I had been struggling with my emotions lately and, instead of doing what I knew I should to get myself on the right track, I let myself be weighed down by my negative emotions.
You see, I tell you all what I’ve learned and what I know helps, but I sometimes have trouble putting it into practice myself. As I’ve said before, it just seems easiest to let yourself fall in the natural downward direction. It’s the most inviting, and requires the least amount of work.
I knew what I ought to do, but I neglected it. I let myself spiral, and then I thought the above statement. My thinking was: I’ve fallen too far and I can’t get myself back up. However, this is untrue.
Although picking oneself up from the floor requires more effort — more muscular work — than getting off a chair, it is still possible.
So if you’ve let your emotions fall into the pit of despair, I’m here to remind you that you can pick yourself back up and it only takes two things: decision and determination.
If you’re rolling your eyes at this and thinking that it’s so much harder than that, I agree. I know it is; trust me.
But really, if you think about it, it does come down to those two things.
When a baby learns to walk, it is not effortless. It is not without stumbling and falling.
Babies must first make a decision on their part to walk. Parents can hold them up by their arms and force them to “walk” all they want, but a baby does not truly take it’s first step until it does so on its own. As such, it’s required that a baby decide that he or she has a destination to get to, and decide to take that step.
However, just because a baby wants to walk, it does not mean that they will be able to do so immediately.
Desire is the prerequisite to starting something, but completion does not always come so easily. Effort is almost always needed.
A baby desiring to walk will first use objects to help lift themselves. They will be unable to let go without tipping over. Later, they will be able to release them. Then, the first shaky step happens before they land firmly on their bottom. Then, the next step comes, and the next, until eventually they are walking.
However, babies must endure hard falls and scares as they learn. Walking may be simple to us, as we’ve been doing it for so long. But to a baby, this is an entirely new skill that’s hard. And it’s the same with overcoming emotions.
Others might not have a problem shaking stuff off. They might not ever feel “blue” or anxious, but to us it’s hard, and that’s okay. We’re learning; there’s nothing wrong with that.
But here’s the thing: like a baby, we must be determined.
Babies don’t let stumbles, tumbles, and boo-boos stop them. They get back up. They may cry a little, but they get back up and try again. They tackle the next step.
They’ve got determination, and that’s a necessary component for us as well.
We can not let our emotions, hard times, difficult circumstances, laziness, or comfortability keep us trapped. We can’t let fear hold us back. We have to be determined to shake off our negative thinking, and work for our betterment.
Healthy mindsets don’t happen overnight, and they won’t be without stumbles, tumbles, and ouchies either. Like learning to walk, we’ll go through some stuff. We’ll struggle. But we’ll learn and grow if we’re determined.
If you’re looking for specific steps on pulling out of negative mindsets (depression in specific) check out my first two blogs ever. This post is simply to motivate you to get started.
It’s not too late. You can start now, and you can do it. It just takes decision and determination.
Decide today and be determined to see it through.
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
Real: actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed; not imitation or artificial; genuine.
I was raised in a Christian household. My parents were dedicated believers; I accepted Jesus into my heart at a very young age; and I was taught the Bible from the time I could understand.
However, despite all of this, I still had questions. Sometimes, I would pause and wonder, “What if God really isn’t real?” and I’d wonder if I was wasting my life. But I want to assure you that He is real.
It’s natural to wonder about these things, but don’t let that curiosity make you feel guilty. Adversely, don’t let it draw you away from God.
Instead, let it be a motivator to draw closer to God. Read the Word and find out for yourself. Seek God and the Bible says you will find Him. Let that be proof.
Seek God, and genuinely look for Him. See if the Word is true. See if He is real; if His love is real; His forgiveness; His kindness.
God will reveal the truth to you. Look for it. Really, really look, and you’ll find that He’s real.
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
Motivate: stimulate (someone’s) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something.
I often hear people lament about not being close to God. They’ll say things like I want a deeper relationship with God or I need to start reading my Bible again or some kind of variation of these phrases.
But, oftentimes, when people say these things, they don’t do anything about it. They continue going about their lives, doing what they want, not reading their Bible, and not putting any effort into getting closer to God.
And the fact is: if you don’t put in the effort, you won’t reap the benefits. Plainly, you reap what you sow. And if you’re not putting in the effort (i.e. praying, going to church, reading scripture, learning about Jesus, etc.) you won’t sow a closer and deeper relationship with Him.
It’s easy to desire things, but true change is hard. Especially when change requires us to drop deeply rooted habits or routines. But change is necessary.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, where your desires and your actions are not lining up, this is for you.
