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 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 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 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 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 MoreMy husband and daughter recently returned from a trip to Guatemala with our church for a week long mission trip. To hear them recount stories, full of inspiring God-glorifying conversations and scenery alike, produced in me a longing to serve on mission as well. At times, in fact, it most assuredly sounds better to visit another continent altogether to serve short-term, rather than continue in daily acts of service. Doesn’t it?
Yet God continually calls us to steward our service first within the walls of our homes. So, how can we press on with confidence and endurance? Read here.
Read MoreThe time for spring cleaning is near, but have you ever thought of tidying up your time?
I know what you are thinking:
How can I tidy my time?
How can I continue to make progress if I allow rest to hold prominence?
How can I remain faithful to the goals I set at the beginning of the year?
How can I know what areas of my life need to be addressed this season?
I’m glad you asked. Read here and find out.
Read MoreThere is no better time to begin shaping your child’s heart for generosity than now. The holiday season ushers us into the spirit of giving like none other, yet it’s threatened by our desires to get. We all feel the tension.
So, as parents, how can we model generosity as a family at this time of year and beyond? Here are three helpful ways I’ve found to do just that, along with some resources to get you started.
Read MoreJoin me as I share on the Compared to Who? podcast with host Heather Creekmore. I share about how to view our lives as something to be invested rather than merely consumed. If you feel insignificant or like the work you do in the unseen of your days doesn’t matter, this is for you.
But first, a little back story and a helpful resource for you.
Read MoreIn need of a reset, but don’t know where to start?
I’m not talking about a diet, but sustainable rhythms that will help you in ways you’ve never thought about before. Here I share a few ideas, including helpful tips, for an effective reset.
Read MoreIs your to-do list long, intention high, and calendar full?
I am finding myself in a season where my margin for time is opening up little by little and I want to steward it well. Many days I get lost doing something that brings no value whatsoever to my life. We need a good mindless distraction from time to time, but now that my goal list is growing, I need to be increasingly intentional about the margin time of my days. It is the “crack time”, so I’ve heard it called with a chuckle.
We can use the crack time to fill back up so that we can continue to pour out, but we must find it. Look for it. Seek it out.
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