Christie DuPree Wall


Christie DuPree Wall

Monday, April 28, 2014

Deeply Rooted

Let me first just say that my primary reason for writing this post is not because I think I have everything figured out, or because I want to force my beliefs on you, or anything of that nature.

I am simply writing from the point of how these are the things I am learning and the things I wish I could have told myself a good while ago.. Not to say I would have done a single thing differently in my life, because I am thankful for where God has taken me.. but it's what has been on my heart, and I feel the need to share it.


I came across this magazine recently and it just truly jumped out at me because it's main focus is to encourage wives and mothers to become deeply rooted in their faith, which is something that is so very near and close to my heart. And before you stop reading this because you may not be a wife or a mother yet, let me assure you, I'm not either..
But this magazine and everything they are doing, while it's amazing that their mission statement is geared for wives and mothers, I think SO many of us younger women can benefit just as much, if not more, from it's content.

And before I elaborate, let me just say, GIRLSSS! Please, hear me. Single or dating or whatever you may be, you are LOVED, VALUED, and TREASURED by the maker of the universe and I feel like some of you may need to hear that.

But I just want to encourage you today (although I know it's hard) to try and stop focusing so much on finding a boyfriend or a future husband, and instead shift that focus onto yourself.

Here's what I mean: This time of being single, dating, or unmarried women, should be a time of preparation. A time to plant good seeds inside of ourselves and really consider the type of women we are, and the type of women we want to be! I know patience is such a hard thing this day and age, especially when ALL we see all day long is people who just seem to have everything together because they have found "the one" but let me tell you, those people don't have it all figured out either. Sure, they are lucky as all get out to have found love! But you shouldn't let the constant stream of media that promotes love and how it's the answer to all of your problems trick you into thinking that your life will be solved once you find that love or get married. It is my personal belief that God is the only one who has the kind of love that fixes all your problems. The only love that is truly fulfilling. And even if you are dating someone, my hope is that we all can find our identity in something OTHER than our "significant other". For me, that means finding my identity in Christ.

And this isn't meant to be some pep talk or some cheesy ad about personal growth, but let me get back to my point. This time of preparation. I'd say we can at least all agree on the fact that we'd love to get married and have kids someday, right? (give or take on that last part), and don't we want to have the best shot at being the BEST wives and mothers we can be?? I'll answer for you and say yes.
But where we often go wrong is thinking of this elusive "someday" when we think of those things.
But I am realizing that it starts here and now, and in this moment. 

Because what is a wife? She is you, married to your spouse. What is a mother? She is you, raising your children. The only way to be a good anything in this life is to be a good you. And the process and preparation for being the best wife/mother someday is to really take a good look at yourself now. To admit to your flaws, ask God to help you grow, to help you weed out the bad and to nurture the good in yourself and in your life.
And that is my prayer for all of you reading this who have maybe been struggling with your place in life and feeling like you can't wait to get to the the future and finally be in that place that so many other people are already in. I just want to encourage you to have patience. To rest. To wait. To dream. To prepare. To seek God. To plant seeds and to put in the time to water them and watch them grow. Because no change ever came from an idea. It comes from hard work and effort and often times blood, sweat, and tears.
But the beautiful thing about doing life as daughters of Christ is that the blood, sweat, and tears are never wasted. The fires are the things that produce the most gold in us.

And the other beautiful thing is that the bible promises that God is working things out for OUR good. It says to seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all the rest will fall into place.
If we are trusting God in the present moment, I can promise you he has our best interests at heart and will prepare us for and provide for that elusive "someday" when the time is right for us.

I guess what I'm trying to say is instead of worrying "Who is right for me?" let's focus on making ourselves the best versions of ourselves that we can be and becoming women who are founded on something real. Who are built from the ground up in Christ. And let God worry about who's right for you when that time comes.

If you are finding yourself at all relating to the nature of this post, I hope you are encouraged and I hope you know how beautiful you are, inside and out.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
-John 15:1-9

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
-Matthew 6:33



Thanks for reading,
Christie

28 comments:

  1. Thank you for this. With all the pressure from family and seeing how happy my friends are being married or in relationships...this is exactly what I needed to hear right now.

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    1. Aw, well I'm so glad! I hope you are encouraged.. God has such a special plan for your life. Seriously. Patience is hard but trusting in God while we wait is so important.

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  2. Thanks for sharing this Christie, some times life could be a little hard, and we wondering why things happen to us like that, we question, and most of the time we lose focus, it's more simple to blame others, to think how unfair life could be, and then you reminded me that He is with us in every step, and what it looked hard, was a lesson that i needed for learning and make my faith stronger. I failed so many times, and now you reminded me how important is to be the best of us.

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    1. God is definitely with us through every step.. he sees you and knows what you're going through and wants to help you through it. Always, whatever it is. Sometimes it's easy to forget that and feel so far from him.. but if we seek him wholeheartedly, I've always found he is so much closer than we can imagine. And you're right, he always turns whatever we're going through into something better, and the whole process makes us stronger.

