My attempt to be an authentic woman in an inauthentic world
Posted in 2023, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Hope, Ministry, Peace, Trust, missions on Feb 2nd, 2023
Ordinary is highly under-rated.
It seems the sincere longing for significance has pushed past contentment in doing a job well done, to that of being a world changer…influencer…and platform-creator. It is not enough, anymore, to do the hard and consistent daily work of investing our lives into meaningful, yet oftentimes, ordinary endeavors. Today, we are driven [...]
Posted in Faith, Grace, Ministry, Prayer, Spirit-Filled Life, Trust, missions on Jan 20th, 2023
They shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Matthew 20:29
Jesus was walking, talking, and teaching as was customary in Palestine for a Rabbi to teach as well as walk with their followers. Christ’s “students” were trying ever-so-hard to listen, straining their ears to hear what Jesus was saying, as two blind men were [...]
Posted in 2023, Faith, Grace, Hope, Joy, Ministry, Peace, Spirit-Filled Life, Trust, missions on Jan 12th, 2023
As I watched the clock strike midnight, its hand leaving 2021 and tick-tock-ticking its way into 2022, I felt a wave of relief. Covid and transition left me feeling kind of empty. Rather than enter the new year with a bang, I mostly coasted in on fumes.
I came down with a fever on Christmas Day [...]
Posted in 2023, Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry, Motherhood, Spirit-Filled Life, Trust, missions on Jan 1st, 2023
Recalibrate.
New year. New word. New focus.
This year my word is “Recalibrate”.
“Recalibrate” is not a word that I particularly like. It doesn’t immediately jump out to me or inspire me. It’s the kind of word that Joel would choose, or my dad. To me, it sounds very masculine, not very poetic (and I love poetic words!).
Still, [...]
Posted in 2022, Advent, Christmas, Faith, Grace, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Trust, missions on Dec 24th, 2022
Immanuel
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Christmas is here, and [...]
Posted in 2022, Advent, Anticipation, Christmas, Faith, Grace, Hope, Joy, Love, Ministry, Peace, Preparation on Dec 17th, 2022
Love.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For God so loved…
The word “so”, when used as an adverb, can have a few different meanings. It can express the degree or extent of something, or it [...]
Posted in 2022, Advent, Anticipation, Christmas, Faith, Hope, Joy, Peace, Preparation on Dec 10th, 2022
Joy
The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Troubled souls.
I can be included in that category. Troubled. Imperfect. Poor in spirit. In need of a Savior.
Hope and peace turn our hearts [...]
Hope
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
Waiting and hoping.
Longing is defined by Merriam Webster as “a strong desire especially for something unattainable”.
Have you ever longed for something important…something significant…something that your heart has been set on for a long time, only to keep on waiting [...]
Posted in 2022, Current Events, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Hope, Ministry, Motherhood, Trust, missions on Nov 22nd, 2022
One of my favorite Christmas songs is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”. One variation of this song begins with this line: “I’m dreaming tonight of a place I love even more than I usually do…”. Every time I hear this, my thoughts are instantly transported to my grandparents’ old farmhouse in Wellston, Ohio at Christmastime. [...]
Posted in 2022, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Gratitude, Life, Ministry, Spirit-Filled Life, missions on Nov 16th, 2022
Tim Keller likens our typical Christian approach to forgiveness as a type of “therapeutically- motivated culture” of forgiveness. We forgive in order to feel better – to attain inner peace – and so to also ensure forgiveness from God. Without embracing the reality of what forgiveness costs, we tend to take action for personal relief, [...]
Welcome to my blog. My name is Amy, and I wear a lot of different hats: wife, mother, daughter, sister, missionary, teacher, friend...and the list goes on. Life is a balancing act, and one I do not excel at. I find that each new season brings about more opportunities to learn, grow and allow God to continue the refining work in me. The pages of this blog are a glimpse into the lessons I am learning and the journey I am taking. I hope you enjoy!