words in the midst of a messy + beautiful life
Alternative title: So, I Have Some Thoughts About Church.
Or: It’s Good to Reflect On Our Faith.
Or: I Think Sarah Bessey Might Have Written a Book Just For Me.
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When I was six years old, I found God. Or rather, God found me.
I grew up Catholic, not in practice, necessarily, but definitely in name. The daughter of two immigrants, I was enrolled in Catholic school because religion was a tie to the … Read the rest
I finally get to share my secret with you!!!!
* excessive use of exclamation points due to a) giddy excitement and b) being up since 3:30 with my little which means c) alllll the coffee this morning
Are you ready?!?
I … Read the rest
A few months ago, I attended the Rise Up, Sister conference in Chilliwack, BC, Canada, which was hosted by the SheLoves team. I first got connected with these world-changing women a few years ago when their blog popped up on my newsfeed, and I ended up submitting a piece or two of my own. I quickly learned one of the most beautiful things about SheLoves is how they are able to build such a … Read the rest
Today, I’m posting over at SheLoves magazine, a global community of women who love Jesus and are committed to walking in his Way. Brokenness is a theme that weaves itself through so many of our narratives, and it’s easy to stay stuck in our grieving over it. Recently, though, I’ve been thinking: what might it look like if we chose to see our brokenness as a conduit to abundance instead? Click the link above … Read the rest
350 words. This is what being brave means for me this morning.
After years of running away from the inevitable, I have finally started writing my book! For years, I’ve thought a lot about writing a memoir, but I always stopped short of beginning it, citing a litany of reasons (time, money, energy, inspiration) why I can’t. But today, I’m turning “I can’t” into “I will.”
Because I’m full of stories, and they deserve to … Read the rest
My mother’s father was a short, stubborn Scotsman with eyes so icy-blue they’d make you think of glaciers, or perhaps maybe the moon. His name was James. To most, he was Jimmy. To me, he was Papa.
Whenever I reflect on my childhood–long, harrowing years of growing up in chaos, the daughter of two addicts–Papa is the only constant I can remember. He picked me up from school when my parents were late. … Read the rest
Once upon a time, I lived in Liberia. For almost five years, actually. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, but I kept going back, kept choosing to say yes. I felt a burden: for the country, for its beautiful people, for the incredible kids I got to work with, many of whom became daughters and sons of my heart. And then one day, I left. In part because the burden became … Read the rest
I first wrote this post back in 2013 and have updated it over the years. There are so many women whose stories I am drawn to in the scriptures, but one I continually find my way back to is that of Ruth. I hope as you read these words and explore her story, you will find hope, as I have. What has been lost will be found. I know some of us may not believe … Read the rest
I remember the night I realized something was wrong.
The house was quiet, both my husband and my son sleeping deeply. It was about 4:30 am, and I was shaking in bed, crying hysterically into my pillow. I’d been tossing and turning for almost six hours and hadn’t been able to sleep because I couldn’t turn my brain off, even though I was thoroughly, way-down-in-my-bones exhausted. I woke my husband up, and he simply … Read the rest
This is a difficult story for me to tell. Even as I’ve just begun writing it, my palms are clammy, my fingers shaking a bit as I type. Some stories are so delicate, so private that we clutch them tightly in balled-up fists, afraid to let go, afraid to open up. We’re afraid to let people see all the parts of ourselves because, quite honestly, keeping things hidden is easier.
I’m afraid of being misheard, … Read the rest
