Wednesday, January 30, 2013

let them see You in me.

this life i have been given is more than i could have ever imagined.
there have been so many wonderful things along the way.
i realize that lots of time my blog has reflected the battles. but there has been beauty.
i promise.

my heart is full most days. i have been blessed. the Lord has kept his promises. 
from the moment i was born i was set up to be a fighter, but i was also set to tell a story.
many of you know and many of you don't, but i was born very early "she won't make it through the night" are some of the first words my parents heard. so i was named that night, soley with the intention that i wouldn't die without a name.
Shelby means "little rock"
Elyse means "God's promise"
mom and dad chose wisely.
i made it through that night, and i have made it through 7,868 more.

my family means more to me than i could ever describe. my dad is a beautiful example of a father. he is smart, kind, one of the most compassionate people i have ever met, and has a heart that radiates the love of Jesus. mom is superwoman. i swear, that lady should have a cape. she is sassy and spunky like me, a true servant in every way and has always always always kept us kids first. my parents have been more brave than me at times. they have held the family together. i often forget to thank them for this. they also chose great things for us. the Lord worked in amazing ways. He led them to Kent, He led my dad to CVCA. He led and led and led. and then all of a sudden we all went through Christian school from kindergarten to 12th grade. that is what i call blessed. so many people can't wait to get out of highschool. but not me. i was transformed there. my teachers became mentors and friends. i got to do incredible things. and this all because my parents followed the Lord's lead. they are incredible. i am blessed

the sister and brother.  they are the kind of big sister and big brother that i dream of my kids being like one day. Jordyn has taught me to stand up for myself, that I am beautiful no matter what, and when life pushes you down, you have to pick yourself back up, or find people to help you up, and keep moving. Seth has taught me that I should always follow my dreams, fight for what I believe in, that I should always be myself, and that good Christian guys who treat girls like princesses do exist, so I should never settle for anything less...sissy and roo as i call them are my partners in crime. i know as a tiny curly headed munchin i annoyed them on thousands of occasions, but it was soley because i adore them. i am blessed.

my friends. wow. to name them all would take too long, and yet it may not. because true friends come few and far between, but still i believe i have been blessed abundantly. i have had a best friend since i was 2. more came in kindergarten. some when i was 10. more when i was 13. and after that new ones each year, until now. until the past few weeks in fact. they have all loved me through thick and thin. they sat at my bedside after my brain surgery, came to the rescue when my family was going through hard times, brought ben and jerry's when i was sad a boy didn't like me, laughed until we cried, stayed up all night, taken road trips, embarassed me, and stood up for me if anyone else tried to embarass me. they love the Lord, and though each has their own path on this crazy journey, our faith and relationships with Jesus have kept us knit together. some of them have been with me through every major milestone. some of them have moved away, and a few have moved out of my life. but still. blessed.

i have so many people who i love. and so many that love me so well. 
i have so much to be thankful for.   
the Lord has orchestrated my life in a beautiful way. i have been blessed. i often hope that i live my life in a way that glorifies Him. 
i realize i am only a shimmer of the glowing sparkly body of Christ, but i hope that i can do amazing things for Him and for his every growing Kingdom. i know i have a story for a reason. i know i need to tell it. 
but most importantly, i do not want to get caught up in this life, i want to keep my eyes on what this life is about, and it is to bring people to Christ. to be a "Messenger."

 i hope that i am doing this well, living my life in a way that is bringing Him joy.
this song. is what i want my life to reflect. scroll down. listen. colton is one of my favorite artists, his new album is a rockstar reflection of his love of the Lord. 


let them see You in me, let them hear You when i speak, let them feel You when i sing, let them see You, let them see You in me.

Blessed by a Heavenly Daddy,

Shelby Elyse 

p.s. still waiting on bloodwork from last week. the mail away tests take longer. please continue to pray that my white cells continue to multiply. the Lord has been faithful this week.



2 comments:

  1. Thank you for these sincere and honest words...you are beautiful...and a beautiful reflection of who Jesus is...praying for you tonight...Jesus is seen in YOU xoxo

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