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You'll just know

February 22, 2015 Mindy Larsen

The other night, my husband Chris and I were talking about the beginning of our relationship; well, the beginning of our second time dating... that's another story.  We were reminiscing about aspects of our journey and I suddenly felt stuck as I couldn't seem to find the memory of how or when I knew that I was going to marry him!   I was trying to recollect if it was an instant "I just knew" sort of situation, and I could not remember for the life of me.

Having dated him for two years, breaking up for a year because I felt the Lord leading me to focus only on Him, to then only a year later still feeling my heart tugging towards Chris, I remember that the decision whether to simply start dating him or not was a hard enough decision on its own!  I knew that I did not want to start dating him again unless we had the intentions of our relationship leading to marriage, so I really sought the Lord and asked wise women in my life for wisdom on how to proceed.   All too often it seemed like the cliché statement of "you'll just know" would come up.  Even typing those words makes me want to roll my eyes as I remember the frustration I would feel when people would tell me that.  I still get annoyed with that statement because it's not just used in reference to knowing whether you want to marry someone, it's pretty universal.

Being a person who often struggles with big decisions, that phrase is still a big part of my life.  And I kind of hate it.  It always makes me feel so frustrated because it seems like a cop out.  When I am asking for help in making a decision, I don't want someone to tell me that I will at some point know, I want them to tell me right then what I should do- I want them to make the decision for me- to play God in a sense and tell me what is the best thing for me.  I mean really, how nice would it be if God would every once in awhile just write us a little email or shoot us a text and say, "just do this."  Unfortunately that's not how it works.  It pains me, it frustrates me- and yet time and time again you'll just know proves to be true.  God has shown me over and over again that as much as we'd like Him to speak in loud claps of thunder, lightning strikes or to pick up the phone and make the call, it really doesn't look like that.  I very much believe that He could do that if He wanted to, but I think that more often than not, hearing Him speak truth into our lives, and giving us direction is much more of a gentle nudging or a feeling in my gut sort of thing.  Or, if we're going to go ahead and use the annoying phrase a you'll just know sort of thing.

For the past couple weeks I have been struggling with a big life decision in deciding whether or not to take a job that my sweet, sweet dad was offering me.  As you know, my struggles with whether or not being a housewife right now is enough are very real... so the prospect of the Lord leading me to a new career was very interesting and perplexing.  For weeks and weeks I felt like I was getting nowhere in the decision process.  I started to feel heavier and heavier as the weight of indecision seemed to cloud my mind and steal my joy.  I really felt like I was never going to make the decision.  I didn't feel swayed one way or another and saw no hope of being able to find the piece I needed to tip the scale one way or another.  And then God spoke.

Right in the middle of a phone call with my dad and his business partner, as they were clarifying the role for me, in one single instant, I knew.  I had been praying and praying for something exactly like this, that the Lord would make it so clear - and through my dad's business partner's words, that's exactly what He did.  I was so shocked that my decision could seem so obvious, that in that moment I almost couldn't believe it.  It was as if the blinders had been removed and I could see oh so clearly that taking the job wasn't the direction in which He was leading me.  It's in moments like this where I am reminded of how awesome God is, and how strongly I can rely on His promise to guide me.  I don't need a handwritten letter or a firework in the sky, I just need to trust that in His perfect timing and in His perfect way, He will lead me- and I will just know.

Coming back to where this post began... after a few gruesome moments of not being able to recollect how I knew I wanted to marry Chris, he reminded me that it was very much like the scenario I just described.  After praying and praying, and seeking the Lord's guidance and wisdom for my relationship with Chris, He laid it on my heart and I just knew.  Sitting on a porch swing of my good friend's house, I can now clearly remember admitting to myself (and to my small group ladies) for the first time, that I knew, like a weight in my gut and peace in my soul, that I wanted to marry this man.

I am SO thankful that we have a God who communicates with us.  He doesn't just ask us to follow Him and then leave us to find the breadcrumbs; He grabs our hand asks us to dance and whether audibly or silently with a light pressure on our hand or back, He leads us to take the next step.

If you're stuck in a place of indecision where you are wholeheartedly seeking your next step, my prayer is that you might be encouraged.  If your mind is clouded and you feel a sense of analysis paralysis (story of my life), don't give up.  Keep seeking Him, keep praying, and trust that you'll just know because He will  guide you.

