Each starling adds to the beauty of a murmuration... in the same way, each story adds to the beauty of our life. Here are my stories.
I didn’t date for 4 years. This wasn't a calculated choice, either. I WANTED to date. I just didn't want to date out of boredom or desperation.The Bible doesn't have much to say about dating because it didn't exist in that culture or era! However, the Bible DOES have lots to say about the kind of people we should team up with in life. So if dating is pointing us toward finding a mate, then I want to pursue a godly relationship from the start.
Read MoreYears ago, I felt like I had been dropped into someone else's hellacious life. I watched my life burn to the ground and all that remained was ash. In those painful moments I heard God speaking something significant about those ashes. He asked me to take the ash with me. He said, “Elise, don’t scatter the ashes. I have a purpose for them.”
Read MoreMaybe the enemy has robbed you blind. Well, my friend, get ready because God gives sight to the blind. He will bring clarity and brilliance where things were once foggy and dim. He will open your eyes to the dreams He’s planted in your soul. And when your eyes adjust to the light you’ll see — you’ll see a life you love and I have a feeling it’ll be richer than before.
Read More“He is for you. He sees YOU. He isn't disappointed in you. You are not an inconvenience to Him. He has time for you. He wants to talk to you every day. He's proud of you. He thinks you are amazing.”
Read MoreIt’s my birth month and it may have started a tad rough. I kind of felt like I was getting shoved out of my 30s — like an unwanted guest who had stayed too long. I hate to admit it, but somewhere along the way I bought into the lie that if I wasn’t married by 40 then it would be exponentially harder to find a mate. I was feeling like my value as a person was depreciating simply because I’m approaching 40 and I’m not married yet. Who decided being single in your 40s is the absolute most pathetic thing ever? I didn’t realize it, but I bought into this stigma, too! But not anymore.
Read MoreThe impossible desire of my heart is to find love again. It's ok to feel like it's impossible. That's how I'll know it’s the Lord when it does happen. It seems bigger than I can fathom and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Read MoreIn honor of Valentine’s Day and single adults ‘round the world: let us celebrate and laugh over the ridiculous conversations we’ve endured in our season of solitude. Admittedly, I would love to be taken out for dinner on the most romantic Thursday of 2019. But seeing as we are just days away from V-day and there are no suitors in sight I’ll choose to entertain myself and YOU with some of the oddest conversations I’ve experienced to date.
Read MoreGod doesn’t fault us for having limits, and He doesn’t expect us to be limitless. He doesn’t say, “You shouldn’t have a limit in this area of your life.”
Read MoreThe enemy of my soul was trying to sell me on the idea I was stuck in a cycle… and I almost bought it. In a twisted way, my hopelessness made me feel like my issue fell under special circumstances. We do this all the time. We take our problems and explain to God why He can’t fix them.
Read MoreI was recently sitting in a meeting at work and as things were winding down everyone was asked about their plans for the upcoming holiday. Some were hosting family, others were going out of town, some were even making several stops in one day (like Jay and I used to do). Then it was my turn. I opened my mouth to reply, but my throat clenched shut and tears welled up in my eyes. I knew I was sad, but I didn’t realize how sad until that moment. Three years ago I said goodbye to holidays with my in-laws and pumpkin pie for breakfast. This year, I say goodbye to a Boston accent, hilarious stories told from across the pond, and the smell of my mom’s famous sourdough rolls. Every few years our Thanksgiving table gets smaller and smaller. I didn’t realize how much I was still grieving the loss of these traditions until I was sitting in a meeting trying to choke back tears.
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