making it His year
Last year was one of micromanaging my life. I tried to tell God what I wanted and expected Him to show up in the absolute, perfect way that fit my ideas.
By the end of the year, I was exhausted.
Did He show grace? Yes. Did He bless me? Yes. Was He good and sovereign? Absolutely.
But I was so caught up in my ways, life, and ideas that I missed so many moments of joy and beauty. I missed the fantastic moments He showed up for me in my daily life and how He was molding me, preparing me, and working things for my good. I was too distracted by what I wanted and when I would get it.
At the end of December 2024, I reflected on the year, my life in general, and my ‘gimme gimme’ attitude before God, and I was humbled…and embarrassed. I decided the last 6 months of the year were months of learning, growing, trial and error, and character-building. I owned it.
By the beginning of 2025, the mental and emotional strain was heavy, and I knew I had to do things differently.
Here are three things I am doing this year to make it HIS year:
Use my goals as an offering to God.
Instead of demanding what I want and need this year, and expecting God to make it happen my way, I am making goals and offering them to Him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) for Him. I am giving my goals to Jesus and watching Him use them for His glory.
I am expecting change…and I am okay with it.
Change is tough for me. I always thought I was easy-going, but I like structure and familiarity. God uses changes to humble us and help us grow. As change comes this year, I will learn from it, use it to learn, and place my trust in Jesus (Proverbs 3:5).
Understand it’s bigger than me.
Yes, we are unique. We are divine. We are beloved, created images of God, but we are not the center of the universe. God might be using us in ways we don’t see or understand. When we devote and surrender our lives to God, we need to realize that the kingdom is massive and we are not the only ones in it. God uses us in ways that might not have anything to do with OUR plans, goals, or dreams. We could be an answer to a prayer for someone else; He might be showing us gifts we didn’t know we had, and He could be using our experiences to mold and shape us into who He wants us to be. It might not be about us. (Isaiah 55:9)
As we step into the end of January. My biggest prayer is that we can surrender the year to God and make it His year. We can fully surrender to God to use us in whatever way it best for His kingdom and His glory. Yes, and amen.
Have a beautiful Sunday.
Laura
three ways to fight off the enemy…
I know we have all felt it, that attack of fear, inadequacy, second thoughts, doubts and more. I have and here are few thing I do to combat it.
We have to expect it. When we are moving in a direction that creates positive change, working on spiritual growth and building our relationship with God, the enemy will do anything to stop the progress. Expect it! This is one reason why I love to talk about and push the idea of making sure we are DAILY doing things to armor ourselves against what the enemy will bring because He will bring it.
Recognize the source. Remember that God does not give us the spirit of fear ( 2 Timothy 1:7). The feelings of fears, thoughts of shame or doubt are not from God. Those are from the enemy and he wishes to tear you down in anyway possible. Don’t flirt with them, don’t agree with them…
Dismiss and rebuke him. He’s not allowded and you have the authority to dismiss him. Create a habit or simply pushing those feelings and thoughts out and focus on the truth that God says and believe in you. Grab your bible and read a verse, say a quick prayer.
One quick bonus: surround yourself with positive community who support you in your growth and progression. Have a team behind you, cheering you on and encouraging you in the process.
God is aware of the enemies schemes, but He will not let Him prevail. My prayer for you is that we can build daily practices to fight him off and be able to live a Godly life without Satan holding us back.
All the love,
Laura
get real: holiday edition
I’m writing this from a vulnerable place. I struggle during the holiday season. For the response of a few giggles and to play down the intensity of it all, I often say I’m a “Scrouge,” but to be honest, I DO like the holidays, but I don’t like winter. Unfortunately, I get a little depressed and anxious during the darker months and anything added onto my plate (shopping, gift planning, parties, family visits, etc), makes things a lot worse.
I’ve tried for years to find ways to beat the blues, but all in all, the best thing I have discovered is letting myself have bad days WITHOUT guilt or shame. Yes, I do a lot of online shopping because people and bad weather—-have I said enough? I also have a lot of days that I stay in loungewear and watch (uh, binge) Hallmark movies and order takeout for my family. I used to force myself into happy days and this only brought on more stress and pain of feeling like something was wrong with me. So, about two years ago, I began giving myself space to not like this time of year…and stop judging myself for it.