--- image by Marissa Maharaj ---

Tags About Me, God's Promises, indecision, you'll just know, 2015
← Being the gospel made simpleEncouraged and affirmed →
Mindy Larsen by Alex Good

hello!

I'm a housewife, kitty mama, writer, and I love Jesus. I live with my husband in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and I write because of the Lord.
Read more>>

I'm so glad you're here!

xo Mindy

Last week I did something atypical.  For the first 3 hours of my day, I avoided tapping my finger on the purpley, pink and yellow square that leads to this beloved app. Thanks to the encouragement of the @wellwateredwomen #wordbeforeworld challenge, I saturated myself in the Word before scrolling - and the result was surprisingly significant. ⠀
⠀
Starting the day with Instagram = mindless scrolling, distraction and the comparison game⠀
Starting the day with the Lord = peace, joy, and a positive motivation that affected the rest of the day⠀
⠀
My new goal everyday is to stay away from social media until I've spent time with my Savior. Sadly, it's a hard habit to break, but I know it's sooo worth it. ⠀
⠀
Is this something you struggle with? Want to join me? ⠀
P.S. I have a funny story about this picture over on my insta-story.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#wellwateredwomen #womenintheword #postwithpurpose #faithblogger #soulscripts #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianblogger #faithblogger #christianliving #givemejesus #Christianwriter #hopewriters #sheislight #joyintheordinary #speaklife #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #dearlymagazine #milwaukeeblogger #instagramadvantage #cultivatewhatmatters #powersheets
A couple months ago I started a series on my blog called, Things we don’t talk about.  I’ve been working my way through different topics like "What if I don’t want to have kids?", "When you don’t want to talk" (a post about the struggle of marriage) and on Friday, I'm releasing my next post about the difficult topic of WHAT TO DO WHEN FRIENDSHIPS FAIL. ⠀
⠀
Throughout the last year, I’ve struggled with each of these areas and felt like I was dealing with them alone because these topics are simply things we don’t talk about.  My ultimate goal with this series is to encourage each other that we are not alone and to start conversations about these untouched topics. ⠀
⠀
If this is the first time you're hearing about my series, and you want to catch up - tap the link in my profile @mindykaysl ⠀
But before you do, I'd love to know if you're struggling with this question of what to do when friendships fail? ⠀
⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#amwriting #gritandvirtue #dearlymagazine #deeplyrooted #relevantmagazine #relevantwomen #huffpost #loveminblog #thingswedonttalkabout #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #soulscripts #soulscriptssisterhood #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianblogger #faithblogger #christianliving #speaklife #milwaukeeblogger #cultivatewhatmatters #cultivaterelationships #womenintheword #communityovercompetition
Today was a rough day... I mean, I had to stare at this sweetness through my lens and capture some of her newborn, squishy, goodness. 😍😍😍 Okay, clearly NOT a rough day at all!  I am so loving this role as auntie and getting to put on my photographer hat, too. ⠀
⠀
Isn't she precious? ⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#newbornphotography #mkephotography #niece #auntie #igmotherhood #uniteinmotherhood #lifeoflegacy #getaftergrateful #instagramadvantage #lifeisbeautiful #amwriting #hopewriters #cultivatewhatmatters #gritandvirtue #pursuitcommunity #createdtocreate #wildandfree #lampandlight #writersofinstagram #incourage #influencetribe #communityovercompetition #sheislight #thatsdarling #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #livefullyalive #faithblogger
Sometimes writing feels like birthing a baby.  It's painful, slow, even gruesome at times, but at the end when you know the job is done - the overwhelming feeling is sweet, sweet release.  Writers, do you feel me? ⠀
⠀
That's how I felt most recently when I finished the piece about my niece's birth - ironic, I know.  My chest tightened re-creating the tense moments, I had to pause to blow my nose after crying out all my emotions, but when the last words were written, I threw my arms back and with sweet satisfaction said, "Yessss! I did it."⠀
⠀
Writing is therapy for me- a beautiful cathartic method of capturing the most precious memories.⠀
⠀
P.S. Missed the post about my niece's arrival?  Head to the link in my profile.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#hopewriters #amwriting #writer #writersofig #writerscommunity #writerscorner #writemotivation #writerslife #creativewriting #writersonwriting #faithblogger #christianwriter #milwaukeeblogger #graceupongrace #wellwateredwomen #getaftergrateful #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #christianblogger #christianliving #instagramadvantage #makewavesmonday #coffee #valentinecoffee #mke⠀
