan Information:

In many areas of Nepal, women are not considered equal to men & are vulnerable to sex trafficking. But the women making this product are earning an income & learning entrepreneurship, giving them confidence to break social norms! With every purchase, these women are provided with education, seminars on health, nutrition & also on women’s rights. Your purchase will create change for generations of women to come!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Nepal!

(*Also shown: Warrior Cuff, empowering women out of poverty in India!*)

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Gazing out the dusty window, she watched as the wind danced with the strands of tall grass in the field beyond her small home. The sway & the tease of the wind swirling through & round & back again, in an elegant dance of wistful joy, made her heart feel calm.

She imagined a deep ocean, where the surface seemed to ebb & flow as one body. To her, fields of grass always resembled oceans when the wind blew through them.

The sunshine only made her view better, as it gave the appearance of glitter sprinkled on the grassy field, welling up a sense of hope & wonder & playfulness as the light spotlighted the dance between the wind & grass.

The room where she sat was dimly lit & dusty, a faint smell of mildew hung in the air around her. The tension of responsibility loomed, as the bustle of morning activities went on in the rooms beneath her. Her parents & older siblings were engrossed in the chores for the day, seemingly unaware of the wonder beyond her window.

The window was her escape. The window was her portal to a world of imagination & wonder.

From her view out of this small round window in the attic, she could see the vast dancing field in front of her, the tall line of tress beyond it, & she could only but picture in her mind the magical secret that she kept hidden from the world, hiding behind that line of tall trees, seemingly untouched & unnoticed by the rest of the world around her.

She would go to venture out there today.

She felt drawn to its mystery & curiosities.

Her life needed a sprinkle of wonder & awe today.

But first, she pulled on some clothes fit for an adventure, which to her meant a billowy pastel purple gown & a halo of spring flowers atop her curls. Shoes were optional for adventures, in her humble opinion.

So, as she stepped barefoot down the stairs & down the hall, & as her parents & older siblings hustled about in the constant fray of responsibilities & stresses for their day, she slipped out the door unnoticed & snuck out to that dancing field of grass, where she made no delay in sprinting through the soft grass that tickled her toes.

Carefree & eager to visit her mysterious discovery once more, her heart swelled as she excitedly reached the line of trees that kept her mystery hidden from those around her home.

This was it. This was her moment to step into the wonder once more.

Hesitating momentarily, she mused over the thought that every visit to this mysterious place left her wondering why no one else seemed to notice it or to even venture past this line of trees that now loomed curiously above her.

She took a deep breath to steady her excited nerves as she stepped into the shadows, where only a short walk through the dark wall of trees led her to a bright clearing.

Here, she could see it… the most beautiful place she could imagine ever seeing in her entire life.

Ahead of her spread out a vast field of simple, small flowers, as far as the eye could see. The flat earth before her was lush & green & speckled with delicate blooms.

And there, in the center of the field, afar off, was the curious wonder that always forced a moment of pause, as wonder & awe & curiosity filled her small heart.

The tree.

But not just any tree. This tree twisted & turned, its branches stretched out wide & yet curled in a fanciful twist of intertwining patterns. It looked like something out of a fairytale… or a painting… or pure imagination.

It was unreal. It was fanciful. It was amazing!

She stared in awe… her eyes sparkled as she soaked up the view & all at once felt drawn to race toward the tree, excited to visit her small, mysterious hideaway from the world.

As she drew nearer, she could only manage a slow advance, too intrigued & inspired by its wonder to rush.

Now in the center of the flowery field, she looked up & let the magic of the moment swirl around her, the breezes playing with her hair & refreshing her entirely.

Her small hands reached up. She let her small fingers graze gingerly along the rough surface of the tree bark, that somehow felt like rough velvet.

And as she glanced upward, she could see the small opening in the branches that led to her own private hideaway.

Impatient to wait a moment longer, she took hold of a low branch as she steadied her barefoot feet on the trunk, preparing to make the short climb toward the opening that glittered & sparkled from where she stood.

Ducking into the hole, it seemed even brighter inside, within the dense weave of branches.

Little drops of dew were suspended in the air, floating above her head like tiny bulbs of glowing light.

Fanciful trinkets from unknown origins were set around the inside, each in varying pastel colors of intricate design.

She crawled in further & sat cross-legged once inside, distracted once more by the wonder & amazement that flooded her heart. Whenever she visited this tree, she always felt like all of her troubles seemed to vanish.

She felt safe & full of hope & joy.

She knew, while in this tree, that things were going to get better.

She knew that this moment of wonder could overshadow any fear or dreariness that threatened her heart.
Inside this tree, full of enchanting wonder, she could relax & just enjoy the moment of peace that seemed to encapsulate her world, in its presence.

She only hoped that she could learn how to bring this same feeling of refreshment & joy & wonder to her family & to the world she encountered along the way of life.

