sometimes fear controls me

and it shouldn't.

Two weeks ago we moved into our new home, and it's darn cute. I love everything about it. I love the hardwood floors, I love the mint green 40's tile in the bathroom shower, I love the open kitchen/living room concept, I love our picket fence, I love our huge closet, I love that our best friends are moving two blocks away, I love that it's our first home together.

I don't love that someone tried breaking in to our home after a week of living here. I don't love that a cop came to our door the other night looking for a man who lives behind us. I don't love that I had to transfer to a new Starbucks [not because I doubted my new store would be awesome, only b/c I'm a home body and miss all my friends from my first store] I don't love that I don't always feel safe, even though we live in a quaint, adorable neighborhood. How can so much fear be controlling me day to day?

I don't want to let fear control me. There's too much life to live without fear creeping in to all aspects of it.

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you..." Luke 12:27 & 28 

It's taken me a few days to complete this post. As I've processed everything, I've come to the conclusion that unless I give Satan the power to instill fear, then I have total control of living in peace. Know why? Because my Heavenly Father has power OVER the enemy, that alone should be enough to settle any nervous heart. 

Our homes are to be our safe places, and I won't let the enemy rob me of that. This past week has blossomed some major growth in my spirit. 

As expected, I've become more comfortable at my new store, even remembering some regulars. Seeing those familiar faces in a new place is pure happiness to me. Get this, little old man Wally even remembered MY name today. Oh and let me tell you, he is SO adorable. Greeted me with, "Well hello Nicole! I'll take my usual!" I responded with, "I'm so sorry to say I really don't remember just yet!" and he followed with, "Oh that's expected, after all.. this is just your 2nd time seeing me" We then nailed down his beverages and I assured him I would remember his two double cupped, decaf grande no room americano's tomorrow. One with sugar free hazel nut and one with sugar free caramel :). I also thanked him for remembering who I was, it meant more to me than he could know. I felt like I belonged today. And that's a cool feeling, in a new place. Guess what else? My co-workers are REALLY awesome, the more I get to know them the more I fall in love with the store. Such genuine, great people. That's not to say all my old co-workers won't hold a special place in my barista heart...because they do. But now I'm expanding room in there for some more awesome people and it feels good.

clearly this poot has made himself at home here :)

Some time has passed since someone almost broke into our home, so the invasive feelings that came with that are slowly dwindling. Part due to time passing, part due to family and friends who have stepped up in BIG, big ways.. but mostly due to putting my trust back in God. It feels good, so very good.

I don't know why the Lord let some scary things happen over the last couple of weeks. But I do know His plans are better than mine. Obviously this isn't an over night transformation of laying all fears before Him, but it's a start. It's acknowledging that His yoke is easy and burden light, so I should constantly bring my fears before Him instead of worrying about them on my own. I want our home to be blessed, full of life and love when our friends are here. I want the angels guarding all corners so Satan knows He isn't welcome in this place, because it's filled with the Holy Spirit, always. With God on our side I know this fear will pass and life will return to normal. Our family is safe, so very safe under the protection of our God.