Hi there! Just a quick note: If your women’s group is looking for a speaker who shares biblical messages with encouragement, stories, and a touch of humor, I’d love to be considered. Spring events are already popping up so let’s connect! Thanks!
A few moments that filled my heart over the past couple of weeks …
My sisters and I spent a weekend celebrating the release of my new book, “Anticipate God’s Goodness: Letters of Encouragement to Ignite Your Spirit.” Most of our time was spent laughing and poking fun at our own life (mis)adventures, but we also took some time to work on the messages I’ll be sharing, framed by this book. It was fun, refreshing, and uplifting—all rolled into two unforgettable days.
Sister time always encourages my heart.
The Minnesota Vikings are having a great season—Skol! Steve jokingly reminds me to use my inside voice when the game gets intense, but I don’t usually listen to that suggestion.
Football always brings me joy. It takes me back to Sunday afternoons with my dad, cheering for the Vikings and enjoying vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate syrup.
Our neighborhood book club is another heart-filler. Last week’s gathering was a reminder of the simple joy in pulling up chairs in a friend’s living room, catching up on everyday life, and sharing veggies, snacks, and dessert while discussing our latest read.
Being part of a community reminds me I am not alone.
Time with my sisters, watching football, and going to book club—three small moments that felt like wrapping up in a warm blanket on a cold day.
We need those blankets. With all the icy cold winds swirling around in our world, those simple events reminded me how good it feels to embrace the warmth of life’s good things. To stand firm and tell the chill trying to creep into my heart and mind, “No. You don’t get to have access.”
What if we could block out those icy messages—the ones that make us shiver and freeze in fear?
I’m no expert, but like you, I’m figuring out how to protect my peace and live with hope.
Here’s what’s working for me right now:
Choosing what I see and hear. What I watch and read matters—newspapers, internet headlines, and social media. I’m limiting how much news I consume. Someone once said, “The news is basically just someone saying good evening, and then giving you a list of reasons it’s not.” I don’t know who said it, but there’s truth in it, right?
Wrapping myself in wonder. I’m paying attention—not taking the small, simple moments for granted. Because isn’t life really made up of those small moments? I’m anticipating and noticing God’s goodness in my everyday living.
Shauna Niequist is one of my favorite authors. Her new book, “Celebrate Every Day: Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary,” is helping me reframe my days and watch for the good things.
Today is your big moment. Moments, really … You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering, dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells with you. And you have been given today.”
So, let’s embrace the warmth of life’s good things.
Anticipate them. Notice them.
Enjoy them.
“Let all that I am praise the Lord …
He fills my life with good things.
Psalm 103:2,5
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase a book through these links, your cost will be the same, but I may receive a commission. I only link to books and products I personally love!
