We gathered in a circle to pray over the women that would be the recipients of the piles of donations collected. Purses, shoes, sweaters, belts, and toiletries filled the space around us. The prayers offered were thoughtful and heartfelt, but as the time of prayer tarried, I had a growing conviction. While I could hear…… Continue reading Giving out of Excess Isn’t Equivalent to Sacrifice
I’ve been studying prayer this month. It’s been both encouraging and challenging all at once. When I took some time to examine my motives and habits in prayer, I realized it’s not uncommon for me to just present requests for my needs. Then this poem, not my usual style of writing, emerged from a parallel…… Continue reading Blurred Lines {Not the Song!}
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
She did not choose this struggle. If she had been given the option, she would have taken a pass on watching her daughter live with a chronic illness. Since she didn’t have a choice, and she was thrust into this situation, she has chosen to lean into Jesus and walk courageously. She is my friend,…… Continue reading Unexpected Miracle…Joy
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
Today is a two cup day. That second cup is steeping now. The house is unusually quiet, worship music fills the air, a candle flickers before me, and I’m kind of undone. We have a difficult family situation weighing on me. My heart is tender and my mind is divided. I’ve attempted to clean my…… Continue reading When Silence is Deafening and Hope Wanes
We were in unfamiliar territory. I guess that’s what made my request bold {or stupid}. I asked, nonetheless. Lord, would you let someone affirm me today? Yes, I know I’m in Orlando {1,000 miles from home} and it’s likely I won’t know a single soul at Disney, but please? {Then I crossed my arms and…… Continue reading For the Love {of Answered Prayers}
The question itself wasn’t bad. But, the afternoon interrogation-which included a single question {presented in varying ways} repeated over and over-was exhausting. He must have asked me 100 times about the old cell phone collection in our hutch. He wanted one of them for his own personal use. I attempted to explain {each time} that there was…… Continue reading In Persistent Pursuit
This is an open confession: I often wrestle with the desire to see my hopes and dreams fulfilled according to my timeline. I get the lack of trust in that confession. Really. But it’s true. I have a lack of patience that rises up when things don’t go according to my plan. This impatience quickly turns into discouragement.…… Continue reading A Call to Action
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
Alyssa DeLosSantos 