Hello Bravehearted Beauties! Here’s what came of not being able to write: a video! Talk about BRAVE! Here’s a totally unscripted, unrehearsed and unedited attempt at sharing words another way.
{Email subscribers need to visit the blog to see the video.}
Whew! I can’t even watch it a second time. It took all of my bravery just to record it!
This is my Bravehearted Beauty offering this Easter. This is my yes to God, yes to my true identity, yes to my calling. It’s my no to the enemy, no to the headaches, no to fear and lies. Our yes to God is a brave and defiant act…inspired by the ultimate act of defiance: the cross and resurrection. Jesus was the ultimate Bravehearted Beauty!
Someone needs your Bravehearted Beauty offering today. What will it be? You can do it! And by all means, tell me about it. I’d love to celebrate the Bravehearted Beauty in you!
Love to you this Easter,
P.S. A huge part of being brave is admitting your struggles, fears and needs to others. It’s scary at first. But it’s so needed. Vulnerability inspires bravery. It also magnifies beauty. Not to mention, it gives people a chance to come through for you. Yes, you risk being misunderstood, mocked, rejected and all those scary things, but you also risk being known and loved. And that, Bravehearted Beauties, is our truest, deepest desire!
Suzanne -Linsey- how special it was to go to you blog and “hear” your message! I started following your blog because of your beautiful style but have truly enjoyed your inspiration and heart for God! Thank you for stepping out and encouraging me to do the same. God bless you and Happy Easter!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank YOU, Suzanne! Until someone responds, it feels like I’m just talking to myself! 🙂 Way to be brave and leave the first comment to encourage me! HAPPY EASTER to you, too!ReplyCancel
Linda -Lins, you may have missed anchoring the Today show but here you are anchoring and producing your own show. That may take even ore courage.xoxReplyCancel
Beth-Thank you, Linsey, for being brave and sharing! Thank you for saying yes. Your words (His words, through you, I believe) really spoke to me this morning. Just what I needed to hear. Blessings to you this Easter weekend!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Yes, Beth, HIS words through me. I have no idea what I’m going to say when I sit down to write, and no clue when I press record. It all just comes out, and I’m thankful if even a little of it makes sense and speaks to you. Thanks for telling me it did.ReplyCancel
Lorri -Coming out of lurking in the corner to suggest Botox injections for migraines. It’s supposed to help.
(Your video is very professional, so good job!)ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Hi Lorri! Thank you for coming out of the corner and letting me know you’re here! I’ve heard of Botox for migraines, but have also heard enough to cause me concern. It would sure take care of some forehead wrinkles though! Ha!ReplyCancel
Taylor -I have so been enjoying your blog Linsey! Thank you so much for the video! I can’t tell you how much it encourages me through all of the trials that I am going through right now. Praying for you dear!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-So glad to hear you feel encouraged in your trials. And that you know you’re not alone! And thank you for your prayers!ReplyCancel
Jane Warner -You did a great job on your video! Seemed like you’d done it before. So thankful for Debra being obedient and caring. Blessings. JaneReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you, Jane! Beginner’s luck? If I believed in luck! {Wink!} I’m thankful for Deborah, too!ReplyCancel
Amanda -I am right here. Listening. Loving it and YOU. And any Linsey show is waaaaaay better than a Today show! Brave, beautiful, refreshing, raw and heart-stoppingly precious. I’m so blessed to share the uphill road of living courageously with you. I want to chose courage w you! I want to live “uncomfortable”! I hope you got my email–screaming a big yes to you!!! Love you!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Gosh! You flatter me, Amanda! Better than the Today show?!?! Ok, I’ll receive that coming from your beautiful heart! YES to living courageously together! YES to being uncomfortable. YES to LIFE!!! xoReplyCancel
Laura -Thank you for sharing your heart and encouraging the rest of us to be brave. We’ve moved a few times in the last year and I find it hard to be myself with new people for fear of rejection…or something like that. I will work hard to be braver.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-My heart goes out to you, Laura. A few moves in one year? One move has been SO hard for me, so I can only imagine how much risk and bravery goes into a few moves. I understand the fear of rejection piece. But God is bringing healing there. Maybe I’ll write more about that someday. Until then, keep choosing brave in the little things. And celebrate them! You are braver than you think!ReplyCancel
Michelle Muntz -Nice job Linsey.
