Hope After Catastrophe: Regaining Perspective From Higher Ground
Hope After Catastrophe: Regaining Perspective From Higher Ground

Perched upon breathtaking cliffs, my eyes searched the surroundings in disbelief. Pure waves of blue rolled below, occasionally showing off a white cap from time to time as if to remind the spectators it is, in fact, real. Our 20th anniversary trip to Santorini, Greece was more than we could have imagined we needed. The entire week I couldn’t stop thinking about this one fact, and I wonder if we might gain some perspective from it as we pray and seek to help those walking through incomprehensible pain these days.

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Faith, Parenting, TravelShawna Sullivanfaith, Travel, marriage, pain, hope Comments
When You Wonder Why Life Doesn't Get Easier
When You Wonder Why Life Doesn't Get Easier

With each paycheck, I expect it to be greater than the one before. With each school year, I expect the kids to not struggle like they did before. With each budget talk, I expect my heart to grow more satisfied than it did before.

You know what? It usually doesn’t, yet my eyes continue to search the world for better wrapped in easy and more. To keep my feet walking and my heart trusting, these truths guide me to seek God’s wisdom above my own understanding

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Shawna Sullivan Comments
Three Prayers to Pray at the Start of Something New
Three Prayers to Pray at the Start of Something New

Whether a new month, a new school year, or a new opportunity—there are always “what if’s” circling through my mind.

Here are three prayers ushering my heart into the unknown, as new opportunities present themselves this coming month. Perhaps they are helpful to settle your anxious thoughts as well and draw your eyes upward toward your loving Father.

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Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanFaith, Prayer, Encouragement Comments
Stewarding Our Gifts of Service With Endurance
Stewarding Our Gifts of Service With Endurance

My 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.

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Faith, Education, Parenting, Stewardship, SummerShawna SullivanStewardship, Service, Mercy, Faith, Education, Mission Trip, EnduranceComment
An Invitation When You Feel Stuck in the Valleys of Life
An Invitation When You Feel Stuck in the Valleys of Life

Life’s journey has long been represented by seasons of mountains high and valleys low. Commonly, mountain tops represent the peaks of enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment, while valleys the deeper, darker, and difficult seasons. My age and experience attest to quite the opposite. So, I want to extend the invitation to you. Read why.

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Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanColorado, Mountains, Valleys, Nature, Faith, Encouragement Comments
Simple Summer Recipes To Try Today
Simple Summer Recipes To Try Today

If there is one question I receive more than any other, it’s about how I find time to cook for my family. More than time, cooking takes intentionality, and summer is the perfect time to try some new things in the kitchen.

None of these recipes are fancy, just practical. I hope you can find one to try!

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Shawna SullivanComment
Five Things to Try When Disappointment Clouds the Summer Sun
Five Things to Try When Disappointment Clouds the Summer Sun

Surely our family is not the only one to experience an unexpected sickness, a discouraging diagnosis, or a disappointing change of plans during summer. Right? As much as we love summertime for making memories, finding rest, and seeking adventure, we equally feel the sting of disappointment when things don't go as planned. 

So, I recorded my own thoughts to share with you in hopes that they bring you joy amidst your own disappointments this summer and always. 

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Education, Faith, Knowing God, ParentingShawna SullivanSummer, Family, Encouragement, Disappointment, SicknessComment
Spring Cleaning: 3 Ways to Tidy Up Your Time and Cultivate a Fruitful Life
Spring Cleaning: 3 Ways to Tidy Up Your Time and Cultivate a Fruitful Life

The 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.

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Faith, Parenting, Time, StewardshipShawna SullivanTime, Encouragement, Parenting, Faith, Stewardship Comment
Where To Find Joy Here and Now
Where To Find Joy Here and Now

“What do you need to surrender?” Her question echoed through the microphone and searched my heart.

I sat while my mind invited the Spirit to search my heart. Before getting on a plane and entering back into real life, what was God asking me to surrender to increase my agility and joy along this faithful race?

While several areas came to mind, one clearly stood out.

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Faith, Education, Parenting, SisterhoodShawna SullivanSisterhood, Encouragement, Parenting, Marriage, FaithComment
Hope For When You Wish You Could Just Start Over
Hope For When You Wish You Could Just Start Over

What is it in us that is so desperate for something new? Don’t get me wrong. I love a clean slate, a blank canvas, and wide open spaces. But if we are honest, the changing of the calendar doesn’t actually bring anything new with it except the hope of better. So, how can we experience newness in the middle of our story? Read and be encouraged.

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Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanNew Year's, new, renewal, redemption, restoration, regeneration Comments
Three Ways to Shape Your Child's Heart Toward Generosity
Three Ways to Shape Your Child's Heart Toward Generosity

There 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.

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Education, Faith, Parenting, StewardshipShawna SullivanChristmas, Generosity, Parenting, Encouragment, Faith, Education, Giving, Serving, StewardshipComment
For the One Wondering If God Sees All You Do
For the One Wondering If God Sees All You Do

In my prayers, I began presenting God my platters of good deeds, sacrifices, and accomplishments, and expected Him to return my offering with earthly blessing, favor, and gain. As time passed, life grew arduous. Soon I discovered the only variable increasing in my life was bitterness.

Did God even see all that I was doing? Did He even care?

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Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanParenting, spiritual encouragement, MotherhoodComment
Three Questions To Ponder During Unimaginable Loss
Three Questions To Ponder During Unimaginable Loss

After a recent loss, there were no spiritual platitudes or verses that could immediately numb the mind-blowing pain of a life taken too early, but I knew that I needed to be reminded of a God whose ways are different than mine. So, where do you turn in those moments when you feel lost, alone, and desperate for direction?

Join me as I process through three critical questions. Perhaps in my processing you, too, can find healing for a way forward through your own grief or disappointment.

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Faith, ParentingShawna Sullivangrief, healing, faith, encouragement Comments