When it’s a full blown snow day in April, it’s a good day to do #thegoodlist ⠀
⠀
Today, I am thankful for- ⠀
• peace that comes with a snowfall⠀
• a hubby who snowblows the heavy, dense, layer of white⠀
• unexpected time with my in-laws from MN who are trapped here due to the weather⠀
• a Dad who drives 30 minutes to drop off bagels (in this weather 🙈) ⠀
• living only a block away from my sister and brother-in-law and my new niece. ⠀
⠀
(You can see our winter trek to visit baby girl over on my insta-stories.) ⠀
⠀
What makes your good list today? ⠀
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#spring #wisconsin #milwaukee #wauwatosa #winter #snowday #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #darlingweekend #liveauthentic #alifeofintention #pursuepretty #savorthejourney #createcultivate #adventurethatislife #verilymoment #inspiremyinstagram #thatauthenticfeeling #athomeintheworld #theartofslowliving #seekthesimplicity #flashesofdelight #hopewriters #amwriting #faithblogger #christianwriter #brickhouse #myhome #dearlymagazine
I saw a meme on Facebook today with a picture of a man sitting in the snow with shorts on- it said Spring: faith is believing in what we do not see. 😆 The wind is howling and a wintry mix is falling to the ground. So today I’m hunkered in making a list of all the things that need to be done on my book proposal (hint: it’s a lot). ⠀
⠀
How have you spent your Saturday? ⠀
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⠀
#hopewriters #amwriting #writer #writersofig #writerscommunity #writerscorner #writemotivation #writerslife #creativewriting #writersonwriting #faithblogger #christianwriter #milwaukeeblogger #graceupongrace #wellwateredwomen #getaftergrateful #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #womenintheword #christianliving #instagramadvantage #mckinleybeach #mke #dearmke #lakefront #mkelakefront
I am SO EXCITED because today, I get to tell you the story of my niece's birth!!! 🎉🎉⠀
⠀
Months ago, my pregnant sister and brother-in-law asked me to support them through labor and delivery as doula and photographer.  Completely honored and excited for this opportunity, I prepared through lots of prayer, a book called the Birth Partner, and wisdom from a doula friend. ⠀
⠀
Last week Wednesday at 3:21 am, I received this text - "sooooo...it's happening!"⠀
⠀
Taking a lot of deep breaths (and almost throwing up - I was so anxious), I got myself ready, packed my bag and waited for them to pick me up on their way to the hospital. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of the 35 long hours it would take to bring my niece into the world.⠀
⠀
OVER ON THE BLOG (link in profile), I'm sharing the beautiful story of my niece's arrival, and the life impacting experience of witnessing childbirth. Hint: Childbirth is the craziest, most intense, but earth shatteringly amazing thing.⠀
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#birthphotography #doula #childbirth #newborn #milwaukeeblogger #auntie #babygirl #lifeoflegacy #getaftergrateful #hopewriters #christianwriter #wellwateredwomen #womenoftheword #faithblogger #amwriting #loveminblog #overwhelmed #takeinstagramback #cultivatewhatmatters #risenmotherhood #coffeeandcrumbs #gritandvirtue #pursuitcommunity #lampandlight #writersofinstagram #Christianwriter #instagramadvantage #themagicofmotherhood #uniteinmotherhood #motherhoodrising⠀
Hello! I'm Mindy - the face behind the feed. There's a few new friends around here so I thought I'd introduce myself a bit. ⠀
I'm a 😻 mom - his name is Finn and he's our fur baby.⠀
I love 🍩 - vanilla raised with sprinkles preferably.⠀
I play 🏐 and in the summer I like to waterski.⠀
⠀
I'm a writer, whose goal is to encourage you with words that point you to Jesus.  Three things I'm working on right now are: ⠀
1- a story about witnessing my niece's birth⠀
2- finishing a post for my "things we don't talk about series" (click the link in my profile for the scoop about the series)⠀
3- a book proposal for my memoir⠀
⠀
I'm so glad you're here! Tell me one thing you love - or if you're a writer, tell me one project you're working on. ⠀
⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#hopewriters #christianwriter #introduction #wellwateredwomen #milwaukeeblogger #faithblogger #christianwriter #christianblogger #allgoodthingscollective #thekingdom #risingtidesociety #communityovercompetition #cultivatewhatmatters⠀
#getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy⠀
#soulscripts #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianliving #amwriting #speaklife #instagramadvantage #lifteachotherup #livehollandlane⠀