I’m looking forward to the next video.
Have a blessed Easter!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you, sweet Carole. As one who’s been around me in person, I’m honored that you found it authentic. xoReplyCancel
Dianne -I loved this video!!!! Seeing you an hearing your voice was wonderful, much better for me than reading your words. Thank you! I hope your Easter was full of blessings.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Isn’t it amazing how real a person becomes when you finally hear their voice and see their expressions? I realize up until now, my voice has had no sound…only words. Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.ReplyCancel
Stacey -Thanks for sharing! Would love to hear some more!!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you, Stacey. I think there will be more. No clue what the balance of writing and video will be, but just going to follow God’s lead and see how all this bravery goes!ReplyCancel
As You Love Yourself » Bravehearted Beauty-[…] The flowers in the photo are the ones that prompted my first ever video. Given to me by a Bravehearted Beauty who came to my doorstep with all of her brave heart wrapped […]ReplyCancel
sheri-Hey Linsey – this is so adorable – so proud of you. Your voice is just as sweet as I imagined it would be.ReplyCancel
Calling all Bravehearted Beauties! I need you. I don’t know how to say this without sounding crazy, but I’d rather risk crazy than stay in this place. Something is in the way of my writing, and it’s not the usual stuff. I’ve got the time, the desire, a peaceful place to write, and a strong sense of calling, but….
I can’t even finish the sentence. It’s that bad. Hours in, and this is all I have to show for it. Missing words, scrambled sentences, incoherent thoughts, and a fully abandoned Easter post that I really wanted to write. That’s the thing: I really want to write. I love to write. I feel called to write. I feel no pressure, no deadlines, no schedule. Just a desire and calling that feels blocked.
I’ve walked away, I’ve given myself grace, I’ve waited a few days, I’ve prayed, I’ve come back, I’ve tried again. And again. And again. You can’t imagine how many hours I’ve sat with my laptop trying to push through this wall. And not just today, but almost everyday. No matter what I try to write, and no matter how inspired I feel going into it, the same thing happens within the first few sentences: brain fog, blurred vision and a crushing headache that gets worse with every sentence I try to string together. It’s not only painful; it’s excruciatingly frustrating! {Insert scream.}
It would be easier to give up. {And you know how many times I’ve wanted to!} But writing is one of the ways I wield my sword. It’s one of the ways I say yes to God and use the gifts He’s given me. So of course I’ve felt opposed ever since I said yes to writing more. Saying yes to your calling {and yes to anything that brings life and light} is dangerous business! But the enemy is no match for a Daughter of the King. Not when she knows who and whose she is. And not when she speaks the truth and dares to invite others into the battle.
What on earth is she talking about?!?! Well, that’s the thing. I’m not speaking of the things on this earth. Our real battle isn’t what it seems. {Read Ephesians 6 for some straight talking.} And that’s why migraine medicine won’t touch this kind of headache. So I’m calling on you, Bravehearted Beauties! I need you to wield whatever prayer swords you’ve got and pray for me.
This is how we fight for life together: we step into the battle and press in where others turn away. We choose faith over fear and say yes to the craziest things. We encourage one another in our callings and dare to believe that beauty will flow right out of brokenness. We remind each other who wins in the end…even if we can’t see straight in the moment.
I don’t know what battle you’re fighting today, but I hope you know you’re not alone. If you don’t have anyone to raise a sword of prayer over you today {or even if you do}, send me an email. I’m all in. If I can’t write my heart out this Easter, I will pray it out.
Thanks for fighting alongside me, brave and beautiful ones!
P.S. I have to confess: this may be my least favorite post ever. In all my years of writing, I don’t think I’ve ever spent such a ridiculous amount of time with so little to show for it. This isn’t at all what I hoped to write, but it’s hard fought and requires all of my brave heart to publish something I’d rather delete. If we knew how hard the brave ones had to fight to pursue their callings, we might not think so little of our own callings and struggles. And what if it’s not the size of our calling or struggle that counts, but the size of our courage?
