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Archives for September 2019

Let’s Have a Porch Chat (about Unfollows)

in Back Roads to Belonging· Porch Chat· Social Media

This is a post based on an instagram story I gave concerning unfollows on social media. If you’d like to…
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Trusting God with the ones you love ~ I found this

Trusting God with the ones you love ~ I found this easier to do when the ones I love lived in my house full time. It turns out that having them move out from under my roof is a real lesson in seeing the holes of my trust.⁠⁠⁠
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You might say learning this has been A WHOLE THING. ⁠⁠⁠
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I first saw this book on @annvoskamp's instagram feed, and since Ann never steers me wrong, I promptly bought it and am now halfway through it. ⁠I skip some chapters as they don't (yet if ever) apply, but those that *do* apply have been a real help and comfort. ⁠⁠⁠
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In short, author @jodie_berndt's prayer prompts and stories reflecting an array of circumstances and outcomes has been a real gift to my mama heart. ⁠⁠⁠
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⁠Being a parent is hard no matter the age of our kids, but I'm so thankful for books like this that ease our trials and deepen our trust along the way.⁠⁠⁠
#fromthebookstack

This verse came alongside me like a friend not onc

This verse came alongside me like a friend not once but twice in two days:⁠⁠
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"The angel of the Lord encamps⁠⁠
around those who fear him, and delivers them.” ~Psalm 34:7⁠⁠
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I don’t know what hardship you're encountering today, but I hope you also encounter this message:⁠⁠
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As God surrounds you, may He deliver you *to* a better place, yes. But may He deliver you *from* anxiety, loneliness, fears, and wrongdoing.⁠⁠
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And along the way, may He give you a friend who prays for you and walks with you from where you are to where you will be. ⁠⁠
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#whereIbelongWednesday⁠⁠
#backroadstobelonging

Yesterday, I read a gorgeous newsletter-y type ema

Yesterday, I read a gorgeous newsletter-y type email from another writer. I proceeded to cry because yes, her writing really is that good, but also because I felt badly for all my newsletter readers who aren’t treated to that kind of prose and pertinent repartee.

Oh, I bring good gifts to the table, I know. But this gal is next level, and I know that, too.

This isn’t a plea for you to say nice things to me, I promise. I’m just admitting how it can be awfully easy for me to get stuck in the ditch, to veer myself off track because I’m so busy craning my neck to see the next lane over. (I’m speaking figuratively, but one time as a new 16 year old driver, I did this literally with my Grandma in the car and probably knocked 5 years off both our lives. So, it’s all together a bad idea!)

Another writer friend who’s ridiculously talented, @lisajobaker, said this recently,

“Just write one true thing at a time.”

So, here’s one true thing from me:

I don’t have my act together, but I can illuminate how truth holds me together—because in Him all things hold together.

Just writing this helps, too.

Do you follow @LisaJoBaker? She’s a beautiful writer who consistently puts me in the path of God’s say-so—to use Oswald Chamber’s verbiage. Thanks for the guard rails, Lisa-Jo. What a treat you are for those of us who read you. 🍬

Suzanne Stabile (@suzannestabile) quoted Eugene Pe

Suzanne Stabile (@suzannestabile) quoted Eugene Peterson last week on instagram when she posted, “Stories are verbal acts of hospitality.” As an enneagram 2 herself, Suzanne loves to teach using stories.

I can relate, Suzanne. I can relate.

A love of stories was passed down from my dad, who for most of my childhood told stories to my sisters and I before we fell asleep each night. He worked rotating shifts at the Conoco refinery, and I know he must’ve been dog-tired much of the time. Still, he rarely told us “no” to a story every night he was home.

Daddy went home to heaven three years ago today. Since arriving, I like to think he regularly eats the best pecan pie, convinces Johnny Cash to sing “Ring of Fire," and still shares plenty of stories with others there.

Our loved ones leave, as we all will one day. But I’m thankful their stories stay with us and their lives carry on in their children and grandchildren.

Photo description: My dad as a young’un in the foreground, with my son James—his namesake—in the background. Swipe to see Daddy and me.

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