Watchmen

Have you ever sung that upbeat worship song that goes, "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord." I remember standing in church one time not singing along to it, just standing there stiff as a board while everyone around me was worshipping and I was just clenching my teeth.

Sometimes, I'm just not very good at waiting on God. Like being stuck in rush hour traffic, it just seems so...unproductive. I like to get things done. I like checking things off my to-do lists. I don't like the feeling of being stagnant or passive. In this ready-made, insta-everything, 30 minutes or less world, who wants to wait for anything?!

But I was thinking today about Psalm 130: 5-6...

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Watchmen wait with anticipation. Theirs isn't a passive waiting...it is active and expectant and hopeful. No matter how many hours of darkness, they know from experience that the morning will always come. As they wait for the sun to burst onto the horizon to signal the end of their watch, so are we to wait for God.

I'm reading a book that's all about practicing solitude and being silent in God's presence, called Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton, and it's really challenging me. I've realized how impatient I can be. Part of it is because I don't like waiting. I want results. I want resolution. I want answers. I want progress. And I want it asap. I want it now. I want it immediately....

But realizing that waiting on God is an active, engaging activity is a concept I'm constantly being taken back to. Like a watchman, I want my eyes to be practiced at recognizing that first ray of light in the morning sky. I want my whole being to strain to catch that first glimpse of God. I want to position my heart in a way that is ready to encounter him, that is longing and alert and aware of him.

I wait for the LORD, my whole soul yearns and waits...more than watchmen wait for the morning...more than watchmen wait for the morning.

30 For 30 Remix, Day 24: Red Lipstick

Flats and top: GAP, cardigan: Forever 21, bag: LV, jeggings: Old Navy, pearls and shades: The Limited, earrings: Nordstrom, red cream lip stain: Sephora brand.

Red lipstick is terrifying. How did no one prepare me for this? I have only worn lip color this bold in the safety of my own home. But in front of people? Yikes. Existing in a perpetual state of fear during pleasant exchanges with people that require smiling or, like, talking, is no way to live. I'm afraid that the red stain has smeared all over my teeth, creating the effect that I have just eaten roadkill. Not. Cute.

However, it photographs well, doesn't it? And for the purposes of my blog, that's what really matters. My friend said I looked "very Chanel" today, so I'll just cross that off my list of life goals. Still, I am not totally on board with red lips. What about you?

30 For 30 Remix, Day 23: Plaid to the Bone

Shoes: Sperrys, denim: Anthropologie, shirt: J. Crew, jacket and scarf: Forever 21, necklace and bracelet: Tiffany & Co., ring: from Ireland, shades: Ray-Ban.So...plaid on plaid...I like it. A lot. What do you think? Too Christmasy? Too plaid-y? The remix is almost over and I'm trying to get a little creative. I found this photo on pinterest and was inspired.

7 days left!!!

30 For 30 Remix, Day 22: Too Much?

Flats: Nine West, jeggings and sweater: Old Navy, shirt: J. Crew, bag: Coach, tie belt worn as bow: from a pair of shorts from Target.The bow got major mixed reviews today...to my face. Which is fine. I can deal. I'm just still not sure how I feel about this look.

Here's my problem--I love dated things. Things like....neckties. Top hats. Ascots. I've seen this bow tie look all over the internet, but not in Real Life. (Check it.) And I know that things we see on the internet should not always be used as cues to make decisions. I think maybe with the curly hair, the look is a little too...precious? Maybe with a white shirt and leather jacket to toughen things up, it might work?

Consider this a fashion miss for now, but I'm not giving up on this bow tie look. I'm going to make it work, guys...just wait and see.

30 For 30 Remix, Day 21: Love Pink

Heels and purse: Coach, denim: J Brand, tunic: Splendid (via Anthropologie), blazer: Nordstrom, necklace: Forever 21, bracelet: Tiffany & Co., shades: Ray-Ban. This has been a rough week. I have sprayed perfume in both eyes. I have smashed my middle finger in a drawer. On Monday, I woke up and thought it was Sunday.These are all terrible things, but they all happened in a week's time, which compounds their terribleness.

But today, there were no self-inflicting injuries or weekdays faking me out as snuggly weekend mornings. I was able to pull myself together. So here I am, heels and all.

Victory is mine.

30 For 30 Remix, Day 20: Me-ow

Boots: Target, jeggings: Old Navy, shirt: J. Crew, cardigan: Forever 21, pocketwatch necklace: Love Nail Tree. Oversized leopard-print...cute, right? Not subtle. But cute. B the W, did you know there's a difference between cheetah-print and leopard-print? Google it.