P.P.S. A huge thanks to my family who encouraged me to stay in the fight and share what’s going on behind the scenes. May they be blessed for their incredible patience with me tonight.
Dianne -On days like this don’t write. Wait until it feels right. The end product will be so much better. We all love your blog but none of us are here to put pressure on you. Relax.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you for the constant encouragement, Dianne. Here’e the thing: I feel ZERO pressure to write, and certainly no pressure from readers or from any kind of schedule. I only write when I feel a God-inspired desire or calling. It actually feels right every time I sit down to write, including when I sat down to write this post. I feel like all the words are there, but they get all jumbled up as I try to type. And not just for days, but for weeks, going on months. Frustrating for one who feels called to write. I’ll gladly lay it down for as long as God asks but this doesn’t feel like His asking. Which is why I’m doing the crazy thing of asking for prayer over this thing. 🙂ReplyCancel
Amy Avery-My dearest Linsey,
I hear you! You have said yes to your calling and the vulnerability of your call. But rest assured, despite the lack of flow in your writing it does not reflect a lack of faith in the Father who placed those gifts within you. I recently had a terrible fall and injured my spine. In that moment of very real brokenness of my own body, God placed upon my heart the complete unmistakable knowledge of one of my favorite Bible verses, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It transformed me in a way that I have never known. Although my fall and recovery was and has been painful, I see it as a gift in knowing God more fully and allowing stillness to transform my heart to be nearer to his, I share this with you because perhaps your writer’s block is an opportunity for you too to know that verse very intimately. In this time, God may truly be saying, “Be still, and know that I am God.” and trust that I am fighting your battles for you so that I may draw you nearer to my heart. God’s peace and love dear one!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you for a fresh perspective, Amy. It wasn’t feeling like God who was blocking, but I’ll gladly look for His purpose and goodness in all of it. I trust Him to use ALL things for good. Even a fall. Though I’m so sorry to hear it. And so sorry for all the pain. I admire you for resting in God, for being still in your spirit.ReplyCancel
Dana-Lifting you up in Alabama! Draw near to him…”seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Your words are true and beautiful because you let Him speak through you. Have a blessed Easter weekend!ReplyCancel
paige-friend. i am & will be praying for you.i do NOT take that request lightly nor do i take the promise lightly. i will intercede for you. you know i SO respect and love your transparent heart. its’ not fun to vulnerable with painful tender things…but YOU are a living testimony to the healing power of jesus. & your need for him shows that you boast NOT in yourself. but in HIS power in you.
friend.
i’m praying for you!!! you are loved dearly xoReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-I know you mean what you say and TAHNK YOU! I have felt a shift in my spirit today thanks to the prayers. And then did this CRAZY thing. A video! I know you’ve done it before, but it felt totally crazy for a writer to record herself! I’ve never even taken a selfie, muchness a video! Love you girl!ReplyCancel
I found your site a couple of weeks ago and aimed to contact you about possibly sharing some of your writing in our magazine. Our upcoming theme is about exploring the good life and I know you are from Houston, so I think we might be a good fit. Take a look at our last issue at http://www.santafegoodnews.com/issues/150301.pdf and see what you think. The theme explanation is on page 22 and I will put you on the prayer list.
And take to heart this compliment, you are a good writer I just didn’t follow up when I found you.