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  3. I enjoyed reading this article because it's true. We (or I, rather) need to focus on what is now. I think we get so caught up in the future, that we don't focus on just today. It's hard when everyone around me seems to be married but like you said, they don't have everything figured out as well. I read this article not too long ago about how this girl took off her "true love waits" ring. It wasn't for the purity side of things but she mentioned that God was her true love and she didn't want to "wait" on anything. She wanted to God to be her true love. I thought that was so true and so good to hear. Because He is our true and first love. We shouldn't depend on others to make us "happy" because it's God that will. Not that I don't love my family and friends, because I'm sure you think the same way, but I agree with you when you said we need to work on ourselves and plant that seed. Great blog! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. That's such a cool story! and very true. It's definitely easy not to get down especially when everyone around us is either married or engaged it seems.. but getting back up again can be just as easy when we have the right tools to combat those feelings of doubt and insecurities and worry about the future. And I of course mean God and his word and promises! Not to sound cheesy but it's so true..

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  4. This is JUST what my heart needed. Thanks girl <3

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  5. I can't express enough how this helped me today and will continue to for the future. Thanks for bringing me back to God at a time where I wasn't really focused on Him. Your words are a great gift. Thank you, Christie.

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    1. Aw gosh, I'm so glad! It's insanely easy to get into a pattern and rhythm of life where we pay no mind to God, but one thing for certain is that living life purposefully seeking God.. nothing can compare to that. I am so glad you were encouraged and I hope you continue to pursue God above anything else.. "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" -Romans 8:31

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  6. Christie, I love this and really needed to hear it. You're a beautiful soul.

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  7. This is such an encouragement to me! About a year ago I got divorced. I was 22 and back living with my parents grappling for whatever I could grab onto. I was lost and in spiritual darkness. Daily I fell on my face pleading with God to show me my worth in Him. He did not hesitate for one second. He lifted me up and gave me a new identity and showed me my self-worth. I identify myself in Him and only Him. He has made me brand new and I love reading posts like yours. It just encourages me even more that what God did for me is true and good and perfect. I pray this for all women and girls everywhere! Thank you, Christie!

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through, but I am so glad that you found God in the midst of that painful time and now have that as part of your testimony. Life is full of pain and sadness but God is always always always faithful to come through for us in those times and I'm so glad your story clearly radiates that. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. Hey lady!
    Thank you so much for posting this! Like other people have commented, it was very encouraging to read and to be reminded of! :) Thank you for speaking out what the Lord as shown you in the secret place. It's bringing life and light!!! I hope your day has been amazing and so full of love!! Thanks Christie

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  9. As a guy and true believer in Christ I think equally. It's nice to know that there's still people that put God in their lifes above their own life plans, knowing that "all things God works for the good of those who love him". Regards Christie!

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  10. As a wife (of 3 yrs) and a mother (of a 20-mo old), thank you for posting this! A wonderful reminder and perspective corrector that I absolutely needed.

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  11. Christie. You are a bearer of good news and you make our Father smile. This post is more powerful than perhaps you realize. I am a newlywed of 4 months and let me tell you- there is no magic power that comes with "I do". I thought for a moment that it would make me a little more "together" but alas, I am still me... Disorganized and flighty as ever, except now I'm a wife, too. Thankfully my husband thinks my quirks are cute (and maybe even looks forward to my latest exaggerated but comical excuse as to why the dishes aren't clean) but I can't escape the deep down disappointment I have in myself that only God can mend and I am so THANKFUL he even wants to! Through much prayer, I still won't escape it, I will conquer it. And I will still be me. But I will be the wife (and eventfully mother) that I wholeheartedly want to be, who gives all glory to God, and who blesses the husband who has blessed me in all my incredible imperfection. Thank you for the reminder, the encouragement, and the company of your heart.

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    1. Sorry for the late response.. but you're right! marriage definitely doesn't complete us. God completes us. I am glad you are on a path to finding that contentment in your heart and I know that God will come through for you! Don't be too hard on yourself though :) "a clean house is a sign of a wasted life" is the excuse I sometimes use!

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  12. Hi Christie! I'd like to begin by saying I don't share the same religious beliefs as you. Despite that, I absolutely loved this article because of the message on focusing on yourself before your "future significant other". I think many people lose the essence of what it is to truly focus on yourself and think that it's a selfish act. However, but focusing on yourself, you are at the same time focusing on the people you love, providing them with the best that you can offer.

    Thank you for the post.

    By the way, Sway is excellent, I love it!

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    1. Exactly! You can't expect to truly be a blessing or a help to anyone in your life unless you yourself are in a good place. Thanks for reading! And thank you, I'm so glad you enjoy our record!

