Author: mbethany
-
Big Small Things
As I looked at circumstances that seemed to swell ominously, I determined to believe: God could overcome them all. The trouble was, as I sized up the giants and the hurdles, they all seemed quite tall. I believed God could overcome them, but from my perspective, He still looked quite small next to them. Believing…
-
Reminder: We Need Reminders!
A friend recently asked me to help her improve her planning skills. I beamed at the request and could hardly wait to share my top tip with her: remind, remind, remind. If you have a deadline, write it down so you remember. Then count back two days and write a reminder to work on it….
-
Settling for Crumbs
It was a long drive, and the dog spent the first 4 hours on my lap. He hadn’t been fed much that morning (to reduce the number of stops needed.) For our food-obsessed pet, a small breakfast is a big deal. Eyes laser-focused, he watched as we nibbled on snacks here and there, sniffing the…
-
My Simple Best
More than a writer, I’m a thinker. My brain is constantly active- digging, absorbing, sorting, putting together, observing, etc. Etc. As a thinker, I like details. I like to organize them all and fit them together to create a big, powerful picture. I love making points that lead up to a concept that sticks. And…
-
How God Uses Long-Distance Bible Study Fellowship
Seven years into our marriage, my husband and I have lived in four different states. We’ve been a part of five churches in that time, and had plenty of in-between, “church-seeking seasons”, too. With so many seasons of transition, participation in Bible study has looked a little different for me. Thankfully, God’s Word isn’t bound…
-
The Grace of Choices
“It’s no big deal,” I told myself and others when I failed to make edible bread- again. On the one hand, it wasn’t that big a deal. Whether I’m an excellent bread-baker or not doesn’t affect much in my daily life. But on the other hand…I stopped trying to bake bread. A handful of failed…
-
My Shrug, God’s Shrub
There’s this shrub in our yard. When we moved in, it was bare like everything else. I couldn’t figure out what it was, or what to do with it. So, while I learned about our other plants and began tending garden, this shrub was left for God to manage. It was a harrowing experience. My…
-
Seeking God’s Will in Disappointment
I received my first official rejection email from a publisher. It would be nice if I could say that was years ago and God has since used books I authored to point people to himself. However, I only recently got the email. When the disappointment hit, I assumed: I’d close my laptop and stop writing…
-
What God Has for You Today
It’s a new day. What if it’s a good one? God has a few things for his followers today (and every day.) They’ll make whatever your schedule holds better. You don’t have to take them or appreciate them, but you can if you’d like. His offer is free and wide open. {Join me over on…
-
Why I Don’t Want to Be Full
“What are we arguing about again?” my husband asked. After some discussion, we came to the conclusion. We were arguing because I was bored. Being bored makes me rather grumpy. How about you? Some of us Type A people believe relaxation involves a checklist. Doers tend to associate a full schedule with a full heart….