I empower faith-based women like you to recover well after discovering their husband's or significant others struggle with the dark places on the internet. Every Monday you'll receive encouragement and other carefully curated content to help you heal and find the freedom you desire.
When life isn’t going as planned
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My mom used to tell me that March and April were hard months for her. Growing up in northern Minnesota, I watched the beautiful white snow turn muddy and black. What once sparkled now tracked a mushy mess into the house with every person who walked through the door. Add in the temps that could not make up their mind, and life felt a bit more chaotic than the predictable quiet of winter cold. This year, I get Mom’s feelings more than ever. The seasonal switches feel unsettling. So when the sun shines brightly—whether the temps cooperate or not—I stop and praise God for it. That sunshine does something to my spirit. It calms. It lifts. And honestly? I am grateful for every single ray. March isn’t the only thing that gets messy, is it? Jesus told us that struggles are a normal part of life—not a sign that something has gone terribly wrong, and not a sign that he has left. In fact, he said this: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NLT) Done. Finished. Jesus overcame everything. That is not a maybe—it is a promise to hold onto today, in whatever mess you are standing in right now. So how do you cope when the messy days come? What helps me: worship music, getting outside even when it is grey, journaling, a good book, and a trusted friend. Simple things. But they matter more than I can say. I would love to hear what helps you—hit reply and tell me. And if you are in a season where the mess feels like too much to carry alone, let’s talk. Something for You When I first heard this song and its story, the lyrics touched my soul. I could relate. So often we hear that God will remove the hard stuff if we just have enough faith—but sometimes he doesn’t. His ways are not our ways. And it is often in the mess, the uncomfortable, the unresolved, that we discover what it truly means to trust God. Trust does not come when we see the whole plan. It comes when the outcome is not clear, the path is murky, and we choose him anyway. If you have not heard it, listen. If you have, listen again. It will do something good for you. MercyMe: "Even If" (48th Dove Awards) Dear God, You are the Faithful One. On those days when Reader sits in the mess that life becomes sometimes, remind her that you are right there too—not watching from a distance, but present, close, and steady. What a gift—your continual presence. Thank you for Reader and for the life you are writing for her. Do your perfect work in Reader today, so that even in life’s messes, you get all the glory, God. Amen. |
Kirsten D Samuel LLC
I empower faith-based women like you to recover well after discovering their husband's or significant others struggle with the dark places on the internet. Every Monday you'll receive encouragement and other carefully curated content to help you heal and find the freedom you desire.
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Last week, Dave and I attended a long-anticipated wedding—virtually. And once again, we found ourselves praising God for the gift of technology. I'll be honest—I have a love-hate relationship with technology, especially when it doesn't extend grace for user error. :) But here's a fun fact that still makes me smile: almost 19 years ago, Dave used semi-brand-new technology called Skype to connect our son—who was living in Austria—to our daughter's wedding in Colorado. People at the wedding...