It’s Okay to Cry, Finding Courage to Move Into New Territory, Freedom to Love, Baby Squirrels, and More!
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Photo by Dan gold on unsplash
Happy last day of June!
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 July, 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!
Summer is in full bloom and my yard is full of baby moose, squirrels, and robins! They are so adorable and are such a delight to see. What a creative God we have!
(Isn’t if fun that God is the author of cuteness?? He’s majestic, powerful, and magnificent, but He’s also the One Who created and enjoys cute, fuzzy little animals. 🥰 I just love that about Him.)
If you look closely, you’ll see there are three baby squirrels tangled together in this photo. They were playing and wrestling together in one of our lilac bushes and it was the cutest thing.
Ever since I raised an orphaned baby squirrel many years ago, I’ve had a soft spot for the little tree climbers, and over the last couple of weeks I’ve enjoyed watching the antics of this furry little family.
I’m in a season of big growth in some areas of my life (more on that in the coming months!), but that has also meant a lot of pruning to make room for the new things God is doing.
My husband and I have been running an Airbnb for the last year, and that is one thing that has gotten “pruned.” Our final guest checked out on Monday, and now we are in the process of disassembling all the artwork, furniture, etc. that we so carefully set up last year.
Pruning can be painful sometimes, and it is a little sad to undo all we’ve done in the rental, but pruning can also feel SO good and freeing—and relief and freedom are the predominant feelings I’m feeling right now. I’m so excited about what God has in store!
The Airbnb all set up for guests
The airbnb in the process of being disassembled
What brought you joy this past month? I'd love to hear about it!
Resources to Inspire, Encourage, and Equip
I've been reading...
“You Have Permission to Cry: Bravely Embracing Our Tears” by Avril Occilien-Similien
“Your tears are not an inconvenience. They are not a sign of weakness. Tears point our attention toward what matters most. They are a sign of a hurting heart, a crack that needs to be attended to and mended. And there’s good news. God promises to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).” —Avril Occilien-Similien
In this blog post, Avril Occilien-Similien offers encouragement for grieving hearts. If you’re in a season of sadness and feel like your tears are something you need to hide, I hope you’ll give it a read. You can find the full piece here.
I’ve also been reading…
“Gripped by Jesus: Released to Love” by Heather Hutchinson
“I imagined myself looking into the eyes of Jesus, and as I did, I heard Him say, “Let Me bless you. Let Me love you. Let Me lift you up. You don’t have to strive to love. In Me, you can freely love. You need only to surrender. Stop fighting the one I love. Stop fighting yourself. Accept who I made you to be and the gifts you have been given, for I am pleased with what I see.” —Heather Hutchinson
If you ever feel inadequate for what God has called you to do, my friend and fellow writer Heather Hutchinson wrote a beautiful devotion just for you.
It’s about how God set her free from self-criticism and the habit of comparing herself to others and enabled her to receive and share His love in a new way. You can read it here.
In case you missed it…
This month, I had the honor of being featured on fellow writer Becky Beresford’s Brave Women Series!
In it, I share about a huge decision I once faced—one that presented the opportunity to remain in a position that felt safe and comfortable or to follow the Holy Spirit and venture into the unknown.
You can read the full post here. I hope it encourages and inspires you!
In celebration…
My lovely friend and fellow writer Rachael Adams was featured on Good Morning America!
She got to talk about her recently published devotional, A Little Goes a Long Way, and share about how when we partner with Christ, even our seemingly mundane daily acts can make a big difference in God’s Kingdom.
I love what God is doing in and through Rachael’s faithful obedience to His calling. She is such a testimony to how God can do big things with our little offerings.
Check out the clip here to learn about her book and get a dose of encouragement reminding us that we have significance in God’s Kingdom!
I've been listening...
“Evidence” by Josh Baldwin
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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.”
