Hello friend,
I’ve been thinking about you a lot! I’m grateful for the small, but mighty audience I’ve got here on this list. I was listening to Tim Tebow on Annie Downs’ podcast last week and those two powerhouses reminded me that we are all leading someone — even it’s only 5 people following us on Twitter. Whoever you are, someone is watching you — you have influence and that’s powerful. What message or example are you setting? Highly recommend that podcast episode by the way. Here are a few other items:
Tim Tebow on “That Sounds Fun” (also — Annie’s new book is out!)
Dignity Beyond Accomplishment (beautiful piece of writing from Mere Orthodoxy)
>>>>> This month’s mini-essay is just for email subscribers and is below <<<<<<
Living Out Your Faith When It Feels Hard
Do me a favor? Get curious about your faith life. There is growth and life with give and take. There is death and destruction with exclusive consumption. It’s usually not just one thing that contributes to spiritual malaise, rather many smaller aspects that breakdown a thriving relationship with God. It’s true, we are saved by grace alone, but to experience the fullest joy we can here on earth, God gave us many tools to use.
Some of those tools are practical, like teachers and podcasts, but if you are like me, you’ve likely been sucked into the web of “living off someone else’s spirituality,” as John Mark Comer writes in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
It’s like a sugar rush — so good as you consume it — but gone almost immediately once the episode is over. We’ve got to do our own work to truly grow spiritually and that means evaluating spiritual priorities and making space for a growth-rich environment in our lives. Are you doing that — or just hoping God will do something without you making any effort?
I love how The Message version sets Matthew 11:28:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace…keep company with me and you’ll live freely and lightly.”
Burned out so clearly describes what many moms feel on a daily basis, especially in the past couple of years as the collective culture has navigated a worldwide pandemic. It wouldn’t be a surprise if many spiritual priorities slipped into oblivion in 2020, but our lives don’t stop, our inner turmoil and spiritual needs and desires didn’t dissipate.
We will always want for more of God because He created us innately with this draw to Him. Consider how most feel toward their mothers — even the worst ones get love they don’t deserve. When we are hurt or sad or scared, many times we instinctively, mentally reach for our mothers. We have that same magnetic pull towards God. Don’t deny your soul’s cry. Take action. The give and take will bring your faith to life.
Worth Your Time Podcast Episodes
Ellie Sanazaro: Choosing to be a Special Needs Mom. When Ellie’s daughter wasn’t born with the chromosomal condition doctors predicted, she felt God had prepared her heart to be a mom to s child with special needs. Within a few years, she adopted a little boy with Down Syndrome named Finn. This beautiful story led her to write this book, featuring children with all kinds of special needs.
Kaitlyn Schiess: How Christians Can Do Faith & Politics Well. Kaitlyn Schiess is a student at Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of “The Liturgy of Politics” — a book that couldn’t be more timely! The wisdom in these pages is endless, which is why I was so excited to speak with her about a topic I am so passionate about.
On My Radar
The Alisa Childers Podcast tackles a variety of issues with the way some are interpreting Christianity today — I’ve been fascinated.
Uprooted: Recovering the Legacy of Places We’ve Left Behind — a new book coming out from my friend (and former podcast guest!) Gracy Olmstead.
Fresh Start Parenting. Just did a free, 5-day course from parenting expert Wendy and feel fueled to take on my 5 and 2-year-old in a new and positive way. Highly recommend checking out her stuff.
New Book Sign-Up
I’m not really announcing this yet anywhere else, but I am almost finished with the first draft of my book, which is about women and faith. I’ve got an agent, which is really encouraging, and interest from a publishing house already. We are still in the beginning stages of all of this, but I’m starting an email list just for announcements about the book.
If you are interested in periodic, sign up here. I would be honored to have you on my team.
Glad you are here :)
Love,
Ericka