Listen, I find joy in the holidays. I love the lights, snow (a little), seeing my kids open presents, visiting family, and the Christmas spirit. Still, just because I’m not beaming with excitement around every corner doesn’t mean I am that so-called “Scrouge” I pinned myself to be years ago.
So, friend. Are you with me? Do you struggle as well? Well, I’d love to let you settle in and be okay with some bad days. I find enough joy and happiness in Spring and Fall to compensate for my Winter ickies. :)
Lastly, for those of you who love and live for the holidays—-keep shining. I’m not kidding, it helps me (and people like me). We love it. No shame in your game, either.
All the love,
Laura
Christmas Favorites!
Did you know my love language is “gifts”? I love giving, and I do it in all sorts of forms. But don’t be surprised if I drop something off at your house and say, “I saw this and thought of you.” It’s about the simple gesture and knowing you are a part of someone’s life or day.
Here are a handful of my holiday favorites. From gifts to clothes to recipes, knickknacks, and accessories. Enjoy!
Warm Dessert (I half the sugar)
Oversized Sweater (so cute with leggings and sneakers)
Family Christmas Devotional (grab a 3 ft tree while you’re at it)
Keychain (and….you are. wink)
Workout Leggings (or lounging)
House Slipper or Clogs
Insulated Tumbler (PS. It’s not a Staley)
FRESH! Front Door Christmas Wreath (get it today!!!)
Makeup Line (anything from this line your daughter or friend will love. My favorite, favorite is the mascara and eye brightener)
Recipe Book (these may not be the “healthiest,” but they are quick and my kids love them…I pick and choose).
Self Help Book (everyone needs to read this—-great gift)
Monthly Chrisitan Box Subscription
Wow! That’s over 30 goodies for you. I’m praying my links work! Have the best holiday season. Thanks for being here.
xoxo,
Laura
“who told you that?”
It’s Friday, the day I decided to pin as my “writing day.” I started writing as a teenager for a place to pour out my thoughts and process. I have a lot of thoughts. The wheel in my head rarely stops, but it’s usually within words I find clarity and a bit of peace. So, here we go with words…
“Who told you that?” is a phrase I heard on a live Facebook post with one of my favorite people, Alisa Keeton. She used it to describe our bodies and “needing” to lose weight. But today, I want to generalize it over your life. Maybe it’s a thought, a situation you feel trapped in, or a circumstance you continually return to.
I’m unsure why this phrase pops up in my head, especially when I feel myself doubting myself. I think it would be that it pin-point the reality of what I’m saying to myself and where it originated from. Ownership is often how this phrase makes me feel. I can own the thought or situation instead of it owning me. I feel this does two things: it can help me disregard or use it the way I choose instead of making a place in my life or heart. And it also gives me a second to pause and get curious about the thought or situation.
Things happen around us all the time: we hear things, see things, are told things and feel things. I believe we internalize many of these things without evaluation—-we let it and make agreements with things that we don’t even want or agree with. Just like the power of finding an ancestor on a website, finding the origin of thoughts, feelings, and situations give us grounding, purpose, understanding and responsibility.
So the next time a feeling pops up in you, or you find yourself continually returning to a situation that eats at you…ask yourself this simple question: “who told you that?” and see where it takes you….
Have a great weekend,
Laura
let’s quit…
I am not a quitter. I don’t like it. I actually did a personality test one time and it said one of my strongest qualities as a person is my loyalty. The test even said that I can be so loyal I will even stay committed even if I am completely unhappy. Then, when you mix that with being an overly optimistic person? Let’s just say I’ve found myself hanging on to a lot of things that don’t serve me.
Recently, during one of my coaching certification courses a couple of weeks ago, we talked about quitting. I actually had a lot of anxiety about the session (and maybe a little disregard.) Quit? Who quits? Me? Never. I’m hanging on forever…literally.
