An ungrateful heart is a difficult thing to overcome, especially when the very thing we wanted is not what we've been given. We grumble, whine and complain as we dig ourselves deeper into a pit of discontentment. But this is not how we are meant to live. I hope you'll find encouragement from Debbie Wilson, as she shares a valuable lesson in braving her own ungrateful heart. Every time I slid behind the wheel of my cheerful yellow car, I gave thanks. The Lord had provided this used car at an affordable price just in time for a cross-country trip. It was perfect for hauling my toddler and preschooler and a direct answer to prayer. That’s why I couldn’t understand why I had to lose it. My husband, Larry, and I spent a month on a mission trip in Eastern Europe. The experience Continue Reading
A Call to Love Brave
The sound of sea waters meeting the shore, birds chirping in harmony, wind hushing a peaceful tone, and two people looking in each other’s eyes, silently searching for the right words. I would not forget that day – a moment of deep and truthful conversation that we never had since the day he said he wanted to pursue a relationship with me. There at my favorite beach in our little town, he told me there was something dark about him that I needed to know. This man is the man of my dreams. He’s a church leader I respect, the only Christian guy I have admired from afar, the person I prayed for since I can remember. With a blessing from our leaders, we started our courtship journey – part of that to be honest and open with each other. As he spoke, he brought me to a dark room in his Continue Reading
Friendsgiving with Fresh Market Friday Link-Up + Free Gift
This week, I realized I am once again late to the party - the Friendsgiving party. It seems this festivity has been rapidly gaining popularity in our culture, and although I was initially among those so-called skeptics who surmised this was one more opportunity to remove God from the season, I soon came to realize it can easily be considered an extension of Thanksgiving. Friends are such a valuable and necessary part of life, and the gift of friendship is a rich blessing to treasure and offer up gratitude for. "Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold." For many years, a picture with these words hung on the wall, welcoming friends to our home. I'm not sure who authored this quote, but it's long been a favorite. Opportunities for friendship have Continue Reading
Braving the Truth of Ordinary
I'm sure you've heard it said that we were never meant to do it all. And when we think we have to, we are believing a lie. Whenever I take on more than what I can practically handle, it's usually done out of an extreme need to make everyone happy. I find myself running a mile a minute, trying to accomplish all the things, maintain my seemingly joyful demeanor, and never let anyone down. It's exhausting. I come home way too wiped out to cook dinner, or do anything around the house, so the place I call home gets neglected and cluttered, which makes me feel all the more overwhelmed. I've always wondered if Jesus really meant it when he said that apart from him, we can do nothing. Really? Nothing at all? Surely I could do things like...wash dishes, cook meals, or go grocery shopping on Continue Reading