The Grief No One Prepares You For My Friends, There is a kind of grief that has no funeral. No casserole dropped at your door. No cards in the mail. No one dressed in black, sitting beside you in silence. It is the grief of watching someone you love become someone you no longer recognize. Maybe it's the friend who chose bitterness over healing and now lives in a permanent state of offense. Maybe it's the family member whose heart has grown so hard that kindness bounces off like rain on concrete. Maybe it's the person you prayed with, laughed with, dreamed with, who is still breathing, still posting online, still living their life, but is no longer here in any way that matters. They didn't die. But you lost them anyway. And the world expects you to act like nothing happened. This week, I sat with a dear friend who is walking through this kind of grief. As she shared her story, my heart ached for her. Not because of obvious tragedy, but because of the slow, quiet ...
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Words Spoken in Secret My Friends This past week, I had phone conversations with two incredible women who are suffering deeply. As they shared their stories, my heart was heavy. It was not because of obvious enemies or public conflict, but because of quiet conversations, whispered words, and gossip that slowly caused real harm. It reminded me how easily our flesh is drawn toward what is sinful. Gossip often feels “harmless,” even caring at first, but it enters the mind like poison. Quietly, without us realizing it, it reshapes our hearts, our words, and even the way we see and treat others. God’s Word is loving, but very clear. “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Gossip is not entertainment. It is spiritual decay. It fuels suspicion, stirs division, provokes arguments, and spreads slander. Scripture also warns us about those who thrive on controversy, even wrapping it in religious language for attention or gain. “If anyone teaches fa...
All Glory to the Lord For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 Oh my friends. All glory to the Lord always and forever. No matter where you are today on your journey, whether you are on a mountaintop season, deep in a valley, or in one of the hardest places of all, the waiting season, this truth is steady and sure. The Lord our God has not left you. He has not forgotten you. He has not turned His face away. God is close to the brokenhearted. I know how heavy grief, loss, or disappointment can feel. The quiet moments, the questions that have no answers, the ache in your heart, it can feel like you are alone. But even in sorrow God is near. He carries your heart when it feels too heavy and He holds you close The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 God’s plans are greater than we can imagine. Friends, His heart toward you is...
The Sound of Faith: How Our Words Reflect the Heart of God As women who love the Lord, we know that our homes, our ministries, and even our writing desks often sit on the front lines of spiritual battle. There are weeks when everything feels squeezed. Budgets are tight. Children are weary. Prayer requests feel heavier than usual. We carry concerns not only for our own households, but for sisters in Christ walking through quiet suffering. In those moments, our words matter far more than we often realize. As I was preparing supper, I felt the need to pause and put these thoughts into words. There is a particular kind of faith that does not remain quietly tucked away in the heart. Biblical faith overflows. It finds its way to the lips. When our mouths are governed by the Word of God, we do not merely talk. Our words shape the atmosphere of every space we step into, for good or for harm. Scripture is remarkably clear about the stewardship of our speech. “Death and life are in the ...
Words That Give Life Have you ever spoken something in passing and immediately wished you could take it back? Maybe it wasn’t meant to hurt, yet somehow your words landed heavier than you realized. Even those of us who love Jesus can unintentionally speak in ways that dim hope instead of lifting it. The truth is, our words have incredible power. They can wound deeply or bring life, encouragement, and healing. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21) This isn’t what a life shaped by grace looks like. Those who have been saved by grace are also being molded and guided by grace. After all, we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Words carry weight. Criticism without love can deepen wounds. Complaining quietly can bury hope. Harsh comments can feel like a sentence being handed down. Often, people are already hurting, doing everything they can just to stand back up. Then comes a word, spoken without care, that ...
Known by God, Held by Hope Oh Lord, You know my heart. You know exactly where I am today. You know my thoughts and my words even before they come out of my mouth. I am here, Lord. Use me. Today, I am sad. There are days when sadness arrives quietly and other days when it feels heavier. Today, the sadness is tied to longing. I am missing my mom. I miss her voice, her presence, and the comfort of knowing she was near. Even after time has passed, grief has a way of returning, often when we least expect it. I am fully aware of all that God is doing for me. I see His provision and His faithfulness. I recognize the many ways He has carried me and continues to sustain me. Yet knowing God is at work does not erase the ache of missing someone we love. Gratitude and grief can live in the same heart. Faith and sadness can exist together. The Lord knows this. Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. You underst...
Rainy, cold day. It didn’t start this calm, running around making lunch for our son, getting everything ready for the day. But everyone walked out the door laughing and joyful, and that alone fills my heart. There is something about hearing those little bursts of happiness as my family heads off to their day, it reminds me that life is full of small, precious moments. If you know me, you know I am a planner. I love my days mapped out, hours marked, and goals lined up. I usually have a list of things to do and a plan for how to get it all done. But today, as the rain tapped softly against the windows, and the house settled into quiet, I felt the Lord nudging me to slow down. So I made a choice, no checking my art sales, my plans, or my classes. Today would be a calm, slow day. And oh, it is good, so good for the soul and for the body. The house is quiet, Moe has been extra sweet, curling up nearby, and it is warm inside. I have been savoring the simplicity of this moment, the comfort of...