Hair By Shalean

We humans have a distorted view of God (because of sin). We take our own thoughts and place them on God as if he is like us. He is not. Yes, we are made in his image, but sin has distorted that. Where we see a need for retribution, he sees a need for mercy and compassion. Towards ouselves or others. Much like the picture, God is the beautiful window through which we see life. However, sin has blurred our vision on how God intended us to see. Dane Ortlund puts it beautifully:

'God's heart of compassion confounds our intuitive predilections about how he loves to respond to his people if they would but dump in his lap the ruin and wreckage of their lives.

He isn't like you. Even the most intense of human love is by a faint echo of heaven's cascading abundance. His heartful thoughts for you outstrip what you can conceive. He intends to restore you into the radiant resplendence for which you were created. And that is dependent not on you keeping yourself clean but on you taking your mess to him. He doesn't limit himself to working with the unspoiled parts of us that remain after a lifetime of sinning. His power runs so deep that he is able to redeem the very worst parts of our past into the most radiant parts of our future. But we need to take those dark miseries to him.' -Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund (emphasis added)

We do not operate as God does. Therefore, his ways aren't anything we could ever imagine. He is not a God prone to anger, he is provoked. (He wouldn't be a very good Father if he didn't discipline his children every once in a while.) He is The God that is ready to be merciful and compassionate. Ready to sit in the treches with you and renew you to who he created you to be. He sees you and longs to heal you. Just bring him your misery and watch him work his mystery.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
Exodus 34:6 ESV

Who else loves dimension!? 🙋‍♀️❤

This girl just got MARRIED!!! Thank you so much for letting me do you color for your big day! I hope it was everything you dreamed it would be! I pray many happy years die you and yours! Congratulations, beautiful! 😊❤

One of my favorite stories and illustrations. ❤

I just couldn't choose one!! 😍 This beautiful lady comes in every 6 MONTHS to get her hair done!! It grows out beautifully every time! I definitely cherish our annual visit. This time we decided to go for a super lived in look. Thanks for always trusting me with your hair! Merry Christmas, I look forward to seeing you in the new year!! ❤

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What god are you trying to serve other than/ in place of/ or in competition with God? Is it money? Food? Social media? The list goes on.

The number one commandment is, 'To love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.' Deuteronomy 6:5. So if we allow anything other than Jesus to rule over our lives we will find ourselves slaves to it.

-Jesus is the only master who gives freedom to those who are bound in Him.-

Are any of these things inherently bad? No. It is when the desire/want/worry for these things become more important to us than Jesus. That's why after Jesus told his disciples that you cannot serve 2 masters, He continued to tell them to not worry about everyday life. God feeds the birds and He dresses the wild flowers- how much more does He love you that He would provide these basic things for you? Matthew 6:25-32 He finishes by telling them to 'Seek first the Kingdom of God, above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 He finishes with telling His disciples to not worry about tomorrow-today's worries are enough for today Matthew 6:34.

-What things in your life are ruling over you where Jesus should be?
-What keeps you up at night in worry?
-What do you run to for comfort or celebration instead of Jesus?
-What earthly desires are you allowing to take place where God should be?

I pray you find peace in conviction as our good Lord shows you these areas. I pray that you would be obedient to His will and what He calls you to do next. Be still, let go and let God. May you find abounding joy in obedience to Him.
In Jesus's almighty name, Amen.

Milk & Honey. 💛

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Jesus wrecked me a little bit with this one this morning. He is so, so good. Every time I sit back and think about how Jesus CHOSE to die for me, because He loves me... man, it gets me.
He'd do it for you too. ❤

Song: Jesus Loves Me by Hillsong Young & Free

This y'all. Hi, my name is Shalean and I'm sometimes a control freak. I can get so upset over the littlest things, if I'm being honest here. God is teaching me to let go (be still) and enjoy this life that He gave me. It is a gift after all.

I am in tears thinking of how far God has brought me. I have less anxiety and less depression all because of His promises to be by my side. Old emotions come up but He continually reminds me of those promises.

Praise the Lord for His promises and for remaining the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.

This has got to be one of my favorite teachings/ understanding... whatever you wanna call it. For the longest time I thought it meant' be quiet'. It really means to 'let go' or 'surrender'.

God is at work even when we can't see it. We just need to let go and trust him.