True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. It is arduous and it is rare. G.K. Chesterton Contentment is not inherited, it is learned. Most people discover—at a very young age—that they cannot have everything they want, but… Continue reading Learning Contentment: Scripture Writing Plan May 2022
Tag: encouragement
Faith Looks Up: Scripture Writing Plan November 2020
"Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Because we live in this fallen world, we will have moments when we look back with sorrow and look around in worry. It's a natural reaction to the heartaches we face. When we first moved to West Texas, everyone was so friendly. Complete… Continue reading Faith Looks Up: Scripture Writing Plan November 2020
Perfect Peace: November Scripture Writing Plan
Fall is traditionally my favorite season of the year, but when November rolls around, the pressure increases exponentially. There are gifts to be purchased, letters to be sent, family events to arrange---and all the while, the daily demands life continue.
For this November, the scripture writing plan will focus on peace. With the holidays swiftly approaching, it is important practice quieting our hearts so we can recognize both the reassuring presence of God and the abundance of His love.
When You Feel Like Nobody Sees You
Within each one of us is a longing to be seen. It is this very longing that makes social media such a powerful medium. Every post offers a glimpse into our daily life. We can share our favorite foods, our cute pets, our cutting complaints, our magical moments. Better still, we get to control how much we reveal, making our lives look "practically perfect in every way"! Yet does anybody---on social media or in our day-to-day---really see us as we are? Do they see our grueling work (or, at times, embarrassing laziness)? Do they see the tears? The frustrations? The joys? The longings?
God Will Get You Through This
When our valleys last longer than expected, the people we expect to be with us grow fewer and farther between. Take, for instance, the long road of grief. When we lose someone, there is an instant outpouring of support. The refrigerator fills with meals. Phones vibrate with texts. The ads in the mailbox get outnumbered by sympathy cards. The scent of lilies and roses permeates every nook and cranny of our home. Our front door becomes a revolving door as people come and go in order to sit with us, and possibly cry with us. Within a few weeks (or even days), the flow of support slows to a trickle. Life moves on, but the grief does not. And that, my friends, is one of many such valleys. Take heart, God will get you through your valley.
Fathers
Last week, my family visited Arches National Park for the first time. What I treasured most about this trip was not the awesome landscapes, but something far more priceless: a deepening trust and affection between my husband and our children.
Lessons from Parenting a Child with an Atypical Disorder
Before having children, I knew little about Autism, ADHD, or even how food affects behavior. Children, I have discovered, require us to participate in continuing education. I've attended seminars, poured over books, and worked almost as feverishly as I did during my undergraduate years. One of my children has a disorder that doctors have yet… Continue reading Lessons from Parenting a Child with an Atypical Disorder
I am Thankful for You!
When I began this little blogging adventure in early 2015, I did not know what to expect. I felt compelled to write, as there were (and still are) so many misconceptions about God, the Bible, the truth, and Jesus, within the church and the world. I anticipated criticism. I expected it to be difficult. What… Continue reading I am Thankful for You!
How Can We Improve at Helping Others Within the Church? (Coffee Chat 17)
We are long overdue for a coffee chat! Today's question is two-fold:
How do we get better at seeing those who need help, love, and encouragement?
How do we conquer social anxiety when it comes to helping others?
Join us for a little chat over your cup of coffee, tea, or chai!
God Really is Smarter than Everyone Else
We pay lip-service to God's wisdom, and yet when life does not go according to our own "brilliant" plans, we question Him. During those seasons in life when nothing makes sense, we are tempted to doubt the Lord. When those seasons come, it's time to go to His creation and remember who He is and who we are.
Elihu's Corner 