I pondered…is hope an optimist? A pessimist? Maybe both?

I concluded that optimism and pessimism are of this world. They usher polarization, a spotlight that we are in the world, not of it.

Hope comes from beyond-a buoyancy, not a boundary.

And hope is good.

We live in a world that low base teaches us that the loudest, most aggressive woman wins. Paired with church messages of a Proverbs 31 wife standard of perfectionism, you end up with a world of women feeling weary, worn, less than, defeated.

I’ve wondered if the “real” Proverbs 31 wife would shake her head-

Courage is fear that has said its prayers and believes that God is always able.

He was two weeks old when we knew he’d be our outdoorsy kiddo. Warm autumn breezes are his favorite. Even as an infant, he’d look up at his mama & smile, relax & close his eyes with chin lifted to the sun. He’s our rainbow baby, the unexpected blessing we didn’t see coming.

But, summer heat storms used to…

Lucky and blessed are not the same thing. What some people call luck might better be called an unexpected-𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾𝖽-blessing.

Instead of loving the things you want, look around & start loving what you have. I promise and pinky swear, it’ll change your life.

When hugging your children, don’t be the first one to let go. They’ll let go when they are ready-be sensitive to what they are sharing.

Sometimes they start hugging back tighter, because that’s what their hearts are needing.

I read a quote once that said (𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗁𝗋𝖺𝗌𝖾𝖽), 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. The quote is a play on words from a translated Confucius quote, a thought provocation on how you view yourself, the nuts and bolts and worth you believe you hold in the core of who you are.

I counter it with this: 𝖶𝖧𝖮 𝖣𝖮𝖤𝖲 𝖦𝖮𝖣 𝖲𝖠𝖸 𝖸𝖮𝖴 𝖠𝖱𝖤? Deep down, what message do you speak over yourself about your identity in Christ?

There’s this space between what is and what will be-a pause, gap, breath, selah, Yahweh. A bridge called grace waits with open arms.

It can feel like waiting, a gap that divides.

Getting to know myself has been one of the most eye opening experiences.

It looked like courage and grit, and it was; but, how it felt was more like being lost, then found. It looked nothing like I thought and managed to offer everything I needed.

Courage comes first, then grit. Daily sitting with…

Your soul wants to grow-and soul growth sets shivers to demons. Make no mistake, satan relishes the idea of making your earthly life an earthly hell.

Breathe this in-your daily soul growth may be a fight, but this story will end good.

Seeds want to grow. Put nourishment to them, they’ll thrive. Feed the seed of hopeful courage daily. Nourish your soul in scripture consistently, clear entertaining distractions, clarity on your next right step will come.

Six word memoir:

Some days, I hunt and hunt for specimens.

Poem: Hope is the thing with feathers…(a poem selection written by Emily Dickinson)