“And ultimately, when we put our desperation in anything other than God himself, those things become idols.” - @annswindell #stillwaitingbook⠀
⠀
Happy ONE YEAR birthday, Still Waiting!! This book, about having hope when God doesn't give you what you want, has planted many memorable lessons in my heart.  One of them that keeps coming to surface lately - this reminder to fix our eyes, not on our struggles, but on our Father. ⠀
⠀
Have you read this book yet?  If you haven't, join me in celebrating the ONE YEAR anniversary and snag yourself a copy! And guess what? @annswindell is doing a giveaway for a @letterfolk poet board! All you have to do is post a picture of the book, tag Ann and #stillwaitingbook- or if you already have a copy, take a selfie! ⠀
⠀
photo by @shaunaeteske ⠀
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#tyndalehouse #stillwaitingbook #oneyearanniversary #booksilove #whatimreading #favoritereads #amwriting #writingwithgrace #launchteam #milwaukeeblogger #faithblogger #christianwriter #soulscripts #soulscriptssisterhood #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianblogger #christianliving #womenintheword #wordbeforeworld⠀
When my sister went into labor, I knew that I would want to remember every little detail.  From the milestone moments, to the sights, sounds and smells, I captured it all and wrote it down in this notebook.⠀
⠀
Last week I talked about how I used to view my excellent memory as a curse; but this time, instead of getting mad at myself for wanting to remember every little thing, I tapped in, embraced that desire and soaked it all up.  Friends, it felt so good - like I was finally releasing a part of myself that I had been denying for years. ⠀
⠀
This was a good learning experience - I'm not neglecting that desire to remember it all anymore.  And the cool part, it's not just a gift for me - I can't wait to tell my sister, brother-in-law, and niece all that I documented from their big day. ⠀
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#amwriting #thememoirproject #memory #writingwithgrace #hopewriters #Christianwriter #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #wellwateredwomen #sheleadsdaily #speaklife #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #milwaukeeblogger #liveauthentic #pursuewhatislovely #bedeeplyrooted #livefullyalive #youbelong #flashesofdelight #instagramadvantage #gritandvirtue #writersonwriting #makewavesmonday #risingtidesociety #communityovercompetition
"Onise Iyanu⠀
You're the God of awesome wonders⠀
I've tasted of your power"⠀
⠀
This morning @eastbrookchurch we sang this new song (the first words in Yoruba) and it was exactly the praise I wanted to lift up today.  I'm still on an emotional high from witnessing the arrival of my niece; birth is truly an epic expression of God's awesome wonder.  I am so thankful to have tasted His power in such a monumental way. ⠀
⠀
Today is for reveling in the wonder, processing, editing some of the pictures I took and resting - until I get the call to come snuggle Lola so mom and dad can sleep. 😊⠀
⠀
P.S. My sweet parents - who were also at the hospital the entire time, and my mom was an active support in labor alongside me - brought me these flowers to say "job well done supporting your sister." Such a sweet surprise.⠀
⠀
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#flowers #wellwateredwomen #eastbrookchurch #praise #wordbeforeworld #womenintheword #creativeworldview #milwaukeeblogger #auntie #birthphotography #doula #speaklife #lifeoflegacy #getaftergrateful #hopewriters #cultivatewhatmatters #gritandvirtue #pursuitcommunity #createdtocreate #wildandfree #lampandlight #writersofinstagram #communityovercompetition #sheislight #amwriting #faithblogger #Christianwriter #instagramadvantage #lifteachotherup
My niece is here! My niece is here!!!!!! ⠀
⠀
Lola Marleen entered the world at 10:06 yesterday morning.  I had the immense honor and pleasure of being by my sister's side the whole time as I got to be doula - supporting her and my brother-in-law and cheering her on - and birth photographer.  Watching my sister, like a warrior, push that baby into this world (after 36 hours of labor) was the most incredible experience I've ever had.  Birth is amazing. ⠀
⠀
So proud of my sister and my brother-in law for being a strong support for her.  I love this peanut so much already!! ⠀
⠀
P.S. My writer self was soaking up this experience with every ounce of my body.  It was life impacting, indeed.  I cannot wait to share more about this experience. ⠀
⠀
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#birthphotography #newborn #milwaukeeblogger #auntie #babygirl #lifeoflegacy #getaftergrateful #hopewriters #christianwriter #wellwateredwomen #womenoftheword #faithblogger #amwriting #doula #allthethings #overwhelmed #takeinstagramback #godisgood #childbirth #wow

