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Feeling Left Out? This Is for You . . .
I open the refrigerator in search of milk, but the sticker on the door catches my eye. It reads, “Star Student Award.” The white paper is creased and is very well-loved. The little girl who earned this sticker was feeling left out until the day the teacher handed her the sticker. She wore it for two days. The day she earned the sticker, she bounced off the school bus in the blazing heat with a fleece jacket over her shirt. She said she wanted to surprise me. She ripped the coat wide open to unveil the prize she’d been longing for all year: the principal’s star student award. My sweet…
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The Presence of Jesus: 10 Ways to Connect With Him
The maples stood barren—as if they were waiting for a fresh breath from heaven. Gazing into their spindly arms, I realized my soul felt much the same. I wanted nothing more than a sense of the presence of Jesus. “Lord, why do you seem so distant? Why don’t I sense your presence?” I prayed. Today, I share the revelation I had as I prayed about encountering the presence of Jesus that day. Then, we’ll look at 10 practical ways to become more aware of his presence. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with the Lord in fresh…
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6 Miscarriage Prayers for a Friend or Loved One
Several years ago, our family walked through one of the most difficult losses we’d ever faced. We lost a baby through a miscarriage. Today, I want to encourage you as you support a loved one or navigate your own loss. The following miscarriage prayers for a friend (or for yourself) can help you find healing in the arms of our heavenly Father. 6 Miscarriage Prayers for a Friend or Loved One Parts of this post are taken from my book, Lean Into Grace, where I share the full story of my miscarriage. I’ll invite you to read the entire chapter for free at the end of this post. First, let’s…
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5 Lessons From the Samaritan Woman at the Well
The dust from the road sticks to the roof of her mouth as she forces her feet to carry her heavy jar just a few more steps. Rather than visiting the well in the cooler evening hours, she chooses to come in the middle of the day because she is avoiding other people. Today, we’ll take a closer look at this story as we glean five lessons from the Samaritan woman at the well. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you establish a rhythm of encountering the life-giving presence of God daily. Now, let’s return to this narrative. Lessons…
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Only God Can Satisfy Your Emptiness: 3 Ways to Be Filled
We were just starting to believe we’d made it through the worst of the blustery winter days when the cold weather returned like a tempest fighting for one last victory. As I stared at the daffodils, crushed beneath the weight of the snow, a gentle invitation beckoned me, whispering, Only God can satisfy your emptiness; turn to him and be filled today. Winter had worn on me, and another grey day felt nothing short of defeating. Nevertheless, I knew that my emptiness could be satisfied by God alone. Mostly, I knew this because nothing else had been working. Only God Can Satisfy Your Emptiness Perhaps this invitation to let God…
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How to Be Satisfied in Jesus When You’re Struggling in Life
The lake is flat and grey today. The surrounding hills roll lavender beneath an ashen sky, and I pray for just a glimpse of blue overhead. I’m here because I long to be satisfied in Jesus, especially when the winter season feels like it might last forever. I close my eyes and ask God to speak to my soul. I want to know how to be content when the landscape of my days seems desolate. A startling truth settles upon me as a red-tailed hawk cries out to its Maker: I can spend all day seeking an emotionally riveting encounter with God by this water, and I may or may…
