I still vividly recall the point in time when God first called me to begin writing devotionals. I aimed to offer hope and encouragement to women feeling weary in their faith. It was a divine invitation to partner with Jesus to influence women on social media, a venue often shrouded in darkness and steeped with moral confusion. It all started while working as a cashier at a grocery store. I was sitting in my car one day on my lunch break after a night of hearing how the women in my Bible study struggled with comparison, causing them to feel emotionally broken.

Maintaining a strong commitment to our Christian faith can be extremely challenging in a world where trends come and go as swiftly as the wind changes direction. We are bombarded daily with shifting cultural norms and constant pressure to conform to the latest fads. C’mon, sister, we’ve all watched the latest viral video and tried that new hairstyle, outfit, or even that diet! How do we remain rooted in our beliefs and unwavering in our faith in an ever-changing world?

Every day distractions tend to rule our priority list but… Where does God fit into your life + where does He rank on that list? Does God bring you joy? Have you taken time to declutter your everyday life so that you can truly make room for Him?

Are you currently in a season of doubt? I think every Christian has gone through a time when they doubted God. The battle between spirit and flesh is constant, and, at times, the challenge to continue believing in things not yet seen can get the best of us. Whatever you are doubting in your Christian walk right now, you are not alone. Here are two encouraging reminders to help you overcome your season of doubt!

Have you ever chosen a word to focus on throughout the year? It's funny how certain words can take on a whole new meaning depending on the season of life we find ourselves in. For me, “perseverance” has become a word of profound significance. Its relevance has never been more apparent, especially considering the whirlwind of challenges that have unfolded in my life during the past few weeks. 

I am the Pinterest queen! If there is a tip, a method, 10 ways to do XYZ I am all over it. However, when my soul is longing for a more grounded relationship in the Lord, I know that I need to focus more on Him and less on everything else. When my vision is blurred because of life and sis let me tell you I get it! Like I’m in the trenches with you trying to navigate life as a daughter of Christ too…I am gently prompted and sometimes given a good swift kick in the rear by the Holy Spirit to buckle down in my faith. The discipline of my faith has to be rooted in my daily actions, has to stretch me to focus more, and has to promote a loving relationship with my Heavenly Father.

The first verse I memorized as a child was John 3:16. I attended a youth Bible study hosted by Awanas, a Christian non-profit organization, to help young people grow in their faith. One of the challenges they gave us was to memorize a verse weekly. Since then, my love for God’s word has grown, and I’ve continued memorizing verses. Yet, my first memory verse will always have a special meaning in my heart. 

Before I knew the importance of rooting my identity in Christ, I had based my identity on my social status. Whether searching for personal significance in a relationship, a successful career, or a tight-knit community, I sought fulfillment in these things for SO LONG! I mean longer than I would like to admit. But don't get me wrong. A thriving relationship, career, and a close community of friends are important. But when pursuing these things becomes the most important, we fall into the trap of using them to define our worth.

With New Year’s Day right around the corner, it’s already beginning. It’s that time when we start reflecting on the past year’s shortcomings and aspire to improve ourselves in the coming year. It seems common for many of us to envision how we want to “start fresh” in the new year, like what we want to do better and change about ourselves and our routines. But there’s just something about the changing of a new year that feels like the perfect time to start over with a blank slate.

“All is well.” Three simple words, but they have changed my life. My journey with those words began when I felt like my life was ending: my longtime marriage fell apart, my three young adult sons strayed from their faith, and I moved out of state—away from everything familiar—to begin a new and intimidating job. Did all feel “well and good” in my life? Not even close. I imagine you’ve known a season like that in your own life. You may be there now.

As Christians, God’s grace is the main theme of our relationship with the Lord. We know that God’s grace is the reason we are able to know the Lord and eventually spend eternity with Him. However, God’s grace doesn’t just hold one purpose; it extends far beyond salvation into every aspect of our lives. It is available to us daily and can be a source of spiritual comfort in many ways. Let’s explore five comforting characteristics about God’s grace!

Currently, I’m in a season of change. My role as a wife is changing, my position in the home is shifting, and my faith is stretching. As a recovering perfectionist, let me be the first to tell you that changes in my schedule without ample notice and game planning cause me stress and anxiety. I would love to go along with the ebbs and flows of life, but something inside my heart tells me that I am insignificant if I am not doing enough.