Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos

To say that this last week hasn’t gone as planned is an understatement. After a summer of finding various babysitters, working abnormal hours, and experiencing Texas’s heat wave, this week was supposed to be one that resembled some sense of normalcy. I thought that going back to work with (somewhat) regular hours and inching further into August would bring with it some routine. As usual, God had other plans.

On Sunday evening, we discovered that we had a water leak in our house. While the situation definitely could be much worse, we are displaced until we can get the plumbing work done. Wesley seems to enjoy the arrangement of staying with his Gigi and Papi, but this all adds another layer of chaos to my already out-of-routine life. I also broke my phone this week, which added to the stress of an already out of control week.

Chaos always seems to appear when we least expect it. It’s as if God responds to our need for routine and normalcy with a situation that requires us to need him more than our routines. Though this chaos has been heavy, and I’ve felt like crying a lot this week, I’m honestly doing pretty okay. I know that this situation is one that requires me to deepen my trust in God. It’s one that has shown me that chaos will always be present in this life, but we can still have peace and contentment in the midst of our chaos and mess.

We Can Still Have Peace

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this one? We so often expect life to go a certain way, but then it gets messy. We long for certainty, but God continues to seemingly give us unknowns or multiple choices that we have to discern. And sometimes, life feels chaotic. Everything feels out of sorts. The chaos makes us become anxious, overthinking every part of our life. It also causes us to respond to our circumstances with annoyance, bitterness, and frustration.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can experience chaos and mess but still have peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is possible to have peace in the midst of our difficult days. We can respond in ways that are productive like allowing our circumstances to draw us closer to God and growing in faith. We can be content even when the world around us is falling apart… even when our world is falling apart.

How do we find peace and contentment in the midst of chaos, biblically?

Remember where peace comes from.

Micah 5:5 tells us that “he will be our peace,” referring to Jesus’ coming. This is a great hope to the Israelites who will be humbled by foreign powers, were exiled to Babylon, and were literally trampled by their enemies and were only a remnant. Paul also writes in Ephesians 2:14 that “He himself is our peace” in the way that he created unity, breaking down the wall of separation between humanity and God. 

Jesus himself is peace. Therefore, we can only truly experience peace by following Jesus. Just as the Israelites believed that the Messiah would be their peace when attacks came their way, we too can trust that Jesus will be our peace when we experience chaos in our daily life. He is where our peace comes from. It’s through him alone where we can gain peace that is beyond human comprehension.

Build your foundation on the Rock.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaims that those who hear his words and follow them will “be like a wise man (or woman) who builds their house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). When the rain comes and the wind blows, their house will remain standing because it is built on the Rock. Likewise, when the rain and winds of our life come to knock us down, we can stand firm because we have a strong foundation. 

When we build our foundation on Jesus, we can experience peace in chaos because we know that God has it all handled. Our heart isn’t easily swayed or discouraged. Where is your foundation? Is it built on the things of this world or on your expectations, status, or accomplishments? We often feel discontent because we are placing our hope on things that are not worthy. Only Jesus is worthy. Make sure that he is where your foundation is.

Live out of your Kingdom citizenship.

In Philippians 3, Paul writes about putting his confidence in Christ rather than the things of this world. He also writes about all that he has gained as loss compared to all that he gained in Christ. Paul’s reminder to the Philippians that although they were under Roman rule, their citizenship was in heaven is a reminder for us today too. Though we live on this earth, we are citizens of heaven. 

When we abide by the ways of this world, we experience tension because we were never meant to live that way. We were meant to live as Kingdom citizens, following the ways of Jesus. And as we already know, when we follow Jesus, we are invited into an all-encompassing peace in any circumstance.

Bring your concerns before God with prayer and thanksgiving.

Even by following these directives, we are still human. We will still experience frustration over our circumstances and be discontent with our lives at times. When our life feels chaotic, our immediate reaction is usually one of bitterness, confusion, or anger. But if we desire to have more peace in our life, we can turn to the One who is peace. 

Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing, but give our requests to God with thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious” is not an option, it’s a command. As Christ followers, we are meant to lean into God for every need rather than sitting in overthinking or anxious thoughts. 

When we bring our requests before God, we are to do it with joy and thankfulness for all that God has given, even if our circumstances are something we wouldn’t have chosen. Sometimes our prayers have to look like “I don’t understand, but I’m grateful for what you’ve given me” and that’s okay. Bring your requests before God, and watch how you are immediately filled with peace.

He Has A Plan

Even in this place of chaos and unknown, I trust that God has a plan for all of this. Sometimes that plan is just that we’ll lean further into him. It’s hard to let go, friend, believe me. But all I can do in this situation is give it over to God and believe that he’s working it out. That gives me peace to know that he’s in charge. We can experience peace and contentment in our mess. I hope you’ll join me in that restful place.

Living With a Spirit of Indifference

As the summer days drag on and I dig my feet into the rough, dry soil of this season, I’m reminded that none of this is a surprise to God. He gives and He takes away. He makes a way for me. Even though I’m in a season of much abundance, I still feel as though I’m waiting for a breakthrough. Following God is about trusting that he will water our souls and replenish us when our season feels dry or when we’re waiting for him to make a big move.

