I have a confession to make. Admitting burnout is hard, especially when you grew up in ministry. I watched my parents stay strong through everything, and for the longest time, I thought that’s just what you do—you push through, no matter how drained you feel. But I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to…
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a golden loaf of sourdough from the oven, the smell filling your home, and knowing it’s the fruit of patience and care. But the real joy? It’s in sharing that bread with others while finding balance in the act of service. Just like sourdough, ministry requires dedication, time, and…
As we wrap up our Ministry Matters series, I want to share something that has been a lifeline for me in the middle of the beautiful chaos of ministry. Let’s be real—ministry (and life) can be overwhelming! Whether you’re balancing Sunday school lessons, family meals, or that never-ending to-do list, we all need a little peace from…
If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you know how much I value marriage and family—and so does my husband. As a ministry couple, we have learned (and are still learning!) that keeping our marriage and family strong is essential to effectively fulfilling our calling. While I’d love to say we have it…
Have you ever felt like your life was a TV series filled with drama? I certainly have! As an English teacher, one of my favorite moments in the classroom was watching students discover how the main character in a story changed over time. These changes didn’t happen by osmosis; they were always sparked by challenges,…
I know I’m a bit behind (life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately!), but I’m finally sharing the Calm & Cozy Nights Essential Oil Blend with you. This blend was originally planned for our Family Matters series in August, and though we’re now in Ministry Matters month, I still think this blend fits perfectly into our daily routines as…
Have you ever had someone cut in front of you in line at Walmart or cut you off in traffic? I know I have! Oh, the rage… the anger. I mean, the unmitigated gall of that person! It makes me want to ask them, “Who do you think you are?!” (Insert exasperated sigh here!) But…
I don’t know about you, but I know as the holiday season starts to round the corner, so does my excitement, and truthfully, my anxiety! As a mom of 4, a pastor’s wife, and a full-time counselor, all of the expectations and plans can start to pile up. Grace in Every Season I looked around…
I’m sure you’ve heard the acronym “WWJD—What Would Jesus Do?”. The phrase came from Rev. Charles Sheldon and his book “In His Steps,” published in 1896. Later, Janie Tinklenberg came up with the acronym. The thought process behind this is for the individual to stop and think just as Jesus would before reacting to a…
Yep! You read that right. This week’s Mid-Week Encouragement post was interrupted. I had a thought in my mind, and then suddenly there was one thing after another that happened. Sure, I had plans. I had plans that were scheduled to be done at specific times. I ended up with a majority finished, but then,…
