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5 Calming Prayers for Peace of Mind
The blushing blossoms have withered and fallen from the tiny rosebush on the dining room table, quietly reminding us this place was never meant to be the wild rose’s home. I feel much the same: weary and aware that this world is not home. Staring at the shriveled bush, I utter a few prayers for peace of mind, and I come to a startling realization. I seem to expect this life to be free from trouble. All the while, the One who knit me together tells me to expect trouble. Our troubles aren’t terrible, relatively speaking. Everyone in the house succumbs to a weird virus. My bad knee flares up. Our…
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5 Life-Changing Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times
Thin bands of ivory lace the spines of the spruce’s outstretched boughs. As I admire them, I wrestle with the difficult circumstances surrounding me. Closing my eyes, I ask God to guide me in praying prayers of hope in difficult times. If you’re struggling through challenging circumstances today, these prayers are also for you. God wants to carry us through our darkest days and fill us with hope when we feel defeated. Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times Let’s look at five powerful prayers for hope in difficult times. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you find hope in…
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5 Steps to Take When You’re Feeling Uninspired
I’d been feeling uninspired for a few weeks when my life suddenly came to a screeching halt. I was unmotivated to write, weary from parenting, and I felt stuck. Most of us know all about feeling stuck. We get stuck in bad habits, complacency, escapist behaviors, and deep, muddy ruts along the paths of our lives. What do you do when you’re feeling inspired and struggling to find the courage to do something about it? I wrestled with this question as the milky light of winter dawn eased through the windowpane. A thought came to mind. It went something like this: “Have you forgotten your why?” I spend most of…
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What Does God Want Me to Do With My Life?
Have you been asking, “What does God want me to do with my life?” God wants to reveal his will to you. Let’s talk about how to find God’s will for our lives. What Does God Want Me to Do With My Life? The cherry blossoms will soon be salmon with life and hope. I’ve often wondered why God chose to awaken these trees with springtime signs of life before their taller cousins. Maybe he knew we’d all need something remarkably beautiful by the end of the long winter months. Maybe he wanted to give us the best first, a sign of blessings yet to come. After long winter months,…
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7 Bible Verses About Your Calling in Life
When God calls you to follow him, he offers something more powerful than a plan. Today we’ll explore seven Bible verses about your calling in life and apply these truths to our lives. Let’s begin by turning to God’s Word for insight into his calling. 7 Bible Verses About Your Calling in Life Scripture offers a great deal of insight into God’s calling. Here are seven Bible verses about your calling in life. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God and embrace his calling for your life. Bible Verses About Your Calling in Life 1.…
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How to Have More Patience With My Child: 8 Tips
It’s 8:00 p.m. on a Saturday, and I need a talking break. I’ve been answering questions almost incessantly for the past 14 hours. I can’t help but wonder how the question-asker hasn’t worn down yet, but he’s going strong. I’m learning how to have more patience with my child, and I’m failing more than I’m flourishing. We’re driving home from a visit with Grandma and Grandpa when the questions begin again from the backseat. “Mom, how do they make seatbelts?” he wants to know. “Geez. Do you ever stop talking?” his older sister barks. I feel her pain and try to shoot her a sympathetic glance in the rearview mirror,…
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8 Bible Verses About Staying Positive in Hard Times
The cumulous clouds are stacked in a thick layer on the western horizon. I gaze at them from the room where I’m supposed to be writing inspiring words about life and God, but I’m too worn down to find a single thoughtful thing to say. Instead of writing, I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about staying positive in hard times. Bible Verses About Staying Positive in Hard Times Here are the verses I discover. 8 Bible Verses About Staying Positive in Hard Times 1. Galatians 6:9 “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary” (Galatians…
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8 Scriptures on Purpose and Vision for Challenging Seasons
I wake up grumpy after a particularly difficult week of teaching my kindergartner while the one-year-old howls from the high chair. There’s no way around it: I’m struggling with life. I didn’t sign up for this. Pulling out my Bible, I begin digging for Scriptures on purpose and vision. Maybe you need these words today, too. Maybe the job that once felt like your calling now feels like drudgery, or maybe you’ve been trying to find God’s purpose for your life and falling short. Wherever this day finds you, I invite you to join our family in a challenging season as we explore what God’s Word says about purpose and…
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Please Help Me, God! I Need You!
Dawn breaks softly, and I stare down another day with its never-ending tasks. “Please help me, God! I’m drowning over here,” I whisper as I prepare to descend the stairs and begin the day. We’re living in pandemic times, which means I’ll be juggling again today. I’ll teach my kids, cook dinner, keep the little one from drawing on the walls (maybe), fold laundry, try to exercise, shower (probably not), lock myself in the laundry room with something chocolate, and complete at least 200 small but cumulative tasks. It feels like a lot. I’ve been crying randomly and feeling ridiculous about it. These are the days when my life leaves…
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7 Comforting Bible Verses for Miscarriage
If you are reading these words, you are most likely walking through one of life’s darkest valleys. My heart aches as I write these words to you today, precious friend. You might be navigating a miscarriage yourself, or you might be supporting a loved one who is coping with this loss. Today, we’ll turn to God’s Word for seven comforting Bible verses for miscarriage. First, I invite you into my own journey through this heartbreaking loss. From Chapter One of my book, Lean Into Grace, here is the story of one of my darkest days. After I share my story, we will look at these Bible verses for miscarriage. I…