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Last week I did something atypical.  For the first 3 hours of my day, I avoided tapping my finger on the purpley, pink and yellow square that leads to this beloved app. Thanks to the encouragement of the @wellwateredwomen #wordbeforeworld challenge, I saturated myself in the Word before scrolling - and the result was surprisingly significant. ⠀
⠀
Starting the day with Instagram = mindless scrolling, distraction and the comparison game⠀
Starting the day with the Lord = peace, joy, and a positive motivation that affected the rest of the day⠀
⠀
My new goal everyday is to stay away from social media until I've spent time with my Savior. Sadly, it's a hard habit to break, but I know it's sooo worth it. ⠀
⠀
Is this something you struggle with? Want to join me? ⠀
P.S. I have a funny story about this picture over on my insta-story.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#wellwateredwomen #womenintheword #postwithpurpose #faithblogger #soulscripts #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianblogger #faithblogger #christianliving #givemejesus #Christianwriter #hopewriters #sheislight #joyintheordinary #speaklife #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #dearlymagazine #milwaukeeblogger #instagramadvantage #cultivatewhatmatters #powersheets
A couple months ago I started a series on my blog called, Things we don’t talk about.  I’ve been working my way through different topics like "What if I don’t want to have kids?", "When you don’t want to talk" (a post about the struggle of marriage) and on Friday, I'm releasing my next post about the difficult topic of WHAT TO DO WHEN FRIENDSHIPS FAIL. ⠀
⠀
Throughout the last year, I’ve struggled with each of these areas and felt like I was dealing with them alone because these topics are simply things we don’t talk about.  My ultimate goal with this series is to encourage each other that we are not alone and to start conversations about these untouched topics. ⠀
⠀
If this is the first time you're hearing about my series, and you want to catch up - tap the link in my profile @mindykaysl ⠀
But before you do, I'd love to know if you're struggling with this question of what to do when friendships fail? ⠀
⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#amwriting #gritandvirtue #dearlymagazine #deeplyrooted #relevantmagazine #relevantwomen #huffpost #loveminblog #thingswedonttalkabout #getaftergrateful #lifeoflegacy #soulscripts #soulscriptssisterhood #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #graceupongrace #christianblogger #faithblogger #christianliving #speaklife #milwaukeeblogger #cultivatewhatmatters #cultivaterelationships #womenintheword #communityovercompetition
Today was a rough day... I mean, I had to stare at this sweetness through my lens and capture some of her newborn, squishy, goodness. 😍😍😍 Okay, clearly NOT a rough day at all!  I am so loving this role as auntie and getting to put on my photographer hat, too. ⠀
⠀
Isn't she precious? ⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#newbornphotography #mkephotography #niece #auntie #igmotherhood #uniteinmotherhood #lifeoflegacy #getaftergrateful #instagramadvantage #lifeisbeautiful #amwriting #hopewriters #cultivatewhatmatters #gritandvirtue #pursuitcommunity #createdtocreate #wildandfree #lampandlight #writersofinstagram #incourage #influencetribe #communityovercompetition #sheislight #thatsdarling #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #livefullyalive #faithblogger
Sometimes writing feels like birthing a baby.  It's painful, slow, even gruesome at times, but at the end when you know the job is done - the overwhelming feeling is sweet, sweet release.  Writers, do you feel me? ⠀
⠀
That's how I felt most recently when I finished the piece about my niece's birth - ironic, I know.  My chest tightened re-creating the tense moments, I had to pause to blow my nose after crying out all my emotions, but when the last words were written, I threw my arms back and with sweet satisfaction said, "Yessss! I did it."⠀
⠀
Writing is therapy for me- a beautiful cathartic method of capturing the most precious memories.⠀
⠀
P.S. Missed the post about my niece's arrival?  Head to the link in my profile.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#hopewriters #amwriting #writer #writersofig #writerscommunity #writerscorner #writemotivation #writerslife #creativewriting #writersonwriting #faithblogger #christianwriter #milwaukeeblogger #graceupongrace #wellwateredwomen #getaftergrateful #wildandfree #propelwomen #postwithpurpose #creativeworldview #encouragementgallery #lampandlight #womenintheword #christianblogger #christianliving #instagramadvantage #makewavesmonday #coffee #valentinecoffee #mke⠀

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