Over the last several months, I’ve taken on a spirit of indifference. In Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation, she discusses something called a “prayer for indifference”. This means praying to be indifferent to anything that is not God’s will. The questions she brings forth for this reflection are:

What needs to die in me in order for God’s will to come forth in my life?

Is there anything I need to set aside so that I can be open to what God wants?

We can utilize these questions to bring forth indifference in our lives, but we also can pray that God would reveal to us the answer to these questions and how exactly he wants us to respond. Barton says that “the movement toward indifference is the threshold between two worlds: the world of human decision making and the world of discerning the divine will.” So not only do we need to pray for indifference, but we also need to put on a spirit of indifference toward the things in our life that are not God’s will for us.

What is Indifference?

I believe that the word indifference can bring forth mixed reactions. But indifference is not a bad thing when we are indifferent to things we should be indifferent toward. I want to be indifferent toward the things that God did not intend for me. We should want to follow God wholeheartedly, putting off all that hinders our relationship with him and our decision making. 

I’ve begun living with a spirit of indifference which allows me to focus more on what God actually meant for me in my life and current season, rather than what I expected, hoped for, or wished that I had. Having a spirit of indifference also helps me to curb my temptation to compare myself to others. It reminds me that we are all walking different journeys. We should not compare our journey to those of others or step outside the lane that God is paving for us. 

Having a spirit of indifference also assists us as we long to discern God’s will. By praying that God would show us what needs to die in us—and being vulnerable enough to even pray that prayer—we are opening ourselves to the divine will of God. If we are open-handed and eager for what He has for us, even if it means we may face trials and hardship, we will be blessed abundantly and we will be able to stand firm in the face of those challenges.

Living with a Spirit of Indifference

I want to help you to also pray for indifference and put on a spirit of indifference toward the circumstances in your life. This one perspective shift has made such an impact in my life, and I know it can change yours too. Whatever season of life you’re in right now, I want you to know that God longs for you to be an active participant. He also longs for you to better embrace what comes your way because you trust that His will is better than yours.

Here are some suggestions for how you can live with a spirit of indifference:

Acknowledge how your own expectations, agenda, and need for control hinders your open-handedness toward the things of God and surrender them to him.

Pray for indifference toward the things that are not of God’s will for you.

Recognize the parts of your life that wish to be more in line with God’s will, and pray that God would help to either align them or prune them.

Traveling Light for the Faith Journey

Our family went on a vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas last weekend. Being amongst the trees and the trails was quiet and restorative. It was inspiring to me to finally be walking between the pines and truly seeing that imagery that I’ve written about for my Substack for over a year. 

Something other than experiencing the beauty of this trip and feeling inspired by the nature around me was that I realized how much of an over-packer I am. Now, this isn’t necessarily new information. I’ve always known that I have a tendency to over-pack. I like to be fully prepared for any scenario, which usually turns into me carrying way too many things around. But when it comes to travel and hiking, bringing way too many things with us weighs us down. And in our faith journey, it hinders us in our spiritual growth and holds us back.

Traveling Weighed Down

Maybe you’re like me and have never been a light packer in hiking, traveling, or regular life. You carry around things that you don’t really need but that you’re too scared to go without. Maybe you over-prepare because you think it will help you in the long run. And you sometimes bring along things that you think will serve you well but only turn out to be a hindrance.

Doesn’t this sound like our faith journey? We carry around our worries, anxieties, hidden sin, past wounds, and unforgiveness like they are necessary for the hike. We attempt to prepare for what’s coming but then end up feeling confused and stuck. Perhaps you’re like me and carry things around that you think will help you but only feed your need for control of the situation or season you’re in.

When we’re honest with ourselves, we can see that carrying around these things only weighs us down and makes our journey more difficult. They fester into wounds that continue to impact our spiritual health, and they cause us to struggle to face challenges that come our way. The things we carry impacts our spiritual growth and our agility when facing obstacles.

Because of Jesus Christ, you do not need to carry the baggage of your life around with you any longer. You can leave it behind by placing it where it belongs: at the feet of Jesus. Life feels lighter without the extra baggage–trust me!

Learning to Travel Light

As I said previously, I’ve always been an over-packer in my life. I not only pack too much for trips, but I’ve lived with spiritual and emotional baggage for way too long. I allowed old trauma and unhealed wounds to speak lies into my life, seeping poison into my heart that I carried around. My hidden sin tore away at me piece by piece. I was overcome by shame. I lived with unforgiveness for years, and it impacted my relationships and my peace. But once I finally surrendered, confessed, and gave it all over to God, I instantly felt lighter and more alive.

It is possible to travel light as we venture on our faith journey. When we only carry the things we need and rid ourselves of all that hinders us, we will experience more of God’s presence than ever before. We will know peace and open ourselves to deeper spiritual growth.

Here are four simple, yet deeply intentional ways we can learn to travel light:

Practice Forgiveness

I’ve learned that we cannot have peace if we do not forgive. I carried unforgiveness around with me for years, but it never served me well. It only led to bitterness and an aching heaviness that weighed upon my heart. We have to forgive those who have hurt us if we want to move forward in our journey. 