Lynn Trahan, EditorReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Hi Lynn. Thanks for the compliment. I’m not clear on what the topic is from the link. I’m not awesome at deadlines these days, but would be open to hearing more about your theme and will pray about participating. Thanks so much!ReplyCancel
Gigi-Praying for you, sweet Linsey! The battle is real! Sending you love!!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Thank you for saying just that. For acknowledging it’s real. It’s scary to talk about unseen things sometimes. xoReplyCancel
Amy E -I will be praying for you Linsey! I’m struggling to find my purpose, my true calling, right now, so I know the feeling. My thought on your post is this: THIS was the post that God wanted you to write. As much as you want to write an Easter post, THIS is the one that has touched my heart (and perhaps others as well), and made me feel not quite so alone in my own searching. To know that even the strongest callings have moments of doubt, moments of struggle. You are always such an inspiration to me Linsey, even in what you feel are your darkest moments. Thank you for having the courage to show your weakness, and allowing God to use you to lift others up. Have a BLESSED Easter, and know that you will be in my prayers.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Amy, feels so good we aren’t alone in struggling to find our purpose, doesn’t it? There’s a post I long to write on our purpose. Someday! I believe it’s born out of the places we wouldn’t choose for ourselves. Particularly pain and struggle. Bless you as you bravely wait for your calling to emerge. And thank you for your words that THIS is the post I was meant to write. Truth!ReplyCancel
emi -Will definitely be praying for you Linsey! Thank you for asking. That definitely shows courage. Love to you!ReplyCancel
Amy -Sweet friend, you are writing. You are sharing your heart. You are sharing your faith. You are ministering through each and every word you are writing even in this post that you wanted to delete. You are being transparent. You are being vulnerable. You are being genuine. We can relate to you. Don’t think that posts like these are any less important than the others you so desperately want to share. He is using you even when you do not realize it. If all you can write are the words, “He loves you”, then do it. Be encouraged, my sweet Linsey, He is using you in a mighty way!! Believe that!!ReplyCancel
Jennifer Camp-You, my dear sister, are brave and true. I love how you press in, unwilling to step down from pursuing the beauty that you get to experience with Him. I stand with you!ReplyCancel
Amanda -Girl – my sword is held high for you. I am covering you in prayer. I know the battle Israel – and the victory is already yours. Claim it, sweet girl. And know that I’m praying. Love in Him–AReplyCancel
Suzanne -I am a lurker……this is the first time I have felt compelled to comment. You need to know the comfort and inspiration your writing provides. The authenticity with which you reveal your own struggles is respected immensely and appreciated. Keep your pen on the paper. 🙂
Thank you.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Welcome, Suzanne! So proud of you for coming out of the shadows and telling me you are here. Way to be BRAVE! And thank you SO MUCH for your encouragement. Very, very grateful you are here.ReplyCancel
teresa -Linsey~
Todays’ post revealed that part of me that I keep pushing down, closing up and nailing shut! The yoga pants, the yoga (or exercise class), the gym, the whole nine MILES! 🙂
Sometimes when I am with those friends I love, I am so reminded that I don’t love them because they are perfect, and beautiful (some of them are, and some of them aren’t), or because they have huge talents, or they are some kind of star. I love them because they are THEM. Just as God made them.
I can so identify with be hard on myself, and afraid to do some things. When you write, I just sometimes think you just picked my brain! I will be praying for you-and I have already! I love your bravery to be honest with us, and to move from your comfort zone, start a new, buy a farm, and get dirty with those darling farm animals. YOU ARE TRUELY BRAVE.
Heavenly Father, rain on Linsey. Just rain. Your kind of rain-anointed rain that will fill her spirit with You. A rain that will give her strength to do as You called her to do. To go where You called her to go. To believe in herself, but most of all, believe in You and believe You path is best.
Give her the words to write from her heart, via Your heart. Lead those who need to hear her words- to her blog, her farm, and in her path that she might be an light to them. Be with her family as they look for Your ways and seek You with all their might.
All this in Jesus name, our precious Savior.ReplyCancel
Catie -I just found your blog today and this is the first post I read. It’s beautiful. Your reaching out, calling for your warrior sisters to rise up and fight alongside you is amazingly vulnerable and stunning. You have my prayers and my heart, dear sister! Truly you are God’s Bravehearted Beauty.ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Oh, Catie, thank you! And WELCOME! I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you for your heart and your prayers. I cherish them. It feels like God has a way of leading people to what He wants them to hear at just the right time!ReplyCancel
Hello Bravehearted Beauties! I’ve missed you! Would you believe that even when I’m not here writing, I think of you? Truth be told, I’d like to be writing more. It’s part of my calling, my healing and my gifting. But when you step into those places with any kind of passion or purpose, you can expect opposition. I swung my sword at winter the best I knew how, but at some point, we’re all in need of a new season. Sunshine and daffodils to the rescue!
