Britney F.

Today, Britney talks to us about purity and value in the eyes of God, the impact she hopes her writing has, and her ministry at Pacific Garden Mission.

Britney F.

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up in a Christian home that I later came to find out was strongly based on my parents’ background and how they grew up. I was taught right from wrong, but I truly found a relationship with Jesus at a young age, when I began to read the Bible more.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:12-13

[This passage] is my inspiration at the moment because God is teaching me how to show mercy to those around me rather than passing judgment. Mercy triumphs over judgment is my current slogan.

“Mercy triumphs over judgment is my current slogan.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: My spiritual growth focus is learning listening prayer. I want to be able to hear God clearly in my daily walk. I am studying this in The Art of Listening Prayer by AIM director, Seth Barnes.

Profession: My profession is currently a secretary and a part time student.

How do you incorporate your connection with God into your daily, secular work? I incorporate God in my daily walk by using my down time at work to dig deeper in my walk and share my faith through my social media. I strive to do my paperwork and school work as if for God.

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? Confessions of a Caffeine Queen.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? My first encounter with God was when I was 15, on my second youth retreat, I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to share even though I am extremely shy and did not plan on sharing. My flesh fought against His spirit. Thankfully, I ended up sharing my heart and later found out that others were blessed by it. I’ve had many more opportunities to share my heart, since!

“Thankfully, I ended up sharing my heart and later found out that others were blessed by it.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Books, marriage, searching for a new job are all things that have helped me spiritually, in this season. I’ve been reading about marriage leading up to my wedding. And now that I’m not planning a wedding, and I have a great job that I had to learn to wait for, God has placed me in a great position for spiritual growth. My husband and I are learning true sacrifice by giving up our personal desires and interchanging them with the desires of the other person. Marriage is a beautiful spiritual growth tool, because it was designed to bring God more glory.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Along with The Art of Listening Prayer, I’ve been reading Thrive, One Thousand Gifts and Proverbs. They have taught me to dig my roots deeper in order to branch out, to receive things we often take for granted through thankfulness, and how to apply common sense to living the Christian life.

Top three essentials: Top Three Essentials: Bible, Journal & Pen (I count these as one), Coffee.

How did God speak to you recently? God spoke to me recently concerning my listening to Him, and He confirmed to me that it indeed takes practice and that I should not get frustrated when He doesn’t always spell things out for me. He also recently led me to the desire to write a letter, add a gift card in an envelope, and hand out to someone He showed me to. Following God in such a small step has shown me I can follow Him in bigger steps in my faith. I only need to trust Him.

“He also recently led me to the desire to write a letter, add a gift card in an envelope, and hand out to someone He showed me to.”

Hobby: Writing and reading.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Small steps toward obedience is all it takes to allow the Holy Spirit to move; allow worship songs to move in our stubborn hearts; playing worship music when you’re frustrated, angry, dejected, depressed can really lift your spirit; find your time with the Lord according to the structure of your day; I find it best to spend my time with the Lord mid-morning if the day permits because I am fully awake and still haven’t allowed much of the day to determine my mood. I am working on becoming a morning person, so I can take my alone time more seriously before I get to work, but since I have to get up pretty early I take my Bible with me and during the down time I take my ‘alone’ time, then.

Favorite person in scripture? My favorite person in scripture, after Jesus, is Job because he stood steadfast in his relationship with God when his world came crashing down around him.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to learn about God’s mercy and truth when they look at me. I don’t ever want to make others feel like they aren’t loved by Jesus for doing or not doing something. I want them to know they can’t mess up more than He loves them. I want treat others like Jesus did so they will see Him in me.

How do you leave your mark on your community? I leave a mark on community by sharing my writing on my media outlets. I took part in youth activities before I got married. We served the church, and the elderly. We pinned flowers on the mothers at church on mother’s day. Last summer, we served at Pacific Garden Mission which is a homeless shelter in Chicago. There, we made beds, served lunch, and helped them send out their monthly newsletter. We also handed out free snow cones and pamphlets to children and their parents in the streets.

“There, we made beds, served lunch, and helped them send out their monthly newsletter.”

Favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love celebrating the birth of our Savior with family, whether in Canada or here at home. I love how family from all over comes together to celebrate.

A goal you have? A goal I have is to have my writing to cause someone to take a step further in their faith. I realize this could remain anonymous forever, but I hope one day my writing and sharing will make a difference to someone. I know that it helps me to see Him more clearly; I want to know it will help someone else see Him.

“I want to know it will help someone else see Him.”

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: A special tradition my family and I engage in or keep is going to Canada once a year to be with the rest of our family. Whether it is summertime or Christmas time we try to go once a year and just hang out have a good time.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? Why did He let bad things happen to people who lived in His will and let those who weren’t living in His will go free?

Thing you want to raise awareness about: A thing I want to raise awareness about is the importance of purity especially to teenagers. I am married and am thankful to have understood this importance from a young age and to have saved myself for my husband. It breaks my heart seeing young people stray away from what they know is right and to laugh about it. I want them to see how God views them and their purity; I want them to see the value they hold and why we are made for only one person.

“It breaks my heart seeing young people stray away from what they know is right and to laugh about it.”

What does your morning routine consist of? My morning routine consists of breakfast, coffee, daily devo, getting ready, worship in the car, get to work, get situated, and do my verse of the day study.

What is on your nightstand? I have a lamp, tray, jewelry, picture frame of my husband and I, bible, journal, three books, three different colored pens, my retainer, melatonin, water bottles…

Define Christianity in a sentence: Christianity is and should be used as a word that says you have a genuine relationship with Jesus and not simply stating a religion you follow.

For more Britney:

Instagram: @britney.froese
VSCO: britneyfroese
Blog: https://britneytaylor.home.blog/

Until next time, keep witnessing!
XOXO