Fill My Cup

It's cool where I'm sitting on the patio. An autumn breeze is chasing away the summer heat. Pine needles are browning with the turning of the season. Beyond the sunshine, the sky is blue and the grass is still green. The earth smells fresh from the rain of yesterday. But even with remnants of rain, …

A Little More Rope

Years ago when my sister was in and out of hospital stays, my family had a saying: Sometimes when you reach the end of your rope, God doesn't pull you out. He just gives you more rope. Abraham Lincoln had a similar saying only his went, "When you reach the end of your rope, tie …

Book Spotlight: Present Over Perfect

Inspired by the book Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. I grew up in a world where societal value had to be proven. Those with the best looks, strongest voice, greatest talents, biggest family, or nicest car set the bar, and everyone else struggled to prove their worth in comparison. Home-schooled girls specifically were told …

You Are Seen

Have you ever met one of those people who can see straight through you? No walls can block them out, and no amount of pretending can make them believe the act. When you say you're doing good, they push deeper. But they are never harsh about it. Instead, they are some of the gentlest souls …

You Will Always Be Mine

In past years Valentine's Day has been hard for me. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know one of the lies I struggle with is that I am unloved. Despite how unbelievable it sounds or how untrue it rings, this is still one of the enemy's favorite targets. To combat …

Book Spotlight: A Love Worth Giving

Inspired by the book A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado. Three words caught my eye: Low on Love. That's where my heart was at. It was October 2017 when I first found a copy of A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado buried in a sea of used books. The white cover was smudged, …

Book Spotlight: Made to Crave

Inspired by the book Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst. This weekend I finished reading a book that I've been journeying through for some time. Granted my progress was quite intermittent. I'd read a couple of chapters, stop to ponder, and slide it back on the shelf …

Control

Inspired by the song Control by For King & Country. You asked me to let go, but I thought I knew better Afraid of surrender and what I don't know I've always had a plan, but now I'm so weary And I can't see clearly, forgot who I am I've always struggled with control, or …

Bring Your Burdens

From the pouring rain you spot a white church, outlined by the clouds. It offers shelter, safety, relief. As the music echoes through the foyer, you walk toward the sanctuary doors. But there's a sign posted—no personal baggage beyond this point. Scattered in front of the entrance are backpacks, duffels, suitcases, and trunks. The pack …

Only Trust

I lost my voice two weeks ago. My songs were drowned out by lung wracking, gasping coughs. At first I was frustrated. How could a one day cold leave such an after effect? I just wanted to sing! Was that too much to ask? It turns out God had a good reason for removing my …