Have you ever seen such a brave flower? These yellow beauties have burst forth out of barren ground, boldly proclaiming to all the earth that it’s time for a new season. I feel like I can almost hear all these little yellow trumpets singing…inviting a weary winter world back into full and abundant life.
Daffodils spoke so powerfully to me last year that I knew I needed some of my own this season. I put a reminder on my calendar so that I wouldn’t miss the window for bulb planting, bought hundreds of bulbs, and waited for my in-laws to visit so they could help. It’s a good thing they like to work hard, because little did I know, our pasture isn’t meant for digging! A few inches down and you hit solid rock. We broke a few hand shovels along the way, and needless to say, we didn’t plant hundreds. I gave up around 50.
But do you want to know something amazing?!?! In every place where we planted those bulbs, I now see bright yellow blooms standing tall and turning their faces toward the sun. That rocky, hard earth didn’t look promising. In fact, each hole we dug looked more like a tomb than life-giving soil. But those daffodils? They found a way. They always do. They’re not afraid of the dark for they know their glory will come. Not even winter storms and week-long sheets of ice could keep their glory hidden. {I’ve been told the ones on our historic road are over 100 years old. Can you imagine thriving in rocky places for over 100 years? Talk about fighting for life!}
Behold the daffodil! Listen to the bold truth it declares through its golden trumpet: beauty will rise out of brokenness. Life will spring forth out of barren places. Light will shine out of the darkness. And when it does, it will take your breath away. No need to resent or hide your dark and broken places, for this is where true beauty is forged. Can you trust God to bring beauty out of your brokenness?
As I marvel at how these flowers must be placed down low into lonely pockets of earth, live in the dark for most of the year, persevere through all the cold and dreary months, then push through barren places to finally rise and shine, I hear God whisper, you are my daffodil.
Can you see yourself in this brave little beauty? Maybe it’s not the flower you would’ve chosen. Believe me, I wouldn’t have picked it…just as I wouldn’t have called myself these crazy names. {Only God can call you Bravehearted Beauty and Freedom Fighter smack-dab in the midst of depression. Talk about hard and rocky places!} But God sees things in us we can’t see in ourselves. He sees who we really are even at our darkest, and it’s His delight to reveal what He sees. And sometimes, He just might use a daffodil! Without a word, creation pours forth speech. {Psalm 19}
I see your courage. I see your bravery. I see your resilience. I see your fight for life. I see all the beauty in you long before that first little shoot breaks through the ground. And yes, I see how you feel small, shriveled and lifeless when the earth is brown and the skies are gray. I see how you hide beneath the covers, behind a computer screen, or beneath a crushing sense that you aren’t enough. And I love you there. I love you every bit as much in the dark as I do in the light. I see how the darkness feels like it’s closing in…how the weight of winter feels too heavy for you to bear another day. But I see what you cannot see…the beauty just beneath all of this brokenness that will burst forth and proclaim my glory to all the earth! You are my glorious one. You are the one who will rise up and turn her face toward the sun.
Gracia @ Gracious Offering-Linsey, What wonderful words of encouragement this morning, as I sit here in the dark. I happen to love daffodils. And one of the beautiful things about their bulbs is that they multiply on their own…so you may yet end up with hundreds of daffodils in bloom!
