Trusting God
Our understanding is in our circumstances and the things we can see. But God’s understanding is far beyond our circumstances. He can even see the past crystal clear and He already wrote the future. So His Holy understanding on what is best for us isn’t clouded or limited by our circumstances.
Are you talking so loud you don’t hear God?
Sometimes when we don’t know what to say, we are told to say nothing at all. But sometimes, when we are at a loss for what to say, in those moments, we can quiet our own loud voices and let God’s voice shine through. […]
Only Heaven can be this beautiful…
Since my childhood, I’ve been through many, many churches. Each one is beautiful in it’s own way. But what always struck me as awe-inspiring were the intricate and light-filled stained glass windows that I’d find in some of the older churches I’ve visited. There is a distinct ambiance and feeling that those windows would bring […]
I am His, He called me by name.
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game, looking at how others are living their lives and feeling […]
God has big plans for you
Even when things seem bleak or hopeless, or aren’t going as expected, God has hope and a future planned for you. He has a specific purpose for you, which is why He put you right here, right now.
Be strong, be brave, be fearless, you are never alone
Are you brave? Fearless? Strong? Courageous?
I know I don’t always feel that I am, but God tells me in His Word that he is COMMANDING us to be these things. Because He is with us, anywhere we are, in whatever we are doing.
How can we be afraid when our Protector is with us?
How can we be weak when our Strength works on our behalf?
Praying for our Leaders
God calls us to pray for those in authority over us. But what about when we don’t FEEL like praying for them?
Well…He tells us to do it anyways, so let’s talk about that!
You are loved with an Everlasting Love!
“..the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 One of the greatest promises that God makes to each one of us is that His love is everlasting. It’s not conditional, it’s not short-tempered, emotional or variable. God loves in […]
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
My daughters give me such a hard time. I mean, they give me a hard time about many things, but a biggie is my inability to listen to certain Christmas songs without getting choked up and forming big old tears in my eyes. It’s actually pretty pathetic, and it always happens in the most embarrassing […]
4 questions to ask yourself before you confide in a friend
Raise your hand (or an emoji hand in the comments below! ) if you’ve ever attended a Bible study or coffee date and found that the conversation turns into a very long venting session disguised as “prayer requests”? No matter what you are going through in your life, when you have a captive audience who […]
The Lord is greater than the giants that you face
When you feel afraid or alone, what do you do? Try to manipulate a situation to work the way you want it to? Do you try to lean on someone else to carry your burden? Neither of these options will bring you the peace and strength you need to persevere. But I know who DOES and this is how you can find Him!
6 Steps to reclaiming God’s peace in your life
With everything in the world trying to get your attention, where do you spend the most time? And the further you get from God, how do you feel? Anxious? Afraid? Depressed? Here is an easy way for you to analyze where you are spending your time and what you can do to claim back your time with Him!
What are you showing the world?
For a small project for school, I need a picture of my family. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, but with two teenage daughters, it seems the four of us are never in the same place at the same time. I told my kids this morning to plan that after school, we will be taking […]
Seeing yourself through different eyes…
In these times of uncertainty and navigating new emotions most of us have never experienced, I’m finding quiet times of reflection that are leading to people learning things about themselves that they never knew before. Maybe it’s the extra time on our hands. Maybe it’s that many of the freedoms and things we took for […]
Promises
Where is your worth?What do you think your value is? Whoever this world has conditioned you to be or has brainwashed to think you are, I want to be a little voice here reminding you that He has called you Beloved. God’s Word is full of beautiful promises, written thousands of years ago by the […]
Remember His Promises
I sometimes get so frustrated. I get annoyed and feel like I’m spinning my wheels. I can’t pinpoint the source of my frustration, so out of almost a sense of desperation, I reach for my Bible, blow off the dust and open it up. It’s probably been a while. I’ve drifted away from God and […]
What I learned when I read someone elses private journal
Diaries are someones private thoughts. They usually never intend for anyone to read those secret entries. What happens when you get the privilege of reading someone’s raw and intensely personal reflections? And how does this reflect how we should see God’s Word?
