-
Immanuel: God With Us Changes Everything
The clock reads half-past two, and the moon hangs high in the inky black of a December night. I’m lost in deep sleep, and I have no idea that I’m about to have a life-changing encounter with Immanuel—God with Us. At first, I’m not sure what stirred me from sleep. It takes just a moment before the source of my awakening is clear. “Mom! I’m sick!” a little boy’s voice calls from across the hallway. Rushing to his side, I soon realize that this will not be a restful night. Immanuel: God With Us Ten minutes later, a huge load of bedding is sloshing in the washing machine, the little…
-
Suffering at Christmas? 5 Insights to Give You Hope
Snow falls heavily like flour through a sifter, and I’m alone with only my thoughts and the hushed whisper of flakes gathering on frozen earth. As I sit beneath the hemlocks, I’m reminded of a season years ago when our family was suffering at Christmas. It was a year filled with illness, disappointment, and deep grief. We’d just watched a lifelong dream go up in smoke, and we weren’t sure where to turn next. We were grieving, and we were having a hard time embracing the Christmas season. I wonder if you’ve walked through a similar season of your own. Maybe it was a long time ago, or you might…
-
The Light of the World: 7 Truths to Shine Light into Our Hearts
“Who wants to go on an adventure?” I ask the kids as we drive through farm country on a frigid Saturday afternoon. As the darkness of impending winter presses tighter, we could all use the reminder that the Light of the world has come. Two hours later, we bundle in mittens, heavy winter coats, stocking caps, and heavy boots. Perspiration beads on my forehead as I slide the final mitten over the little one’s fingers. Managing to pile out the door on the cusp of darkness, we climb into the truck and head for the Christmas light show at the local animal safari park. The questions pour from the backseat…
-
A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 60 Devotions for Teen Girls
Do you want to help your pre-teen or teen daughter connect with God while growing closer together? Last year, my pre-teen daughter Bekah and I coauthored a mother-daughter devotional together called Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith. This powerful book is packed with 60 devotions for pre-teen and teen girls and moms to read together. Devotions for Teen Girls Bekah and I are here to share a devotion with you today. Today’s devotion is written in the same style as the book. If you enjoy it, consider grabbing a copy of Girl to Girl for the special mothers and pre-teen or teen (or…
-
How to Fight Spiritual Attacks: 7 Ways
We lose a little more light every day now. I slip out for my evening walks beneath an underbelly of midnight blue. Not long ago, while walking beneath the canopy of darkness, I began thinking about how to fight spiritual attacks. I’ve been feeling discouraged in certain areas of my life lately. After weeks of restlessness, I finally recognized that the relentless stream of negative thoughts might be coming from somewhere other than my own mind. After telling a friend about the thoughts, she said, “Sounds like a spiritual attack to me.” How to Fight Spiritual Attacks Like me, you might be feeling discouraged today. Maybe you battle with worry,…
-
14 Free Devotionals for Women Who Want to Grow With God
Would you like to connect with God in deeper ways and experience his presence like never before? I hope to help you encounter God in ways that transform your life forever. For this reason, I have written a collection of free devotionals for women. I pray these devotionals bless you deeply and lead you closer to God’s heart of love for you. Free Devotionals for Women Below, you will find a collection of free resources to help you connect with God in your daily devotional time, bolster your prayer life, and provide healing in difficult seasons. I pray these words bless you and lead you straight into the arms of…
-
An Advent Devotional for Less Stress and Deeper Peace
After years of writing, I finally decided to release an online Advent devotional this year! I pray these readings help you slow down, cultivate wonder, and connect with the Lord. I’m releasing it a few weeks before Advent begins so that you can have it on hand and start reading in December. Here’s a glimpse into this new online devotional. I pray it blesses you deeply. Still My Soul: An Advent Devotional for Deeper Peace I sit with the dawn and let my thoughts gather. The grey morning light lifts her sleepy head, and the thin air is embroidered with a crimson cardinal’s song. My mind is scattered, and I…
-
What Is God Doing in My Life? 4 Truths About Trials
This morning, I was startled to find the wood line painted grey. Nevertheless, the bleak scene matched the state of my soul. I sat by the window and wondered, What is God doing in my life? Above the hardwoods, a lavender cloud arched its back into the shape of a question mark. Perhaps the heavens were questioning God’s purposes as well. Later in the day, I took a walk beneath the naked arms of the maples, oaks, and sycamores. I let my mind trace the footprints of a handful of recent disappointments—disappointments that felt far heavier than a dismal shift of seasons. I counted the losses, stared down some shattered…
-
8 Bible Verses About Change and Transition
The cobalt skies have faded to grey, and aside from a few crumpled leaves, the poplar tree beside our house has shed her summer foliage. Most of the leaves are scattered on the deck in shades of burnt sienna, and I don’t have the heart to sweep them away just yet. I’ve never been great at handling change. I pull out my Bible in search of a few encouraging Bible verses about change and transition in life. Today, I want to hold on to lingering twilight, campfires in the yard, and supper on the deck. Everything within me wants to hold onto barefoot water fights and footraces around a flourishing…
-
Learning to Be Still With God When Life Is Full
With each passing day, the vibrance of autumn is lost to the sleepy beige of winter. On a cloudy evening, I mourn the loss as I sit in the woods and inhale the pungent scent of fallen leaves. Pulling out my Bible, I flip to a familiar Psalm. It reads, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I’ve been learning to be still with God for decades and have yet to master the practice. My mind has been racing again lately, and silencing my thoughts today feels next to impossible. Instead of being critical of my racing mind, I am kind to myself today. I lean against…