Yes, the words God whispers in the darkness are precious and life giving. Especially love, “But I see what you cannot see…the beauty just beneath all of this brokenness that will burst forth and proclaim my glory to all the earth!You are my glorious one. You are the one who will rise up and turn her face toward the sun.” Thank you, dear one. In His Keeping, GraciaReplyCancel
Cecile -So beautiful and so true. I need to visit soon! I love you, dear friend.❤️❤️❤️ReplyCancel
Sandy -Beautiful post Linsey! And I just bought two large bunches of daffodils yesterday!ReplyCancel
Jennifer-We are in Washington state for spring break. The tulips here are in full bloom and amazing.ReplyCancel
Hello Bravehearted Beauties! I love thinking about how we wield our swords and fight for life, but every time I try to write about it, I’m overcome with brain fog, blurry vision and a flood of incoherent sentences. It feels like I’m writing from a swamp! I tried to push through it for hours yesterday {more out of stubbornness than calling}, only to end up deleting every word. I felt attacked, defeated and unable to wield my sword, so I asked some of you to fight for me. {Thank you, Facebook Bravehearted Beauties!}
I wish I could say the night got better from there, but sometimes you just have to wait for new mercies to come in the morning. {Lamentations 3:23} Sometimes a good lament is exactly what you need. Few things soften a spirit to receive more of God’s life and love like a wrung out heart!
As I woke up this morning, wondering if I could try again to wield my sword through writing, I was reminded that the only sword we really need in this fight for life is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. {Galatians 6:10-17}
And the sword of the Spirit has a thing or two to say about fighting. This is one of my favorites:
Great news for the weary: it’s not up to us to fight for ourselves. And our sword isn’t something we have to work hard to discover and sharpen; it’s freely given, always available and sharp as they come. {Hebrews 4:12} Yes, the enemy will continue to launch his usual assaults against us, but his lies don’t stand a chance against the sword of the Spirit and the God of Angel Armies!
Wield your swords, Bravehearted Beauties! And rest in the One who fights for you!
Gracia @ Gracious Offering-Linsey, Your words reminded me of the words of encouragement from Christine Cain, from her talk at the IF:Gathering. She said “You need to trust God, more than your marketing plan. He can take you further than you can take yourself.” This seems to tie in with the verse you shared from Exodus 14…the Lord will fight for you. Love that! He gives us the strength to battle on and win the good fight of faith. Keep wielding your sword!ReplyCancel
Mary Ellen -Thank u for the scripture quote. It’s just what I needed today. Who makes the French toille fabric on the chair on your webReplyCancel
A Few Lessons Learned In Pain » Bravehearted Beauty-[…] rest, it comes with a promise that He will fight your battles for you. Remember the words I shared here a few weeks ago? The Lord will fight for us; all we have to do is be still. All we have to do is […]ReplyCancel
Lessons Learned In Pain » Bravehearted Beauty-[…] rest, it comes with a promise that He will fight your battles for you. Remember the words I shared here a few weeks ago? The Lord will fight for us; all we have to do is be still. All we have to do is […]ReplyCancel
And while I can usually find beauty in anything, all I could see in that moment was dreary upon dreary. It looks more like a black and white photograph than full color. And while black and white is striking, it’s not what I wanted to see that day. So I went to the back porch where I knew I’d at least find a pop of red on the barn.
Not even sheep in the show shots could lure me off the porch that day. Oh, I knew there was beauty out there, but I didn’t want to be the one to hunt for it. Not this time. Already been there, done that. And how many sheep in the snow photos does a girl need anyway? {Can you hear the cranky in my spirit? On my birthday, I was loving those sheep in the snow and never thought I’d tire of photographing them. Sunshine helped.}
I got droopier as the day went on. No amount of coffee, comfort food, wood burning fires, time in my PJs or reading of good books was enough to revive my spirit. Beauty hunting is always a sure-fire way for me to find life, but I didn’t want to go out into the cold this time. So I crawled under the covers, but sleep wasn’t what I really needed. {After two rounds of winter depression, I’ve learned that crawling under the covers in the middle of the day isn’t life-giving unless I’m sick or sleep deprived.} I could feel myself slipping into a gray hole right there under the comfort of my white linen sheets and knew I had to find a way to fight for life and light before the darkness consumed me.
So I got up, got dressed, called my husband and asked if he’d drive me down the historic road near our farm. He loves to drive and loves to fight for life, so he packed it up and came home like a man on a rescue mission! As we drove down the road and hunted for beauty, something in my spirit shifted. I could feel it, and my husband could see it. I started smiling and giggling…giddy over the life and light I found. Each time I lifted my camera, I felt like I was swinging my sword at winter…beholding its beauty instead of wilting under its weight.
