Receiving the gift of Resilience through my One Word 2022 journey took every bit of the twelve-month adventure. While choosing a word companion each new year provides a singular focus within the events of that year, interestingly, the idea of Resilience met me in the form of a rebuke. I remember asking, “Why the continual setbacks? Why the silence, God?…
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Receiving the Gift of Resilience
Advent Waiting in All Things
Although much improved over the years, waiting is not something I do well. While waiting often holds eager anticipation for a soon happening event, it also carries a negativity of delayed gratification. Even worse, it sometimes shrouds uncertainty in the desired outcome happening at all. But Advent waiting revealed a valuable truth to me applicable for all things. Waiting well…
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My Soul in Stillness Waits
In this busiest of seasons, resting in an Advent practice often feels like a battle. Pursuing quiet moments preparing my heart for the wonder of the Greatest Gift, invites me deeper into God’s Presence. As my soul in stillness waits in grief filled moments for the Joy and Peace of a Savior to make all things new, (Revelation 21:5) I…
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Beholding the Gift of the Messiah
Renewing my Advent tradition roughly five years ago after several years away from the practice, truly infused delight into my holiday preparations. Though a repetitious practice in some ways, each year revealed new aspects for me. At the start of this year’s Advent, beholding the gift of the Messiah became my focus. Prophecy not only foretells His coming, but it…
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Advent’s Invitation to Stillness
Gazing up at a star filled sky, I linger in the stillness of the moment. In the hushed darkness, transfixed, the stars seem almost to dance. My mind shifts to a night long ago, when one lonely star spoke the most magnificent of invitations. Advent’s invitation to stillness whispers the same petition: Stop, Listen, and Behold. Inviting us into a…
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Overcoming Rejection with Belonging
“You are mine.” Though reading those words from Isaiah 43:1 on many previous occasions, suddenly they melted into my wounded heart like a healing balm. The sting of rejection still fresh in my mind, the Lord drew me into a place of comfort and belonging. Over the coming days, the words of Isaiah 43:1 led me on a journey of…
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The Bond Between Resilience and Gratitude
Just one month shy of closing a full year with my One Word friend, Resilience, I marvel at the complexity of this year’s word. The varied lessons have encouraged, challenged, and surprised me as I travelled the paths of 2022. Revealing the unique bond between Resilience and gratitude, November’s lesson nurtured my heart along the hard paths. Gratitude acknowledges God’s…
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Breaking Bread and Building Bonds
Raised in an Italian family, everything from a simple weekday dinner, illness, or family decision to holiday celebrations centered around food. The comfort in life’s trials and the joy in every celebration, food enriched every aspect of our lives. The connection between breaking bread and building bonds fosters belonging within family and community. breaking bread and belonging Growing up, my…
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Practicing Gratitude in Seasons of Grief
A Broken Hallelujah: Practicing Gratitude in Seasons of Grief first appeared as a guest post on Living by Design Blog August 17, 2021 Along with our youngest daughter, my husband and I stood in a hospital room gathered with my son, his wife, her parents and grandfather. We were all excited for the much-anticipated day of the birth of my…
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