My attempt to be an authentic woman in an inauthentic world
Posted in 2023, Faith, Grace, Life, Remain, Spirit-Filled Life, Transition, Trust, missions on Mar 14th, 2023
When God starts chopping away at the branches of my life, I can’t say that I am full of joyful surrender. I typically resist the spiritual machete that starts swinging in my direction. I don’t want it. “God, you can keep your machete to yourself. I’ll happily live with overgrown branches and dead limbs.” But [...]
Posted in 2023, Grace, Life, Ministry, missions on Feb 28th, 2023
Our daughter, Sydney, would often get completely stressed out when learning something new at school. She lived with this misguided perception that she needed to be capable of operating in a skill, whether in math or language arts, before the material had been presented. She would feel anxious and place unnecessary pressure on herself when [...]
Posted in 2023, Faith, Grace, Life, Marriage, Ministry, Motherhood, Spirit-Filled Life, missions on Feb 23rd, 2023
The Least.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I [...]
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 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, 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, [...]
At the proper time
Jasper struggles with the concept of time. It is too abstract for him. This challenge is most noticeable when it comes to meals and snacks. He can sit down for breakfast, eat a bowl of oatmeal and fruit, walk away from the table, and five minutes later come to me ready for [...]
Posted in 2022, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Hope, Life, Ministry, Peace, Trust, missions on Oct 31st, 2022
I’m grateful.
The beauty of painful seasons and hard things is the gratitude that blossoms in the middle of the chaos.
We don’t see it immediately, or even perhaps feel it, but if our hearts are open and tender and expecting, thankfulness will push its way to the surface at its proper time.
Winter soil is barren, hard, [...]
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!