A Note from Rachael

I’ve often heard the advice, “Don’t prepare for seasons you aren’t in.” Essentially people were encouraging me not to borrow tomorrow’s trouble when the worries of today often already felt like too much for me to hold. But why not take note of truths in Scripture as we come upon them, even when they don’t apply to our specific circumstances? How could noting these truths help prepare our hearts to cling to them when we walk into difficult seasons?

Before we were actively trying to have children, I began to note throughout Scripture how God is the author of life. He brings forth life, and there is nothing we can do in our own power to create life apart from him. He sustains, he provides, and he breathes life into the lungs of every single miracle that enters this world. As I noted these truths, I tucked them into my proverbial basket for a future day when I might need them.

At the time, I had no idea that we would walk through years of infertility or that, years later, God would call these truths to mind from the depths of my soul as I prayed. I wasn’t worrying about today all those years ago—but I was taking note of something foundational to God’s character and method. I was storing up truth to stand on when the rains came and the sand around me began to shift. I was building my hope on the rock of God’s Word so that this current season would not overwhelm me.

And in God’s grace, I am not overwhelmed. In the power of the Spirit, I have what I need to face another month of infertility, a longer season of waiting than I had hoped. He has provided the peace I couldn’t have known I would need many years ago, and he has called to mind more truths than I can count about his character and goodness. So sister, don’t worry about tomorrow, but take note of the truths God is speaking to your heart today.

Trusting God in every season,

Rachael
Creative Director

 

A Word of Encouragement

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. —Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God

 

Fill Your Ears with Truth

Podcasts, Bible teaching, and worship songs we’re loving lately 

What do you know about the parable of the persistent widow? If you’re anything like me, not much. It’s the kind of parable I breeze right through as I read Luke, but then I heard this incredible teaching of that passage by Lauren, our very own Theology and Content Editor. Lauren takes this complicated parable and explains it in one simple sentence: “God’s righteousness empowers us to embrace our need and persist in prayer until Christ returns.” If you find that you are constantly distracted by the cares of today, this teaching will ignite your desire to persevere in prayer in your everyday circumstances. —Maggie, Content Director

"Always Will Be" by Jonathan Ogden

"Repent (What a Joy It Is)" by The Worship Initiative and Davy Flowers

"Love Still Bids You Welcome" by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Skye Peterson

And don’t miss our new Victory in Jesus playlist created to go along with our Lent resource, Victory in Jesus: A Lent Study Guide

 

Read-A-Mentor Recommendations

Books, articles, and emails we’re loving lately

The truths found in Enjoying God by Tim Chester embedded themselves within my daily life, yielding the sweet fruit of more intimacy with God. Rather than communicating above my head, Chester wove the beauty of unity with God and communion with him into my actual living. If you’re curious about developing your relationship with each person of the Trinity, this book is a great place to invest. —Lauren, Theology and Content Editor

 

A Resource We Recommend

Do you wish you could learn more about God and theology but don’t know where to start or don’t have the money to spend on lots of books or seminary? The Gospel Coalition’s library of Bible and theology courses is one of my favorite resources to enhance my basic knowledge of a theological topic or kick start my study of a book of the Bible. Many of these courses include audio or video of lectures on the particular topic. If I find a subject I want to dig deeper into, each course offers some suggested further reading or book. Most of us don’t need a seminary degree for our everyday lives, but that shouldn’t stop us from studying theology and God’s Word so our lives might be transformed by who God is. —Maggie, Content Director 

 

A Well-Watered Women Resource

Phrases like “preach the gospel to yourself” are used so frequently in Christian circles that they can become Christian gobbly gook. You kind of get it, but don’t know how to actually do it. Get the Grounded in the Gospel Workbook to learn how the Bible explains the gospel and grow in preaching it to yourself in everyday life.