If daffodils can fight for life in dreary winter weather, so can we! And how much more we have to fight with than these weather-dependent flowers! We have swords for our fight! Mine is a camera, but did you know you have a sword of your own? Wield your sword, Bravehearted Beauties! Fight for life! Do you need help discovering what your sword is? Or help using it to fight for life? I’d love to help. I’ll be thinking about how I can do that through writing. In the mean time, you can read more about how I wield my sword here. I’d Borrow my sword until you find your own. Give beauty hunting a try.
Fighting for life for you and with you,
P.S. Thanks to the Braveheart who rescued me..with a Jeep as his stallion!
Dianne -I have never been depressed. I have felt a little low at times but my personality is a glass half full and I thank God for that. I am so sorry you have to go through these bouts ,they sound horrible. I love that you have learned to get out and fight it. Your photography is beautiful and artful. I hope you have these pictures hanging in frames throughout your home. 🙂ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-I love that you’re a half glass full person. We half glass empty people need the half glass full people for sure! I’d feel super victorious if I could make it through an entire winter without sinking, but for today, I’m celebrating that I’m able to get out of bed and fight for life with a camera in hand. Oh, and I wish I had more printed photos. I’m terrible about doing anything with them. Someday…. 😉ReplyCancel
Roberta-Yes, there is much beauty to behold. When I feel the gloomies hanging overhead, from experience, I have learned that lifting up praise and thanksgiving will knock the darkness out. There have been times when I was having a pity party that no one else wanted to join..Lol! God is gracious and always quick to show me the condition of my heart. I am thankful for that.. We need to count our blessings each day.. Be encouraged Bravehearted Beauty!ReplyCancel
Bravehearted Beauty-Counting blessings makes a HUGE difference. Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts” was a game changer for me. I don’t always write them down, but being present enough in the moment to count all the blessings brings life for sure!ReplyCancel
Amanda -Hey Sister! I’ve been low, low, low–that dark horrible place–and the sun has been hiding her brilliance behind grey, low-hanging clouds. Insert all the questions about self-worth, value and purpose. Boooo. But that sun will shine. A new day is coming. HE IS FAITHFUL. Daffodils can do it–and so can we. Just read the end of Hosea–and he talked about blessing us with lilies {think beauty, and strong roots–up to fifty flowers per single root, a flower that doesn’t require support to stand, tall and proud}, the olive tree {oh the abundance–and the beauty–but the incredible fragrance that comes with the blooms is indescribable}–and then he finishes off with the cypress–a tree that is evergreen {ever faithful} and is virtually immovable, unkillable–with a root system that rivals the branches above the ground. A balm to my soul. Spring is coming, dear one. I love you oodles and oodles. Linsey-girl, fight it hard!! I’ll be fighting it here, too!!!ReplyCancel
Amy Kinser -With many things weighing on my heart and mind the last several months, my oldest daughter reminded me of something we heard recently… “Jesus, give me Your smile”. I have said that often lately. It works!!ReplyCancel
Listen To The Daffodil » Bravehearted Beauty-[…] when you step into those places with any kind of passion or purpose, you can expect opposition. I swung my sword at winter the best I knew how, but at some point, we’re all in need of a new season. Sunshine and […]ReplyCancel
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Suzanne - Linsey- how special it was to go to you blog and “hear” your message! I started following your blog because of your beautiful style but have truly enjoyed your inspiration and heart for God! Thank you for stepping out and encouraging me to do the same. God bless you and Happy Easter!
Bravehearted Beauty - Thank YOU, Suzanne! Until someone responds, it feels like I’m just talking to myself! 🙂 Way to be brave and leave the first comment to encourage me! HAPPY EASTER to you, too!
Linda - Lins, you may have missed anchoring the Today show but here you are anchoring and producing your own show. That may take even ore courage.xox
Bravehearted Beauty - Ha! Thanks, Mom. And yes, I think you’re right: this may take even more courage!
Beth - Thank you, Linsey, for being brave and sharing! Thank you for saying yes. Your words (His words, through you, I believe) really spoke to me this morning. Just what I needed to hear. Blessings to you this Easter weekend!
