…Whenever I think of da Vinci and his hand painting, I can’t help but think of Ephesians 2:10, which says that “we are God’s masterpiece” (NLT).
Just as da Vinci personally and carefully formed the Mona Lisa with his fingers, so God tenderly and intentionally molded and formed you into His great masterpiece…
Read More...Is it time to say goodbye to something in your life? Leaving can be hard because it can feel like losing—and sometimes it does come with a loss.
But so often what we let go of is vastly outweighed by what we gain when we open our hands in trust...
Read More...There was actually a good reason for my distress: I was trying to fit into a role I wasn’t meant for. Once I recognized this reality and adjusted course, the emotional storm inside settled down.
Since then, I’ve learned that as uncomfortable as it is, anxiety is a signal worth paying attention to.
Sometimes it signals an underlying medical condition, an unhealthy work environment, or unresolved emotional wounds or trauma...
Read More...You can be sure that next time, I’m going to make sure my lighting is better and my earrings match. But I’m also doing my best to break up with the idea that perfection is what gives my work power. Because it’s not by might and self-striving but by God's Spirit that the work He’s given me to do will be accomplished...
Read MoreImagine a robin who decided her beak was better used for digging holes than making music—what a waste it would be! What a loss of a gift that reveals God’s glory and brings joy to so many!
It might be a silly example, but we often neglect our gifts in a similar way. We decide it doesn’t matter what we want—as long as we’re doing something “practical” or “productive…”
When you want nothing more than to take an afternoon nap, maybe it’s because that’s exactly what your body needs to strengthen itself and carry on.
When your job is sucking your soul dry and you want to make a change, maybe it’s because your job is a poor fit for your gifts and personality and a career change is exactly what your soul needs to flourish...
While we tend to equate saying yes with being “loving” and saying no with being “unloving,” in actuality, declining a request is not necessarily unloving. In fact, when it paves the way for obedience and enables us to accomplish our individual callings, it can be the most loving and godly thing we can do…
Read MoreYou may find it easy to see how nature displays God’s glory. But what about when you look at yourself? Are you filled with the same wonder and awe? Our culture’s constant provocation to personal discontent and our tendency toward self-criticism can make it hard to recognize, but you too are part of the symphony of creation declaring God’s majesty…
Read MoreTo celebrate spring, I’m giving away a gift bundle, which includes:
A copy of Rebecca George’s new book, Do The Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl
A set of fine art note cards by yours truly
A pretty floral notebook,
And 2 fun vinyl stickers!
“…Your worth and eligibility for God’s work are not dependent on degrees or demographics. And if the only thing holding you back from moving toward that thing God is stirring in your heart is feeling “less than” due to lack of a college education or belonging to a specific age bracket, I hope you dismiss those feelings, take a deep breath, and push forward…
Read MoreSometimes, the goals and dreams God has given us can feel the way my plant looked: scraggly, unfruitful—even dead. We might wonder if it’s time to let them go and move on to something else. We might wonder if we heard God wrong…
Read More…The plethora of books, courses, and coaching programs aimed at helping us achieve goals reveals that I’m not the only one who has struggled with moving forward in the goals I’ve set. It seems that, no matter how good our intentions, even our most worthy goals are often met with resistance…
Read More…I feel a similar sense of sadness and fatigue, a kind of malaise that makes me just want to sit on the couch and lose myself in a box of chocolates and mystery novel.
And while there’s nothing wrong is enjoying a day curled up on the couch with a book, I know that what my soul needs is deeper than a simple self-care practice can provide—I need God’s supernatural healing in my heart…
Read More…But though buried, my dream wasn’t dead. The seed of that God-given desire was tucked deep in my heart, and when the conditions were right, it began to grow. And grow. Until I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Instead of thinking about it every once in a while, I thought about it often…
Read MoreWe have a tendency to divide activities into sacred and secular: Being a pastor, youth leader, missionary, etc. is sacred. Being a dental hygienist, mechanic, or vet is secular.
But that’s not how God sees it…
Read MoreSometimes I think it can feel like being thankful is something we’re “supposed to do,” as if it’s an obligation or a duty. But the reality is, it’s a gift to us because it’s a conduit for joy and peace…
Read MoreIf you’re struggling with fears related to an action you need to take, I encourage you to do it afraid. Remember: Fear is designed to hold you back from God’s best for you. It wants to keep you small and stop you from achieving your goals. But the truth is, fear can’t stop you from doing anything…
Read MoreI’m giving away a 2-book bundle that includes one copy of Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge and one copy of When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life by Karen Ehman!
Read MoreWhen it comes to sadness, our culture may say stuff it. Our family may shrug it off. Our church may minimize it. But whether we’re crying in an airport, a grocery store, or a sanctuary, Jesus will never turn away from our sorrowing hearts. He knows the fragility of our human form. He understands the wear and tear, the tension and the trauma of living on this fallen Earth. Our tears are His treasures…
Read MoreRecently, I’ve felt God asking me to cut back on certain activities, and, to be honest, letting go has been hard. But those previously pruned and bounteous berries remind me of an important truth: Pruning is an essential part of bearing excellent fruit…
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Hi! I'm Carina, and I'm here to help you connect with God and discover and share your unique gifts.
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