As the scenery began to drift away, she awoke in bed as an adult… remembering fondly the dream that had graced itself upon her mind while in restful sleep.

She wiped the sleep from her eyes, smiled from the memory of that fanciful dream, & rolled over, pulling the comforter toward her chin, wishing for that wonderful dream to whisk her away once more.

Coming Next Week

Check back on Monday morning EST for some more regularly scheduled encouragement & I hope you enjoyed this month’s special feature post, shared every last Thursday of the month!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Truth Earrings

These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.

Artisan Information:

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Let’s Dive In!

For this month’s special feature post (every last Thursday of the month), I thought I would take a dive into the adventures of me & my husband, on the beautiful island of Guam.

Imagine stepping off the plane, into a beautiful land full of palm trees, tropical flowers, & lapping waves of crystal blue waters, surrounded by green everywhere.

Despite the occasional typhoons & rainy season, Guam is warm & sunny for a majority of the year. That’s my kind of life!

This was our life for three beautiful years on Guam.

Guam’s Development

Before moving to Guam, we had heard only stories of its beauty, while being told how undeveloped the island was (think huts, dirt roads, & mopeds as transportation). Lucky for us, things have developed quite a bit since “those days.”

Nice neighborhoods still neighbor abandoned lots of overgrown sections & some back roads are known for their gravel & potholes, but there has been a lot of development beyond dirt roads & huts.

One thing to watch for are some slick roads during rainy days. Since the asphalt was mixed with mashed up broken coral, the roads are sometimes slick when it’s raining—think similarly to the black ice during winter months elsewhere. So be careful!

America’s Other Tropical Paradise

Guam is considered a territory of the United States, so the common language is English & they use USD currency. Although, as a fun fact, the local people are known as Chamorro.

Guam is beautiful, with a lot to see, so let’s dive into some of the sights….

So Much To Do!

One of the many wonderful things about Guam is the fact that there is so much to do with very little cost involved.

Now, I am sure there are places where you can spend your money, like the beach-view hotels & high-end shopping, but there is so much to do that costs very little.

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

Activities on Guam vary from shopping the expensive stores in Tumon to scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters around the island. There are lots of amazing things to do, so this blog post will only touch the surface, but if you are planning a visit or move to Guam, this will give you a pretty good start.

As for shopping, besides the high-end shopping in Tumon, they have places like a giant Kmart, Macy’s, Ross, a few shopping centers & Micronesia Mall, equipped with a movie theater & food court.

Guam Deliciousness!

For food, as our favorite, Jamie & I recommend Mosa’s Burger Joint (Spinach, Mushroom, Blue Cheese Burger with sweet potato fries, & maybe the spicy spinach artichoke dip with garlic bread as an appetizer—YUMMMM!)

Another local favorite is Jamaican Grill, with a delicious selection of Jamaican/Guam fusion choices. Meat & rice & a delicious Jamaican Burger!

Restaurant variety includes IHOP, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, Chilis, TGI Fridays, & more. Gun Beach also offers a beachside restaurant that has a casual beachy feel, overlooking the ocean with open walls. It’s a great place to eat & watch the sunset.

There is also a wide array of American fast food, like: Taco Bell (my personal favorite), Burger King, McDonald’s, Panda Express, Sbarro, Papa John’s, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Subway, etc. Also, make sure you check out Yogurtland for a refreshing frozen yogurt treat.

For an unforgettable date night, we also loved our underwater eating experience at Underwater World, with tropical fish, sharks, stingrays, & sea turtles swimming above & around us!

Seeing the Sights

Walking through Tumon is gorgeous & well-lit, with anything from great souvenir shops like ABC, as well as high-end shops like Gucci & Prada. Our favorite Tumon-strolling activity, though, is Underwater World.

For a small fee, at Underwater World, you can spend a few hours walking through an underwater tunnel, exploring the tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, & stingrays, as well as several individualized tanks upstairs & dining opportunities in the tunnel itself (reservations only, I believe). Benches throughout the tunnel allow you the chance to sit & relax while watching the underwater sea life interact around you.

One of our favorite activities on Guam was a drive through the less developed south side of the island. You can jump on Route 4 & follow that road all the way around, with stops at tucked away beaches, beautiful lookouts, & a hike up Mount LamLam, if you’re up for some great views!

Some Gorgeous Views!

There are many gorgeous hikes around Guam as well & most local shops will have maps with routes & difficulty ratings, so make sure to check that out! One of the ones we tried was Tarzan Falls, but make sure it’s not too muddy when you go, because the slopes can turn into muddy slip n slides, if you know what I mean.

We also loved visiting Two Lovers Point, which tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers who chose to die together rather than being forced apart. The cost is only a few dollars & the view is amazing. If you look off to the left from the top of the lookout, you can see the silhouette of a woman’s face in the shoreline, with her hair flowing out into the ocean.