Although it seems hard and maybe even impossible, you can make the necessary changes to reap a deeper relationship with Christ.
Philippians 2:13 says this: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Take encouragement in this! God is working in you, not only giving you the desire, but also the power to do what pleases Him. How awesome is that! God is motivating you!
Pray this over yourself today. Pray that God would continue to work in you, giving you the right desires and the power to carry them out. Ask that He help you overcome any hindrances that would cause you to stumble, and then be obedient!
It might not be easy making this change, but it’s worth it.
Draw closer to God today, and see how it changes your life for the better!
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
A tribute to my grandma on her 90th birthday month, and what I’ve learned from her.
My grandma, who I call Mommaw, is one of the most amazing women I have ever known. She turns 90 this month and still amazes and inspires me every single day. Maybe she hasn’t done anything that the world would consider outstanding or great, but really, maybe the world should change what they consider outstanding and great.
One of her greatest accomplishments is her ability to keep a soft heart and love those around her well. At times, her life would not have been considered an easy one. But, her gentle spirit, love, and compassion for people have seen her through all of her adversities.
It is not uncommon for people, as they age, to become more prone to being irritable. This is not the case for her though. Things that might cause aggravation for most older people, seem to be things that she thrives on. My family always says that she loves chaos. She really does; she seems to be the happiest when kids are running around and making noise, and just being happy kids.
Throughout her life, she has found herself fighting some battles that I know she would’ve preferred not to fight. But it was what was before her, and she fought well. She is human and has made mistakes, but she has chosen to fight most of her battles on her knees, and it shows.
As a pastor’s wife, I have often prayed that God would help me to have a thick backbone and skin, but to also keep a soft heart. If I’m being honest, that is not an easy thing to do sometimes. Not only as a pastor’s wife, but for anyone. She has succeeded in it and when I see myself getting bitter and wanting to be cold to others, I remind myself of the beauty that I see in her and it helps me to not get caught up in what I feel.
Some of my earliest memories of her include her bribing me to come to her house with a cheese tray she had bought, or doughnuts, or sautéed mushrooms. She loved it when any of us were there, and she fed us well.
At every family gathering you could count on her making her cathead biscuits. Even when she wasn’t able to physically make them anymore, she would give instructions to whoever was there at the time, and we would still have her biscuits. Thankfully, a couple family members got the hang of it, so the tradition will live on!!
I didn’t realize that a lot of people didn’t know what cathead biscuits were. Just to explain, they are the most delicious biscuits that were so big, they used to say that they were the size of a cat’s head. That’s where they got their name. They are also called new ground biscuits because years ago, all of the women would get together, while their husbands were tilling the ground to plant their gardens and make them as a treat. They really are very good.
Mommaw lives with my parents now, and they care for her. My aunt goes to their house a couple times a week to allow them to get out and get groceries, run errands, or whatever they need, or want, to do. A few weeks ago, my aunt was recovering from a surgery and wasn’t able to go. Thankfully, I was blessed to be able to go stay with her a few hours per week during that time.
Mommaw loves to sit outside and soak up some sunshine and we were blessed with beautiful days each time I was there and were able to be outside for a while. One of those days in particular, she was just consumed with the goodness of God.
She was in awe of how He has made everything work together. She was trying to figure out things like how the flowers come up from beneath the ground every year without anyone doing anything to them. And how ducks and chickens both lay eggs, but they are different. She kept saying, “Ain’t that strange”? She would be still for a minute and then say something like, “Now I’m thinking of watermelons. Where did they come from? We didn’t make them!”
When she grew tired of trying to figure out the miracle of life and how God has made it all work together, she finally said, “That’s just God stuff. He takes something that isn’t anything and it’s hard telling what it will wind up when He’s done with it. It’s just miracles. There’s just nothing we can do about it. Just say it’s a miracle and go on.”
“Yes,” I said with chills running down my spine. “That’s just God stuff.” Thinking of what God has done in my life and what He has made of me. Also, realizing that He’s not finished yet and that I have a great hope for the future He has for me.
I was so blessed and inspired by her childlike wonder of God and His creation that day. It made me realize that while I have picked some of that up from her, there’s so much that I miss. When my mind is busy being amazed by how good God is to us, and understanding that he really has thought of and taken care of every little detail, there’s not much room for things like worry and aggravation. I can be at peace because I know that God is very much alive and active and working miracles in my life every single day.
