August Favorites
Can you believe August is over?! It really flew by for me. And yet the lessons the Lord has been drilling into me this month seem like they’re just beginning.
I was focusing on the word kindness this month, thinking I’d be sharpening my own skills in this area, but instead God began to challenge my perceptions of His kindness during seasons of silence and waiting. It’s made me realize just how infrequently I stop to think about if, how, or when His kindness is made real to me in hard seasons.
I think all of this focusing on His kindness in hard seasons is really a set-up for what He’s going to teach me in September - my word for next month is goodness! (Yep, going through the fruit of the Spirit.) Anyway…
Here are a few things I’ve enjoyed or that have encouraged me this month…
I’m learning to see God’s kindness in His silence.
And speaking of hard seasons, I’m currently listening to my friend Brandi share some wisdom and encouragement on times when trusting God is hard. So good!
And ICYMI: Brandi is also doing something exciting on Instagram! If you love books, you’ll want to check it out.
How do we hold suffering and not become cynical?
Here are two barriers to walking in faith.
I thoroughly enjoyed this article on how French children acquire a taste for life. “The French idea of education of taste has much in common with the notion of mindfulness. Both traditions focus on giving yourself over to the moment and living it fully.”
On the practice of presence: “God is always present with me, but that doesn’t mean I am always aware of my presence with God.”
Ever wonder why the more obedient to the Lord we become, the more difficulties we often face? It’s the cost of obedience.
Here’s why faithful orthodoxy requires reading widely.
I took a peek at this coastal grandmother playlist out of curiosity, then laughed when I saw all my favorite jams - I really am a coastal grandmother!
Here are some 5-minute tasks to make better use of your time, as well as the three most essential habits for living well.
On God’s kindness and severity: “When bad things happen that we don’t understand, are we just naïve to keep hoping? Will God reject us like He rejected Israel? It’s when we face the unknown that we find out how well we trust God’s character…”
Have we given up on unity in favor of personal peace?
I enjoyed this article on the global message of Revelation.
Should you cut “toxic” people out of your life?
On dying to self and hating myself: “Every night, I’d lie in bed, listing all of my sins to God because my third grade Sunday school teacher told me if I died and hadn’t asked forgiveness for something, I wouldn’t go to heaven. I thought if I could just tell God how bad I was before he or someone else got the chance to, then I’d never run the risk of dying with sin in my life. I hated myself because I thought I was supposed to. I thought it was good to.”
What cross are you bearing?
What unexpected parcel of your story comes to mind?
What are you holding that you never wanted to hold?
What story are you sharing that still shocks you that it’s yours?
What takes you into the wild places alone?
What comes to mind when you stand before the burning bushes of your life?
Currently on my nightstand: Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret and Surprised by Hope (still!).
Speaking of books, here’s my summer reading list. What’s on yours?
Disclaimer: I am not in any way affiliated with anyone or anything on this list. Just sharing a few of my favorite things!
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Hi! I'm Abigail, your real-talk Christian life coach and faith mentor. I believe we're on this earth for a reason, and I LOVE helping people realize and live that truth so that they can reach their God-given potential in all areas of life.
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