Just Keep Swimming

A must-experience activity is visiting the many places to lounge on the sunny beaches & snorkel in the clear blue waters. The fish are everywhere & it is an easy trip, as Tumon Bay has parking for beaches, waves are blocked by reef walls around most of the island, & the water goes up to your shoulders in most places. Stress-free & gorgeous! (KMart is a great place to buy all the gear you need for snorkeling at a decent price.)

But, one of my most favorite activities, aside from the southside of the island drive, is the diving! MDA on Guam offers rental equipment for about $20-25 (at least it was this cheap while we lived there!) & there are so many gorgeous places to scuba! Gun Beach, Fish Eye, & boat dives offer gorgeous underwater views. It is not uncommon to see eels, schools of brightly colored fish, & even some sea turtles occasionally! I have also seen spots with clown fish, squid, & octopus. It’s amazing!

Fish Eye is a place where you can wear the metal helmets & walk on the sea floor, while feeding fish! They also have an area to walk down indoors, to peek through the portholes & watch the fish swim by. I have never paid to do Fish Eye, but it’s fun to dive nearby & wave to those who are inside, looking through underwater portholes.

Definitely a Beauty to Behold!

Besides everything I mentioned above, the sunny skies (most of the year), warm weather, crystal clear blue waters, hibiscus, plumeria, palm trees & vast greenery make Guam a beautiful & unforgettable island to explore!

If you ever get the chance to visit, do it! Guam–“Where America’s day begins!”

Coming Next Week

Make sure to check back on Monday morning EST, for some regularly scheduled encouragement! Love you ladies!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Petal Necklace & Petal Stud Earrings

This cubic zirconia floral pendant hangs from an antique golden chain & pairs perfectly with the Petal Stud Earrings.

Artisan Information:

The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! Women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, & receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Dreaming of You

Do you ever envision a different “you” for the future? Like, when you close your eyes & picture how you wish your life looked, it’s a little different than how your life looks right now? (Or maybe a lot different!)

I am not talking about wishing you were rich, famous, & had everything you ever wanted… I am talking more along the lines of the person you wish you were: more fit, more dedicated to God, more peaceful/calm, more involved in the community, etc.

What would you wish your future self to look like?

Maybe she…:

• Is more disciplined rather than a “whenever, whatever, maybe I’ll get it done, maybe not” type mindset
• Is more “put together” rather than “thrown together”
• Is more diligent in spending time praying & reading her Bible rather than just at church
• Gets a rush from exercise rather than staying indoors on the couch
• Enjoys savoring healthier foods rather than fatty cravings that leave her regretting her life choices
• Is more involved in her community & takes more chances when it comes to showing love to those around her rather than shying away, wondering what people might think if she’s awkward or messes up
• Has more fun rather than working all the time
• Feels more calm, relaxed, & at peace rather than STRESS OVERLOAD
• Is more adventurous/spontaneous, travels more, or gets more accomplished rather than a “Someday, I will” attitude
• Is more organized rather than a hot mess

If you’re like me, you checked off a big chunk of those descriptions for the “girl you wish you were” that you see in your mind.

I feel ya.

The “One Simple Change” Challenge

Many of those items on the list above describe my dream vision of my future self & I spend a lot of time dreaming of this girl I wish I was. And I also find myself watching years go by with little change & little realization of this dream.

… Until I heard a phrase from a friend–The “One Simple Change” challenge. (Which I am calling “One Small Change” for the sake of not stealing their company motto.)

I saw my friend posting on social media each month about her new monthly “One Simple Change” & I was both intrigued & inspired!

Time Slips By

Life tends to sweep us up & carry us off to years later, where we are left wondering how so much time has passed already with seemingly little or nothing to show for it.

Do you feel that longing? Do you feel that pull to do bigger & greater things—or maybe just to feel like you have your life more “together”?

How Do We Eat An Elephant?

So how do we get there? How do we go from longing, wishing, & dreaming those big goals, to actually arriving at that dream goal of being the Woman you wish you were?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “How do you eat an elephant…? One bite at a time”? That’s how we do this. One “bite” at a time.

One, Two, Three–Let’s Go!

First, we start getting intentional about praying over our dreams, making sure they are God-honoring, & asking for His guidance & wisdom to get there.

Second, we write out our vision. (Try using the list above & add your own!)

Third, as the title of this post, “One Big Dream, One Small Change,” suggests, we take that big dream & we start small.

Work toward your future-self goal by taking one step at a time in the right direction.

One Small Change

Ever since seeing my friend taking this “One Simple Change” motto to heart, promoting on social media what her “one simple change” was for that month, I started dreaming in steps instead of dreaming of this far off, hazy, lofty, ambiguous goal of who I wished I was.

