It's difficult to imagine in the midst of sorrow and tears that anything good can ever be waiting around the corner. When the tears run raw and hot and salty, and the sobs reach deep. It's hard to imagine a smile will ever part our lips again. But it does. When the grief twists and squeezes our heart and our breath can't find its steady rhythm between the pain. It's hard to fathom that laughter will find its place in our world again. But it does. I lost a dear friend this week. Her life wasn't nearly long enough and my heart aches at the cruelty and timing of death and how there's no easy way to say goodbye. And I wince at the shattering left behind, of the lives held together by this one. How death delivers such a blow, and the heart longs to wish it away. To sleep and awake to 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
When You Long to Do Big Things – Made For Brave Sisterhood
What is being brave for God, really? Is it doing big things in big places? Is it conjuring up some hidden self-empowerment to step out boldly and brashly? For the past few years, I’ve been listening to all the voices that shout “to achieve your dreams for God you need to build your platform. Be seen. Be heard. Be an influencer.” Certainly, God calls some of his followers to big platforms which require big bravery. But you know what? They started with being brave in the ordinary. Billy Graham first preached at small churches and on city street corners before ever reaching millions through radio and crusades. Elisabeth Elliot first ministered in the jungles of Ecuador before speaking and writing nationally. Mother Teresa left her order to live among the poorest of Continue Reading
7 Perfect Ways to Refresh Your Mind
Summer isn't just about refreshing our soul; it's also about refreshing and energizing our mind. Disconnecting from our routines and tasks to find small stretches of refreshment in our summer will reap huge benefits when fall rolls around and we find ourselves knee-deep in the busyness of life. I don't know about you but my priorities tend to get out of whack the busier I get. When this happens, it's like a domino effect. I get weary, cranky and I complain about the smallest things. I snap at the people closest to me and focus on what's wrong in my life instead of all that is good and right. And truth...well, when my busyness has gotten the best of me, truth gets distorted and hope often evades even my saner moments. Our brains need to disconnect into nothingness. Where thoughts Continue Reading