But as the session hit about halfway point, I came to see the incredible freedom that comes from quitting on things that are either a distraction, expired, or unattainable. I could not believe how much I had clung for so long. And the best part? When we “quit” we have more time, and energy, and focus on the things in our life (or people) that truly matter and make an impact.
So while the world tells us to white knuckle it all til the end, I want to offer you a permission slip to quit. Quit on it—quit on the things that are holding you back (yes, people included), quit on the ideas that are just cluttered and not going anywhere, quit on what is not working. Quit.
Find the freedom we are all seeking for a more simple, focused, and intentional life.
What are you going to “quit?”
season of change: let go.
Every Fall, I walk into this crazy season of change. It’s starting to get on my nerves…(wink, wink). I feel it coming about late August, and I’m all crazy once mid-September hits. I love progress and don’t mind growth, but over the past couple of years, this season of change has left me shaken and undone. These shifts are not just little nudges but significant life-altering transitions, and I am spent.
As I approach that fun mid-September time, I am feeling another big “woosh” of transition, and I feel myself white-knuckling anything I can grab onto. Why? I’m fighting, and I keep feeling a voice tell me to “lean in, let go of control.”
That takes a massive leap of faith to let go of your life. But the crazy thing is, in the past, when I have handed it all to God, He has created the most beautiful thins out of my crazy mess. It’s a brain-numbing experience to see alignment and beauty made out of chaos and anxiety. I love how God works in contradictions…when do you ever find anything when you let go of it?
So, here is the goal: let go, trust God, lean into the transition, and change. We got this….or, um…God’s got this.
xoxo,
Laura
struggles…
"You don't seem like a person who has had to struggle."
Huh. Are any free from the pains and sins of this broken world? No. Let's dive into it...
Drop the stigmas that helpers, givers, and leaders love free from it.
Why do you think they are doing what they are doing? Think about it. Most people who give and serve are coming from a place of breaking the chains and changing the system. They understand and empathize.
If I shared my full life story, it may make sense as to why my heart is drawn to helping women find belonging, resources during hard times, and a community....
Where do you think my drive to ministry is pulled from? Experience and compassion.
Let's drop the stigmas.
shine bright,
Laura
Risk Taker
It all begins with an idea.
I took a dive into something I have always wanted to do this past. I talked myself out of it a few times but this time I just threw my hands up and yelled, “Why not?!”
That felt good.
Then, later that day mid-onion chop in my kitchen, I paused and had the thought, “I wonder where else I have talked myself out of something in my life?”
And that did not feel good.
Huh. Do I hold myself back more than I thought I do? I think so.
I know we hear the saying, “You only live once.” but sheesh…how serious do we actually take that? And YOU!!! YOURSELF being the one to make it not happen? Yikes.
That was a true wake-up call for me. So…
Risks. Take them. And let it open doors for more risks built on confidence you have created from previous risks (phew). Baby steps. Self trust and self confidence is BASED ON cheering yourself on it hard situations or jumping into something new or RISKY. The power is where you come out on the other side of it. Whether its good, bad, awful, incredible or a total fail, show up for yourself and be your biggest support system.
Til next time,
Laura
doubt
It all begins with an idea.
When you say, “I’m doubting my faith.”
I say, “Congratulations.”
Why? Because doubting is not a sin, doubting is centered on explorations and finding answers. Just because you question something doesn’t mean you will fall into a pit of hell into the wayside.
Doubting is curiosity, and God does not fear your questions or concerns.
Doubting is not a sin, and asking questions does not make you “bad.”
Figuring out what you believe, feel or want out of your faith journey and relationship is CRITICAL in making it personal to you and creating a firm foundation to stand on.
If you have not doubted, asked questions, or dug deeper than your surface-level talk with God, I wonder how strong the relationship is.
Point: do not shame yourself for asking, wondering, and taking a step into the unknown. Ask God to show you something new and express your concerns to Him. He is a loving, caring, and understanding Father. He will lead you, offer peace, and place people in your life to help and help you through the process.
In Him,
Laura