Biblical Encouragement

Who’s the New Girl?

/ Walden World / Leave a comment

Hi! I’m new here. You may be asking yourself–WHO I am and WHY I’m writing. Understandable. Some days I do that very thing. Here’s the skinny…

I’m a mama. That’s my job. I’m not a craft genius(although I do love a good project), a podcaster(even though I can talk quite a bit…)and I don’t even have a regular or part-time job outside of being here…in my home. This may sound like a complaint. It isn’t! But what I’ve noticed in my brief time on the blogosphere is that most people have a more concrete reason for writing than mine…which is simply to write.

At the beginning of 2020(whew…what a year!) my third little love was born. He was my first boy. And though I wasn’t new to parenting, I felt wearier than ever! It may have been the combination of COVID-19, world events, another life transition, or the fact that this is year 3 of being a seminary wife(more on that later 🙂 ). Whatever it was, I realized I felt tired. In the past writing has always been a solid means of rejuvenation. Usually for me–a proud INFJ–my spare time is usually spent reading or journaling. But why make it public? Because–as I’m realizing more and more– I’m not an isolated case. There are more of you like me out there, I just know it! So here I am… praying that what I write resonates with you somehow, too.

I WANT TO…

encourage and exhort

|A SNIPPET|

Here, you’ll find…

  • yummy and easy recipes[tested and true]
  • thoughts to encourage and inspire
  • truth in my transparency
  • family moments
  • helpful life hacks
  • funny anecdotes
  • family resources
  • a weekly playlist!
  • Biblical meditation

You may have just stumbled along this page, and you might not think you’ll glean anything. That’s okay. However if you’re still reading after my ramblings, thank you. Your presence here means more than you know. ❤

The End is the Reward

/ Walden World / Leave a comment

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes and I will keep it to the end

Psalm 119:33

I woke up lazily this morning, for superficial reasons, of course. My bed was warm; my toes toasty after a long night of sound sleep, and the weather outside truly was “frightful”. But there was a sense of dread forming as I considered the bleakness of the world around me. And I didn’t want to face it. Naturally I had to make the choice between getting out of bed(starting the day) or relishing a quiet, comfortable moment. Which would you choose?

It is these mundane lazy moments that often prompt reflection for me. I know, I know…laziness = reflection?

But there is simple beauty in slowly digesting the day one breath at a time. [for me] It’s a reminder to keep treading along; to maintain perspective.

redeemingthemundane

I often imagine that faithful tortoise slinking along the tracks, giving no thought to the miles logged, or the potential difficulty ahead. He just kept moving towards the goal: the end of the race.

I think, sometimes, I am more like the hare: desperately racing through each day, never mindful of the extraordinary, ordinary moments. Tryng to survive rather than thrive. It is then that I miss the momentary blessings in each breath.

But truth is the ever piercing arrow that daily aligns my weary soul: 

I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set your rules before me... Teach me O Lord, the way of your statutes 
and I will keep them to the end  (keep them as my reward) 
~ Psalm 119:30, 33

Isn’t it funny how a single footnote changes everything? I had never before noticed the asterisk by verse 30: keep your [precepts] as my reward.

God has provided the Word as the source all truth(Psalm 119:160) and this is our life-giving hope(Psalm 119:81)! When our souls desire any other thing, we will never know peace. This truth gives life, hope, and sustaining grace to remain faithful to the very end. When our hearts wearily wrestle with the many dangers toils and snares of a world full of divided affections, we must fix our eyes on Christ! We must continue[by God’s grace] to choose faithfulness, to set His ways before our flickering eyes. And we must ever be mindful of the reward that is in knowing Him and gazing upon His perfect goodness forever into eternity(Revelation 7:9-12)

For though our weakening eyes strain to see light, the light itself grows nearer and brighter with every faithful step.

redeemingthemundane