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Newborn Life: 12 Takeaways for Perspective
He’s fed. We’re all alive. My teeth are brushed. Life with a newborn sets different standards for success. I knew the first few weeks would be hard, but really, nothing can prepare you for the sleep deprivation and postpartum stress. I can’t begin to imagine how anyone handles the newborn stage without a supportive spouse and lots of grace from Jesus. I’m very thankful for both! The good news is that the saying, “It gets easier,” is true. The last few weeks, we’ve started to find our rhythm, however imperfect. As I look back and see how far we’ve come, I find reoccurring takeaways that I hope I can apply…
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The Secret to Anticipating Christmas
Back in August, my husband caught me humming, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Although James loves Christmas, he’s more of a put-the-tree-up-after-Thanksgiving guy. His brows arched. “Are you humming what I think you’re humming?” I held up my hands and grinned. “That’s what you get for having a wife who sings in the choir.” He had the song stuck in his head a day later. You’re welcome. My fellow musicians understand that Christmas practice begins about the time Hobby Lobby puts up its holiday décor—or way too early for most people. For vocalists and crafters, though, we need this time to prepare, to anticipate the season that’s coming. But…
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Encouragement in the Back-Stage Seasons of Life
If you’ve ever been part of a drama or Christmas production, you know that more work takes place off stage than on. I’m not discrediting the performance, but this is just a reality. Life is the same way. Although social media showcases the success stories, it doesn’t reflect all the behind-the-scenes work that made that moment possible. As a result, we can fall into the trap of believing we’re running on a hamster-wheel, and everyone else has “arrived.” Right now, I’m in a back-stage season. My next book doesn’t release until December of 2022. But I promise, I’m hard at work, though I have little to show. Progress is happening,…
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How to Run with God’s Plan for Your Life
I’m honored to be Tina Yeager’s guest on her Flourish-Meant podcast in an episode we called “Running with God’s Plan.” During our conversation, I share my tangible running journey that serves as an analogy for the personal and spiritual challenge to trust God’s plan when we may not understand it. Some highlights from our discussion include: A challenge to give God our loyalty and trust regardless of life’s struggles A reminder that God’s way is always better but not always easy The importance of going into the opportunities God presents to us with open hands Strategies for dealing with disappointments and readjusting our expectations A healthy perspective for approaching both…
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Finding Perspective on the Benches of Beech Mountain
Last month, James and I traveled to Beech Mountain, because two of our friends held their destination wedding there. This was my first visit back since dislocating my shoulder in March, and I felt incredibly grateful for how far I’ve come in the healing process since then. Still, I knew my limitations. One of our favorite hiking trails involves some climbing, and on this trip, the path was muddy and slippery. I encouraged James to hike anyway while I opted to read on the shores of Lake Coffey, a lovely fishing lake surrounded by a boardwalk. Benches dotted almost every angle of this lake, and I chose one to spend…
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Author Chat with Laura Thomas on Romantic Suspense and Her Heart for Readers
Laura Thomas is one of my new favorite romantic suspense authors, and once you get to know her, you’ll see why that’s no surprise! She is not only a gifted writer, but also someone whose desire to provide heart-warming encouragement to her readers shines through the pages. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did! Also, Laura has graciously offered to give away one e-book copy of her latest release, The Orphan Beach. To enter, simply leave a comment below or share this post on social media. Q: How did you first discover your writing ability, and how have you seen God use it in unexpected ways? I…
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Writing with Purpose: An Interview with The Correspondent Evelyn
Some conversations leave you feeling energized, like you just finished chatting with a best friend over coffee and are now ready to continue all the tasks at hand. That’s how my interview at The Correspondent podcast with Evelyn Corral felt. I would love for you to take a listen to this episode. Whether you’re a writer or pursuing some other calling, you’ll be encouraged to persevere and embrace new beginnings, no matter how small. Some of my favorite takeaways from our chat include the following: Appreciate closed doors since they might be blessings in disguise. Remember we have to start somewhere, no matter how small. Be faithful to your calling.…
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When Friends Love: 3 Outcomes of Godly Friendships
I’m excited to introduce you to my friend and Bible teacher Sheila Hupp, who is sharing about the power of godly friendship on the blog today. It’s such a neat story how we connected! Pastor Joe Ferreira, my former pastor, now shepherds her church in Connersville, Indiana where I had the privilege to speak last year. Through mutual friends, we’ve had the opportunity to meet online, and I’ve been blessed by the way she presents God’s Word with clarity and simplicity. As we walk through this year filled with uncertainty, we need godly friends more than ever to come alongside us, and we need to be that kind of friend…
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20 Verses When You Need Encouragement
Hello, friends. Has anyone else felt like she can’t catch a break? The last month has had its share of challenges for me, and I know I’m not alone. Today, I want to share some of my go-to Scriptures that speak encouragement to my heart. I hope these verses will be balm on any other soul that is feeling discouraged or dry. The promises are in no particular order. I encourage you to look them up in your own Bible (I used the New King James version), and consider the rich contexts as well. #1: Perfect Peace – Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.…
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When God Seems to Smile
This life is full of highs and lows, isn’t it? One day, we’re smooth sailing, and the next, we’re doctoring scraped knees and disappointed hopes. As believers, we can’t draw our joy from a perfect set of circumstances but have to find our contentment in a grounding relationship with God that stands firm through life’s sifting sands. But every once in a while, God just seems to smile. Please don’t misunderstand me. The Lord is always good, but sometimes, He reminds us of His incredible generosity and the fact that He enjoys giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). It’s like he’s handing us a precious gift or a…