It’s amazing how small changes can add up over the years to make big changes in your life!

Think about small habits you can try adding (or subtracting) from your routine every day for one month at a time.

Try One! Just One. And Then Go From There!

Here are some “One Small Change” ideas that I have tried & some that are on my list to try. (I have even kept a majority of them as part of daily routine now & they have been amazing!) These are things that you can try doing every day for one month, as your “One Small Change”

1. Read your Bible every day
2. Write in a Prayer Journal every day
3. Write in a Gratitude Journal every day
4. Memorize a new Bible Verse every day or week
5. Write a Note of Encouragement to someone every day
6. Listen to an encouraging/inspiring podcast each day
7. Read an encouraging/inspiring book chapter each day
8. Meal prep healthy meals every week
9. Prepare fresh vegetable/fruit bags for snacks to grab & go each day
10. Drink 2 liters of water each day
11. Go for a walk outside for 30 minutes each day
12. Sign up for a craft or sports club in your town
13. Learn a new hobby
14. Volunteer once a week for a local shelter/hospital/nursing home
15. Open a separate bank account for a vacation fund & save a little each week
16. Declutter your house by going through a different room each week to purge extras
17. Donate old clothing to shelters or thrift stores
18. Do your nails each week
19. Pick a chore/task you have been putting off & get it knocked off your list
20. Take a hot bath or try some other restful activity once a day or once a week, to unwind

These are just a small sampling of ideas for you to choose from, but try to pick something small each month to help yourself grow toward your goal!

Grow Toward Your Goal

Don’t just expect to wake up one day & be changed into that vision of your future self–Grow toward it!

Before you know it, you will be looking back to see a more God-dedicated, stronger, healthier, more disciplined, more accomplished, more restful version of yourself!

I hope you will try this with me in the coming year, as we seek to grow toward our goals. We may be shaky at first, but no one is perfect from the get-go. Give yourself grace to try, fail, & improve. Just try.

Let’s no longer wait for years to pass, only to find ourselves no further than we started. Let’s push forward. Let’s take those small steps of change. Let’s improve & grow ourselves.

All the while, let us honor God with how we live our lives & how we spend our time.

What a great way to start our new year! 2019, here we come!!

Coming Next Week

Make sure to check back next Monday morning EST for your next weekly dose of encouragement! See you then!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Charisma Bracelet

This bracelet has lavender & light pink suede, threaded with faceted gold colored beads.

Artisan Information

The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! Women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, & receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

So Much to Do!

So, tomorrow is the big day–Christmas! The day that fills our hearts with wonder & glee.

There is a lot of pressure around this day, isn’t there?

I am realizing, with each passing year, that to keep traditions alive, I am actually the adult in the scenario now, haha. What a bummer, right?

My husband & I don’t have children yet, but for those of you with kids or grandkids, you have probably had this realization even stronger than I have.

It makes it a little easier to give myself a break when it’s just for me & my husband, & we can determine what to accomplish & what to skip each year.

But still, the pressure.

Can anyone relate? The shopping, the gift-wrapping, the food preparations, the dressing up & gifting for parties, the traditions, the Christmas cards (*which I have admittedly slacked off on since moving to Japan). And don’t forget decorating the tree, the house, & the yard. And maybe some Christmas nails??

The tinsel, the cards, the gifts, the music, the ornaments, the parties, the food, oh my!

There is a lot going on all at once during Christmas time.

And for those grieving a loss or spending the holidays alone, there is an extra sting that hits you during Christmas. Because Christmas is “supposed to be” jolly & bright & when it’s not, it stings that much more.

Maybe Christmas, She Thought…

But then I take a moment to reflect, as Cindy Lou Who did in The Grinch.

“Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas, but sometimes that whirlwind becomes one “Razzle Dazzle” distraction from what it’s all about—HOPE for the WORLD.

The Nativity, The Humility

Maybe, like us, you have a nativity scene in your home. Maybe it’s big, maybe it’s small. Maybe it’s brightly colored, maybe it’s muted & simple. (*My personal favorite is the Willow Tree set, gifted piece by piece from our family each year!)

But when I think over that scene, I think of one word, (besides hope)–Humility.

That Nativity scene was the scene of truest humility.

Mary humbly accepted God’s plan to carry, give birth to, & raise Jesus.

Joseph humbly accepted marrying an already pregnant woman.

The shepherds were humbly dressed & of little esteem.

The wise men humbly dropped everything to travel to meet Jesus.

The humble birth took place in a barn, surrounded by dirty animals.

Jesus was God in flesh, humbly presenting Himself as Emmanuel, God-with-Us, an eventual sacrifice for the hurting world to reunite us to Himself through His blood.

Humility.

Expensive gifts were given, but to this King of kings come as a babe,

Angels rejoiced in splendor, but to this Creator, Eternal, Majestic God come down to lowly Earth, limiting His own power to represent Love & Hope to the world.

