And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Hello, new friend. I’m really, honestly grateful that you stopped by. YOU are a big, huge part of what makes this place special. I want to know you and I hope you’ll engage with the MERCY (iNK) community.

You can go beyond a quiet reader and become an active participant by commenting on the posts that speak to you, and connecting in our other online gathering places, like facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

I also hope you’ll be inspired. The MERCY (iNK) blog is about:

Wait. Before you leave because you think “Shoot, I’m not brave. This isn’t a place for me“, let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Lauren Mills, a native New Englander transplanted to the Shenandoah Valley. I am married to a youth pastor, we have three little kids, & I am an oh-so-ordinary-mama trying to figure this life thing out. You can read more about my little life here.

I definitely don’t consider myself a brave woman.

I am not brave

I’ll never be

The only thing this heart can offer is a vacancy

I’m just a girl

Nothing more

But I am willing

I am yours

{lyrics, Be Born in Me, Francesca Battistelli}

I’m a homebody, content to dabble around the house, sit still, curl up under a blanket, and visit over coffee. Most days, I struggle to be a loving, patient mom. Fear plagues me relentlessly. I get tired and weary, and my everyday life probably looks not-so-very-special on the outside.

It’s funny though, how loving Jesus makes you do things you never would have done on your own. So despite all my fears, I’m seeking Jesus to let go of self and bravely dive into the life He has for me.

Sometimes being brave means I’m whispering prayers every hour on the hour to make it through another long day of diaper changes, tantrums, spills, and meltdowns with two rowdy toddler boys and a spirited daughter.

Sometimes, it means leaving my career for a life centered on home and taking a leap on creative business fueled by God-driven passion.

Sometimes it’s rescuing babies and crossing a rushing river in Guatemala.

All the time, it’s trusting Him.

Here are some favorite posts, on all things ordinary, lovely, & brave, if you’re looking for a place to start:

Embracing the Role: 9 Tips for Young {& All} Mothers

I Can’t Stand It Anymore

Friend, I believe brave is better. And I think with Him, you can live brave and change the world.

One of my very favorite singer/songwriters is Nichole Nordeman. Her song, Brave, is pretty much my anthem, and now the anthem for Mercy Ink:

The gate is wide
The road is paved to moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
It’s safe and sound
And until now it’s where I’ve been
Cuz it’s been fear
That ties me down to everything
But it’s been love, Your love
That cuts the strings

So long, status quo
I think I’ve just let go
You make me wanna be brave
The way it always was
It’s no longer good enough
You make me wanna be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I’m spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
To say Your name
Just Your name,
And I’m ready to go
Even ready to fall
Why did I
Take this fowl compromise?
Why did I
Try to keep it all inside? ..

The greatest passion of my heart is to bring awareness to Jesus’ call to His Church, the call to love the very least of these.

I know you have God-given passions and dreams, too. What passion has He burned on your heart? What’s holding you back from living fearless? Don’t you know He is for you? Don’t you know that your willing heart can change the kingdom?

This is the heart of the mercy ink blog. We are all ordinary, everyday women. On our own, nothing glamorous. But we are willing. And with Him, brave.

His words for us:

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

Let’s inspire each other, struggle together, slip, fall, and soar together towards knowing Him more and using our passions to change the world, starting right inside our own hearts and homes.

Are you in?

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Lauren

Lauren is a young(ish) mom of three, Jesus follower, wife of a youth pastor, coffee lover, proponent for all things fair trade + handmade, and a passionate advocate for the least of these. She loves to create pretty things & designs Scripture prints for the mercy(iNK) print shop. > > > connect with Lauren on twitter or facebook. You can also subscribe to posts via email/reader. Don't be a stranger. Stop by again soon.