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Thirteen Words for the New Mom
Those first few days and weeks with a newborn are some of the most difficult and wonderful ones you will ever experience. May these words, listed out as part of a Five Minute Friday, give you hope and encouragement. Rest as much and as long as possible. Receive offers of food and help. Ask for help when…
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God’s Word: An Exquisite Feast for the Soul
During the summer between my junior and senior years of college, I spent six weeks living with a missionary family in France. It was my first time in Europe and I loved every moment. From the cobbled streets, to the bustling city, to the fields of lavender in the countryside, France was just as romantic and picturesque as…
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When You Don’t Want to Do the Next Right Thing
Yesterday was one of those days in the summer where you feel like being at home with no agenda, but then you get antsy by mid-morning because you have no agenda. There were plenty of things to do, mind you, I just didn’t feel like doing them. After a little pep talk to myself, a whispered…
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What’s the Bread For?
“What’s the bread for?” This question from the little girl who, the day before, told me she hated going to church. We were smashed together playing in the little inflatable pool out back. She wanted me to pretend with her animals, and so I set my book aside to engage with my daughter. It’s not often I…
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How To Live Victoriously When You Feel Defeated By Life
For my fifth birthday, my parents allowed me to invite a few friends for a party at the fun new pizza place in town. There was an arcade area with a variety of silly games, so we all got coins and could play to our heart’s content. My favorite was “Whack a Mole”, the one where you pick up…
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The Marathon of Motherhood: Persevere, Hope, & Turn Toward Heaven
The cabinet gets filled at least once a month, and each time I stare at the shelves of diapers and pull-ups and wonder, “Is this the last time I’ll do this? Are we getting close to the end? When will this season be over?” Nine years — and counting — that we’ve been changing diapers. There was a two-month break…
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The Startling Reality of Saying “Give Me Jesus”
On the ledge above my kitchen sink sits a little postcard with the phrase: “In the morning when I rise, Give me Jesus” The phrase comes from an old song, which happens to be one of my favorites: In the morning when I rise In the morning when I rise In the morning when I rise, Give me Jesus.…
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Ability vs Capacity: Joyfully Embracing Your Season of Life
“I’m just not sure who I am anymore.” “I can’t seem to find my place.” “Before kids there were so many ways that I was able to serve and now I feel like my life is only about wiping bottoms, feeding people and trying to keep my children alive.” “If I could just get beyond this stage of parenting, then…
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Reflecting on a Year of Practicing Sabbath
“I’m prescribing rest for you.” Words I never would have expected to hear from my Doctor had me fighting tears in the examining room. I’m not sick, in fact my health is stellar with low blood pressure, no abnormalities in this pregnancy, and minimal discomfort at this phase. But I think she could tell from our conversation that I…
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4 Creative Ways to Re-engage Your Heart in Your Study of the Bible
About three years ago, we had just moved to a new city, and I was in the midst of unpacking our belongings, homeschooling our oldest, adjusting to a very cold Virginia winter, and eager to get settled and make friends. I was reading my Bible, trying to maintain as much normalcy as possible and longing for connection with the…
