What is discouragement? It is a curtain of doubt that falls on you when optimism over a certain outcome is ripped away. I can vividly remember situations where I felt discouragement. A season of hope that was replaced by uncertainty and confusion. The moment my husband walked into the room after Hurricane Katrina and…
Read More Some people naturally know how to encourage others. In their presence, we feel refreshed; they freely offer praise, admiration, and genuine encouragement. When I am around encouragers, I wonder, how are they so kind? Is it possible for all of us to become encouragers? What does the Bible say about encouragement? Expressing encouragement may seem…
Read More While listening to my friend explain her simple Christmas traditions, I looked around and felt the spirit of Christmas everywhere. Her home looked, smelled, and felt like Christmas. Her family’s interpretation of how to celebrate the holidays without stress and exhausting busyness was intriguing. A simple Christmas sounded like a comforting, freeing idea. I decided…
Read More Are you wondering, how the Bible can change your life? How the word of God completely transforms you? When I was in grade school, I was part of a team that would memorize Bible verses for competition. The training involved sitting on my porch, eating Lemonhead candy while practicing Bible flash cards. I hate to…
Read More The saying ‘a good friend is hard to find’ doesn’t seem true when surrounded by good friends; we don’t think about what makes a good friend. But during seasons when friendships are hollow or nonexistent, the saying feels especially painful and true. We have to grow and change to become the kind of people who…
Read More Finding your purpose in God leads to a better altogether life. Relinquishing control and trusting God with our lives leads to an inspiring, peaceful, and fulfilling journey. But for me, it took time and several wrong turns. Finding purpose took me on many paths with some success and some dead ends. When I finally attached…
Read More Most mornings I exercise on a path near my home and get to practice how to persevere when you feel like giving up! Occasionally, as I head out the door, a neighbor waves and says, “headed for a run, good for you!” It feels good to think people see me as a runner. I think…
Read More Godly contentment brings a deep sense of satisfaction that affects every area of life. For a long time, contentment eluded me and I sought satisfaction along paths that led to dead ends. After placing my faith in Christ, a shift began in my spirit. I developed confidence, because of my trust in God, which led…
Read More Recovering from the loss of a friendship is difficult and painful. Losing a friend who holds a special place in your life- one with who you shared secrets, hopes, and dreams- affects every part of you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. There is no shortcut to healing from the loss of a friendship because losing a…
Read More Teaching kids how to develop strong character is not an easy task for parents. Although most of us would love to be described as a person of strong character, modeling and teaching character to our kids is a difficult job. Strong character is so important to our family, that we have intentionally focused on how…
Read More