When prayers go unanswered
We all love to celebrate answered prayers! But what about the prayers that aren’t answered the way we hope? Or the ones that seem to never be heard and we pray over and over again?
God finds such JOY in you!
Any one who has ever parented or cared for little kids for any period of time can hear the words “Mom, come watch me!” or “Come look what I can do!” We’d hear it over and over again. I remember reluctantly dropping what I was doing and dragging myself into the next room with a […]
Holding on to a falling tree
When you are holding on in the storms of life, where do you turn for refuge? Do you hold on to a tree and hope it doesn’t take you down with it?
Look up, be watchful….
The pelicans are my fig tree. When I see them, I remember how faithful God is. Every season reminds us that we are even closer to seeing Him again. We don’t know if we’ll be here to witness Him coming on the clouds, or if we’ll meet Him in Heaven, but one thing is sure: He made a promise, and He always keeps His promise. We don’t need to fear, we don’t need to worry. Just as I look forward to those pelicans returning, I can look forward to seeing all that God has promised come to fruition.
She is Clothed in Strength and Dignity…
She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 A couple of weeks ago, I had this horrible dream where I was in front of a bunch of people in a bathrobe, but no matter how hard I tried, the bathrobe wouldn’t cover me up. I tried […]
Break my heart for what breaks yours…
My sister and I have a great relationship. She is my best friend. It works really well because we couldn’t be more different. Growing up, I remember a situation in high school where some random girl was saying bad things about me. She barely knew me, I never even talked to her, yet she was […]
Easter Challenge
This weekend in my facebook Bible study group, we did a little mini-Bible study challenge, and I wanted to give you the chance to learn what we all learned this weekend. We started by reading about what Jesus commanded His followers to do right before He ascended back up to Heaven after the resurrection. (Matthew 28:16-20) […]
She Who Kneels Before God…
We need to stand firm against the enemy. In times like these, he will think he’s got a level up on us. But God assure us in His Word, again and again…that Satan doesn’t stand a chance! We need to arm ourselves for the battle in front of us. It’s not a war on a […]
The battle we can’t see
Wherever in the world you are reading this, I think we are all in the same boat. Many of us are at home. Some of us have been home for a few weeks, some of us continue to work, but there is no doubt that the world looks a whole lot different than it did […]
Fun Bible Study Hacks and Tools
Time spent in the Word is quality time. Knowing where to start or how to keep track of what you are doing can be a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be 🙂 Hearing from God in His Word helps us to understand who He is, align our hearts with His and gives us […]
In this world you will have trouble…
When my girls were younger, I realized quickly how crippling anxiety can become. When they got sick, I learned how little control I had. And for me, anxiety is all about control. Soon it turned into such an issue, that even simple and fun tasks like walking into Target became full-fledged panic attacks. Not knowing […]
4 ways God helps us through crisis
As I sit here and write this, I’m in a bit a disbelief. Reflecting over the events of the past week, I said to my daughters yesterday “never in all of my years have I experienced anything like this!” I’ve never seen schools closed for weeks at a time, church services cancelled indefinitely. Grocery store […]
Are you easily offended?
Why do we feel offended when someone says no to something we like to do? Let’s talk about convictions and how we don’t have to share them to respect them!
Your story is important
As my daughter continued to work on her speech, I encouraged her to find herself in my story. Because all of the little things that happened led to her. And what a beautiful illustration to realize that each step we take, good or bad leads us closer to Christ!
What is your story? Are you ashamed to tell it?
Practicing humility when things seem uncertain
This part of my website is a place where I’ve always felt that I can be honest and can share my heart because I know from the response that I get that truth resonates. And today will be no different. I’ve sort of been afraid to share this, but I need to you know that we all go through stuff. We all have times that test our faith. But that doesn’t mean that God gives up on us.