Jesus Christ, the God of gods, came down to serve man. He came to bind up the broken-hearted, to preach Truth, to dispel confusion & lies, to heal any ailments of any passerby. He came to humble Himself to the cross for our sakes.

He had full right to rule, but He came to serve.

Humility.

Rejoicing in Him VS. the “Extra Stuff”

So, as this Christmas approaches, I am trying to keep that in the center—humility. Remembering the humility of Christ, of the Nativity scene, & remembering to humble my heart before God Almighty.

It’s the time of year that we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Yet, He came to give us the greatest gift of all–Himself & the Way to Himself through the cross.

Growing in Humility This Christmas

I am praying that God helps me to submit more pieces of my life & heart to Him, so that He can do even better & greater things through me.

I want to be used by God.

I am not naturally humble or meek, but I know that God is worth my time, energy, & thoughts.

Be a Mary

If you have heart the story of Mary & Martha, I want to live more of a “Mary life” in a “Martha world.”

n the midst of all of the hustle & bustle, I want to intentionally stop & rest in the true hope of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

“As Jesus & His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him & asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried & upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, & it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (Emphasis added.)

So, this Christmas, be like this Mary.

Her sister, Martha, was like most of us during Christmastime—“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made….”

There is nothing wrong with holiday traditions & celebrations, but remember not to let them overshadow the true celebration of Christmas—Jesus.

Rest in Him. Rest in the humility that the nativity presents. Rest in God’s greatness above the greatness of our holiday celebrations.

Give yourself a rest & rest in Him.

He is “what is better.” Always.

May your heart be full of joy. May you allow God to heal & bind up your broken heart. May your days be filled with His sweetest blessings. May you find REST this Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Beautiful One!!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Inverted Capiz Earrings

These earrings feature shimmery, creamy white capiz shells, each framed by a black edge.

Artisan Information:

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, and social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Happy Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays, Lovely! I hope that your Thanksgiving was meaningful, relaxing, & special.

As we look forward to Christmas, I thought it would be fun to share some fun holiday traditions that can leave a lasting impact on those with whom you share them.

(I really should have talked about this last month, so we could all practice some of them during Thanksgiving, but let’s tuck these away for next year, as well as enjoying some of them during the Christmas season.)

Give Yourself Grace

As most of us are probably aware, the holidays are known for their hustle & bustle. There is an overall rush to make the holidays special & memorable to those near & dear to us.

But let’s take a moment to step back, take a deep breath, & consider some (possibly new) traditions that can add an extra special touch to our holidays.

And yes, that could include going for a Rotisserie Chicken this year versus a turkey if you’re just cooking for one or two of you (I know that’s something my hubs & I do when we don’t have plans with friends).

It’s important to give ourselves a break sometimes so that the holidays are more about making special memories than looking forward to the stress being over when it’s all done, am I right?

Giving Thanks

For Thanksgiving, it can be easy to think about the “feast fit for kings” that so many of us look forward to, or even remembering the beginnings for the lives of the settlers.

But for me, the overshadowing theme for Thanksgiving is just what its name implies—giving thanks.

Not just giving thanks to our family & our friends, but also to those whose service makes our lives better: military servicemen & women, janitors, customer service support, nurses, doctors, & so many more.

Other people doing hard jobs to improve our lives day-to-day deserve our special thanks, most certainly.

But the One who deserves our thanks most of all, is our great God.

Amidst the troubles of this world, amidst our rebellion & sin, God sent Christ to pay our debt on the cross so that we could find redemption & grace. He offers us strength & peace when we ask of Him. He loves us fiercely & unconditionally. He is Lord of All, Creator of All, & our great redeemer.

So, during the Thanksgiving season, take time to show extra appreciation for your family & friends, & for those working to serve you, whether it be the cashier at the checkout, your gym instructor, your mailman, barista, or the janitor cleaning the restrooms. But most of all, remember to thank God!

Say, “Thank You,” a little more regularly (& then maybe make it a habit in every day).

Making Moments Meaningful

Here are a couple specific Thanksgiving traditions my husband & I have enjoyed with our family & friends.

When gathering for the Thanksgiving meal, we take turns reading compiled verses about Thanks-giving, taking time to recognize our God in Heaven who is the author of all good things.

Here are some verses that we have used in the past:

1. “Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;” (Psalm 95:2a)
2. “with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6b)
3. “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
5. “When you have eaten & are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:10)
6. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful & thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
7. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, & so worship God acceptably with reverence & awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
8. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; & be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
9. “Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,” (2 Corinthians 2:14)
10. “And Jesus took the loaves; & when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples,” (John 6:11)
11. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1)

You can even make this into a memorable keepsake for your friends & family to take home with them! Add thanks-themed verses to a document, include a fun border, & print a copy for each guest. Then, after passing them out & taking turns reading aloud, they can have a nice reminder of the many reasons to give thanks year-round!

