Going through a season of waiting requires perseverance in the face of disappointment.

Not so long ago, I couldn’t walk out the door without an argument. For years, darkness, insecurity, and paranoia enslaved my husband which eradicated even the tiniest glimmer of joy in his life. And for so long, we didn’t know why.

Wandering through days in the valley of the shadow of death is palpable and daunting. Memories flood the senses with all things beautiful while the heart is fragmented. Time takes on a new meaning. Another day, another week, another month. Another year refusing to stand still.

A sense of renewal hangs in the air as I pen my thoughts. It’s time to reset our minds and make some changes.

As a Christian, I’ve often wrestled with the tension between pursuing both God and financial stability. On one hand, I want to trust God completely and focus on my spiritual growth. However, I also know I need money to provide for my family, give generously, and live responsibly.

Just like with the earth, God designed our lives to flourish in and out of seasons. And no matter what, every season has a unique purpose and is inherently good.

In 1995, I ventured into the Financial Services industry. I thought it would help us solve the all too common problem of stretching paychecks to cover household expenses. Amidst this struggle, I discovered a deeper issue. I had allowed financial responsibilities and the pursuit of financial success to often overshadow life's true purpose. In my pursuit of wealth, I had inadvertently sidelined my faith, relegating Christ to a secondary role.

She sat in her doctor’s office awaiting test results. At forty years old, she was sure pregnancy wasn’t the cause of her unusual symptoms. It couldn’t be. With two children, one in elementary school and one in middle school, she and her husband were not looking to start over. Besides, they were told they couldn't have any more children. 

My beautiful horse, Rita, was covered in dried blood, dirt, and sweat. She was so beaten up and traumatized that, as she struggled to stand, she was almost unrecognizable.

I love rain. I love the smell of rain even before the first drop falls. As a child, I would lie in the door and watch the rain. To this day, I love to fall asleep listening to the rain. While too much rain can cause severe damage, especially when coupled with strong winds and deafening thunder, the fact is, life wouldn’t exist without the rain.

“Ouch!” Excruciating pain tore through me as I yelled at my attacker, ““Get out of here!” Angrily, I blotted the blood running out of two deep wounds. 

A few years ago, my husband and I traveled to rural India on a journey to explore adoption. The long trip involved planes, trains, and automobiles. With each successive change of transportation, we moved deeper into rural country, entering one of India’s most backward states, especially in terms of education and empowerment for girls.

Are you a natural conversation starter? I’m not. I’m especially hesitant to begin a conversation about my Christian faith with people I don’t know or just met. Many Christians have a hard time sharing their faith, so I know I’m not alone. Most people won’t actively flee town to keep from speaking about Jesus as the prophet Jonah did, but avoiding opportunities or remaining silent when given an opportunity is far too common.

“I believe our car is overheating,” my husband exclaimed as he carefully drove our trusty station wagon down the Asheville mountains. We had attended a family reunion and were on our way home. Tired and thirsty children added to the tense moment. “Oh, please, not car issues now, “ I mumbled. We were still three long hours away from home.

Sexual trauma can severely derail life. Choosing to heal can be a long, hard journey. But learning to process emotions and express oneself after experiencing the trauma of sexual exploitation is possible.

What an exciting time to be alive! Yes, for real. For followers of Jesus Christ, walking by faith, trusting in the Lord our God, and leaning into the hope of our calling, we have nothing to be afraid of in this world.

Suggested reading from the Editor's personal library.

According to Google, “Is God real?” is searched 200 times per second. Why? Because we are wired to worship something greater than ourselves and we will search for that greater thing until we find it.

Like most people, I struggle with waiting. I’m in a season of waiting for direction from God as to my next step vocationally, and it is not easy. Waiting is never easy. 

According to the Center for Bible Engagement, the life of someone who engages with Scripture four or more times a week looks radically different from the life of someone who doesn’t.