I have also watched her as one of the things she loves has been taken away. She fell and broke her arm a little over a year ago, which took with it her ability to play her guitar. She had to have her arm in a brace for four months, which was longer than it needed to be but it was when all of the chaos of Covid was starting and everything was postponed. The way they had her arm in the sling had her hand positioned in an unnatural way. When she was finally able to stop wearing it, her hand was only able to return to its natural position after months of therapy.
She actually did physical and occupational therapy until they couldn’t approve any more visits, and then, she kept doing it on her own. Just a few months ago, she wasn’t able to hold the chords on her guitar because her hands were so weak. Guess what she’s doing now. Playing the guitar, of course. Not as well as she would like, but I have no doubt that she will just keep getting better because she doesn’t give up.
The doctor says that she shouldn’t be walking right now either because of how bad her back is, but she’s doing that too. My cousin says that she’s like the bumble bee that doesn’t know she can do things, so she goes ahead and does them!
She has played the guitar since she was a child. She told us about them having to stand her on a box to be able to reach a microphone to play and sing on a radio program when she was little. She wanted to play again so bad. So, she worked on it. At almost 90 years old, she didn’t give up. She gets discouraged, but she keeps trying. And she’s getting better every day! We are all proud and inspired by her work ethic. When I want to give up, I think about her determination, and I keep going. She is an example to all of us.
Something else that others have sometimes viewed as a weakness, I see as strength. She is able to laugh at herself. She does, and has always done, silly things. When she does, her response is to laugh at herself. She also shares it with us so we can laugh too! I would much rather be around someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously than someone who gets mad at themselves all the time. We all do silly things, lighten up and laugh a little.
She is awesome, but she’s not perfect. She has also made some mistakes a little more on the serious side. For those times, she repents, hard. I’ve seen her ask for forgiveness for things that most people wouldn’t have thought twice about. She honestly has the most tender heart. I know she wouldn’t hurt anyone purposefully, but if she did, you can expect a heartfelt apology.
I do understand that not everyone has been blessed to receive the treasure that I have of being able to know and learn from your grandparents. To be able to watch them see and enjoy the beauty of the simple things. To love big, not just the people closest to them, but God and everyone they come in contact with. To live in community with people and truly welcome them, not only into their homes but their lives.
I’m so sorry if you didn’t get to experience that. I do know that there are some of these people who are still here that don’t have anyone to share their wisdom with. I encourage you to find them and learn from them. It will do both of you a lot of good.
Mommaw will turn 90 years old soon. She has numerous health problems and can’t stand or walk without assistance. She is weak in a lot of ways, but she is also one of the strongest women I know. I hope I’m half the woman she is someday.
I wanted to share this song that I wrote about her last year after her 89th birthday. My family always calls her the queen, and she is.
Telina Frye is the author of Dare to Dream, as well as a pastor’s wife and mother to her 13 year old son and 10 year old daughter.
She is a singer/songwriter and a natural born dreamer. Telina is also credentialed in the Church of God as an Exhorter and holds a Minister of Music License. She serves as the worship leader at the church where her husband serves as lead pastor.
Telina loves having deep, meaningful conversations about what is and what could be. She hopes this blog will inspire readers to dare to look past what is, see what can be, and reach for the impossible.
In a mission to save the lost; empower believers; set them free; and send them forth in their calling, Arise Ministries has partnered with various evangelists with the intent to organize power-packed conferences in order to achieve this vision.
With each conference, God is not only blessing the efforts of His servants, but also pouring out His spirit and moving in miraculous ways. Men and women of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds have come with expectation, ready for God to move. And it’s this spirit of expectation that paves the way for God to come and have His way.
The third such conference organized was Locked N Loaded, a western themed service with evangelists Angela Stress, Jessyca Hayes, Matt McCauley, and Kim Eidel as the speakers. Also featured at this service was emerging prophetic artist Caleigh Ball, who also provided the interpretation behind the painting.
Prophetic Artist Caleigh Ball
A mighty move of God took place at this event, with all experiencing the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Each aspect of the conference worked in tandem, ushering in the Spirit of God. Attendees walked away forever changed after experiencing healings, breakthroughs, and deliverances.
Restorations and sanctifications took place; one soul was saved and set free as the power of God moved throughout the place. Others had their callings identified.
God truly did an amazing work in this conference, and the attendees are the proof of this. Gratefulness is expressed to the speakers of the event. Each was obedient to God, arriving prepared and open to His leading. And because of this, God worked through them and their message brought the fire of God to the sanctuary.