(For extra fun, cut out leaves from construction paper & add one of each of the verses to each leaf (& maybe even add a little glitter, *wink).

Don’t Just Say It, Pray It

Another tradition that my hubs & I have done with friends is instead of going around & saying one thing we’re thankful for, we all hold hands & take turns praying our praise to God for what He is doing, has done, & will do in each of our lives.

(And for those who maybe don’t feel comfortable praying out loud, make sure to say that it’s okay to simply squeeze the hand of the person next to you on your turn if you would like to pass.)

It has always been such a heartfelt time of unity when we have come together to openly praise God by praying together. You really leave feeling more like family.

Can you think of another meaningful tradition that refocus our hearts on giving thanks to God & being a testimony of His love & power to those with whom we share our Thanksgiving holiday?

Remembering Christ in Christmas

For Christmas, there are so many great traditions out there that I simply could never touch on them all, but here are some ideas to try!

Someone recently pointed out to me that Luke has 24 chapters in it. My friend’s idea for a new tradition was to spend every day in December reading one chapter of Luke together as a family & finishing off by re-reading the story of Christ’s birth on Christmas morning.

What a great idea to keep our hearts & minds focused on Christ all season long by reading through Christ’s ministry on earth & His sacrifice & resurrection!

The Nativity Ornaments Search

If you have young children (or grandchildren), another fun tradition is to have tree ornaments for the different people in the Christmas story & as you tell the story, have the children search & find the different ornaments that represent each part of the story!

What a great way to make the Christmas story fun & engaging!

(If you have multiple children, you can even have several sheep ornaments as well as a shepherd, or barn animals, or multiple angels, etc. so they each have something to search for. Or, simply have them take turns being the searcher.)

Being a Light for Christ for Christmas

Many Christmas traditions can also involve serving those around us. Here are some (of many!) ways you can represent Christ by serving those around you this Christmas season (& all year round, even!)

1. Babysit for a single parent so they have time to Christmas shop (or relax!)
2. Volunteer at a shelter
3. Serve food to the homeless
4. Read the Christmas Story to individuals at a nursing home or hospital
5. Collect & distribute warm clothing & food gift cards donations for the homeless
6. Bring cookies & carols to hurting families (struggling through cancer, recent injury, or the death of a loved one during Christmastime)
7. Give money to a local charity
8. Send an extra monetary gift to a missionary
9. Sponsor a child in need with gifts or monthly sponsorship
10. Send letters to deployed military.

There are so many ways to spread the love & hope of Christ during the holidays–Get creative!

Which traditions stood out to you? Do you or your family do other traditions that point to the love & hope of Christ? Let me know about them!

I hope that this season (& all year round) brings you closer to each other & closer to Christ. God bless.

Spread love, Beautiful, & Shine HOPE this Christmas season (& all year long)!

Coming Next Week

Make sure to check back on Monday morning EST, for next week’s burst of encouragement for your week. Love you!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Gatsby Necklace

Empowering Women in India Out of Poverty!

Dazzle in this faceted silver glass beaded collar necklace. Pair it with a little black dress or jeans & heels.

Artisan Information:

In India, poverty is rampant & fair working conditions are hard to find. But with every purchase, women are receiving an income, access to healthcare, & adult literacy programs! Not only does this change their lives, but they are also pouring back into their communities & helping others! You have the opportunity to empower thousands of women in India!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

(To read or re-read Part 1 of this story before continuing on, please check it out, here.)

…

She stared wide-eyed at her computer screen long after he signed off, her jaw dropped & her face flushed with shock.

What just happened…?

***********************

The next day was dawning & the remembrance of her looming plans rushed back into her mind as she groggily awoke from a restless night of sleep.

Maybe if she didn’t tell anyone about the date, she could just go out, come back afterwards, & then just move on with her life.

She had already decided that she wasn’t going to do anything differently with this boy. She was going to be herself & nothing more. If she didn’t find him funny, she would not giggle politely to humor him. If he says anything she didn’t agree with, she would let him know flat out. No pretending. No faking. If he didn’t like her as is, then he could move on all the sooner & so could she.

The impending doom… er, date… was coming up & she was spending her day trying to put it from her mind. She was well aware of the fact that she hadn’t given him her phone number & that if he got lost & wanted to call for better directions, oh well.

She also knew how mean that sounded. It’s not that she wanted to be mean to this guy… she just really didn’t want to end up crushing his heart like she seemed to already have been so good at doing with other guys. She wanted to spare herself the drama & the pain that seemed to inevitably accompany her dating efforts.

Better to end it now, rather than draw it out, establish feelings, & then rip out both of their hearts. It was actually the merciful thing, although seemingly harsh in the moment.

