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For years, I have felt like God wanted me to use this newsletter to encourage other believers in some small way. So, I have done my best to show up each month, sharing whatever God pressed upon my heart and mind to communicate to you all.
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But over the last few months, things have been shifting.
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I've had my own personal struggles to read and study Scripture daily during this time. I just haven't had the excitement I usually have in Bible reading. I don't think that is shameful to admit; I think it means I'm human. I think it is God's grace that helps me to see and address it. And I believe it is good for others to know that all of us will, at times, be the ones needing encouragement. Pretending perfection is not healthy or wise.
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I can be disciplined to read from duty and I often do, but I really want to be motivated by a deep reverence, love, and sweet joy of knowing Jesus and being in His presence. If He is who He says He is (and He is), how can I not be like the deer, thirsty to drink from the living water? I'll need time with Jesus for Him to clear out whatever has stolen this holy desire for more.
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In 2026, I want to stop the thought loops of God's disappointment in me and my less-than-stellar "Christian" performance lately. Just this morning, I was writing out Psalm 139 and God stopped it with these words, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" My Father loves me and delights in me always! He may need to correct and redirect my steps, but He would never say some of the things I project onto Him.
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A writer friend posted a reading list that intrigued me, so I started a book from Moody Publishers titled, Delighting in Jesus: Rhythms to Restore Joy When You Feel Burdened, Broken, or Burned-Out by Asheritah Ciuciu. It is helping to see the beauty of knowing Christ in ways that my soul needs right now. Being a Christ-follower for over 35 years doesn't safeguard me from losing sight of what is true. In fact, the Devil surely loves to lull us into complacency and burden us with religious weights God never intended for us to bear.
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I don't know what this all means for my writing. Though it can't be a full-time endeavor as it once was in parenting seasons (working for free essentially :)), I still have a desire to encourage others through the lessons I've learned. It might be through my blog and social media, but I don't have any plans at the moment. I'm just letting the Spirit lead me to the next right thing. God has not given me a drive to pursue a speaking and writing career. I am confident of that.
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I'm asking God to give me more opportunities to minister and encourage in face-to-face ways this year. I'm asking for a chance to see someone give their life to Christ. I want to sit with women in my living room and study God's Word. In essence, I'm longing for a personal connection that this email ministry doesn't allow for. It's rare to receive feedback here and my stats just don't allow for connection to who might have been encouraged by the ministry done here. I'm thankful that God used it even if I never saw the fruit.
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But most of all, I am thankful for each of you that has allowed me to fill your inboxes with Scriptural truth, personal testimony, and encouraging resources. I appreciate you all. I won't be shutting the site down, so you can still use the links and resource library as you desire.
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May 2026 be a time of sweet growth for each of you in your relationship with Christ.
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