Jessica Hayes
Jessyca Hayes opened the event with a message on guts and glory, and walking in the fullness of God.
Angela Stress
Following her was Angela Stress. Stress brought a message on setting aside religion and religious practices. She spoke of letting God set you on fire, tending to the flames, and not letting anything stand in your way.
Next, attendees heard from Kim Eidel. She spoke on how, as a new creation, we are programmed with God’s DNA. And as such, we have the ability to walk in our heavenly inheritance here on the earth. Also mentioned was the fact that we are His ambassadors — His agents — here to offer the lost and struggling the answer.
Eidel taught on the keys of the kingdom, giving each person an antique, bronze skeleton key as a representation of the aforementioned keys.
Kim Eidel
Matt McCauley
Closing the service was Matt McCauley, who was said to have a message that reflected each sermon, nicely bringing the service to a close.
McCauley operated in the gift of knowledge, giving words to certain individuals, leading to an amazing altar service.
When the preaching concluded and the worship was over, God’s spirit didn’t leave. He continued to dwell in the hearts of the people who walked away changed for His glory.
Thanks to the amazing speakers who came prepared for a move of God and were obedient to His leading, hearts were captured and souls were saved.
Before leaving, Eidel encouraged all to take what they received in the services and spread it onto the streets.
“We need to be locked and loaded with His Word of who we are in Christ Jesus, and taking that out to the world.”
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
So lately, I have been dealing with some behavioral issues. I did well for a while, but I’m just having a rough time. I don’t contribute it ALL to Autism, but I have issues with wanting to be accepted and sometimes it comes out as behavior problems.
I have really been struggling lately, but I know that with God’s help, everything will be fine. I just want to be accepted! The problem is, the more I try, the worse my behavior is and the more I drive people away.
This has caused me so much heartache and I hate it when I do it! I need to remember that God loves me so much and in His eyes I am loved, forgiven, worthy, justified, redeemed, a king’s kid, blessed, and the apple of His eye. I am enough! It doesn’t matter what other people say or think!
Remember, God loves you and so do I!
Hannah Benson — known for her big heart, her kindness, and her eagerness to serve — is the author of the Overcoming Autism blog.
Hannah was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 14, and now uses this media platform as a way to reach out to those living with Autism and other handicaps. Hannah shares tips and coping skills for those with Autism and for family and friends of those who have been diagnosed; she also relates her life to stories in the Bible and chronicles the lessons she’s learned along her journey.
Hannah Benson can be found on Instagram @hannah_benson94 or on Facebook on the Overcoming Autism Hannah’s Story.
Love: an intense feeling of deep affection; used to express affectionate approval for someone.
When asked what the most important commandments were, Jesus said this: to love the Lord, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
The greatest commandments both revolve around love. Therefore, we can see that love is an important aspect of the Christian faith.
We can even see this in our basic makeup. Every human being is made with the desire to love and be loved. We all want to be accepted. We were made to be in community.
And we are so good at loving our family and friends and the nice people we come into contact with. But what about the people who’ve hurt you? What about those that are rude and hateful towards you? Are you supposed to love them too? Surely God doesn’t expect that?
But, the answer is that He actually does expect that.
We are called to love all, just as Jesus did. When Jesus was hung on a cross, beaten and near death, He cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Not only did He forgive and love those persecuting Him and killing Him, He asked that God forgive them as well. That’s some crazy love! And guess what? We are supposed to model our lives after Him.
In 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, Paul is addressing the church at Corinth about a matter of forgiving an offender. Although we, as the readers, don’t know what happened, Paul said that the “punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.” He then challenged the church by saying this:
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”
The church, who had been wronged by this man, was being urged to not only forgive him, but also to comfort him and reaffirm their love for him. That’s a big request!
I mean, think of an instance where you have been wronged. Now imagine following Paul’s instructions. That would be hard wouldn’t it? But that is truly the model we are supposed to follow. These are the steps Jesus would have taken, and those are the steps we are to take.
Now, take notice that the offender faced consequences for his actions. However, afterwards, they were to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm.
And I’m challenging you to do the same today.
Who has wronged you? Who has hurt you? Have you been harboring spiteful feelings towards someone? Have you withheld love from someone?
If so, today is the day to right that and line yourself up with the biblical model of love. Forgive and love today, just as Jesus does.
This is a hefty request, but one you should strive to achieve. Remember, the greatest commandment is love. Let’s share it.