We not only have to forgive others, but we have to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings. Perfection is an ideal that is unattainable and brings heavy weight to our pack that is impossible to carry. Forgive yourself and give yourself grace so you can move ahead much lighter.

Release Shame, Worry, and Past Wounds to God

Some of the heaviest baggage I lugged around my life was shame over past decisions I made and ways I hurt others (mostly unintentionally). I felt shame over my past and who I used to be. In addition to shame, I carried around worry over my circumstances and what people thought of me. I also had past wounds and trauma that I carried around as a shield around my heart. But they weren’t a shield; they were a weapon that the enemy used against me. They weighed me down and caused me to stumble.

We have to release these broken parts of ourselves and allow God to heal them before we can ever make real progress in our faith journey. Pray that God would remove these from your life. Pray that He would reveal wounds that you continue to carry and shame that has crept in. Surrender them to God and see how light your pack becomes.

Confess and Repent of Hidden Sin

I not only carried around shame, worry, and past wounds, I carried around hidden sin patterns known to no one but me. They were things that I couldn’t overcome and temptations that I fell into repeatedly. I recognized that I needed to rid myself of them if I ever wanted to grow and experience real peace in my life. I believe that a lot of the shame I felt was from these sinful patterns that I couldn’t find escape from.

This isn’t an easy process by any means, but we have to recognize the sin that is well hidden in our lives, confess it to God, and repent. Pray that God would help you to recognize any hidden sin that you have and that he would convict you to hand it over to him completely. 

Only Carry What You Need For This Season

Once we have rid ourselves of the baggage that hinders us, we can fill our pack with the things that matter for this season and this specific set of circumstances. When my husband and I went backpacking a few months ago, we obviously had to carry more than we usually would. We had all of our camping supplies in addition to our regular hiking gear. My backpack was heavy, y’all! 

Similarly, some seasons require us to carry more than others. Seasons that are full of growth, contentment, ordinariness, and harvest may not require us to carry as much with us. On the other hand, seasons that are marked by transition, waiting, grief, or constant struggles require some heavy lifting. But when we fill our packs with good things like discernment, wisdom, spiritual practices, a perspective shift, or Scripture, our packs always feel light.

Learning to be Fruitful Where We Are

Spring and summer tend to be the seasons of nature where fruit is most evident. I see it in my garden in the way that my jalapenos and peppers are bearing fruit and in the way that my eggplant, tomatoes, catnip, impatiens, and begonias are growing taller each day. Fruitfulness describes my garden and the fields where the Texas wildflowers grow. But what does fruitfulness look like for us in our faith journey, especially in seasons where we aren’t seeing the fruit of our labor?

Some of us may think that we have to do big works for the Lord to be fruitful. We also may think that if we aren’t seeing fruit that we aren’t doing enough. I don’t think that either of those things are true. God is simply calling us to be fruitful with what we have right where we are. Even if we don’t yet see the fruit, He still longs for us to complete the purpose that he gave us:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

-Isaiah 55:10-11

Our Call to be Fruitful

Just as the rain and snow complete their purpose before returning to the heavens, God intends for us to complete the purpose he has given us before we return to him. This purpose is to glorify God, further the Kingdom here on earth, and grow in Christlikeness. He is calling us to fulfill our purpose and be fruitful exactly where we are today within our specific set of circumstances. 

When we wish away where we are, dread our day-to-day life, or remain stagnant amongst challenges or monotony, we are risking returning to God empty, just as the rain would be if it returned to heaven without first accomplishing its purpose on earth. We have to embrace exactly where we are and remember that God is calling us toward stewardship and fruitfulness right where we are. He has equipped us, prepared the way, and has given us what we need to be fruitful.

Just as the water brings forth fruitfulness, bringing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, God is also calling us to be fruitful in various capacities. We can be fruitful and fulfill our purpose in our career, our friendships and relationships, our families, and in motherhood or fatherhood. Our fruitfulness touches every sphere of our life, just as the water touches all parts of the earth and brings forth life. Even if we can’t yet see the fruit, we must remain diligent in accomplishing what God planned for us. He will be faithful as we seek to be fruitful.

How to Be Fruitful Right Where We Are

I want to be fruitful in the season of life that I am in and in the places and circumstances where God has placed me. And even more so, God has called us to be fruitful within those places. God has us where we are for a purpose, and we need to be fruitful and make the most of what we’ve been given. By being fruitful, we’re being faithful stewards of the things in which God has called us to do.

We can’t be fruitful when we’re holding tightly to our own expectations or agendas. We also can’t be fruitful by wishing away our circumstances or failing to see the potential in a slow-moving season. If we reap what we sow, wouldn’t we rather be sowing seeds of encouragement, faith, and openhandedness towards God’s will rather than holding tightly to our own ideas of how our life should look?

So, how can we be fruitful in this season of life, right where we’re planted? How can we dig our roots deep into the purpose that God has for us right now? 