As the day went on, she eventually started preparing for her date. She wanted to dress confidently, to hopefully feel the confidence she aimed to project. Her nerves seemed to be bouncing off every wall she passed throughout the day & although her face showed calm composure, she couldn’t deny the rate at which her heart was beating. First dates are awkward & she was not looking forward to this one.

Although, in the back of her mind, she had to admit a flicker of excitement & even the truth of feeling flattered.

***********************

The evening arrived in a blur of a day. Her mom had insisted upon meeting him (completely breaking the code of not meeting the parents until you were getting serious in your relationship). At least this could only act as an extra deterrent, so she should have been more willing to oblige, but embarrassment won that round instead.

Heading out the door, as he opened the passenger door for her, she stepped into the car & a magical thing happened—ease & calm swept over her heart as she slid into the seat. She felt somehow like she had been in this seat a million times before & it somehow felt natural to be sitting in it right then.

The movie was pleasant & dinner was delicious, but conversation was exceptionally surprising. They laughed (genuinely), talked about life (no fluff, just real, honest talk), & they felt like long-lost friends reunited. It was surprising & yet, familiar.

As the evening concluded, they said their goodbyes & picked up their conversation through messages online later that night.

That’s when the problem occurred.

As they chatted, he shared with her how he had been feeling God leading him to this point & nudging him to ask her out. He had resisted, recovering from his own painful romantic memories, but had felt God saying, “will you do this in My timing, or yours?” And that’s when he gave in & went for it by asking her out.

Needless to say, telling a skittish, commitment-phobe girl that “God was telling you to push forward with dating her because God wanted you to pursue her” was basically like telling her to RUN! Not the smartest move on his part, probably.

And so, in response to his bold proclamation, she went on auto-pilot & proceeded to dump her entire relationship history on him as a defense mechanism. She shared everything. Ev-er-y-thing.

While spilling her every heartache onto the unsuspecting victim of her outburst, she cried & wanted to scream at him. She was so freaked out about potentially hurting him or getting herself heartbroken yet again. She was mad at him for being so bold when she had barely agreed to this one date. She was mad that she was finally satisfied with singleness, had learned to avoid flirtations & relying on men for affirmation & now this! She was mad that he had ruined their awesome night of relaxed jollity with bold statements of pursuing her romantically.

And so, she dumped all of her heartache on his shoulders.

He didn’t run. He didn’t defend himself. He just listened patiently, feeling the hurt in her words.

Once the panic & outpouring of her past heartache began to subside, in one final effort to protect the both of them from experiencing similar fates, she asked him to make a vow to her.

The vow was this, “Do not ask me out or talk about a relationship with me for three months. Three months. Pray. Just pray. Ask God to help you get over your twitterpated feelings so that you can see God’s will above your own will. And I will pray that God help me see past my fears to understand His will. Three months & no sooner. Just pray about it.”

He agreed & they said their goodbyes for the evening.

After they signed off their message chat, she cried. She felt ashamed for dumping her past on this unsuspecting guy. She felt ashamed for not trusting God when faced with something that scared her. She felt scared for the potential damage she could cause him. She wanted to run away.

And as she cried, she prayed something quite differently than what she had just said to that young man who had stirred all of these emotions & all of this fear. She asked God to make His will clear to her above all else. She no longer wanted to date for “fun” or “attention” or “fulfillment”. She only wanted to be with someone if the relationship honored God & if it was His best for her. She wanted to rest in the security of Christ’s embrace versus relying on the embrace of a man to fulfill her.

She wanted God’s will.

And so, she prayed this, “God, I don’t know what to do. I am so scared. I can’t go through this again! I can’t risk hurting myself or hurting someone else like that again. I just can’t! You have taught me to rely on You alone for comfort & strength & love & fulfillment… I don’t know how to fit a man into that. Help me! I will refuse to have a man replace Your place in my heart, so show me Your will. If this is Your plan for my path, please make it so clear to both he & I that we are left with no doubts. Be the ruler of this relationship. If this is Your will, give him so much confidence of Your will to pursue me that he is willing to risk losing me in order to follow Your will. Give him the confidence to ask me out before January 1, three WEEKS from now. If he is willing to break his promise to me & risk losing me, all for the sake of obeying You, I will know that You have sent him to me & I will say yes. Your will be done. Amen.”

And then she slept.

***********************

In the days that followed, he kept his promise to her. He didn’t once mention the idea of a future romantic relationship. He was simply acting as her friend. They shared prayers together. They shared testimony of God working in their individual lives. They grew in their relationship with God more than with each other. There was no pressure to be good enough or to show off or to impress each other toward a relationship. It was easy & relaxed & a friendship built on the understanding that neither of us belonged to each other, but rather to Christ. There was laughter & fun & there were happy memories made as they chatted online almost every day.

