By the time you read this, I'll already be on the other side of the world, and although I had every intention of getting two more Summer Reset posts rolled out, I've had to put them on hold until July. At the same time I'm traveling, many of my colleagues and students are also traveling to remote parts of the world, expending valuable time, talents and resources toward a greater purpose, beyond the classroom. If you've spent any time questioning your own purpose, I hope you'll be encouraged and challenged to seek out the depths of your passion and intention by first seeking out God's greater purpose. It's late afternoon, exams are finally over, and the last grade report has been dispersed. Most students have returned home for the summer, but many are still buzzing Continue Reading
5 Steps to Bravely Embrace God’s View of Success – Made for Brave Sisterhood
Over nine years ago I was in a frustrated and not-so-successful place—by human standards anyway. I had stood by my pastor husband’s side in ministry for many years doing whatever I could to contribute and serve there. Yet I still longed for something more. Something unique to my wiring and giftedness. For years the doors for that kind of role seemed to stay closed for me—that was until I felt God opening the door through the avenue of a blog. My blog became the spacious place (Job 36:15-16) where God lit my heart and mind on fire for helping people find healing and perspective in the mess that marriage can sometimes be. If my definition of success had been to simply write and minister on my blog, I would have faced each day's challenges with bravery—inspired and fueled by God. I would Continue Reading
We are Made to Brave Disappointment
Have you ever come to a point in your walk where you questioned your beliefs? Where you've felt the very fibers of your once solid faith unraveling? I sat there that Sunday morning, unsure I wanted to stop the unraveling. As others stood, hands lifted high in praise, I sat, arms crossed, wondering if the God I clung to all these years had abandoned me. Was I standing in this fire alone? The last four months were riddled with the loss of my brother, my oldest daughter renouncing her faith in Christ, and the diagnosis of my husband’s cancer. I felt like the dry bones of Ezekiel 37 – cut off, dried up, all hope gone. Sown seeds of faith much bigger than a mustard seed wilted like flowers of a rose. One by one, the big prayers I prayed fell, from a budding rose of hope to the parched Continue Reading
8 Ways to Create an Out-of-the-Ordinary Summer
There is something to be said for "out of the ordinary." It brings a certain freshness and spontaneity that is so necessary in resetting our life, especially during the summer months. As much as I love intention and routine, my creature of habit tendencies carry me into ruts before I'm ever aware I'm there. My days become predictable, my disposition is snarky, and life, in general, feels stale. I know the signs when my energy drops and my creativity dries up. It's time to change things up. It's time to reset. Seven months ago, after living in the same home for 22 years, we sold. It was a whirlwind sale, and it sold to the first family who came knocking. I didn't have time to second guess or cry over painted covered measurements of each child's years of growth. We pitched, we Continue Reading