Over the last six months or so, I’ve found myself in a place of doubt. Not my faith, I don’t feel like I ever doubted who God is or what He has promised me. But myself.
I felt like a hypocrite.
How I hand-make your leather goods
Have you ever ordered something online, waited patiently (or not-so-much!) for the mail too arrive, and tear into your brand-new package? You peel back the layers, open the protective wraps and finally see the beautiful, yummy-smelling leather good that you’ve been saving up for and dying to enjoy! Suddenly all of your senses take action…. […]
Finding beauty and confidence in the body God gave you
I’m a Mom to two beautiful teenage girls. It wasn’t until recently that I was faced with the harsh reality that this world isn’t kind to girls, and it’s not easy to be a girl and feel comfortable with the body God gave you. I’ve struggled with self-esteem for most of my life, but it […]
Learning to surrender daily
I’m sitting in my living room, feet up in my favorite recliner with my laptop on my lap. My business and a lot of my life revolves around my faith, and all of that is run on this little pink MacBook. I’m waiting up for my teenage daughter to get home safely for the night, […]
How is God’s Word “alive”?
I’ve grown up reading and learning the Bible. I led a Bible study for 10+years. But I realized recently that I have some “go-to” books of the Bible. I loved studying the history and context of Genesis in a year long Bible study I did. I get so much from Philippians and Galatians. The Gospels […]
5 ways to submit your day to God
We all like to be in control of our routines. But God knows better than we do about what is best for us. How do we trust Him with the details of our everyday schedules?
Do you lie about praying?
In my facebook group this week, we’ve had a lot of very serious prayer requests. That’s what I love about these women. It’s a safe place, one where we can reach out in our moments of uncertainty and ask complete strangers to lift us up in prayer. It’s truly a gift ♥️ As I was reading through […]
How do you know your sins are forgiven?
I’m going to give you the super short version of a different angle of a well-known story of the Bible….. God asked Jonah (you know, the guy in a whale!!!) To head to the City of Nineveh to warn the people of His coming judgement. The people there needed someone to come and show them […]
How to forgive yourself
Can you forgive yourself? This week I dove in head first to a BIG topic. Forgiveness. In my facebook Bible study group, we are going to be talking about it and studying it together. But before I can lead any kind of discussion or study, I have to take the time to really search out […]
Letting Go and Letting God…
“Let Go and Let God….” Five little words that have been slapping me upside the head these past couple of weeks. When life throws us a major curve ball, and things feel out of our control, why do we tend to revert to worry and trying to push through, hoping we can get the outcome […]
Too busy to hear from God
What in your life is stealing your focus? Are you so distracted by being busy that you can’t hear God or the people in your life who need you? This is something I’m learning first hand and wanted to share my experience, in hopes that you can learn something from it.
Praying for your enemies
God calls us to love everyone, but how to we love someone who has hurt us? God doesn’t ask us to do it on our own, but in His strength, so we pray for them.
Doing what is right when the world says you are wrong
Being the Mom to teenage girls, I’m seeing so clearly what all of the warnings about raising teens actually meant. I’ve heard it all so many times, but call it naïveté, or maybe call it pride… I really thought that somehow my teens would be the one exception to the norm. I truly believed that […]
When God suddenly stops you
Why, when everything in your life seems to be going well, does God suddenly put the brakes on where you are going? Is it a punishment? Or something better?
What is Biblical truth?
How can we know if what we are reading or hearing lines up with what God says in His Word?
Following God when you don’t feel ready
What is keeping you from following where God is calling you? Fear? Lack of time? Confidence that you can do it?
Stop waiting for the perfect time and step out in faith…He is all you need to move forward!
