“In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do His work, to bear His glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. If we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualification, then there's no danger that we will confuse God's work with our own, or God's glory with our own.” Madeleine L'Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith & Art

“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” ~ Cal Newport, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World 💗

Banishing shiny object syndrome with every turn of the page. ✨

"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few." Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

There's beauty in margin. ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Challenging words that encourage my heart as they remind me of God‘s greater purpose for marriage.

"It is only when we see that our pride and selfishness are the greatest barriers to our joy (rather than our spouse‘s sins or shortcomings) that our marriages will fully express the character of Christ." Gary L. Thomas, “Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?"

"By simplifying our lives, we‘re making space for what matters—to hear God more clearly, to give more wholeheartedly, and to place our energy in people and hearts rather than in things." Emily Ley, Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy ? ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

One perk of blogging is getting to read new books before they're released. Excited to share with you "Soul Nourishment: Satisfying Our Deep Longing for God" by Deborah Haddix ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

What new release are you most excited for, sweet friend? ?

Four books I'm currently reading:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“The Lake House" is from the #mmdreadingchallenge2018 #lovedit #bestending
I read one of the 55 "Writing Tools" most every night and one of of the "Secrets of the Secret Place" every week.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And "Writing Picture Books" is a dream of mine. ?

"Your habits are what you choose them to be." Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Had some of the best conversations while reading this book. Such a fascinating read. ?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

What are you reading, sweet friend? ?⠀

"Those who linger in His presence uncover the greatest joys of His presence." Bob Sorge, Secrets of the Secret Place: Keys to Igniting Your Personal Time with God
?

"Lion chasers are humble enough to let God call the shots and brave enough to follow where He leads." Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars
#bebrave ?

“The disciplines are God‘s way of getting us into the ground; they put us where He can work and transform us.” Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

“Cultivating an intentional life is about serving the Lord for His purposes and growing what matters with Him.” Lara Casey, Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life

Here are a few of my current reads. What‘s on your nightstand?

“We learn how to listen because we want to learn how to love. We want to learn how to practice hospitality, how to truly welcome people into our lives. We want to be story-hearers and not just storytellers. We want to find the internal quiet and stillness that will open us to being changed. We want to learn how to listen because we want to become more human." Adam S. McHugh, The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction

A reminder for the heart when your best wasn‘t good enough. 💗
.
“Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God‘s power alone be free to work.” Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place 📚

I loved the movie “Chariots of Fire” and was inspired by the man who refused to run on the Sabbath.

#TheFinalRace by Eric T. Eichinger with Eva Marie Everson shares the full story of #EricLiddell. This book reminds us: “The best race you run isn‘t the most important one. How you finish the final race matters most.”
.
#whatimreading #whatimdoingnow #whatimreadingwednesday #heartencouragement
.

Holding #FaithandFreedom in my hands brought a smile to my heart and His praises to my lips. I‘m honored to have my devotion “Free to Be Me” included in this beautiful anthology. 🇺🇸

“Through the biblical act of cherishing, we can empower our spouses to become who they are called by God to be, and in the process to become more of who we are called to be, creating a marriage that feels more precious, more connected, and more satisfying.” ~ Gary L. Thomas, Cherish: The One Word That Changes Everything for Your Marriage

📚💗 #whatimreading

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus‘ feet and wiped His feet with her hair.” (John 12:3a)

“Mary of Bethany was not one to use words when actions spoke louder. She, who once sat at the Lord‘s feet to learn and fell at His feet to weep, now knelt at His feet with ‘queenlike nobleness,‘ offering a priceless priceless gift.” Liz Curtis Higgs
📚💗
#thewomenofEaster

I usually have a few books I‘m reading. But since I added “The Fine Life” by Eva Marie Everson to my stack, I keep grabbing for it. 📚💗#whatimreading

“Absolutely nothing on earth is worth forsaking the life for which Christ has set you free.” Kelly Minter, No Other Gods: The Unrivaled Pursuit of Christ

“I want to do what You‘d do, say what You‘d say, and pray what You‘d pray if You were walking in my shoes today. Redeem my story so that my whole life reflects Your great love.” Susie Larson, Your Powerful Prayers: Reaching the heart of God with a Bold and Humble Faith