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Little Is Much When the Lord Is in It
My very first Christmas choir solo included these lyrics: “Little is much when the Lord is in it.” I was a shy, insecure thirteen-year-old, but I took such comfort in these words. Today, they still encourage me whether I’m wondering what difference my writing can make or whether my students actually take the time to read my comments and feedback to help them improve. Maybe you’ve felt the same way. When we’re tempted to despair at how “little” we have to give, let’s remember a minor character in a major Bible story. Show Up for Service Instead of worrying about outcomes, we should instead focus on showing up for service.…
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Trust the Clouds Will Part
During our latest trip to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, my husband James, our friends, and I enjoyed several hikes. The first two days were clear and perfect. No matter where we went, we had good visibility and conditions (even though they were a bit chilly for this Florida girl). The last two days were a complete reversal. We woke to cloudy, drizzly skies. The forecast kept changing, and we weren’t sure if the sun would come out or not. Regardless, we took two slippery waterfall hikes. (When in doubt, hike anyway.) The views were absolutely worth the effort! By late afternoon, though, the clouds still hung heavy and low. We…
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Adored: Book Giveaway & Review
Each year about this time, I start thinking about a daily devotional book to supplement my Scripture reading. Some of my favorites in the past have included Charles Stanley’s Every Day in His Presence and Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. When people ask me for recommendations, I sometimes hesitate because while I enjoy the ones I read, they might not be the best fit for everyone. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Lindsay A. Franklin’s Adored, a daily devotional intentionally designed for young women (middle or high school age). The short selections for each day touch on issues relevant to today’s teens and offer biblical perspective on…
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Our Maker’s Metronome
Click, click, click. Beep, beep, beep. That metronome used to drive me crazy as a beginning piano student. If you play piano (or some other instrument), maybe that little device was the bane of your early musical years, too. Of course, my teacher had my best interests at heart, and thanks to her persistence and the nagging of that metronome, my timing improved. All along, I knew its steady beat was right, but I still resented it. Am I that way with God’s timing? Are you? We might say we believe His ways are best, but truthfully, we’d rather speed up the tempo. However, when we rush ahead of God,…
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Live Wholeheartedly
I love how God connects friends over the years and over the miles. More than a decade ago, I met Lyndsey when she married my older brother’s best friend (a great friend to my whole family). Today, they have a beautiful family of their own and live out west, but I keep up with them over social media. Lyndsey also works with the Wholly Loved team and invited me to guest blog on their site. I’m so excited she did! This ministry reaches Christian women spanning all walks of life. Their website says: We’re a group of moms, wives, and professionals who love encouraging women to discover, embrace, and live…
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Faith that Moves
The follow post first appeared in the spring issue of Girlz 4 Christ magazine. I felt burdened to write it after moving at the end of last year and hope it will be a blessing to you, in whatever stage or place you find yourself. For more encouragement and inspiration on godly topics for teen girls, visit Girlz 4 Christ online. Moving. I can’t decide what I like least about it: getting the boxes, packing, or unpacking. Getting the boxes (if you’re thrifty like me) can involve borderline dumpster diving or soliciting the local grocery store. I felt like a puppy begging for food when I asked the clerk if she had…
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3 Freeing Truths to Fight Busyness
If you’ve been joining me here for a while, you might remember my keyword for 2017: Simplicity. How’s that going for me? I’ll admit: not the way I’d planned. Truth is that I’m busier than ever. In fact, each month adds something new to my never-ending list. Maybe you can relate. How do we fight against the bully of busyness? I wish I could outline three steps to a simpler life, but I’m on this journey with you. However, here are some freeing truths I’m discovering that may help us keep life in perspective. #1: My best doesn’t have to be perfect. Oh, trust me, I want it to be. I…
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Street Stewardship: Our Calling and God’s Commission
As some of you know, I moved at the end of last year. After the mad rush to pack, clean, shuffle, and then repeat, I’ve settled into a cozy little place. And a bit of complacency. Do I really need to paint that room? Nope. Can I live without a pull-down attic access? Yep. Gutters? Maybe this summer. There’s nothing wrong with catching a break from home improvement projects. There is, however, a problem with complacency in other aspects of stewardship. Yes, stewardship. A home is a blessing, a burden, and an opportunity all wrapped in one. I’m not only responsible for my home itself but also for what surrounds it.…
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Trust and Obey
My grandmother’s favorite hymn was “Trust and Obey.” As a little girl, I liked the hymn just because she did. Now that she’s gone, its beautiful simplicity and her memory endear it even more to me. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus. Sometimes, however, that faith gets tried with fire. As a missionary wife and mother, my grandmother experienced death threats against her husband, buried her firstborn son in South America, and before her own home-going much later in life, suffered the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s. Trust and obey? Last week, author and teacher Dr. Dennis E. Hensley or “Doc Hensley” served as keynote…
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The Path of Resistance
Last week, I went biking on a particularly windy day. Starting down the trail, my dirt bike raced along without much effort on my part. The return home, however, was not such a breeze. With head down, I peddled hard into the wind and made much slower progress. My thighs started to burn. Resistance brings pressure, sweat, and sometimes pain; I’m not just talking about the kind that comes from biking into the wind. Life presents us with resistance. In school, we have to work hard and figure out teacher expectations to earn good grades. In our jobs, we might have to deal with unpleasant customers, co-worker conflicts, or project deadlines. Good relationships…