Bravehearted Beauty - Yes, Beth, HIS words through me. I have no idea what I’m going to say when I sit down to write, and no clue when I press record. It all just comes out, and I’m thankful if even a little of it makes sense and speaks to you. Thanks for telling me it did.
Lorri - Coming out of lurking in the corner to suggest Botox injections for migraines. It’s supposed to help.
(Your video is very professional, so good job!)
Bravehearted Beauty - Hi Lorri! Thank you for coming out of the corner and letting me know you’re here! I’ve heard of Botox for migraines, but have also heard enough to cause me concern. It would sure take care of some forehead wrinkles though! Ha!
Taylor - I have so been enjoying your blog Linsey! Thank you so much for the video! I can’t tell you how much it encourages me through all of the trials that I am going through right now. Praying for you dear!
Bravehearted Beauty - So glad to hear you feel encouraged in your trials. And that you know you’re not alone! And thank you for your prayers!
AUDREY - FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART…THANK YOU!
Audrey
Bravehearted Beauty - You are SO welcome! Thank YOU for watching!
Jane Warner - You did a great job on your video! Seemed like you’d done it before. So thankful for Debra being obedient and caring. Blessings. Jane
Bravehearted Beauty - Thank you, Jane! Beginner’s luck? If I believed in luck! {Wink!} I’m thankful for Deborah, too!
Amanda - I am right here. Listening. Loving it and YOU. And any Linsey show is waaaaaay better than a Today show! Brave, beautiful, refreshing, raw and heart-stoppingly precious. I’m so blessed to share the uphill road of living courageously with you. I want to chose courage w you! I want to live “uncomfortable”! I hope you got my email–screaming a big yes to you!!! Love you!
Bravehearted Beauty - Gosh! You flatter me, Amanda! Better than the Today show?!?! Ok, I’ll receive that coming from your beautiful heart! YES to living courageously together! YES to being uncomfortable. YES to LIFE!!! xo
Laura - Thank you for sharing your heart and encouraging the rest of us to be brave. We’ve moved a few times in the last year and I find it hard to be myself with new people for fear of rejection…or something like that. I will work hard to be braver.
Bravehearted Beauty - My heart goes out to you, Laura. A few moves in one year? One move has been SO hard for me, so I can only imagine how much risk and bravery goes into a few moves. I understand the fear of rejection piece. But God is bringing healing there. Maybe I’ll write more about that someday. Until then, keep choosing brave in the little things. And celebrate them! You are braver than you think!
Michelle Muntz - Nice job Linsey.
I’m looking forward to the next video.
Have a blessed Easter!
Bravehearted Beauty - Thank you, Michelle. I can’t believe I’ve actually shared a second video now! 🙂
Carole L. Palser - Linsey:
I loved the authenticity and beauty of your first video. It was refreshing and encouraging. You and Jesus in you inspire me! Thank you.
Carole
Bravehearted Beauty - Thank you, sweet Carole. As one who’s been around me in person, I’m honored that you found it authentic. xo
Dianne - I loved this video!!!! Seeing you an hearing your voice was wonderful, much better for me than reading your words. Thank you! I hope your Easter was full of blessings.
Bravehearted Beauty - Isn’t it amazing how real a person becomes when you finally hear their voice and see their expressions? I realize up until now, my voice has had no sound…only words. Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.
Stacey - Thanks for sharing! Would love to hear some more!!
Bravehearted Beauty - Thank you, Stacey. I think there will be more. No clue what the balance of writing and video will be, but just going to follow God’s lead and see how all this bravery goes!
As You Love Yourself » Bravehearted Beauty - […] The flowers in the photo are the ones that prompted my first ever video. Given to me by a Bravehearted Beauty who came to my doorstep with all of her brave heart wrapped […]
sheri - Hey Linsey – this is so adorable – so proud of you. Your voice is just as sweet as I imagined it would be.
Baby Steps of Bravery » Bravehearted Beauty - […] my first video? I didn’t start out feeling brave that day, but one of you taught me how important and life […]