Wish you could see the necklace better. I found it at a craft show from a company called LOVE NAIL TREE. The name of their company and their philanthropic efforts really make me think they are Christian, but I don't think they make that very clear on their website. (It's here, if you want to help me clear things up.) Either way, they make extremely cool little pendants and such. Find them here...I love the telescope and compass.

Only 10 more outfits to remix...time flies, doesn't it?!

30 For 30 Remix, Day 19: Favorite

Flats: GAP, tights: Target, skirt: J. Crew, shirt and pearl bracelet: Forever 21, bag: Jason Wu for Target, ring: from Ireland, shades: Ray-Ban, necklace: The Limited, silver bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

I took a risk today, guys. This is an atypical look for me. I know a skirt and patterned tights are not a big deal, but this just doesn't happen in my wardrobe...ever.

The skirt is from J. Crew and you can't really tell, but it's not true black. It's more of a slate color, which is way cooler than boring old black. And you also can't tell, but the waist is scallop-edged, which we all know is way cooler than a boring old straight edge. And we all know that patterned tights are cooler than boring old regular tights, right?

For the record, this is my favorite outfit of the remix so far.

30 For 30 Remix, Day 18: Comfort Clothes

Jeggings: Old Navy, boots: Target, tunic: Anthropologie, jacket and bracelets: Forever 21, tote: LV, glasses: Urban Outfitters, silver bracelet: Tiffany & Co.
You know how there are comfort foods? (Mine is orange chicken from Pei Wei.) Well, I also have comfort clothes--pieces that require zero brain power to put together and that I feel good and comfortable in.

Every piece of this outfit is a comfort piece, including the dotted tunic, which is finally making its remix debut ("Finally!" It said to me this morning...). I love this thing...it's billowy and comfortable and super pretty and soft and easy to layer and can be dressed up or down and feels like a pajama top. And it was on sale. So...basically, it's the perfect article of clothing.

What are your comfort clothing pieces?

30 For 30 Remix, Day 17: Cuffed

Flats: Nine West, denim: Anthropologie, shirt: J. Crew, sweater: The Limited, bag: LV, necklace: Forever 21.I cuffed my jeans this morning, which I don't normally do, and which you probably didn't notice.

I had recently read an article in a fashion magazine (Lucky's March issue) about where your pants hem should hit. The conclusion...well, read the magazine, because they offer a page and a half of answers to that question.

Anyway, the article did inspire me to try something new and cuff these jeans, since they are a little bit long and I am a little bit short. I liked the subtle, simple change. And I think they showed off my orange flats a bit more.

It's all in the details, guys...

Happy, Happy Valentine's Day!

Alright, I know Valentine’s Day is a visceral issue for people, especially single ladies, but I’d like to challenge your perspective.

Although I am in a relationship right now, I celebrated Valentine’s Day as a single girl for 27 years. Trust me, that wasn’t my plan, but I learned to embrace it. I was never one of those woe-is-me girls who would tweet “Sigh…another year of being alone” or “Hey, it’s Singles Awareness Day!” I think it’s a little sad to taint the day with that sort of self-focus. OF COURSE my heart’s desire was to be taken out to a nice restaurant by a guy I liked or surprised with a special delivery of flowers or something, but I didn’t put the responsibility of feeling content in other people’s hands. (What a way to guarantee constant misery!)

Instead, I have enjoyed every Valentine’s Day eating cute chocolates, wearing red or pink, often making cupcakes for my mom’s class, sending and receiving valentines and cards to my friends and family, sending a surprise to a friend now and then, and sometimes even getting a sweet surprise from friends. What’s not to enjoy about a day like that?

I really don’t care if it’s a commercial holiday created by Hallmark. I don’t care what my relationship status is. I don’t care what other people are doing. Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love, and although I don’t need a designated quasi-legitimate holiday to remind me to do that, any excuse to express my gratitude to God and the people I love is one that I’ll gladly take, to love and feel loved.

I don’t want to minimize anyone’s desire to be in a relationship and have a wonderful date on February 14th someday, because that’s a legitimate desire and I really want that to happen. But…until then, remember that we are dearly and eternally loved by the God of the universe. His name is Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” Do you want to feel loved, prized, cherished, pursued, protected, and cared for on Valentine’s Day and every day? Do you know the only source of that perfect love that will never forsake or forget you or let you down?

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

Oh, how he loves us. How he loves us so. What a reason to celebrate!