The Benefits of Being Brutally Honest With God, the Neuroscience of Beauty and Longing, in Praise of Dandelions, and More!
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Photo by henri pham on unsplash
Happy last day of May!
As you know (unless you're new to my online community—in which case, welcome!), at the close of every month, I share a few of my favorite listens, reads, and resources.
As we move into June, I hope these resources encourage and inspire you as you pursue a life of purpose, joy, and intimacy with God!
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
In purpose and faith,
Finding Joy in Everyday Life...
Before we get to the resources, here are a few things that brought me joy this month!
For me, nothing says May like blooming chokecherry trees.
Due to our late spring, they’re blooming a couple of weeks later than usual, but their flowers and their fragrance are just as glorious as ever!
Paul and I enjoyed our spring tradition of taking a trip down to Denali Park. Just like the rest of Alaska, spring came late to the park, so it was looking a little drab, but it was still beautiful and refreshing!
Along with a little vase of chokecherry flowers placed next to my desk, I’m enjoying these first few dandelions that popped up in my yard.
I know most people consider dandelions to be weeds (interestingly, this wasn’t always the case. Victorians loved dandelions and actually cultivated them), but I love their cheerful yellow blossoms—especially this time of year when it’s been about eight months since I was last able to enjoy wildflowers of any kind.
What brought you joy this past month? I'd love to hear about it!
Resources to Inspire, Encourage, and Equip
I've been reading...
“The Surprising Benefit of Getting Ruthlessly Honest With God” by Jennifer Dukes Lee
In this devotion, Jennifer Dukes Lee reminds us that God can handle all our feelings and that it’s often only through emotional honesty that we are able to receive answers to the questions we’re asking.
She writes, “We learn from both David and Thomas that it’s better to express feelings with brutal honesty than to doubt God in deafening silence. And the same is true for us. Life will never make sense until we get curious enough to ask honest questions.”
I’ve certainly found this to be true in my own life—some of my biggest breakthroughs have come in the midst of being brutally honest with God about how I feel.
You can read the entire devotion here.
I’ve also been reading…
The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community by Curt Thompson
I’m only a couple of chapters into this book, but so far, I’ve been enjoying it.
Curt Thompson discusses the value of our heart’s desire, how our longing to be known leads us to create, and the neuroscience of how the desire to be known and to create impacts the quality of our relationships. He also addresses how trauma and shame impair our ability to share our true selves.
It’s fascinating, but certainly not a light read—maybe that’s why I’ve been moving through it so slowly!
You can learn more about the book here.
I was featured on Shannon Leibold’s Story Swap!
This month, I had the honor of being featured on my friend Shannon Leibold’s Story Swap!
A part of her Scripture and Story ministry, this series is all about sharing stories of what God is doing in the lives of women, pointing to God’s glory and grace, and encouraging others to follow Jesus more closely.
In my story swap, I share what a typical day looks like for me, how I’m making the most of my current season, how I prioritize God’s Word, a bit about the story God is writing with my life, and more!
You can read the full post here.
One more thing to read, just for fun
“Ten Things You Might Not Know About Dandelions” by Anita Sanchez
If you don’t share my fondness for dandelions, give this article a read and you might start to feel a little differently! If anything, it’s a fascinating history of one of the most well-known (and perhaps most despised) plants. You can find the article here.
I've been listening...
“Jesus My Beloved” by Jonathan Ogden (featuring Kindred Worship)
Since you asked…
During my giveaway in May (congrats to Marianne G., our giveaway winner!), a few people asked how to purchase my Friendly Fox greeting cards, so I thought I’d share about them here this month.
Perfect for a birthday, baby shower, anniversary, or just to let someone special know that you’re thinking of them, these premium quality fine art notecards are a fun way to brighten a loved one’s day.
I have several options available for the inside greeting, including “Happy Birthday,” “Miss you,” “Thinking of you,” and “Congratulations on your new little one!” They are also available as blank notecards.
You can find them here!
P.S. Looks like you’re interested in pursuing a life of purpose and faith!
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I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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