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  13. Christie girl you are amazing! You love God and write about a message that reaches deep into your heart. And I agree with you... let God worry about who is right for me when that time comes. He has a plan for our lives... it's all been worked out and we should be preparing ourselves for that time; for our future... to love others... and show them how our Lord loves us. Ok, um I want to leave you with this bible verse it's a message for us...

    "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

    Blessings,
    Matthew W.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! And you have no idea how much that verse you left was perfectly timed. I needed it more than ever and was continually reminded of it during a tough time, thanks to your comment that brought it to my attention..

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  14. This is remarkably encouraging. Thank you for letting God's Spirit flow through you to bless us all. ��

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    1. Aw, thank you for saying that! I am so thankful that you were encouraged.

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  15. I have been going through a really difficult time lately. This morning when I woke up, I prayed "God, please give me SOMETHING to let me know things are going to be okay. I want to get better. I don't want to feel like this anymore." I stayed in bed a little longer, but finally I got up, and began my normal routine. Coffee, Facebook, and checking E-mails. But when I logged onto my computer, I noticed I had a tab that was still open from the last time I was online. It was Bliss Katerine's blog (I'm an aspiring photographer and I LOVE her work! She's an inspiration and really encourages me to follow my dreams!) I clicked through a few of her sets before I read her most recent post. It immediately spoke to me. After I read it, I was in awe. All I could think is "Okay... That was my sign. I needed that. Thank you, Lord!" Haha. I thought that was it. But then I read the comments and stumbled onto your blog.( I recognized your name because I am a total creep on instagram with Karsyn and Collin ((THEY'RE JUST SO CUTE!)) And I knew you were a musician! ) Well, I clicked on it and started reading and all I could think is "This chick is so down to earth and cool!" Everything you wrote spoke to me. I felt like I was listening to a friend. It's funny/amazing how God places people in your life like that. He lines everything up so it all makes sense to you. I know I don't know you at all, but reading your blog has made me feel like I'm not alone. Reading this post really encouraged me and opened my eyes as to what I need to do to be a better woman, and it REALLY opened my eyes to the fact that I need to get closer to God again. I've drifted so many times. I need to be rooted in my faith. Haha and I'm sorry for this long rant. But I just had to let you to know that your words have made a difference in my life. When I get better (And I know I will. I can feel it.) I will forever mention your blog, and how your words spoke to me and gave me the strength and encouragement I needed to change. Thank you so much!

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    1. Your words bring me so much joy! It's so amazing how God uses even the tiniest things.. like the comment I left on Bliss's post.. because she is my friend and I could have just texted her that but instead decided to comment, which lead to you finding this blog! I know that things will get better for you and I am so glad that this post had ANYthing to do with helping you find encouragement. I hope you continue to seek God and I hope you know just how MUCH he sees you, notices you, cherishes you and is proud of you. Truly. Oftentimes we weigh ourselves down with this burden of the JOURNEY to find God and to gain his approval, but what is amazing is that that burden was lifted before we ever began, thanks to Jesus. Now all we have to do is continue to seek and trust God and do our best to follow him, and he'll meet us where we're at. Which it seems like he has already done that for you, and I'm so glad! Sorry if this comment is long winded.. I just am so happy to hear (even though we are strangers!) that God is working in your life and leading you closer to him. Keep seeking, keep trusting. God will come through for you.

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  16. Hey Christie, I am a Mom of two amazing children with learning disabilities... I am so wrapped up in them, and helping them, and spending every moment with them, I forget all about myself entirely. I haven't had the joy I should, I haven't sought God in awhile like I should, I have been getting angry, and frustrated, and a little bitter. I try so hard with my children, and it takes a long time for them to learn. I feel guilty for spending any time on myself. I homeschool, and every moment is just taken up. I am extremely blessed to have the privilege to do homeschool, and I thank God for leading me down this path, and giving my Children the love and attention and one on one time they need. But, I haven't spent any time on myself at all. I have a lot of "baggage" from a hard childhood, and losing both of my parents in my early twenties. Your music, and Eisley's music have helped me a lot. Something about all the songs and lyrics touch my soul. I actually named my daughter Eisley. But, back to my original point, I am very inspired to take time out and find God in a deeper way again, and to start loving myself, and feel good about myself again. You have so much wisdom, and I have no doubt in my mind you were lead by God's holy spirit to write this. It touched my heart, and brought tears to my eyes. Thankful tears. You are wonderful! Please never stop being you. Your words have helped me so much. <3

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    1. Aw goodness, bless your soul. You are so sweet and I am so glad you were at all encouraged by this post. If you happen to see this comment, would you mind emailing me at iconqueredall@gmail.com ? There is a book I think you would be interested to read, and I would love to send you a copy! But if not, no worries, and I pray that you are able to find time to seek the Lord. It's truly not an easy thing to do because life is always hectic, but I know that anytime we take one step toward God, he takes two (if not plenty more) toward us. Keep your chin up!

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