I am not one to sit still. Anyone who steps into my shadow for a day needs to rise early and lace up their most comfortable running shoes. From the moment my feet hit the floor, my to-do list begins cycling in my head. I would be the first to admit that I like filling my shoes with capable and self-sufficient. But what I've experienced is that my strengths can quickly become my downfall. Simply put, I struggle with being still long enough to let God work. I wrestle with not taking things into my own hands, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. As I write this, the struggle continues. In my core, I know I shouldn't take back what I've surrendered at least 100 times. But in my head, it plays out differently, and harnessing those thoughts chomping at the bit to take Continue Reading
The Most Effective Way to Brave Anxiety
How many times in a day, week, or month do you ask, “What if…?” I know that when I start asking “What if…?” I’ve opened up the door to worry, fear, and anxiety. And that’s not a pleasant place to camp out. There is a reason God told us over 300 times in the Bible to “Do not be afraid,” “Fear not,” and “Be anxious for nothing.” He knew we would struggle. This year, as I worked on my next book for publication (releasing September, 2019) about exchanging our worry, fear, and anxiety for God’s promised peace, I had many opportunities to put it into practice. Many times “What if…?” got the better of me. “What if my husband and son have an accident on their cross-country trip to move him into his apartment?” “What if finances don’t improve?” “What if the diagnosis is cancer?” and Continue Reading
Brave Enough to Stay {Made for Brave Sisterhood}
I will never forget the look on his face. A look of confusion, bewilderment and disbelief shrouded my husband's face the day he came home from work. I was in the kitchen preparing dinner when he came in and handed me a letter from his office, expressing that due to necessary restructuring, his service was no longer needed. The news was like a heavy blow that completely caught us off guard. How did we go from preparing a family meal to not knowing where our next meal would come from? In the midst of the storm we felt brewing around us, we both resolved within our hearts to trust the Lord, no matter what the future held. Yet as the days and weeks went on, we definitely had our moments of doubt, despair and defeat. As my husband began the process of searching for new employment Continue Reading
Send Your Daughter Out With a Blessing
Today, like so many mothers, I watch my daughter begin another year of school. She's not going far, but she is going out into a world filled with uncertainty an unmet promises. As mothers, we always long to fill the voids to ensure the path our daughter travels is as kind and forgiving as possible. We give her the best advice on how to stay safe. Equip her for the unexpected as best we can and make sure she has every number possible in case of an emergency. Still, we know we can't be there to always protect, always guide and always pick up the pieces of the unexpected. We can't stop her from making her own mistakes or choosing less than best. My friend, we were never meant to fill this role for our daughter. But we can lean into our Heavenly Father, who promises to provide all Continue Reading