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
Driving to work this morning, I began to realize the lost sense of safety that Americans have experienced since 2001. That year the unthinkable happened as we were attacked on our own soil. Since then — particularly in 2020 and 2021 — we have seen various unthinkable events that have added to our sense of insecurity.
Unrest in our major cities has caused people to wonder if it will spread to smaller cities and rural towns. Some would ask, “Will there be a safe place to live?”
Then we have dealt with a virus that we do not understand. Businesses have suffered. Sporting events have been cancelled. In-person church services have been discouraged. At times, we have wondered if there is a safe place to avoid this menace. Yes, our sense of safety has been disturbed. However, there is a place of safety for those who will seek it.
Look on the back of a one dollar bill at these words: “In God we trust.” No matter what is transpiring around us, He is our place of safety. We can hide in the shadow of the Almighty. God makes this so plain to us in Psalm 91:5-7: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” This refers to our lives in the present, but we need to understand the implications for eternity.
You see, sometimes fear results from looking only at the present. The truth is, someday temporary will give way to permanence and time will give way to eternity. God is eternal! When we dwell in Him, we are safe today and forever.
So, we are not slaves to fear and apprehension. We have a hiding place; God is our place of safety.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
Ya’ll, this world is starving for the Word. This world NEEDS Jesus. Just look around you; this world begs for something more to fulfill that longing deep in their souls.
Revival is here. Revival is now. All along I’ve been saying we are here for such a time as this.
I used to be kind of mad at God for putting me in the world with today’s society. I used to ask why He let me have babies in this evil, confused world, but He is changing the narrative. He’s showing me that He has granted me the privilege of changing this world for the Kingdom. He didn’t let us live during this time out of punishment, but out of favor. He is going to use our generation and the next to come to see revival in a way the world has never seen before. He chose us to be in His army that is rising up and breaking chains.
We get to see the prophecies of the Bible unfold right before our eyes. We get to show the world what a true follower of Christ looks like, even to death.
We are blessed, highly favored, overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit. God chose us to be here for such a time as this!!! Now is the time to continue to walk out in faith.
Now is the time the devil thinks he is winning, but let me tell you God has the final word. The more evil there is in the world, the bigger revival can move.
Now is the time to put on your armor and stand firm for the Kingdom and what’s to come. Our reward is so great that our carnal minds can’t even fathom it.
My prayer is that we become weird. People thought Jesus was weird and yet the crowds flocked so heavily that He had to run away from them, at times, just to have space to pray. The world needs Jesus and we have that very thing! We have the answers that every human so desperately craves.
Don’t hide the good news any longer. Don’t let fear control you anymore. Our days are numbered. This is the day of salvation. We have the authority in Christ Jesus. The more you dig deeper into the Word, the less you care what others think. We have the victory my friends. Let’s reach out our hands to pick up and bring as many with us as we can to the finish line of life! Let’s do everything possible to get to Heaven and hear God say, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” Oh, what a glorious feeling that will be. Praise God. Salvation is here.
Let’s press in. Let’s become so rooted in Christ that it’s weird to the world. Let’s become so loving that others think we have lost our marbles. Let’s lose our flesh and pick up our cross to follow God daily. Let’s set aside other’s opinions of us, the fear of being labeled a freak, and our lack of confidence in who Christ has called us to be. I’m praying for you all — we got this!
Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years.
At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.
Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.
She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!
To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”
Restoration: the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.
When I worked as a reporter, there was this issue. This “hot topic” if you will. And this particular issue caused much division in the town.
In the county, there was an old home that had been left to fall into decay. This building — which you could tell was gorgeous in its prime — was rotting and falling apart. It had not only become an eyesore, but also a safety hazard.
Some officials in town thought the best action to take was to tear the building down, and to build a memorial in its place in honor of the previous owners.
However, others believed that the home was of significant historic value and should be preserved. Their ultimate desire was to restore the home to its former glory.
After many years of back-and-forth on this issue, both sides were able to see the situation clearly. The home was too far gone, and the price to restore it was way too high. And thus, the home was torn down.
Although this home was too far gone to save, I want to assure you today that you’re not too far gone that God can’t restore you to your former glory.
God is a god of restoration, and no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can be restored. Because of Jesus, you are never too far gone and the price has already been paid. Restoration is ours!
And not only can we be restored, but we can receive more.
So not only has God paid the price; not only will He restore us; but He will also give us much more and make us greater than before. How amazing is that!
Today, know that you are never too far gone. Turn to God and see what He can do!
Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license.
An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life.
Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her.
You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige
by leaps and bounds 