Bethany McIlrath

First and Second: Perspective On What Matters Most (Matthew 22:36-40)

  • For the Love of Stories

    For the Love of Stories

    Honest to goodness, I don’t remember where I used to find or read them. All I recall is the anticipation and delight every time a new copy made its way into my hands. Reader’s Digest was my favorite magazine as a child. At one point, I memorized which sections featured jokes or humorous stories- I’d…

  • 10 Ways Smartphones are the Adult Version of Invisible Friends

    10 Ways Smartphones are the Adult Version of Invisible Friends

    Remember when you were five and had an invisible friend? It’s pretty normal, with an estimated 37% of kids hanging out with friends that don’t exist. For a lot of kids, invisible friends are used for companionship and connection. If you think about it, a lot of adults use their smartphones in a similar way.…

  • Shutting Down Over-Productivity

    Shutting Down Over-Productivity

    Lord knows I’m a planner and producer. Productivity could be my middle name. I’ve got files and folders physical and digital stretching my future hopes into step-by-step endeavors. If you’ve got a topic to talk about, I’ve got a project you’re contributing to. The most visited destination in my mind is my idea mill. It’s…

  • It’s Not Me, It’s You (And That’s Okay)

    It’s Not Me, It’s You (And That’s Okay)

    “It’s not me, it’s you….” The bad breakup line always seemed so unfair. It’s been my habit to live life assuming there’s always something I can do…some level of responsibility I have to take if I’m truly loving. But over the years, I’ve met the people-pleasers dilemma: some people aren’t pleasable. Living this truth has…

  • Grappling with Sanctification

    Grappling with Sanctification

    I was sitting on a sofa best described as peach in color, though I’ve never seen a peach that hue. The almost bare walls looked about as lonely as I felt. My computer screen offered the only light of that dreary day. Fingers poised, I searched for words but found more than I could organize…

  • What The Millennial Generation Needs to Know About the Goal of Faith

    What The Millennial Generation Needs to Know About the Goal of Faith

    For many millennials entering adulthood, the truth that we all compete for a prize is a shock. Painted high on the concrete wall of my elementary school gym, next to a friendly cartoon character, were the words, If you had fun, you won. It was as simple as that. We received participation trophies whether we failed…

  • Remember When You First Heard about Jesus?

    Remember When You First Heard about Jesus?

    Do you remember when you first heard about Jesus? Or God? Or church? I mean the first, first time. When the words were brand new and meant nothing yet to you. Most of us don’t remember that “first” precisely. These are words and concepts that may have been whispered over you in the womb or…

  • If You Love to Read or Write…

    If You Love to Read or Write…

    I’m not a spotlight person. My happy place is the softly lit corner with a book and a friend to share it with. Or the light of my laptop as words pour out… So, I’m thankful, bashful, and humbled to share that I’ve been nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award by a sweet woman whose writing…

  • God Leads One Step at a Time

    God Leads One Step at a Time

    The first time I heard “The Very Next Thing” on the radio in my car, I memorized most of the words. Or rather, they just stuck. I was basically a sitting duck for the message. Spinning my wheels in a rut, I’d been so afraid of unknowns I was letting obligation determine my next steps…

  • Letting Joy Last

    Letting Joy Last

    I had good news. A bunch of it, actually. It seemed the Lord decided to bless my husband and I immensely all at once, in so many ways. As I told my friend, I smiled with joy…and then I moved on. Instead of praising the Lord with my friend and laughing and simply enjoying the…