She kept praying for peace in her heart & to know God’s will. She prayed several times about specific characteristics that she knew without uncertainty that God had shown her she needed in a husband.  Every time she prayed specifically about a characteristic or potential in this man, without fail, this guy randomly, out of the blue & with zero prompting from her, would tell a story about himself that displayed that exact characteristic, sometimes almost verbatim to her prayers. She was always left in wonder & awe to see God answer her questions & concerns so clearly. She could see His fingerprints in their budding friendship.

Along with their many online chats & visits at church functions, the two of them went out together on two more outings that held no romantic nuances. Just friends spending time together.

The third time they hung out in person (other than seeing each other at church events), their time for the day was coming to a close. It was December 31 and no mention of relationships had taken place since their first date. He had held true to his promise.

She shifted in her seat, secretly remembering her prayers about something happening before January 1 if it were God’s will. She began wondering if this meant that God would show her in a different way & that maybe the timing just wasn’t right yet… or if this would mean that His answer was a firm, “no”. She started praying silently, asking God for wisdom on which of these two scenarios were His answer.

Sitting in the car, parked in front of the house, she moved to begin saying her “goodbye until next time” when he, who had been sitting silently next to her for several minutes now, finally spoke up.

“Wait. I feel like I really need to tell you something. I have kept my promise. I have been praying about God’s will to overshadow my own & I haven’t mentioned relationships since that night that we last spoke about it. But three days ago, I feel like I got my answer. I have been praying since then for God to solidify His answer in my heart & to show me when I should tell you, since you made me promise to wait three months… Well, as we were about to say goodbye, I just got this overwhelming feeling that the answer was right now. I know it’s breaking the promise, but I can’t deny that push. I feel like I am supposed to tell you right now that I think God wants me to pursue a romantic relationship with you.”

…

…

…

Panic. Pure panic. Shock. Wonderment. Awe. Panic. Head spinning. Replaying words in her head. Processing the information as the car grew hot & the air grew thick & the car grew significantly smaller with every breath. Heavy breathing, trying not to pass out. Wondering at how God works in her life when she asks Him to & how faithful & amazing He is.

“Michelle…?” he asked her tentatively, fear starting to well inside him as well.

“Oh my gosh. I just… Oh my gosh… What? Did you just ask me out? Oh my gosh… It hasn’t been three months… How did you know…? Oh my gosh… I didn’t tell anyone… Oh my gosh… What just happened…?”

He sat staring at her, probably preparing himself for her to exit his car & never look back.

Seeing his worry, she realized that she hadn’t told him why she was freaking out. She began to tell him her prayers & the change she had made to want him to risk losing her to follow God first. She told him what happened.

Realization dawned on his face, relief & joy replaced his worry. Now he was sitting in his seat, letting the truth of God’s amazing work sink in.

The two of them sat quietly, amazed. Who knew that God would show up so clearly when they asked for His guidance? Who knew how much God cared about their budding relationship? Their eyes had been opened & now they could see more of the Truth… God really cared about them. He cared about guiding them when they ask Him to… He cared for their hearts.

God cared so much more than they had known before that night, & now they could sit & smile & realize just how big & how great & how loving God really was.

He was worth following. He was worth trusting.

He is worth our everything.

***********************

To be Continued…

Part 2 Thoughts

If you hadn’t guessed already from having “her” name revealed as “Michelle”, this is a true story based on my personal love story with my now husband.

I share this story every chance I get because I want girls & women to understand how very much God cares about our hearts & how much He is willing to interact with & guide us along on the journey.

So often, we try to “help Him along” by flirting & trying to be such good girlfriends, putting all of the relationship pressure on our own shoulders, but God is willing to lift that from us & replace it with the peace of knowing that He will be enough to fill our hearts & if we are to marry, He will guide us every step of the way if we allow Him to.

So trust Him, Lovely. If you are seeking love, seek it in God’s loving arms. Not sure how that works or how that could possibly satisfy you more than a man, ask God to show you. He won’t disappoint.

Don’t trust your deceitful heart. Trust God’s steadfast love, wisdom, care, & guidance.

He really is enough & He is waiting to show you how much He really does love you, with or without a man in your life.

Coming Up

The love story doesn’t end there… Check back for next month’s Special Feature blog post (every last Thursday of the month) for “A Love Story-Part 3″!

Also, check back every Monday morning for my latest blog post, encouraging women to shine hope into this dark world by laying out my weaknesses & allowing God’s glory to shine through them. See you then!

A Note from Michelle:

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Weekly Special Spotlight:

Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Avalon Earrings

Empowering Women Out of Poverty in India & Thailand!

Made with brass & then silver-plated, these statement earrings are a nod to our Indian artisans’ culture.

Artisan Information:

The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! Women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, and receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India!

(*Also shown: Pearls of Hope Bracelet from Thailand.)

Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE, Lovely!