We Can:

Broaden Our Perspective

I love that the Scripture that directly precedes Isaiah 55:10-11 are verses declaring that God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours. It puts all things in perspective to remember that while I can have similar thoughts to God since I’m created in his image, I cannot even scratch the surface of the thoughts that God has. His ways are so much higher than ours, which encourages me to pursue fruitfulness even in difficult circumstances. 

It also puts into perspective the need for us to be fruitful: God has placed us where we are using his thoughts and ways that are higher than ours and has given us a purpose. He desires for us to accomplish what He’s purposed and will bless us abundantly in the thing He sent us to do. All of this is with His higher perspective that is writing the whole story! We can be fruitful when we shift our perspective toward open-handedness because we know that God’s plan is better.

View Challenges as Opportunities

One perspective shift that I’ve made in my life is to view my challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. When we come across a trial, it can quickly derail our efforts to be fruitful. But when we view our challenges as opportunities to pivot or try something new, they become less daunting and less of a roadblock.

Accept the Circumstances We’ve Been Given

One of the most difficult things to do is to accept where we are even if it isn’t what we wanted. I’ve faced too many circumstances that were not what I had in mind. Even now, most of my life is not what I pictured. The only way that I’m finding contentment where I’m at and am able to be fruitful is because I’ve accepted that if this where God has me then it must be for a purpose. I’m laying down my expectations and agenda and trading them in for humility and surrender for the ways of God. I’m choosing to accept the set of circumstances that God has given me, and I’m trusting that He will be faithful to provide.

Continue to Plant Seeds Even if We Don’t See Fruit Yet

It can be so difficult to continue to plant seeds, especially when the fruit is not evident. I often feel this way while mothering a toddler. The seeds are being sown daily, but I likely will not reap a harvest until much later in the future. I’m blessed to see some small seedlings as Wesley surprises me by remembering what I’ve taught him, but I know that my work is hardly done. If we want to be fruitful where we are, we have to remain faithful in the planting process.

Remember Our Assignment for This Season (or Discern What it is if We Aren’t Sure)

It’s easy to be fruitful when we know what we’ve been called to do and what our assignment from God is. But we have to be discerning to know when it’s from God or if it’s the product of our own dreams and desires. It will be evident that it’s from God when it’s in line with God’s word and promises, you feel a sense of contentment around it, or you feel the Spirit clearly prompting you toward it. Our assignment also is something that will help us to live out our ultimate purpose of glorifying God, furthering the Kingdom, and growing in Christlikeness with our lives.

Once we know our assignment, we must remain faithful to accomplish it. We are fruitful when we live out a God-given assignment, and we also get to witness firsthand the goodness and faithfulness of God. 

In this season, this looks like being fully present when I’m around Wesley, teaching him right from wrong, and helping him to understand his emotions. It also looks like being a faithful steward and hostess of my new home. It also is using my skill set to glorify God and bless others through my job and my writing. But it also includes some mundane tasks like feeding my family every night and cleaning the litter box. By remaining faithful to my assignment, I know that I will be reaping a good harvest because my seeds are being sown in the things that God has called me to do today.

Live with a Goal of God’s Glory Being Known and His Kingdom Being Furthered On This Earth

As much as I have personal goals for my life, I have to hold them in contrast with God’s goals. He longs for us to grow in relationship with Him, make His name known, and glorify Him with our words and actions. I want to be fruitful in the things that make God’s name known and encourage others in their relationship with him. By being fruitful in those things, I know that God will bless me abundantly as I pursue the things of his will. It’s a constant, daily reminder that God’s goals need to be my goals too. His will needs to also be my will. I’m fruitful in what God has called me to do when I live with his ultimate goals in mind.

Embracing Transitional Seasons

God has a way of giving us big blessings all at once. Over the last month and a half, I started a new job, we bought a house, and we moved into our new house. While all of these are answers to prayers we’ve been praying for years, they each played a role in launching us into a season of transition. These in-between seasons are often times where we find ourselves in a funk. Our routines need to be adjusted, and our rhythms are all out of sorts. The adjustment can be rough. 

My son Wesley is a good example of this right now. We’ve lived in our new house for almost 3 weeks, and he still gets upset when we drive by the exit to our old apartment. He gets confused about where we’re going sometimes because it’s a different way than before. He also has been much more emotional about small inconveniences, likely because he’s a toddler with big feelings, but also because everything seems so confusing for him right now. Wesley has certainly been adjusting much slower than my husband and I.

The adjustment has been huge for us too. We have had to make changes to our schedules, and we even had to sell our old slightly unreliable car and get a newer one for David to drive to work. He has to get up earlier in the mornings in order to make it to work on time, and I’ve had to readjust my entire life due to my new job and our move. It all felt chaotic for a while, but the routines and rhythms we’re building are starting to feel more normal for us.

Learning to Embrace the In-Between

We all will face transition at some point in life, and sometimes, like my experience, it’s many changes all at once. In these in-between places, we can choose to be present and embrace all that this transitional season holds, or we can lose ourselves in the chaos and unknowns. I’m still right in the middle of this transition, but I’ve found a few ways that we can fully embrace transitional seasons:

Name and accept this new season for what it is rather than what you wish it was.

