Each starling adds to the beauty of a murmuration... in the same way, each story adds to the beauty of our life. Here are my stories.
I didn’t date for 4 years. This wasn't a calculated choice, either. I WANTED to date. I just didn't want to date out of boredom or desperation.The Bible doesn't have much to say about dating because it didn't exist in that culture or era! However, the Bible DOES have lots to say about the kind of people we should team up with in life. So if dating is pointing us toward finding a mate, then I want to pursue a godly relationship from the start.
Read MoreYears ago, I felt like I had been dropped into someone else's hellacious life. I watched my life burn to the ground and all that remained was ash. In those painful moments I heard God speaking something significant about those ashes. He asked me to take the ash with me. He said, “Elise, don’t scatter the ashes. I have a purpose for them.”
Read MoreHave you ever started out running one errand, but found yourself running an errand for someone else instead? Let me tell you — God is one smooth dude. I thought I was running to town for eye liner and dog food. However, both stores on my list were closed. So I ran to Target.
I walked into the makeup section to search for my brand, but my focus was immediately shifted to Paul. Paul was the older gentleman who was timidly walking the aisles of the beauty section. He looked lost. I watched from a distance as he looked carefully at the products and then referred back to his phone.
All of a sudden I heard words exiting my mouth, "Do you need help finding something?"
Read MoreMaybe the enemy has robbed you blind. Well, my friend, get ready because God gives sight to the blind. He will bring clarity and brilliance where things were once foggy and dim. He will open your eyes to the dreams He’s planted in your soul. And when your eyes adjust to the light you’ll see — you’ll see a life you love and I have a feeling it’ll be richer than before.
Read More“God… I feel robbed. I know You aren’t the one who took that life from me. But I miss it. I miss the comforts of a big house. I miss my friends and the sense of community we shared. I miss the time I got to spend with my kids. I know You’re the one holding things together for me — but I feel robbed. It’s not just about the things that were taken from me. It’s a life I loved and now it’s gone.”
Read More“Last year things suddenly changed. Choices were made. Choices that hurt. Choices that left us hundreds of miles apart. Choices that felt very similar to the pain of my own divorce.”
Read More“He is for you. He sees YOU. He isn't disappointed in you. You are not an inconvenience to Him. He has time for you. He wants to talk to you every day. He's proud of you. He thinks you are amazing.”
Read MoreI don’t know why he doesn’t feel permission to emote when big things happen, but I know it’s my job as his parent to guide him to a healthy, safe place where he can sort it all out… and shaming him for having emotions won’t get the job done. I realized I needed to give him some tools to help get him out of the pit he was in. I was grasping at a way to gain access to this kid who I sometimes struggle to understand.
Read MoreIt’s my birth month and it may have started a tad rough. I kind of felt like I was getting shoved out of my 30s — like an unwanted guest who had stayed too long. I hate to admit it, but somewhere along the way I bought into the lie that if I wasn’t married by 40 then it would be exponentially harder to find a mate. I was feeling like my value as a person was depreciating simply because I’m approaching 40 and I’m not married yet. Who decided being single in your 40s is the absolute most pathetic thing ever? I didn’t realize it, but I bought into this stigma, too! But not anymore.
Read MoreThe impossible desire of my heart is to find love again. It's ok to feel like it's impossible. That's how I'll know it’s the Lord when it does happen. It seems bigger than I can fathom and I wouldn't want it any other way.
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