My Dad’s famous words about fear
My poor Dad. He is one of about 3 people in my life who are my “ear”. When I have something exciting, I call my Dad. When I’m upset and need to be talked down, I call my Dad. When I’m freaking out, I call my Dad. He listens with a patient ear to my […]
Celebrating Your Father, God
This week we are celebrating Dad’s everywhere! The grillers. The tellers of bad jokes. The fixer’s. The wearers of tube socks and Dad shoes… But in all seriousness, I love that we take a day to acknowledge this important job that has been given to these chosen men by God, who models for us in […]
How to find rest in God
When I sit down at my table to write these devotions every week, I never know if anyone will read them. I don’t really ever know if my words will ever go any further than the page you are reading right now. But every once in a while, God likes to tap me on the […]
What does it mean to live in God’s Grace?
When we live our life fixated on regret and self-pity, we are missing out on the life that God is calling us to. Life is difficult at times, but through God’s grace and mercy, we can grow from the pain and turn it into something beautiful!
Seeking God and hearing His voice – Jeremiah 6:16
When God seems quiet…listen! I’m starting this week in the middle of a season of many changes. Some good, some scary. I’ve been in the middle of some decisions that will affect generations of people, as well as some small decisions that only affect me and my family. Whether big or little, these decisions lately […]
Are you just wasting your time?
https://youtu.be/t20CtHyBEcc As is often the story, I already had today’s post written and ready to go. I was ahead of the game and feeling pretty good about myself. But then God spoke so directly and so personally to me that I had to come back and write something completely different for you today. Because I […]
Our #1 Job as Moms
https://youtu.be/Ip4KBRCPIRw Ugh. Can I have a mothers day do-over? This morning started out ok, but by the time church ended this morning, my kids were fighting, my husband and I were at our wits end with them, and it all culminated with them arguing in the commons area at church, me asking them to stop […]
Whose path am I on? My heart check moment….
https://youtu.be/5IS-rp4RH8Y We all have those moments in our lives where we say “Ah-HA!!”, where all of a sudden it becomes almost crystal clear that God is speaking something into your life. He might be asking you to try something that you don’t think you can do. He might be asking you to give up something […]
Are you listening to what God is asking you?
⬆️ Love the cute graphic above? It’s from my friend Emily at Blue Chair Blessing. She’s my favorite resource for inspirational scripture art. Check her out ♥️ This morning in church, I could have sworn I felt myself getting the nervous sweats even though the air conditioning vents was pointed directly on me, leaving me shivering throughout […]
An Easter Funeral
Earlier this week, I had the honor and privilege of celebrating the life of my Grandma’s sister Gertie. Over the past few years, I’ve grown closer to that part of my family through social media of all things. So when I heard the news of Gertie’s passing this past weekend, I made sure to clear […]
Do you ever get Hangry for spiritual nourishment?
Last week Friday I was home alone as the orders for my brand new devotional began to pour in. I had prepared and worked for this day for more than a half a year. And while I was excited and relieved that this day was finally here, I had this chest-tightening sense of defeat and […]
What happened when I doubted God.
I’m going to share my own secret doubts in God’s strength. It’s something none of us like to admit we have, but we all face at some time or another. I don’t know if you heard, but this has been a HUGE week at Gathered & Sown. A number of years ago, God laid a […]
You have a big decision to make today.
Each morning when we wake up, we are blessed with a new day. Every new day brings new perspectives, new choices, new attitudes and new challenges. How do you start your day? Do you start it with a left over bad attitude from the day before? Do you allow circumstances in your life dictate your […]
Are you afraid to pray?
Has this ever happened to you? You are in a small room, surrounded by a group of people. You’ve spent the last hour having a great conversation. It’s a few minutes before you are scheduled to end your small group, so all of a sudden your palms begin to sweat and your heart begins to […]
Understanding Wisdom
Are you in the middle of something right now? A situation in your life where you aren’t quite sure where it’s going to lead you? Are you trying to see the future so that you can know what decisions to make today? How is that working out for you? If you are anything like me, […]
As a small business owner, one of my biggest hurdles is my own confidence. I know what I’m capable of doing, I know what I need to do. But for some reason I find myself doubting the things that I know to be true and allowing those doubts to form the structure of my day. […]