When we are able to name the season we’re in and accept, we’re able to move forward. This practice has helped me tremendously in my pursuit of living more intentionally where I’m at. Especially in transitions, we need to accept that we’re in a time of major change, and that’s okay. This season has purpose, and God is with us every step of the way.

Pay attention to the natural rhythms of this new season to assess what fits, what doesn’t, and what’s a priority that you need to make room for.

While it’s only been about three weeks since we’ve lived in this house, I’ve definitely learned what rhythms are going to come naturally for me, which ones don’t fit, and which ones I will need to work hard to maintain. It’s easy for me to coordinate getting Wesley and I to where we need to be each day. It’s easy for me to get our lunches together and to remember everything that needs to be done in the morning. I’m also finding it easy to wake up earlier in the morning because I know that when I take my time to get ready, I feel more put together and clear headed throughout the day.

But do you want to know what doesn’t fit as naturally? It’s finding time to write, making time (and motivation) to exercise, finding space for studying scripture, and creating good habits around prayer. It’s always the things that will benefit us the most that we struggle to fit into our already busy routines. It’ll continue to be a work in progress in the coming months to make these priorities permanent in my new routine.

Keep your eyes open for the ways God is present and moving in this transitional season. 

Something I’ve been working on over the last few years is keeping my eyes wide open for God. The days when I am actively looking for God are the days when I experience the most peace. And let’s be honest, we need peace more than anything in our transitions. I have to remind myself daily that God is active and working in my midst. I have to rely on Him during this tumultuous time of changes for our family. When my eyes are open, I see Him working all things out on my behalf. 

The other evening, I sat out on our patio when David took Wesley in for his bath and just relished in the breeze. The leaves blew, our grass that needed to be mowed swayed, and the setting sun turned shades of orange and pink. It was in that moment of having my eyes wide open that I remembered that this was what I had been praying for: a home to call my own, a backyard for Wesley to run in, and space to host our friends and family. Even in the transition, God reminds us of his faithfulness to us.

Give yourself grace and be patient with yourself. This is a time of change, and all changes bring natural anxieties and growing pains. 

To be honest, the first week that we lived in our new house, I had regrets about it. I thought we had made a huge mistake, and I missed our apartment more than I thought I would. Seeing Wesley so emotional, all of our things in boxes, and having to fix up more than we expected, I felt overwhelmed. That entire week, I found myself snapping at Wesley and getting frustrated about every little thing. I even doubted my dream of publishing a book and my writing abilities because I didn’t see how I would ever have time to write ever again. 

While this was wildly dramatic of me, we have to acknowledge that big changes come with big feelings, and sometimes those feelings can carry us away. We have to give ourselves grace, be patient with ourselves, and accept that transitions come with some big changes. Those changes will bring about all sorts of feelings, and it’s okay to feel them. It’s just not okay to sit in them for too long or allow them to hold us back from all that God is trying to teach us in this season. Be kind to yourself in your transitional seasons. This is a lesson I’m still learning.

As I Go

As I write this, I have a cat on my lap and Wesley is asleep in his room. My favorite candle is lit, and the sun is brightening up our living room. It’s these simple moments in our new home that remind me that this is exactly what we prayed for. We had offers on multiple homes that were passed over. It took us two years to find this home that we now call ours, and we’re thankful now that God saw a better plan for us. 

So, knowing that God has us in this transition and that this is all through his faithfulness and provision, I’m walking this in-between season with grace, building new rhythms as I go. I can’t wait to see all that God is going to do.

Seasons of Being Pruned: Where Flourishing is Born

My jalapeño plant sits on my patio in my homegrown garden. Its bright blue plastic pot brings contrast to otherwise greens of my herbs and the occasional pinks and purples of my petunias and vincas. While the summer heat keeps it from fully growing its peppers, I know that they’ll grow abundantly when autumn comes this year. Even in the summer heat she thrives, growing taller and taller, leaves filling out the plant so it looks almost tree-ish. But it wasn’t always like this.

After last autumn’s harvest, the jalapeño plant became barren and unfruitful. Her leaves began falling one by one. Eventually, I knew I had to prune her completely down to bare branches. Some of the branches even had to go too. While it was work that pained me to perform, I knew it would yield a bountiful harvest when the next autumn came. 

In the pruning and then flourishing process of my jalapeño plant, I was reminded that this is what God longs to do with us. He wants to prune us of the things that no longer serve us. By ridding us of the things that hinder us and hold us back, we will grow bigger and better than before. We can truly flourish into the people God is calling us to become. 

Pruning seasons are painful, yet it’s through the pruning that our flourishing is born.

Seasons of Being Pruned

Sooner or later, we all go through seasons of life that involve being pruned. This often looks like God removing something from our life so that we may be more fruitful. But to us, it doesn’t always look that way. 

It often involves deep pain as we grieve for what was lost, parts of us that we never wanted to say goodbye to. Old habits, relationships, jobs, comforts. All gone as part of God’s pruning process. But it’s through pruning that we are forced to come face to face with our dependency on things that are not of God. 

