Monthly Archives: May 2014

The Risk of Faith

hiking boots from unsplash

She launched herself into the air, squealing “Catch me Daddy!” My husband threw himself across the pool, barely getting his hands in position to catch her as she splashed into the water. She shook water out of her face and cackled with glee. “Again!” she shouted, smacking her father on the shoulder. “Catch me again, Daddy!”

She’s our brave one, this blond-headed firecracker of a child. Her older siblings have always tread with caution, but she throws herself at the world and trusts that someone will be there to catch her. Slides, swings, pools—she has absolute faith that her father’s hands will be waiting.

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When You Feel Like Throwing In The Towel

the word of god i live

Ever have days, when life is beyond overwhelming? When there’s too many tasks & people needing you “right now” and the most important things in your life seem to be suffocating beneath the towel you’re contemplating throwing in!?

Parenting is HARD; step-parenting is harder, and sometimes I honestly feel like throwing in the towel & running for cover!

After a recent {very} difficult weekend with my stepson, my husband & I were left feeling completely defeated & powerless. When working with my husbands ex to raise their son, we have come to the tough realization that we will never be on the same page with her; she will always fight us and we will always be, as she ‘lovingly’ calls us, “The Nazi’s!”

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Let Frustration Guide You

Consumed by Frustration

Ever felt consumed by frustration? Like all your attempts at progress meet only baffling failure? If not failure outright, perhaps you  just feel stuck with your wheels spinning.

  • 579286_51266544No matter what you try, you can’t lose weight and never have enough energy.
  • With all the cleaning you do, your house remains constantly cluttered and unorganized.
  • All your kind words and gestures along with any attempts to truly show interest fail to result in real connection.
  • Simplicity of any kind remains illusive, and life just seems constantly filled with drama and complication.

Frustrating. Baffling. Unsettling.

My first instinct? Do something about it.

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One thing you can do when you don’t have any answers

“I honestly wonder if God gives a rip about me,” the young woman mused as she flopped onto the couch. I listened as she gave voice to her honest feelings, and silently begged God for words that would soother her broken heart and convince her that He most certainly does give a rip.

Sad woman

I’m meeting more and more people like her, people whose lives have turned upside down. They read the latest best seller or listen to self-help podcasts or look to Oprah for answers, searching for anything that might heal their brokenness and give them hope for a brighter future.

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Transformation Keeps Coming

Keep in step with the Spirit.

God’s timing is not our timing.

We push and rush, but His timing is best.

Keep walking.

Keep pressing.

Keep seeking more of God with every step.

Let’s keep in step with the Spirit rather than race ahead,

pushing to become what we THINK we should be.

All that we seek can only be done by Spirit.

Let’s cultivate faithfulness with every step.

Don’t give up and don’t give in.

Transformation Quote.jpg

Trying so hard to make ourselves, we measure progress in this place of becoming.

Eyes fixed on what we lack, preparation and practice can feel like failure rather than progress.

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Prayers for Seed, Soil and Souls

 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ~1 Peter 1:23

Jesus stands in a boat teaching the masses, telling one of His most well known stories. He tells the parable of a farmer planting seeds describing the soil and ultimately the outcome. Apparently the disciples were not completely clear because Mark records the fact that once His core group of followers had Him alone, they questioned the meaning. Isn’t it reassuring to know that those closest to Jesus didn’t always get it? Jesus patiently and persistently elaborates:

“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works.

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Praising Him in the Midst

Psalm 108.1

All too often, I have trouble praising God in the midst of unpleasant situations. I’m full of praise when I see His work in my life, and I praise Him for the beauty He creates around me. But it’s those times of trials where I struggle.

Praise was my One Word for 2013. So, you’d think I’d have this praise thing worked out. But, I’m still working on it. I think I’ll always be working on it because it’s hard to put myself aside—how I feel and what I’m thinking—and start praising.

It takes a conscious effort to praise God at all times—especially times I don’t feel like it, when I’m angry or complaining…times when I’m overwhelmed by life…and times I’m starting to doubt that everything will work out.

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Motherhood in the Trenches

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It was Mother’s Day last Sunday. A celebration for so many, myself included, but also a day of great sorrow for others – for the mother who longs for children her body cannot carry. For mothers who have lost babies in the womb and long after. For the mothers of prodigal children. For single mothers who are parenting for two.

I am {temporarily} in the last category … my husband is currently serving in Afghanistan. I’ve written before on single parenting three small children – it’s the hardest thing I’ve done yet, and I’ve been deployed myself!

You find yourself in these moments, in the trenches of motherhood.

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