“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” – Zechariah 4:10 NLT
I walked down the hall into my daughter’s room only to find her entire toy box and dollhouse emptied onto the floor. She looked up and smiled.
She’d just gotten to the age where I could let her play in her room by herself while I grabbed a few minutes to get things done around the house.
So why was I groaning about the mess instead of being glad at how she’d occupied herself having fun?
As a mom, the new phases our kids grow into can sometimes mean things getting harder–not easier–for a while.
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes it’s hard to know which way to turn, which area of your life has gotten out of balance and which needs to be steered back on course. Every since I’ve become a mom, I’ve struggled with balance. Yet, I’ve been able to encourage others along the way even though I don’t have it all figured out myself…
I wrote the following to a friend who was starting on a similar journey of balance in her own life:
“Listen to that gentle whisper God is speaking to your heart and see where He wants you to let go.
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“If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 16:25
One morning, when my youngest two were three and five years old, I sat down with them for a quick devotion. I usually didn’t get around to devotions with my little ones, but on this morning I had managed some quiet time myself before they got up. When they came to sit besides me, I set aside my Bible and seized the moment, never knowing that their children’s devotion would be just what I needed.
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Dear friends and readers,
We’ve been experiencing some issues with this site’s hosting. Since the resign of this site was already underway we decided to tackle both the hosting and design issues at the same time. Please be patient with us as we work out these issues!
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There’s a little town next door to ours that lays claim to “the highest per capita income” in the state. Now I’m not really sure of that statistic–I can think of a few other places with just as few “shoddy” neighborhoods and just as many chic inhabitants–but that’s what they believe of themselves to some extent.
We like visiting the downtown area because there are cute shops and wide, tree-lined walks with lots of street-side dining. It’s a relaxing place to spend an afternoon or get an ice cream after dinner.
One aspect I am less impressed with though, is the driving.
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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9”
I started on my writing journey enthusiastic, bright-eyed and hopeful. That was six years ago. Now, at times I’m weary, blurry-eyed, and discouraged. Why?
What takes a determined person and zaps the life from her dreams? Is it the struggles we face along the way? The obstacles we must overcome? Or is it the lack of results?
While I’ve had successes in my writing career, I’m starting to wonder if it’s enough to sustain me.
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God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Exodus 3:14-15
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with life or with what God has called you to do? If so, you are not alone. When Moses encountered God in the burning bush and God revealed to him his assignment, Moses was overwhelmed too.
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It was a Sunday morning of my writing weekend. I had just finished a rather good word count and went back and forth about debating whether or not to miss my church’s new series on Jesus, but figured I could catch it on the web. So I flipped through the channels of the hotel television, stopping on a choir singing. Not my typical church service. I like my music more contemporary, but thought I’d give it a try. Then a suited man stepped to the podium. Again, not my typical service. My pastor is usually dressed casual and in the summer often wears sandals.
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