I have gone through my fair share of pruning seasons as God longed to shape me into someone who was dependent upon him instead of on things of this world. He’s taken away jobs, relationships, opportunities, friendships, habits, and old comforts as He sought after my heart. 

The pain of my pruning was excruciating. But looking back now, I can see that it was all for a purpose. By God removing those parts of my life that were causing me to stumble and turn away from him, I was able to flourish into the person I am now. I’ve experienced tremendous growth that I never would have if I was still holding onto the parts of my life that God was clearly trying to shear away.

While the pruning itself is painful, there’s no denying that there is great beauty that comes from it. By allowing God to prune us, we open ourselves up to a life that is so much more fulfilling than the one we’re currently leading. 

A Pruning Perspective

I want to be someone who handles God’s pruning with grace. But so often, I’m left wondering what I did wrong for God to do this to me. For so much of my life, I felt like it was a personal attack. 

How could God have taken that opportunity away from me, the one I thought was the right thing? Why did He take this chance, this job, this relationship away? Why did God remove from my life the things that brought me joy, the things that were comfortable?

But after almost 30 years on this earth, I’m learning the power of perspective. I’m also learning that God always has the final say.

God took away that job because it wasn’t the best place for me to glorify him. It also wasn’t the best use of my time or talent.

God took away that opportunity, that chance, for one that was so much better.

He took the relationship away because it was hurting my relationship with Him and causing me to stumble.

God removed the things that brought me comfort and joy because it was the false comfort that the world gives. He would soon show me what true comfort in the things of God was.

God’s pruning is always with purpose. The shears may be sharp, and we may have to wait for our flourishing, but we can trust that the pruning brings forth new life.

We can embrace the pruning by:

Allowing ourselves to mourn what was lost but remembering that God is in charge.

I want to be the first to say that it’s okay to mourn what was lost, even if it wasn’t good for us. Your feelings are valid, and your grieving is okay. Oftentimes, the things that God prunes from our lives are things that we held dear and weren’t ready to let go of.

It’s okay to mourn for those things, but we can’t allow ourselves to bask in nostalgia. Our nostalgic thoughts often only make us remember a past that was better than it actually was. We can grieve what was lost, but we have to remember that God is still in charge. Eventually we have to come to a place where we can comfortably walk away from what was lost and move forward, knowing that God has better planned for us. 

Reflecting on why God may have taken that relationship, job, opportunity, (fill in the blank) away.

Through our reflection, self-awareness, and being really honest with ourselves, we usually can begin to understand why God took away whatever it was in our life. Most times, it’s simply because something better is coming. God has something even bigger planned for us. Other times, it’s because it was causing us to stumble and we needed to keep our eyes better fixed on Jesus. Spend some time in reflection and ask God to help you discern why the pruning was necessary.

Asking God what we can do right now to begin our flourishing process.

By conversing with God in prayer, we are participating in what God wants to do in our lives. It’s often in times of prayer when I’m able to sense what God is calling me to or wants me to do next. He’ll sometimes give me little insights or small bits of inspiration or encouragement as I go. When we ask God what we can do right now, he’ll show up. Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open for His response.

Enjoying the preparation season.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll probably notice that I’ve written about this plant before. It’s funny reading that blog post now because it feels like so long ago. My writing has improved a ton since then, but the lesson in that post still rings true.

So often God calls us to a season of preparation after the pruning. In that season, God is preparing us for our flourishing. Preparation feels a lot like waiting for what’s next, but it’s in that season where God is getting our hearts and minds ready for what comes next. Don’t rush the preparation. Enjoy it, and absorb all that God is trying to teach you during it. Your flourishing is coming soon.

Pain that Brings Forth Life

As I pruned away the dead leaves and branches, I was a little distraught bringing pain to a plant I loved. But I knew that the pain would bring forth life. The cuts and bruises would heal and those areas would grow back stronger. 

I think of God in this way too. He gives and takes away. He prunes the dead things and pulls the weeds in our souls. I often think of Him as the master gardener. He knows that by ridding us of the things that hinder us and turn us away from Him, we’ll become more faithful, obedient, and zealous for the things of Him. He prunes so that we would become more bountiful and beautiful, inside and out. 

From the pruning, the flourishing is born.

Practicing Gratitude in the Midst of Uncertainty

For over a year, Wesley and I have taken almost daily walks by the river. Being next to the trails is one of the many blessings of where we live. The simple beauty of the grasslands and wildflowers that grow on the riverbank reminds me that we don’t have to be showy to be admired. 

But these days, the grass is withering away with the scorching summer heat. Its green color has turned to pale yellows and browns. We’ve started walking earlier in the morning to avoid the hot sun, but we still end up warm and sweaty when we get home.

Today, Wesley and I stopped at a much-loved bench that we’ve been skipping over because it lacks shade. But with the clouds overhead today, this bench welcomed us back. I unstrapped Wesley from the stroller and held his hand as he discovered sticks and small branches amongst the grass. 

