Community · Encouragement · Hope

When It Appears That All Is Lost

Excited to be sharing a bit of my heart today on the  (in)courage blog. Would love it if you would click over and share in the community conversation! If you are looking for daily encouragement, you’re invited to sign up here to receive free daily posts from the writers of (in)courage!  

Encouragement · Faith

Collecting Moments That Matter

In the garden of life, weeds are inevitable. Many times on my journey I’ve found myself walking in the fairy tale mentality. Are you acquainted with that line of thinking? In that place, everyone is kind, nothing tragic happens, and your life is filled with a lot of lovely, happy endings. Because this is a…… Continue reading Collecting Moments That Matter

Christian Living · Community · Encouragement · Grace · Uncategorized

The Lost Art of Telling Stories

One of my favorite past times is listening to stories. I like the stories that send you in a laughing frenzy and those of heroic adventure, but I’m most drawn to those I’m entrusted with, who find a space at my table. The tenderness in their voice always draws me in a little closer as…… Continue reading The Lost Art of Telling Stories

Belief · Christian Living · Encouragement · Faith · Grace · Hope

Leave Your Water Jar

John 4 captures one of my favorite interactions in the Bible. If you’ve never read it, I urge you to invest a few minutes and do so. The story centers around the town well and includes Jesus and a woman from Samaria. Historically speaking, Jesus {because he was a Jew} should not have had anything…… Continue reading Leave Your Water Jar

Encouragement · Hope · Uncategorized

Resolved to Surrender

The New Year is ushered in with hoopla and fanfare. It’s tradition. Stay up later than appropriate {hello over 40 talking} and begrudge the headache you nurse throughout the first hours of the new year. I don’t care much about staying up to watch the clock hands move from one year to the next. I do…… Continue reading Resolved to Surrender

Encouragement · Healing · Hope

Trust the Process

It’s unknown how the fire started. The house was on the market {and vacant} when the fire broke out. There’s some speculation about vagabonds and drugs, but my thoughts were consumed with the homeowners. Yes, it was an empty house, but it was someone’s house. Loss is loss. The house sat quiet, with no activity,…… Continue reading Trust the Process

Encouragement · Hope

Quitting Everything and Faulty Thinking

Her words were timely. My week had been difficult {read as super crappy and therefore emotional}, and the envelope she slipped in my bag remained buried for a few days. When I reached in, and subsequently pulled out the envelope, I was eager to open it. I had been dancing on the edge of quitting for…… Continue reading Quitting Everything and Faulty Thinking

Encouragement · Hope

Cynicism vs. Hope: Guest Post by Kelly

Meet Kelly! She is a fellow For the Love book launch team member, new friend, counselor, writer, speaker and teacher with a passion for the poor and hurting in her community. Read more about her passions and journey at http://www.kellyjohnsongracenotes.com. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi, my name is Kelly and I am a West Wing addict. I have spent the last…… Continue reading Cynicism vs. Hope: Guest Post by Kelly

Encouragement · Faith · Hope

The Sadness: Guest Post by Courtney

Meet Courtney. She’s a fellow For the Love book launch team member and new friend. You can see more of the work she’s doing at https://courtneythrash.wordpress.com/. Enjoy her post! About nine months ago, I began taking medication for anxiety and depression.  That’s scary to say.  If I squint, I can almost see the stereotypes and…… Continue reading The Sadness: Guest Post by Courtney

Encouragement · Faith · Hope

Play Your Note

Inadequacies, mistakes, failures and fears regularly find their way into my thoughts. Not measuring up—not being enough—have been reoccurring thoughts for as long as I can remember. They are so familiar they can creep in and linger undetected. In elementary school I distinctly remember wanting to read, write and draw like Grace Su. She could do…… Continue reading Play Your Note