The holidays and the final days of the year draw near. As we prepare to celebrate with joy, chances are disappointments remain from unaccomplished goals, unanswered prayers, and unexpected challenges. We long to see fruit from the work of our hands this year, but what happens when there is no harvest yet?
Maybe we need a harvest of hope. Allow these faithful next steps to help you give thanks when you’re waiting for the harvest.
Read MoreWhat keeps me stagnant in my faith is often not the fear of unknowns but the fear of failure. It has taken years of wrestling to understand that my hesitancy to say yes to where God is calling me lies in my propensity to trust in my own performance over his presence. But in his Word, God reminds us that we are called to go deeper on our journey of faith, and he promises to lead us himself.
So, if you feel stagnant today, stuck even, allow these encouraging reminders to help you fight your fear of failure so God can take you further.
Read MoreWhen the world is spinning, maybe what we need is a little less worrying and a little more grounding. Maybe one of these ten ways will help you, too, stay rooted and soft, despite not having all of the answers. They may even surprise you with a smile.
Read MoreFinances, marriage, parenting—each feel heavy in this halfway season of life. As I walked briskly, my heart pumping, I prayed for God to let me bypass these burdens. With each step, these three truths helped me continue moving when I wished to escape simply.
Read MoreNo one desires hunger. We like feeling full. Neither our rumbling desires nor our lacking longings are welcomed with joy. So, how can we grow in gratitude for hunger? How can we celebrate the ‘less than’ over the ‘more than’ of this life? Where are we turning to finally feel full?
Read MoreLife becomes confusing when it takes a turn onto a road we never expected to drive down. Sometimes, new seasons feel scary and leave us feeling lost. How can we navigate with assurance and confidence when the path ahead is unclear? Allow these five truths about God to anchor you when you feel lost and provide peace for your faithful next step.
Read MoreWe pray for a sign, a scripture, something to give us clarity at a crossroads. Can’t God just tell us what to do? If God told nothing to become something in the creation story, perhaps he has, as Saint Augustine a Christian philosopher calls it, a “divine imperative” for us too.
When you wish God would tell you what to do, perhaps one of these divine imperatives or commands will speak to your heart and help you rest or take the next step with clarity.
Read MoreAs parents who desire connection with our children at a deeper level, it’s helpful to remember that there are layers to a conversation, much like water. We have a choice: slowly wade into the shallow or dive headfirst into the deep. Since not all circumstances allow for diving into the deep, here are ten strategies to better connect with your child and foster the art of conversation.
Read MoreMy budget shows red, and my energy is overdrawn. As the spring recedes and gives way to summer, I feel like I’m running low on all of my resources.
This passage from the gospel of Mark reminded me of a woman who gave out of her poverty not abundance, and I wonder if it might have a word for us as we seek to keep giving despite our lack.
Read MoreOur calendar consistently needs more margin, especially this time of year. As spring activities and school events dominate, it’s easy to feel like a participant in a mad dash toward the finish line.
Solitude? Quiet? Prayer? We know we need them, but finding space for them remains pretty challenging. Yet it matters not only for the health of our souls but also for the health of our families. So, here are three ways for busy moms to consistently flourish in their faith, creating space for the seemingly impossible yet spiritually essential.
Read MoreThere were seasons when those feelings dominated my days, and regardless of what else was going on, I felt constrained, restricted, stuck.
This reminder about God is a profound truth that I needed to meditate on back then and quite honestly, today as well.
Read MoreHeading into spring each year, I feel a deep sense of longing for the same things: warmth on my face, green in the landscape, and color along the paths. Do you feel it, too? The promise of a new season is captivating, yet perhaps we remain discouraged from seasons past.
Spring reminds us how God faithfully breathes newness into dry bones, barren gardens, and weary hearts alike. So, if you, too, are desperate for renewal, look to these three places and be encouraged by how God is working anew in your life.
Read MoreCoincidentally, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day this year.
Whether a lover of dark chocolate or not, many are perplexed on how to celebrate the religious holiday this year. Admittedly Lent threatens to be a killjoy, but perhaps the marriage of the two presents a timely opportunity for us to assess what our hearts love most.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever wondered: Why here, Lord? Why not there? Why now? I get it.
Whether through your geography, relationships, or resources, allow these reminders to help you identify the blessings of boundaries God has placed in your life for this season.
Read MoreRather than clear goals that lead to my striving, I’m praying this year is marked by abiding. So, how do we navigate the tension between work and rest? When does our work shift into unhealthy patterns of trying to control the outcome?
Read MoreAt the end of every year, expectations run high as to what the new year holds. We want to work out more, eat less, and finally focus on that dream we keep putting off. Before we know it, the calendar fills with plans and expectations, yet sometimes, we don’t stop to ask God what He desires for us. So, as we approach the new year, let us position our hearts with these five prayers, seek to hold plans loosely, and create space for God to move.
Read MoreReady or not, another year is upon us. The usual goals for health and wellness occupy our thoughts, yet we may neglect the foundational areas of our time and money. That’s why we created this guide to help you put first things first. Read and grab your free New Year’s guide now.
Read MoreIf you’re looking at the holidays ahead and wondering where the time and energy is to put into fun memories with your family, I got you. This time of year is full of year end activities and anticipation, but as moms it can be challenging to keep the fun.
So, let me help with this FREE download.
Read MoreAfter reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, I knew it was the perfect time to visit our local Holocaust Museum. I attempted to prepare my eighth grade students for the breadth and depth of tragedy they would encounter. In hindsight, I’m not sure that’s possible.
However, what I didn’t expect was how much a simple story of potato soup would teach me about gratitude.
Read MoreThe parenting journey parallels the popular children’s book We’re Going On a Bear Hunt. Some seasons find us slowly trudging through thick mud, stuck in weight and worry, while others swish past in the blink of an eye. No matter what—we can’t go over it, we can’t go under it, we must find the courage to go through it. So, how can we maintain an eternal perspective along the way? Read the full featured article at www.familychristian.com and download your family mission statement here.
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