In our exploration of the land, we found a shell with hand-drawn flowers and the word “grateful” on it. It isn’t clear how the shell got here—perhaps it was lost, left behind, or intentionally left to the land—but finding it was almost spiritual for me. It felt like it was left for me to find.

Goodness Right Here

I’ve been asking God for clarity and direction in my job search. In my searching, I’ve wondered what’s next for me and what I’m meant to do. It’s taken a toll on my writing, as I’m feeling myself being pulled into a new season that I don’t quite have words for yet besides uncertainty.

But finding that shell with the word and flowers and the moss-colored outer shell was a clear reminder that there is still goodness right here. I can be grateful even when I’m in a place of uncertainty, transition, or doubt because I know that there are still blessings in my struggle. In my waiting and wondering, God deserves my gratitude. 

Instead of focusing on what God is calling me into next, perhaps I should instead be giving him praise for what he’s already doing right here and now. Even in this place of uncertainty, I can see that God is still working. There are still reasons to be grateful, even when my heart feels anxious and unsteady.

Practicing Gratitude Amidst Uncertainty

I want to be better at practicing gratitude even when I’m in over my head. In those places of struggle, heartache, and uncertainty, I want to be someone who can still say that God is good. I want to worship and praise God for the good things he gives us, even if we don’t see the goodness in them right away.

But how can we truly practice gratitude amidst our uncertainty?

We can make a list of what we are grateful for. 

Ever since I read Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, I’ve considered making a list of gifts to show gratitude. Right now, I’m doing this by writing daily gratitudes in my prayer journal. Today’s list looks like:

• Storytime at the library

• Library cards

• A really good smoothie

• Rain incoming

• The sweetest little boy

I know this list may seem silly, but it’s in those small things that we can see God moving. In the storytime at the library, I’m reminded of the blessing of community and the joy of small children. In my really good smoothie, I’m reminded of the fruits that God created and the perfect conditions in which he allowed them to grow so they could be blended into my delicious smoothie. And in the rain incoming, I’m reminded that God created and controls the weather—even the storms in my own life. 

Another way to practice gratitude is to steward well what God has given us.

This looks like using our God-given gifts and talents for God’s glory. It’s living more in the present moment and current season that God has given, stewarding our material possessions well. This means we have to stop wishing away our difficult circumstances and going through the motions.

I’ll be honest, I’m so guilty of wishing away tough times. It’s not even just challenges but also times where I feel uncertain or I’m waiting for something. I just want to skip to the good part. But in my wishing away where I’m at, all I’m doing is avoiding the lessons God wants to teach me in the struggle and in the waiting. I’m also failing to steward what God has given. 

We practice gratitude when we are living in the present moment, grateful that this is the moment that God has given. This doesn’t mean that our circumstances are perfect. It means that we trust God enough that he will do something amazing and full of blessings in our rough patches.

A Little Less Uncertain

After admiring the “gratitude” shell for a while, I gently set it back down in the grass. I buckled Wesley back into his stroller, telling him that we’ll play here again soon. As I walked away from the shell and the bench, I prayed that the shell would bless the next person who picked it up in the way that it had blessed me. But most of all, I thanked God for his simple, yet profound word to me. 

Even in the uncertainty, I can be grateful for what God is doing and what he will do. I can be grateful that God speaks in the simplest and most ordinary of places. And practicing gratitude is what makes uncertainty feel a little less uncertain.

Choosing to Live in the Present Moment (Stewarding Your Season #4)

Before having Wesley and even in the early days of motherhood, I wandered aimlessly through life. I had goals and aspirations, but life was always about getting somewhere instead of living in the right now. Part of me always wondered if there was something better out there. 

But it’s been within this season with my little boy that I’ve discovered that the present moment is all we have. I’ve finally understood the passing of precious time, as he changes so quickly before my eyes. I don’t want to miss it.

When I see his unfiltered joy, I want to capture it, and I want to feel it too. What brings me the most joy in life these days is living my days slowly, choosing to embrace all that they entail. From planting seeds to tilling soil, existing in the ordinary, this is my mindset and choice: The present moment deserves to be lived fully. I will steward it well.

Choosing to Live in the Present Moment

There is a natural progression from understanding where you are, accepting it, and changing your perspective, and then choosing to live more presently. We can do the first three well and live a fuller life, but if we don’t make the intentional choice to live in the present moment we are unable to steward our current season as well as we could.

These days, while I’m aware of the tension that exists within my heart, I’m choosing to live more presently. If I don’t make this active choice every single day, I know that I’m prone to wander, to worry, and to spiral. I have to make a choice to turn my heart toward the things of this moment rather than the regrets of the past or the concerns of tomorrow.

The here and now is all we really have. We can remember the past and prepare and hope for the future, but even those actions take place in the present moment. We have to steward these moments given to us well, and the last step in doing so is choosing to live more presently.

Here are some ways to help you as you choose to live more presently:

Find routines that work for this season.

I fully believe that the habits and routines that we engage in shape how we interact with the present moment. We have to find routines that work for us in this season instead of holding onto old ones. 

For example, in this season I’m finding myself doing my Bible study and writing during Wesley’s naptime in the afternoon rather than in the mornings like I used to. I’m practicing different spiritual disciplines in this season based on what I’m sensing I need to grow in the most. I’m also drinking a lot more coffee! Find what routines work best for you in this season and make those a part of your everyday life.

Thank God for what you have right now.

I know I suggested this as a way to help you accept where you are when it isn’t what you want, but I think it can be helpful as we choose to live presently as well. When we show gratitude to God for what we have, it ignites a spark in us. It helps us to engage these days more fully because we are appreciative of what we already have. So what are those things in your life, big or small, that you are thankful for?

Plan only for this season.

When we find ourselves planning for the fall or next spring, we lose ourselves in the future. In order to live more presently, we must only make plans for this season. I do this by taking things one week at a time. If I know I have something important coming up, I remember it, but I don’t plan for it until it’s almost here. This practice has helped me to stay present and make the most of today instead of always looking forward to the next big thing.

Continually choose to live in this moment, even when it’s painful and hard.

I know how hard living in the present moment can be. Sometimes it feels heavy with grief or tension. But even our deepest pain demands to be felt and processed. We have to wake up each morning and make the intentional choice to live more presently. It has to be a continuous practice we engage in, even when it’s really hard. But faith takes endurance and perseverance. We can only grow when we allow ourselves to face hard things.

Steward It Well

Learning to steward your season well is a practice that we must all learn so we can live more fully. By understanding where we are, accepting it, changing our perspective, and choosing to live in the present moment, we can live fully within this season given to us.

My intention with this series was to better equip you to live a life that is aware of God’s presence in the here and now, doing good with the perfect gifts he’s given. I hope that it has helped you as you desire to grow.

Remember: this moment is all we have. Now go, and live it well.

Six Simple Ways to Remember God’s Goodness

This morning, I found myself sitting on our couch, coffee mug in hand, cat on my lap. With Wesley still asleep, these small moments of morning quiet bring calm to my heart. On this particular morning, I’m remembering moments that have passed. Moments where God’s goodness shone through my struggles. Past experiences where goodness overcame the evil that was so evident in my life.

I haven’t always lived in tune with God’s goodness in my life. I sought happiness and acceptance from this world. My sin drowned me and ran rampant. Even when I turned to God and began to follow him, I didn’t realize how good he really was to me. I found myself struggling with depression and anxiety, despairing over things that I should have given to God.

But these days, I’m learning to remember God’s goodness. It’s become a habit, a really good one at that. My eyes are being opened as I slow down and look for God in every little thing.

God’s goodness is always in full supply. It’s poured out for us all throughout this world and throughout our lives. But do we have eyes to see it?

The Goodness of God 

Scripture speaks widely about the goodness of God:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” -1 Chronicles 16:34

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” -Psalm 23:6

“I will remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” -Psalm 27:13

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” -Psalm 145:9

“No one is good except God alone.” -Mark 10:18

When we look at God’s goodness within Scripture, we can see that his goodness often shows his generosity toward us. He brings joy and blessings to all of his creation. His goodness is in His character, and we often see that goodness in our lived experience.

My own life experience is also a testament of God’s goodness. Over and over, God has overcome evil and darkness with his goodness and light. He has provided for me when I least expected it. And He has been generous to me with his grace, mercy, and love.

When I look back on how God has shown me his goodness, I’m often overcome with emotion. How could a God so good truly love me?

You see, we need to remember God’s goodness to us because it causes us to worship God in a deeper way. It gives us peace and fills our cup. It guides our way and gives us hope.

Here are six ways to remember God’s goodness:

Slow down.

When we slow down and take time to truly see, our eyes will be opened to the goodness of God around us. Have you ever noticed that you get irritable or frustrated when you’re speeding through life? Me too, friend. Slow down, and you will open yourself up to a whole new experience of God and his goodness.

Look for God in the little things.

God is everywhere. He is in everything. He’s in my early morning coffee, my patio garden, and my cats who bring me great comfort. God is in all of creation. Sometimes the small things in life often get overlooked, but the small things are where God is actually really big. Make it a habit to look for God in every little thing.

Spend time in nature.

I often find that God speaks to me in nature. Being out amongst His creation gives me such peace and inspiration. Go on a walk, hike, or bike ride today. Notice the wind, the leaves, and the green sprouting up around you. God’s goodness is there.

Meditate on Scripture.

When we spend time in Scripture and truly meditate on it, we come to see that God really is good. He cares deeply for his creation. He provides what we need when we need it—even if it’s not what we expected. Spend time meditating on Scripture and you will learn more about God’s character and his provision.

Take on a posture of continual worship.

We can take on a posture of worship at any moment. When we live life slowed down, unhurried, and open-handed, that is a posture of worship. When we look for God in the little things, that is also a posture of worship. You can worship God anywhere you are by the way you are living and choosing to love others well.

Reflect on ways God has provided for you.

God is continually providing for us. And there are so many ways that he’s already done so. Take some time to reflect upon all the ways that God has been generous toward you throughout your life. You will see God’s goodness through his generosity and provision.

God’s goodness is everywhere. Do you have eyes to see it?